CalWORKs WTW exemption ending - can I meet hours with my current job while still caring for my 2-year-old?

same thing happened to me last year. u need 32 hours per week activities for single parent w/ kid over 2. if ur working 25 already thats good, u only need like 7 more hours of something. when u go to orientation bring ur paystubs to prove ur already working

Your current job can definitely count toward your WTW hours! Since your child is over 2 years old, you'll need to participate in work activities for 30 hours per week as a single parent (32 hours if you're in a two-parent household). Here's what you should do: 1. Attend the WTW orientation they're requiring (this is mandatory) 2. Bring proof of your current employment (pay stubs, employment verification letter) 3. Work with your case manager to create a WTW plan that includes your current job 4. If needed, discuss options for the additional hours (usually 5 more hours if you're working 25) The additional hours could be met through approved activities like job skills training, education, or job search - whatever makes sense for your situation. You may even qualify for Self-Initiated Program (SIP) status if you want to go to school part-time to fill those extra hours. The good news is that CalWORKs has to work with your existing employment, especially since it allows you to care for your child.

I went through this exact transition last year. Your current employment absolutely counts toward your WTW requirements, but you need to formalize it in their system. Here's what you need to know: - The CalWORKs WTW requirement for a single parent with a child over 2 is 30 hours weekly - Your 25 hours of work will count, but you'll need an additional 5 hours of approved activity - You MUST attend the orientation (even if already working) or risk sanctions - Bring documentation proving your employment (pay stubs for last 30 days, work schedule, etc.) For the additional 5 hours, you have options like: - Increasing hours at your current job if possible - Job search activities - Online trainings through the WTW program - Vocational education/training Also, since childcare seems important to you, make sure to ask about childcare assistance through CalWORKs. They can provide vouchers even if you only need part-time care to cover those extra activity hours. This benefit continues even after you leave CalWORKs (through Stage 2 and 3 childcare).

THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT UR SITUATION AT ALL!!! I had perfect job too where I could have my kids with me and when my youngest turned 2 they FORCED me into their stupid program and I lost my job because I couldn't make their mandatory meetings!!! The whole system is designed to make u fail I swear. My worker was so rude when I told her I already had a job that worked for my family. Now I'm doing min wage job their program found me and paying $$$ for childcare that CalWORKs only covers part of.

Call ur worker RIGHT AWAY to discuss this! if u wait till u get the appointment it might be too late. i waited and got a Notice of Action saying I was in sanction before I even met with anyone! Took forever to fix. I was able to keep my job but had to add volunteer hours to make up the difference to 30 hrs. btw getting thru on the phone is impossible!!! i tried for 3 days straight and kept getting disconnected or waiting for hours. finally i used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that holds ur place in line and calls u back when a worker answers. saved me so much headache, they have a video showing how it works here https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE

When my exemption ended, I just filled out a WTW2 form showing my work hours and brought in my pay stubs. I was already working 32 hours so didn't need anything else. But my friend who worked 22 hours had to do job search workshops for the rest. The most important thing is DON'T MISS ORIENTATION even if you're working! They can sanction you for that. Also make sure you're reporting your income correctly on your SAR7 forms. Sometimes people think having a job means they can't get CalWORKs anymore but that's not true - they just adjust your grant amount based on earnings.

No one answrd the part about keeping ur kid with u. I was in same boat. You can ask for "reasonable accommodations" for your WTW plan based on your childcare needs. Put it in WRITING to your worker. They can be flexible with the type of activities but not really with the total hours. Be super clear that u need activities u can do while watching ur kid or from home because of childcare issues. They have online options for some of the extra hours. Worst case u could do like 1 day of activities without ur kid if u have someone who can watch them just for that day each week. Good luck!