Can I qualify for CalWORKs Cash Aid with 2 kids and part-time work (12 hrs/week)? $800 room rent is killing me

Yes, you should definitely qualify for CalWORKs with your situation! With two children and only working 12 hours a week at part-time wages, you're well below the income threshold. CalWORKs provides cash aid for families with children when the parent(s) have limited income. To apply, you'll need: - ID for yourself - Birth certificates for your kids - Proof of your income (pay stubs) - Rent agreement or letter from landlord - Any child support court orders (even if you're not receiving support) - Your bank statements The application process takes about 30 days from when you apply to when you're approved. You can apply online through BenefitsCal.com or in person at your county office. Since you already get CalFresh, you probably already have an account there. Once approved, you'll get cash aid monthly plus be eligible for their homeless assistance program if you need help with deposits for a new place or to prevent eviction. You'll also qualify for free childcare assistance through CalWORKs for your 1-year-old which is HUGE for working parents.

apply asap!! i moved back to cali last year w/ my son and they gave me cash aid within like 3 weeks. u need to make sure u answer the phone when they call for ur interview tho or it will delay everything. u will DEF qualify with the hours ur working

You'll definitely qualify based on what you've shared. For a family of 3, the CalWORKs income limit is pretty generous compared to your current situation. With the Cash Aid, you'll also automatically be referred to the Housing Support Program (HSP) which helps CalWORKs families find and maintain permanent housing. One thing to know - once you're approved, you'll need to participate in the Welfare to Work program which requires 20-30 hours per week of approved activities. But don't worry! Since your youngest is under 6, you only need to do 20 hours. And here's the good news - those hours don't have to be just work. They can include: - Your current job (12 hours) - Job search activities - Education/training programs - Other approved activities They'll create a plan with you based on your situation. The program actually helps you find better employment or get training for a career that can support your family long-term. Also, don't forget to ask about the $30 monthly diaper stipend for your 1-year-old!

theylle make you cooperate with child support for both kids jus so you know. they want u to go after both fathers for $$$. you can get exemption if u have good reason like DV but otherwise they'll reduce ur grant if u dont cooperate

Yes, you can request a "good cause" exemption from child support cooperation for the father who might cause problems. You don't have to provide extensive proof - they'll give you a form to explain your concerns. Valid reasons include: - Fear of physical/emotional harm to you or the child - Child resulted from rape or incest - You're in the process of adopting out the child - Working with a adoption agency for the child They take these concerns seriously. You'll only need to cooperate with child support for the other parent where it's safe to do so. This won't affect your eligibility for benefits.

I was in almost the exact same situation last year - single mom, 2 kids, part-time work that kept cutting my hours, and paying $900 for just a bedroom. The system is SO FRUSTRATING to navigate when you're already stressed about money! The most annoying part was trying to reach someone at the county office. I kept calling and would be on hold for 2+ hours only to get disconnected. After wasting days trying, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that holds your place in line and calls you back when an actual worker is available. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE It saved me so much time and stress. After I finally got through, my application was processed pretty quickly. Now I get cash aid, housing assistance, and childcare help which has completely changed our situation. I'm even taking classes part-time which counts toward my WTW hours!

Yes, it absolutely works! I wasted almost a week trying to get through the normal way. This service just holds your place in line and calls you when a real person picks up. Totally changed my experience with CalWORKs. The annoying part about the county phone systems is they'll disconnect you after a certain hold time even if you've been waiting forever.

one more thing!! when u apply make sure u mention ur housing situation is unstable becuz ur only renting a room w/ 2 kids. that will flag ur application for expedited processing AND make u eligible for the homeless assistance program even tho ur not technically homeless. they have this weird definition where overcrowding counts

DONT GET TOO EXCITED! CalWORKs doesn't give that much money honestly. For family of 3 its like $900/month MAX and thats if you have zero income. With your part time job they'll reduce it. Better than nothing but won't solve all your problems. The childcare benefit is actually worth more than the cash tbh.

Thank you all SO MUCH for this amazing info and support! I'm going to apply for CalWORKs today through BenefitsCal. I'll definitely mention our overcrowded housing situation and ask about the homeless assistance program. And I'll request that good cause exemption for the one father. I'm feeling hopeful for the first time in months. Even if the cash amount isn't huge, the childcare assistance alone would be life-changing so I could work more hours or take some classes. I'll update once I get through the process. Wish me luck!

You're so smart to apply today! Just wanted to add - when you're gathering your documents, make sure to bring proof of your rent payment (like receipts or bank statements showing the $800 payments) even though you're just renting a room. They need to see your actual housing costs to calculate your benefits correctly. Also, if you have any medical expenses for you or the kids (even just copays or prescriptions), bring those receipts too because they can deduct medical costs from your income which might increase your grant amount slightly. One last thing - don't be discouraged if your first caseworker seems rushed or unfriendly. Some are amazing and some are just overwhelmed. If you run into issues, you can always ask to speak with a supervisor. You've got this mama! 💪