Can I attend college on CalWORKs or do I have to join their assigned WTW program?

Your education CAN count toward your WTW hours! The county worker should have explained this to you. You need to request a WTW plan that includes your education as your core activity. Nursing is definitely an approved educational program since it leads directly to employment. Here's what you need to do: 1. Request a meeting with your WTW case manager (not your eligibility worker) 2. Bring your enrollment verification, class schedule, and program information showing it leads to employment 3. Ask specifically for a SIP (Self-Initiated Program) designation if you were enrolled before being approved for CalWORKs 4. Complete a WTW 2 form (Activity Agreement) that includes your education They absolutely cannot just take away your Cash Aid if you're meeting your participation hours through an approved educational activity. The law allows education to count!

they WILL take ur aid away if u dont do what they say. my sister tried 2 do some beauty school thing and they cut her off after 2 months cuz she wouldn't go to their stupid job search class. its all about CONTROL with these people. they dont care if ur trying to better urself

Education absolutely counts for Welfare to Work! I'm currently in my last semester of my medical assistant program while on CalWORKs. The trick is making sure you're meeting the required hours - 20 hours per week if you have a child under 6, or 30 hours if your youngest is 6+. What counts toward those hours: - Actual class time - Required lab/clinical hours - Supervised study time (this is KEY - you can get a form signed by your program to count study hours!) You need to specifically ask for an "Education and Training Plan" as part of your WTW requirements. Your caseworker might be pushing their job readiness program because it's easier for them to track, but stand your ground! Nursing is definitely an approved path. Make sure you complete a WTW 8 form.

i had the same issue last year!!!! u need to specifically ask for the CalWORKs program at ur college!! almost every community college has a special CalWORKs office that helps students on cash aid. they help u get the right forms and will even talk to ur case worker sometimes. they saved me so much headace. also they can help u get money for books and supplies and childcare while ur in class.

Call the CalWORKs office ASAP and ask to speak directly with a worker who handles WTW education plans, not just the receptionist. I wasted weeks going back and forth with people who didn't know the rules. When I finally got through to my actual case manager, she fixed everything in one call. I've been trying to reach my worker for days about a similar issue but kept getting the automated system. I finally used this service called Claimyr that got me through to a live person in 10 minutes instead of waiting on hold for hours. You can see how it works at https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE and their website is claimyr.com. Seriously saved me so much frustration when trying to sort out my education plan.

I think there's some confusion in the answers here. Two important things to know: 1) If you were enrolled in school BEFORE applying for CalWORKs, you can request SIP (Self-Initiated Program) status. This gives you more flexibility and protection for your educational program. 2) If you started school AFTER getting on CalWORKs, then you need to have your education approved as part of your WTW plan. Either way, nursing is definitely an approved vocational program! The county generally prefers programs that can be completed in 2 years or less, which sounds like what you're doing. Don't let them push you into their program without discussing how your current education can count. Some workers unfortunately try to funnel everyone into the same few programs because it's easier for them administratively.

my cousin had this issue and she got her cash aid cut off for not doing the counties program even tho she was in school. it took her 3 months to get it fixed and get back pay! make sure u get everything in WRITING and keep copies of all ur paperwork. the county always "loses" stuff when it benefits them lol

Update: I went to the college today and found out they DO have a CalWORKs office! The lady there was so helpful and gave me all the forms I need plus a letter explaining how my program counts for WTW. She said I definitely qualify for SIP status since I was enrolled before applying for Cash Aid. She's even going to call my worker directly to explain everything! Thank you all so much for the advice - I was about to drop out of my nursing program because I was so scared of losing the benefits my kids need. Will update again after everything gets sorted out.

That's amazing! So glad you found the CalWORKs office at your college - they really are lifesavers. I wish more people knew about these resources. Your nursing program is exactly the kind of career-focused education that CalWORKs is supposed to support. You're doing everything right by pursuing a field that will lead to good-paying employment and eventual self-sufficiency. Don't let anyone make you feel bad for wanting to get an education instead of just doing basic job search activities. Nursing is in such high demand right now too, so you're making a smart choice for your family's future. Keep us posted on how the meeting with your worker goes!