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.

Sofia, I'm so glad you found this thread before taking out a payday loan! I went through almost the exact same situation 6 months ago. Here's what worked for me: I called the CalWORKs emergency line (not the regular number) and specifically said "I need to speak to someone about Non-recurring Special Needs for a broken refrigerator that's affecting my children's food safety." They transferred me to a supervisor who was able to expedite the request. I had approval within 48 hours and a check within a week. The key is using the exact words "children's food safety" - they take that very seriously. Also, take photos of your broken fridge and any spoiled food as evidence. Don't give up if the first person you talk to doesn't know about this program - ask to speak to a supervisor or someone familiar with emergency special needs benefits. You've got this!

Just wanted to add another resource that might help while you're waiting for CalWORKs approval - many food banks and churches have emergency food programs that include shelf-stable items that don't need refrigeration. Places like canned goods, peanut butter, crackers, etc. This could help bridge the gap for your kids' meals until you get your fridge situation sorted out. Also, if you have any neighbors or friends with extra fridge space, don't be afraid to ask if you can store some essentials there temporarily. Most people understand emergencies and are willing to help, especially when kids are involved. You're doing great advocating for your family - hang in there!

I'm really glad to see all the helpful advice here! Just wanted to add that if you do end up needing to buy a fridge while waiting for CalWORKs approval, consider looking into rent-to-own places as a last resort before payday loans. While they're not ideal either, places like Rent-A-Center or Aaron's typically have much lower weekly payments than the insane interest rates on payday loans. Some also offer early buyout options if you get your CalWORKs assistance approved quickly. But definitely exhaust all the free/assistance options everyone mentioned first - the Non-recurring Special Needs program sounds like your best bet! Also, if you have a car, check out estate sales and garage sales this weekend - sometimes you can find working fridges for $50-100. Wishing you and your kids the best in getting this resolved quickly!

I've been following this thread and wow, what an incredible resource this has become! Sofia, I'm so happy you found all this help before going the payday loan route. I wanted to add one more tip that saved me when I was in a similar situation - if you call CalWORKs and they put you on hold forever, don't hang up! I know it's frustrating, but I once waited 2.5 hours on hold and finally got through to someone who was able to help me same-day with an emergency situation. Also, when you call, have your case number, Social Security number, and a pen ready to write down reference numbers for your call. Document everything - who you spoke to, when, and what they told you. This helps if you need to call back or escalate. You've got an amazing support system here in this community, and it sounds like you have a solid plan now. Keep us updated on how it goes!

As someone who works with families in crisis situations, I want to echo what others have said about avoiding payday loans at all costs. The APRs are predatory and designed to trap people in debt cycles. I'd also suggest calling your local 211 and asking specifically about "emergency appliance assistance" - many areas have programs through United Way or other nonprofits that can help with exactly this situation. Some utility companies also have hardship programs that include appliance replacement. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - if you're in a larger city, check if there's a "Buy Nothing" group on Facebook for your neighborhood. People often give away working appliances when they move or upgrade. Also, habitat for humanity ReStore locations sometimes have donated appliances at very low prices. The CalWORKs Non-recurring Special Needs program that others mentioned really is your best bet though. When you call, be persistent and don't let them tell you it doesn't exist - some front-line workers aren't familiar with all the programs available. Ask to speak to a supervisor if needed. You're advocating for your children's health and safety, which should be their top priority.

Sofia, I'm so glad you found this thread before going the payday loan route! I just wanted to add that when you call CalWORKs tomorrow about the Non-recurring Special Needs program, you might want to also ask about expedited processing since you have children and this affects their food safety. Some counties can approve these requests within 24-48 hours for emergency situations involving kids. Also, if your county has a CalWORKs office that does walk-ins, sometimes showing up in person with your documentation can be faster than phone calls - they can't put you on hold indefinitely when you're sitting right there! Make sure to bring photos of the broken fridge, any spoiled food, and emphasize that this is impacting your children's health and nutrition. You've got this, and it sounds like you have a really solid plan now thanks to everyone's advice here!

