I'm new to this community and CalWORKs, but this thread has been incredibly helpful! The callback system sounds really frustrating and unreliable based on everyone's experiences. It seems like the consensus is to not rely on callbacks for anything time-sensitive. @Anastasia Popov - I hope you were able to get your SAR7 submitted on time! The advice about the $500 earned income disregard was news to me too - that's such important information that should be more clearly communicated to people starting work while on benefits. For anyone else dealing with similar issues, it sounds like the key takeaways are: call mid-week mornings when possible, always have a backup plan (going in person or submitting online), and submit paperwork by the deadline even if you can't talk to someone first. You can always clarify details later, but missing deadlines can cause much bigger problems. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and advice - this is exactly the kind of real-world knowledge that helps newcomers like me navigate the system!

I'm new to both this community and CalWORKs, but this entire thread has been incredibly eye-opening! The callback system sounds so unreliable and stressful, especially when you're dealing with important deadlines like SAR7 submissions. @Anastasia Popov - I really hope you were able to get your paperwork submitted on time! It's so frustrating that you had to deal with that kind of anxiety when you're already taking the positive step of starting work. The advice everyone shared about the $500 earned income disregard is something I had no idea about - it seems like crucial information that should be explained more clearly upfront. Reading through everyone's experiences, it's clear that having multiple backup plans is essential when dealing with the system. The insider tip from @Ethan Wilson about mid-week mornings being less busy is particularly valuable, and the consensus about submitting paperwork on time even if it's not perfect makes a lot of sense. As someone just starting to navigate all of this, I'm really grateful for communities like this where people share honest, practical advice based on real experiences. It's reassuring to see how supportive everyone is, especially when the official systems can be so unreliable. Definitely bookmarking this thread for future reference!

I've been on CalWORKs for about 6 months now and had a similar issue when I first got approved. The amount you're getting does seem low for a family of 4 with no income in LA County. One thing I learned is that they sometimes make mistakes during the initial calculation, especially if you're a new case. The workers are handling so many cases and sometimes things get overlooked. Here's what I'd recommend based on my experience: - Call first thing Monday morning (8 AM sharp) - the hold times are much shorter then - Have your case number ready and ask to speak to your specific worker - If they can't explain the calculation clearly, ask to speak with a supervisor - Request they mail you a detailed breakdown showing exactly how they calculated your $1,127 Also, make sure they have all your documents on file. Sometimes they approve you with incomplete information and use a lower amount until everything is verified. The fact that you're only $128 away from the full amount for a family of 4 suggests there might be a specific reason for the reduction. Don't give up - you deserve to get the correct amount for your family size! Good luck and please update us when you find out what happened!

I'm new to CalWORKs too and just went through my interview last week. Reading through all these responses has been so educational! I didn't realize there were so many factors that could affect the grant amount. One thing I wanted to add that hasn't been mentioned yet - when I was at my interview, the worker gave me a paper that listed all the documents they still needed from me. She said if I didn't get everything in within 30 days, it could affect my benefit amount. Maybe check if there are any outstanding document requests that could be causing the reduction? Also, I noticed you mentioned having $1,200 in savings. I'm not sure if that affects the cash aid amount, but I know there are resource limits for CalWORKs. You might want to ask about that too when you call. Really hoping you get this figured out soon! The stress of not knowing if you're getting the right amount when you're already struggling financially is just awful. Keep us posted on what you find out - this thread is helping me understand the system better as a new recipient too.

I'm in a similar situation right now - just got approved for CalWORKs last week and have been stressing about this exact thing! Reading everyone's responses here is so helpful. It sounds like even though the CalFresh will go down, we'll still be better off overall with the Cash Aid. I'm definitely going to try calling my worker to get the specific numbers like some of you suggested. Has anyone had luck getting through to the county office lately? I keep getting busy signals when I call. Also wondering - do they usually give you advance notice before they change your CalFresh amount, or does it just happen automatically once the Cash Aid starts?

I just wanted to add something that helped me when I went through this transition - try to stock up on some non-perishable foods before your CalFresh amount changes, especially if you're worried about that first month. Things like rice, beans, pasta, canned goods, etc. That way you have a buffer while you're adjusting to the new amounts. Also, don't forget that many food banks and pantries are available if you need extra help during the transition. I used a local food pantry for a couple weeks when I was figuring out my new budget and it really took the stress off. There's no shame in using all the resources available to feed your family! One more tip - if you shop at stores that accept EBT, many of them also participate in programs that give you extra money for buying fresh fruits and vegetables. Like at farmers markets you can sometimes double your CalFresh dollars for produce. Every little bit helps stretch that food budget further.

Just wanted to check in - how did your recertification interview go? Mine was yesterday and I got approved on the spot! Hope yours went well too!

So glad to hear it went well! I'm new to this community but going through my first CalWORKs application process right now and reading everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful. The anxiety around these interviews seems so universal - it's reassuring to know that most of the time things work out fine when you have your documents ready and are honest. Thanks for sharing the update, it gives me hope for when I have my own interview next month!

I just went through my redetermination last month and can share my experience! The interview was definitely easier than my initial application - took about 15 minutes by phone vs. the 2+ hours I spent at the office originally. A few tips that helped me: - Call your county office first thing in the morning (8-9am) to request phone interview - that's when I had the best luck reaching someone - Have your documents organized in advance: recent pay stubs, rent receipt, utility bills, and bank statements - Write down any changes since your last review (new job, moved, household changes, etc.) - Keep notes during the interview about what they tell you The caseworker mostly asked about my current income and if anything had changed with my living situation. Since you're working part-time now, make sure to emphasize that you're meeting your Welfare to Work requirements - they love to hear about employment progress! Don't stress too much about the savings account - as others mentioned, you're way under the asset limit. Good luck with your interview!

I'm going through my first redetermination next month too and this thread has been SO helpful! Reading everyone's experiences makes me feel less anxious about it. One thing I wanted to add - I called my county office yesterday using that early morning tip someone mentioned and actually got through to a real person! They confirmed I can do the phone interview and even let me schedule it for a time that works with my work schedule. The caseworker I spoke with said to have my last 4 pay stubs ready, current rent receipt, and any bank statements from the past 3 months. She also mentioned something that might help others - if you're having trouble gathering all the documents, they can sometimes give you a 10-day extension to submit missing paperwork after the interview. Obviously it's better to have everything ready, but it's good to know there's some flexibility if needed. Thanks again to everyone who shared their experiences - this community is amazing for getting real advice from people who actually know what it's like to navigate this system!