Anyone got a personal loan using CalWORKs Cash Aid as proof of income?

Please don't get a payday loan! The interest rates are INSANE and will put you in a worse situation. Have you checked if you qualify for emergency assistance through CalWORKs? They have a program called "Immediate Need" where you can get help for emergency situations like this. Call your caseworker and explain that your refrigerator broke and you need emergency assistance for food storage for your children.

ooof i tried getting a loan with my cash aid last yr... got rejected by 3 places. they said govt benefits dont count as 'earned income' or something. only one that would do it was a payday place that wanted like 300% interest!!!

Instead of a loan, try contacting these resources first: 1. Your local Community Action Agency - they often have emergency assistance programs specifically for situations like yours 2. The LIHEAP program (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) sometimes has funds for appliance replacement if the broken appliance affects your well-being 3. Catholic Charities, Salvation Army, and St. Vincent de Paul all have emergency assistance programs 4. Check if your utility company has an appliance assistance program All of these are much better options than payday loans, which can charge up to 400% APR and trap you in a cycle of debt. Most lenders don't count CalWORKs as qualifying income because it's not considered permanent.

If you cant reach your worker try Claimyr.com - it got me through to my CalWORKs worker in like 15 minutes when I had an emergency situation last month. They basically call for you and get through the phone maze. There's a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE Once you get your worker, definitely ask about emergency assistance like others mentioned. Much better than any loan!

my sister got a small loan from her credit union with cash aid. they knew her tho and she had other stuff going for her like good credit and a part time job. most regular banks wont do it.

Instead of a loan, have u tried 211? they can refer u to agencies that might help with appliances. also check facebook marketplace or craigslist - sometimes ppl give away fridges for free if u can pick up. thats how i got mine when i was in ur situation.

I work at a nonprofit that helps low-income families, and I strongly advise against payday or high-interest loans. Most traditional lenders do not accept government benefits as qualifying income. For immediate help with your refrigerator situation: 1. If you receive CalFresh, they have a program called "Replacement Benefits" for when food spoils due to appliance failure 2. CalWORKs has a program called "Non-recurring Special Needs" that can potentially help with appliance replacement up to $600 3. Many counties have an Emergency Response Team that can address urgent needs faster than regular caseworkers Call the main CalWORKs number and specifically ask for the "Emergency Response Team" or "Special Needs" department. Make it clear this is a health and safety issue for your children.

Have you checked with your landlord? If you're renting, sometimes landlords are required to provide working appliances depending on your rental agreement. Worth looking into before taking on debt!

Update for everyone: I just checked the CalWORKs Handbook section 44-211.5, and refrigerators specifically are covered under the Non-recurring Special Needs benefit when they're essential for food storage and preparation. The current maximum is $640 as of 2025. The county is required to provide this benefit when: 1. The refrigerator is non-functioning 2. It creates a health/safety issue (which food storage clearly does) 3. You don't have other resources to replace it Print this regulation and take it with you when you speak to your worker!

I'm glad I found this thread! I was in a similar situation last year with my washing machine breaking down. I ended up getting help through the Non-recurring Special Needs program that Yara mentioned - it took about 2 weeks to process but they covered the full cost of a replacement. One tip: if you can't wait that long, some appliance stores will let you put a small deposit down to hold an appliance while you wait for the CalWORKs approval. Also, check if your county has a "same day" emergency response for situations involving children's health and safety - some counties can fast-track these requests when kids are involved.