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Make sure when u report u also tell them if ur breastfeeding!! U can get WIC benefits and also it cud affect ur WTW hours and participation reqirements if ur on welfare 2 work. I got a 3 month exemption from work requirements when I had my baby cuz i was breastfeeding!
That's good to know! I am breastfeeding and was worried about having to meet WTW hours with a newborn. I'll definitely mention that when I call.
Just wanted to add - if you're having trouble getting through by phone, try calling right when they open (usually 8am) or right after lunch around 1pm. Those tend to be the best times to actually reach someone. Also, some counties have specific "baby born" hotlines that are faster than the general CalWORKs number - ask when you do get through if they have one for future reference. And congrats on your new little one! The first few weeks are tough but hang in there. Make sure to take care of yourself too while you're dealing with all this paperwork stuff.
Thank you so much for the timing tips! I'll definitely try calling right at 8am tomorrow. And thanks for the congrats - you're right that these first weeks are overwhelming with all the paperwork on top of adjusting to life with a newborn. Really appreciate all the helpful advice from everyone here!
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Congratulations on your pregnancy! I'm also on CalWORKs and just wanted to add that when I was pregnant last year, I found it really helpful to establish a relationship with my caseworker early on. Even though you don't have to report the pregnancy right away, I'd suggest maybe giving them a heads up during your next regular check-in so they know what's coming. One thing I wish I had known - start keeping a folder now with all your pregnancy-related documents (ultrasound photos, doctor visit summaries, etc.) because you never know what they might ask for. Also, if you end up needing any medical accommodations for work or school requirements due to pregnancy symptoms, get those documented right away. The other moms here have given great advice about the special payments and timing. I just wanted to emphasize that staying organized and keeping good records really makes the whole process less stressful when you're dealing with a newborn. Best of luck with your pregnancy and navigating the system!
This is such wonderful advice about establishing that relationship with your caseworker early! I hadn't thought about giving them a heads up during my next check-in, but that makes a lot of sense - it could help things go more smoothly when I do need to report everything officially. The tip about keeping a pregnancy document folder is brilliant too. I can already see how having everything organized from the start would save so much stress later when I'm dealing with a newborn and trying to get paperwork submitted on time. Thank you for thinking of the practical side of things like medical accommodations too - I'm still pretty early in my pregnancy but it's good to know I should document anything that comes up. It's so reassuring to get advice from other moms who have actually navigated this system recently!
Congratulations on your pregnancy! I just wanted to add something that helped me when I was in a similar situation - if you decide to report your pregnancy now to get the Pregnancy Special Needs payment, make sure to ask your doctor specifically for a "medical verification of pregnancy" letter rather than just bringing in your ultrasound photos. Some caseworkers are pickier about the documentation format than others. Also, I'd recommend starting a simple log now of any pregnancy-related expenses (prenatal vitamins, maternity clothes, etc.) because sometimes they ask about special needs beyond the standard $47/month payment if you have documented medical requirements. One more tip - when you do report the birth later, ask about the "layette allowance" which is a one-time payment for baby essentials like clothes and blankets. Not all caseworkers mention it automatically, but it's available for newborns. The amount varies but it's usually around $100-150 and can really help with those first baby purchases. Good luck with everything! You're being really proactive by asking these questions ahead of time.
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I got this deposit too and just called my worker who confirmed it's for diapers. She said they're rolling it out to everyone with kids under 3 on CalWORKs. You're free to spend it! It's all legit.
wow u actually reached a person?? what time did u call? ive been trying all day
This is such a relief to hear about! I'm a single mom with a 18-month-old and diapers have been eating up so much of my budget lately. I haven't gotten my deposit yet but after reading all these comments I'm hopeful it's coming soon. Does anyone know if there's a specific day of the month they're sending these out? I'm with LA County if that makes a difference.
I'm in LA County too and got mine yesterday morning! From what I've been seeing in other groups, they seem to be processing these over several days rather than all at once. Some people got theirs Monday, others Tuesday, and a few are still waiting. I'd check your EBT balance daily for the next few days - yours will probably show up soon! The wait is nerve-wracking but it sounds like they're getting to everyone eventually.
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I just wanted to add one more thing - make sure to document everything. Take screenshots of your submitted SAR7 in BenefitsCal, write down the dates/times you called, names of anyone you spoke with, etc. If there is a problem with your March benefits, having this documentation will help you if you need to file for a fair hearing to get retroactive benefits. CalWORKs is required to follow certain timelines for processing your paperwork, and if they fail to do so but you submitted on time, you have rights to appeal any benefit interruptions.
Thank you! I've started keeping better records after this experience. I have screenshots of my BenefitsCal submission and I'm writing down every call attempt. I appreciate everyone's help and support here - it's made me feel less alone in dealing with this system.
I'm so sorry you're going through this stress! I had a similar situation a few months ago where my SAR7 got stuck in processing limbo. What really helped me was calling first thing in the morning right when the office opens (usually 8am) - that's when you're most likely to get through to someone. Also, if you have your confirmation number from when you submitted online, have that ready when you call because it helps them locate your case faster. The good news is that since you submitted before your deadline, your benefits should technically continue even if they haven't finished processing yet. Keep us posted on how it goes - we're all rooting for you!
Austin Leonard
I want to clarify something important that others haven't mentioned. The $1500 you were receiving before - was that just Cash Aid or was it a combination of Cash Aid and CalFresh? They're separate programs with different income calculations. For a family of 5, the maximum CalWORKs grant in 2025 is around $1,357 (the exact amount depends on your county), so if you were getting $1500 total, that likely included some CalFresh benefits too. Make sure you understand which benefits make up your total so you can better plan your budget going forward.
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Savannah Vin
•You're right - the $1500 was my total including both Cash Aid and CalFresh. I get them both on the same EBT card so I sometimes forget they're separate programs. I think it was about $1200 Cash Aid and $300 CalFresh. So with the calculations everyone's explaining, I'll probably still get around $1075 in Cash Aid plus some CalFresh... that plus my job should be enough to cover our expenses. Thank you all for the help!
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Emma Garcia
Congratulations on getting the job! That's a big step. Just wanted to add that you should also ask about transportation assistance when you talk to your worker. CalWORKs can help with gas money, bus passes, or even car repairs if you need them to get to work. A lot of people don't know about this benefit but it can really help when you're transitioning to working. Also, keep track of any work-related expenses like uniforms or supplies - some of those can be deducted from your income calculation too. You're doing great by working and staying on top of reporting your changes!
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Aisha Hussain
•Thank you so much! I had no idea about transportation assistance - that would be amazing since I'm spending about $60 a week on gas to get to work. Do you know if I need to apply separately for that or if my worker can set it up? And what kind of work expenses can be deducted? I had to buy a uniform and non-slip shoes for my job. This community has been so helpful - I was panicking about losing everything but now I feel like I have a real plan!
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