Just wanted to add that you should also ask about the CalWORKs car repair program if you have transportation issues! Many people don't know about it but they can help with emergency car repairs up to like $1000 if you're working or in their job training program. With 6 kids, reliable transportation is so important for getting to appointments, school, work, etc. Also make sure to get copies of all your benefit calculations at the interview - sometimes there are errors and it's easier to catch them if you have the paperwork right away.

Hey Sean! I'm in a similar situation - single mom with 5 kids and just got approved for CalWORKs last month. Yes, your CalFresh will go down but honestly the total amount you get is SO much better. My CalFresh dropped from about $1200 to around $750, but I got $1600 in CalWORKs cash aid so we're way better off overall. The hardest part was just adjusting my budget since I was used to having it all be food money. Now I have to be more careful about how much of the cash I spend on groceries vs other necessities. But having that flexibility to pay for things like school fees, clothes, and unexpected expenses has been amazing. Also definitely ask about ALL the other benefits - the childcare assistance alone has saved me hundreds! Good luck with your interview!

This story makes me SO MAD. The system acts like we're criminals for having family in other states or needing to travel! I had a similar investigation when my car broke down in Nevada and I was stuck there for 3 weeks. The worker accused me of "abandoning California residency" even though I had an apartment and job here! The whole thing is ridiculous - we're allowed to TRAVEL. Having a baby is a legit medical reason to get help from family. The system is broken when they treat normal life situations like fraud. Good luck with your case - stand your ground and don't let them intimidate you!

I'm so sorry you're going through this stress, especially with a newborn and toddler! This is actually more common than you think. I went through something similar when I had to stay with my sister in Oregon for 2 months after my c-section because I had complications and needed help. Here's what worked for me: I gathered EVERYTHING that showed I never stopped being a California resident - my lease agreement, utility bills that stayed in my name, bank statements showing I was still paying my CA rent, even receipts from stores near my apartment before I left and after I got back. The key thing is to show this was TEMPORARY and MEDICAL. Your pregnancy complications are a legitimate reason under CalWORKs rules. Don't let them make you feel like you did something wrong - you were taking care of your health and your children! If they won't listen, definitely ask for a supervisor or file an appeal. And document everything - write down the date/time of every conversation and what was said. You've got this mama! 💪

Also want to mention that when you get CalWORKs, your children automatically qualify for free school meals without having to complete a separate application. And you might qualify for reduced-cost internet and phone services through California LifeLine. These additional benefits add even more value beyond just comparing the Cash Aid amount to the CalFresh reduction.

Just wanted to add that you should also ask your worker about the CalWORKs housing assistance programs when you get approved. Some counties offer additional rental assistance or help with security deposits that can make a huge difference alongside your Cash Aid and CalFresh benefits. Also, if you're looking for work or need job training, the Welfare-to-Work (WTW) program can provide childcare vouchers and transportation assistance - these aren't counted as income so they won't affect your CalFresh calculation. The whole CalWORKs package is really designed to help you get ahead financially, not just replace one benefit with another.

Good luck with your application! I went through a similar process last year as a 20-year-old student. Just wanted to add that when you do your interview, make sure to emphasize that you're financially independent from your parents - the worker needs to understand this clearly to process your case correctly. Also, don't be discouraged if they ask for additional documentation after your interview. It's pretty common and doesn't mean you won't be approved. The whole process took about 3 weeks for me from application to first payment. Hope everything works out for you!

Just want to add something important that I learned the hard way - if you're approved for CalWORKs, make sure you understand the difference between your "cash aid" and your "food stamps" on the same EBT card. I accidentally used my food stamp balance thinking it was cash and got so confused when I couldn't withdraw money at the ATM! The food portion (CalFresh) can ONLY be used for eligible food items, while the cash portion (CalWORKs) works like a debit card for anything. It shows as two separate balances when you check your card. Also, some stores will ask if you want to use "EBT Cash" or "EBT Food" when you swipe - now I know what that means! Sounds obvious but it wasn't to me at first.

Great job getting everything sorted out with CalWORKs! Your experience is really helpful for others who might be in the same situation. It sounds like you handled it perfectly by calling and getting that documentation in your file. For anyone else reading this thread - Mateo's approach is exactly what I'd recommend. Report when hired (even without pay info) to create that paper trail, then follow up with actual pay stubs. The key is showing you're being proactive and transparent about changes. And congrats on landing the Target job! Having that IRT number ($2,735/month in your case) is super helpful to know. Most part-time retail jobs won't get anywhere close to that, so you should be good to go. Best of luck with the new position! 🎉

This whole thread is such a great resource! As someone who's been on CalWORKs for about 8 months now, I can totally relate to how confusing the reporting requirements can be. Every worker seems to tell you something slightly different! @014cf2a0535d - you handled this perfectly by calling and getting that documentation. That 2-hour hold time is absolutely brutal but so worth it for the peace of mind. And congrats on the Target job! 🎉 For anyone else reading this, the key takeaways I'm seeing are: 1. Report when you get hired (even without pay info) to create a paper trail 2. Follow up with actual pay stubs once you receive them 3. Know your IRT number - it should be on your Notice of Action 4. Keep ALL your documentation! The income disregard explanation from @fa735b3835d3 was super helpful too - I had no idea about the $450 exemption and 50% reduction formula. This is exactly the kind of real-world info they don't explain clearly in the paperwork. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences! 💪