That's great news that it worked out! Just wanted to add for anyone else reading this - if you ever have issues with Bank of America tellers not knowing about EBT Cash Aid withdrawals, you can ask to speak with a supervisor or show them that it's specifically mentioned in their EBT program guidelines. I've had a couple newer tellers who weren't familiar with the process, but once they checked with someone more experienced it was no problem. Also, keep your receipt from the teller withdrawal just like you would with an ATM transaction - it shows the withdrawal amount and remaining balance which is helpful for budgeting.

Welcome to CalWORKs and glad you found this thread helpful! Just wanted to add another tip - if you're ever in a situation where you need cash urgently but Bank of America branches are closed, you can also get cash back at many grocery stores when you buy something with your EBT card. Places like Safeway, Walmart, and some CVS locations let you get cash back from your Cash Aid account when you make a purchase. It's usually limited to like $50-100 depending on the store, but it's free and can be a lifesaver on weekends or after banking hours. The key is to make sure you're selecting "Cash" not "Food" when they ask which account to use at checkout.

This is a really good thread with lots of helpful info! I'm new to CalWORKs and had no idea about the "excluded member" rule before reading this. It actually makes sense when you think about it - they're trying to help as many family members as possible rather than denying the whole family. One thing I wanted to add is that you should also make sure your worker is using the most current income limits. The limits did increase at the beginning of 2025, so if your case was processed using old limits, you might want to ask for a redetermination. Also, if your income changes (like if you get a raise or your hours get cut), make sure to report it because it could affect whether you're excluded or not. It sounds like you're asking all the right questions though - definitely get that income calculation worksheet and double-check their math!

I'm new to this community but this discussion has been incredibly helpful! I'm currently going through the CalWORKs application process and was totally confused when my caseworker mentioned something about "assistance units" and excluding family members. Reading everyone's experiences here makes so much more sense than the brief explanation I got at the office. I wanted to ask - for those who have been through this excluded member situation, how long did it take for your benefits to actually start once they figured out the correct calculation? My worker said it could take a few weeks but I'm hoping it's faster than that since we really need the help. Also, does anyone know if being excluded from CalWORKs affects eligibility for emergency assistance programs? We might need help with utilities while we're waiting for the regular benefits to kick in. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories and advice - this community is amazing for getting real information that actually makes sense!

I just went through this same process in San Bernardino County last month! The $200 WTW participation incentive definitely exists, but like others mentioned, the timing varies. For me, it took exactly 4 weeks from when my sanction was removed to when I saw the payment. What I learned is that your worker has to complete two separate actions in the computer system: 1) officially close/cure your sanction case, and 2) enter your participation verification for the incentive payment. Sometimes there's a gap between these two things happening. I'd suggest calling and specifically asking if both steps have been completed. Also, when you do get it, it'll show up as a separate line item on your Notice of Action - mine said "WTW PARTICIPATION INCENTIVE $200.00" so you'll know exactly what it is. Hang in there, it should come through!

I just wanted to add my experience from Orange County - I got my sanction removed about 8 months ago and had a similar situation. The $200 WTW participation incentive took about 3 weeks to show up for me, but here's something important that I don't think anyone mentioned yet: make sure you're meeting the minimum weekly participation hours AFTER your sanction is removed. In my county, I had to complete at least 32 hours per week of approved WTW activities (job search, education, work experience, etc.) for a full month before the incentive payment was triggered. My worker initially forgot to tell me this requirement, so I was only doing like 20 hours a week thinking it was enough. Once I started hitting the 32 hours consistently and turned in my participation verification sheets on time, the payment came through. Also, if you're doing job search activities, make sure you're documenting everything properly - they want to see specific employer names, dates, and contact methods for each application. Hope this helps!

One more tip - when you reapply, you can actually request a reasonable accommodation based on your disability. This means they can give you extra time to submit documents, help you fill out forms, or even do a phone interview instead of requiring you to come in person if your back injury makes it difficult to travel. Just be sure to mention your need for accommodation when you apply.

I just went through this exact situation 6 months ago! Definitely reapply - don't waste time with an appeal. Since your income changed due to becoming disabled, that's a completely new circumstance and appeals won't help you here. When you reapply, make sure to bring your SDI award letter as proof of your new income level. Also ask about expedited processing since you have a young child and are dealing with a disability. In my county they processed my reapplication in about 10 days once I had all the right paperwork. Pro tip: Since you're now on disability, you'll likely qualify for the disability exemption from work requirements, which means you won't have to do job search or training activities while you're recovering. This is a huge relief when you're already dealing with health issues! Good luck - you've got this! Your situation is exactly what these programs are designed to help with.

Congratulations on your pregnancy! As someone new to this community, I wanted to share what I learned from a similar situation. You should absolutely report your pregnancy right away - your mother-in-law is correct! When you report your pregnancy, CalFresh will immediately count you as a household of 2, which should significantly increase your monthly benefits. The increase is retroactive to when you report it (not when you became pregnant), so don't delay. For CalWORKs cash aid, you're right that you typically need to wait until your third trimester unless you have pregnancy complications preventing you from working. However, getting into the system early makes the transition much smoother. I'd recommend using the BenefitsCal website to report online rather than dealing with phone wait times. Make sure to have your pregnancy verification form from your doctor ready to upload - they'll need your due date clearly stated. Also apply for WIC immediately! It's completely separate from CalFresh and you qualify right away when pregnant. WIC provides vouchers for nutritious foods specifically for pregnancy and is much easier to access than other programs. Since you mentioned you and your partner handle food separately, just be honest about your actual living arrangement. The system is designed to help pregnant women, not create barriers. Don't stress too much - you've got this mama! 💕

Congratulations on your pregnancy! As a newcomer to this community, I wanted to add my voice to all the excellent advice you've received. Your mother-in-law is absolutely right - you should report your pregnancy immediately! I recently went through this process myself and can confirm that reporting pregnancy increases your CalFresh benefits right away since they count you as a household of 2. My benefits went from around your amount to over $400/month just from reporting pregnancy. The key is getting that pregnancy verification from your doctor with your due date clearly stated. Everyone's advice about using BenefitsCal online is spot on - it's so much easier than trying to get through on the phone. For CalWORKs, you're correct that you typically wait until third trimester, but starting the process early helps everything go smoother. Don't forget about WIC! It's separate from CalFresh and you qualify immediately when pregnant. They provide vouchers for milk, eggs, and other nutritious foods specifically for pregnancy. The WIC office is usually much more responsive than the welfare office too. Since you mentioned handling food separately from your partner, just be honest about your actual living situation. The system is designed to support pregnant women, not create obstacles. You've got this - take that first step and report your pregnancy this week! Best of luck mama! 💕