I just wanted to add one more resource that might help while you're waiting - many local churches have emergency assistance funds specifically for situations like this, even if you're not a member. I know it can feel uncomfortable to ask, but most have compassionate outreach programs for families with children facing urgent needs. When I was in a similar spot, the Methodist church near me helped cover a repair bill within 24 hours, no questions asked. Also, if you have a Costco or Sam's Club membership (or know someone who does), they sometimes have really good deals on appliances with same-day delivery. But honestly, after reading all this advice, the CalWORKs Non-recurring Special Needs program sounds like your best bet. Document everything, use the phrase "children's food safety" and don't take no for an answer. You're being such a good advocate for your kids!

Sofia, I'm so relieved you found this community before making a financial decision you might regret! I went through something similar when my water heater died last winter. The payday loan places make it sound so easy, but that 400% APR is absolutely predatory - I've seen families lose their cars and homes because they got trapped in that cycle. I'm a case manager at a local nonprofit, and I want to emphasize what others have said about the CalWORKs Non-recurring Special Needs program. It's real, it covers refrigerators, and the current maximum is indeed $640. When you call, if the first person doesn't know about it, don't give up. Ask to speak with an "eligibility specialist" or supervisor who handles special needs requests. Also, while you're waiting for approval, most food pantries can provide shelf-stable items that don't need refrigeration - things like canned meals, crackers, peanut butter, and juice boxes that kids actually like. Many pantries specifically set aside "kid-friendly" non-perishable items for situations exactly like yours. You're doing everything right by reaching out for help instead of jumping into a high-interest loan. Your kids are lucky to have such a thoughtful advocate!

I'm so glad you found this amazing community before going the payday loan route, Sofia! As someone who's been on CalWORKs for about 2 years, I can tell you that everyone here is absolutely right about avoiding those predatory lenders. I actually had success using my CalWORKs benefits as proof of income for a small personal loan, but it was through a local credit union where I'd been a member for years and had built a relationship. They were much more understanding than big banks. However, after reading all this incredible advice about the Non-recurring Special Needs program, I wish I had known about that option first! One thing I'd add - when you call CalWORKs, try calling right when they open (usually 8 AM) or right after lunch around 1 PM. I've found those times have shorter wait times. Also, if you have a smartphone, put them on speaker and do other things while you wait so the hold time doesn't feel as endless. You've got such a solid plan now thanks to everyone's help here. Definitely try the CalWORKs assistance first - $640 can get you a really decent fridge that will last for years. Keep us updated on how it goes!

I'm so glad you found this thread before considering a payday loan! I went through a similar situation about 8 months ago when my stove broke. Like others mentioned, most traditional lenders won't accept CalWORKs as qualifying income, but the Non-recurring Special Needs program through CalWORKs is absolutely your best option here. One tip I haven't seen mentioned yet - when you call, have your benefit verification letter ready along with photos of the broken refrigerator. I also took a photo of my empty fridge showing it wasn't cooling anymore. The visual documentation really helped speed up my approval process. Also, if you're in a county that uses the C4Yourself system online, you can actually submit a request for special needs assistance through the portal in addition to calling. Sometimes the online route gets processed faster than phone requests. In the meantime, don't forget that WIC (if you receive it) can replace spoiled formula or baby food due to appliance failure. And many local food banks have emergency boxes specifically designed for families without refrigeration - they include things like shelf-stable milk, canned pasta, and other kid-friendly items that don't need to stay cold. You're doing such a great job advocating for your family! This community is proof that there are always more resources available than we initially realize.

Sofia, I'm so relieved you found this thread before going the payday loan route! I work for a nonprofit that helps families navigate government benefits, and I can confirm everything people are saying about the Non-recurring Special Needs program. It's real and it works - I've helped dozens of families get approval for refrigerators through this program. A few additional tips from my experience: 1. When you call, ask to be transferred to the "Special Needs Unit" or "Emergency Services" - not all phone operators know about these specialized departments 2. If they say there's no funding available, ask them to check again in a few days - these programs get funding allocated periodically throughout the month 3. Keep calling back if you get different answers - unfortunately, staff knowledge varies widely Also, many appliance stores will accept a "pending approval" letter from CalWORKs and let you take the fridge home with a small deposit (usually $50-100) while the payment processes. Home Depot and Lowe's both have programs like this. You're being such a smart advocate for your kids by asking here first instead of jumping into a predatory loan. The interest rates on those payday loans would have made your situation so much worse. Wishing you the best with your call tomorrow!