Can GED classes count toward my 30 hour CalWORKs WTW requirement?

Yes! GED classes definitely count toward your WTW hours. I completed my GED through the WTW program last year. Here's how it works: 1. You'll need to complete a WTW 2 plan with your worker where you list GED as your activity 2. You can count classroom hours plus study time (usually 1-2 hours of study time for each hour in class) 3. For a 30-hour requirement, you might have 15 hours of actual class time and 15 hours of study time Make sure you get verification from your GED program for your attendance. Your worker will need to approve your plan first, so don't just sign up without talking to them.

My worker told me GED only counts for like 10 hours and i still had to do ANOTHER activity to fill the other 20!!!!! This is why i HATE dealing with the county, everyone tells u something different. When i called back to talk to someone else they hung up on me THREE TIMES. the whole system is designed to make us fail i swear

I'm in the ESL program thru WTW right now (not GED but similar) and here's what i learnedd - it depends on if you do a Self-Initiated Program (SIP) or regular WTW activity: - If you were already in GED before CalWORKs: can count as SIP with different rules - If starting now: needs county approval and they'll determine hours My county lets me count 20 hrs class + 10 hrs study but my friend in next county over only gets to count the actual class time. u def need verification from school for attendance every month too.

To give you the official answer: Yes, GED preparation can absolutely count toward your 30-hour WTW requirement under CalWORKs. Education directly related to employment is an approved WTW activity. However, there's some nuance: 1. If you're under 20 without a high school diploma, GED can be your only activity 2. If you're over 20, your county might require you to combine GED with another activity 3. Every county interprets the rules slightly differently The most important thing is getting your WTW plan approved BEFORE starting classes. Your Employment Services Specialist should help you develop this plan. If you're having trouble reaching your worker to discuss this, I'd recommend trying Claimyr (claimyr.com). They can get you through to a live person at CalWORKs without the endless hold times. There's a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE - it's been helpful for many people trying to get their WTW plans approved.

im doing GED right now and yes it counts but they make u sign in and out of every class and if u miss even 1 they could sanction u so be careful!!! they count hours weird too like sometimes they dont give u credit for full class time if the teacher lets u out early

Just to follow up on my earlier comment - when you talk to your worker, specifically ask about the "Educational Pathway" for WTW. This is the official name for using education to meet your participation requirements. Also, the rules changed recently in California making it easier to use education to fulfill WTW requirements. Counties should allow: - Counting homework/study time (usually one hour for each hour of class) - Online/distance learning options for GED - More flexibility with attendance verification If your worker isn't familiar with these changes, you can mention SB 1232 which expanded educational opportunities in the WTW program.

I done my GED thru CalWORKs last year and it helped me so much. My county let me count 12 hours class time and 12 hours study time. The other 6 hours I had to do job search but it wasnt too bad. Make sure u keep all ur attendance papers!!! I lost one month's paper and they almost sanctioned me but my teacher wrote a letter saying i was there everyday.

One more important point: If you're starting a GED program, make sure you ask about supportive services! CalWORKs can provide: - Transportation assistance to get to and from classes - Book and supplies money - Childcare during class and study time Don't miss out on these benefits - they're designed to help you succeed in your education while meeting your WTW requirements. Some counties also have specific CalWORKs counselors at community colleges and adult schools who can help you navigate the system.

I'm currently in the process of getting my GED approved for my WTW hours too! One thing I learned from talking to other people in my area is that you should ask your worker about "concurrent enrollment" if there's a community college near you. Some counties will let you take GED prep classes at the community college AND get college credit for them at the same time. That way when you finish your GED, you're already started on college courses which can also count toward WTW. Also, if you're worried about the 30 hours, ask about "barrier removal" activities. If you have any issues like transportation problems, childcare needs, or even mental health stuff, they sometimes count counseling or case management toward your hours while you're getting your GED. Every little bit helps when you're trying to make those 30 hours work with school! Good luck with getting everything approved - sounds like you're on the right track now!