Adding myself to son's CalWORKs case or submit new application? Confused about process

You can't exactly be "added" to his mom's case - since you two aren't together as a household unit. What you need to do is apply for your own separate CalWORKs case for when your son is with you under the 50/50 custody arrangement. You'll need to fill out a full application packet and provide proof of the custody agreement at your interview. Make sure you specifically tell them it's a shared custody situation because how they calculate the benefit amounts is different than a regular case.

This is actually something I dealt with last year. You need to submit a new CalWORKs application through BenefitsCal.com or get a paper application from your county office. You CAN'T be added to mom's case - you'll need your own separate case. The important thing is your custody agreement. With 50/50 custody, you can get a prorated cash aid amount for the days your son is with you. They'll want to see your court order showing the custody arrangement. The county will coordinate between both cases so benefits aren't duplicated. Your son's mom's benefits will likely be reduced since she no longer has him 100% of the time.

Both of u will get 1/2 payments for the child. My friend did this & they take the full months payment divide by 30 days multiply by the # of days kid is with each parent. So if kid gets $400 & spends 15 days with each parent u each get $200. But its a huge hassle getting the county to do it right.

I went through this EXACT thing last year and it was so confusing. You definitely need a new application - you can't be added to mom's case. But here's what I wish someone told me: you need to bring the custody agreement to your interview, make sure you tell them it's 50/50 custody right away, AND make sure they code it right in the system. My ex was furious because they ended up cutting her benefits completely at first because the worker thought I had full custody. It took months to fix and she blamed me even though it wasn't my fault. Just be prepared for some drama when her benefits change.

Have you tried using Claimyr to get through to a CalWORKs worker? After trying to call for days and getting disconnected multiple times, I used Claimyr.com and they got me connected to a real person in like 10 minutes. They have a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE. I found it super helpful for asking these complicated custody questions since you really need to talk to someone who knows what they're doing. With shared custody cases, you definitely want to talk to a worker directly rather than just submitting an application.

One more important thing - when you apply, make sure you're meeting the Welfare to Work (WTW) requirements yourself. Since you'll be the adult on your own case, you'll need to fulfill the work/training hours unless you qualify for an exemption. This is separate from your son's mom's requirements for her case.

Yes, bring your recent pay stubs to the interview. Working 30 hours a week meets the WTW requirements, so you should be fine there. Just be prepared that the application process can take some time - up to 30 days for approval after your interview. Also, they'll ask about child support. Since you have 50/50 custody, this might be different than typical cases, but be ready to discuss any child support arrangements during your interview.

just fyi they mite ask u if ur paying child suport to the mom. if u are they will count that as income 4 her and it could effect her benefits also. so many things to keep track of with these seprate cases!

Did you get the SAR7 form from his mom's case? That form shows who's on the case right now & might help when you go to your interview.

The county will definitely be able to see that your son is on another case. Make sure to bring ID for both yourself and your son (his birth certificate and Social Security card if you have copies), plus the custody order. You should also bring proof of your address, income verification (pay stubs), and any information about other resources you have. The more documentation you bring to your interview, the smoother the process should go.

One thing I'd add - when you submit your application, make sure you specifically mention in writing that this is a shared custody situation with an existing case for the same child. I've seen cases where workers don't realize there's already another case and it causes delays or confusion. Also, if possible, try to schedule your interview during a time when you can bring your son with you - some workers like to see the child in person to verify the relationship, especially in shared custody cases. Good luck with the process!