Do CalWORKs cover school-age children in San Bernardino? My daughter has 6 kids

Just to add to this great info... the fact that shes working part time at Walmart is actually good for CalWORKs. They WANT people to be working! As long as her income is under the limits she can get benefits, and with 6 kids the income limit is pretty high. Make sure she applies through BenefitsCal.com or in person at the San bernardino county office. They'll need birth certificates for all the kids, her ID, proof of income (pay stubs), and residence verification.

This is so true about the phone issues! I found a service called Claimyr that actually helped me get through to someone at the San Bernardino office after trying for days. You can see how it works at https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE - they basically call for you and then connect you when they reach a real person. Saved me hours of waiting and getting disconnected. Their website is claimyr.com if your daughter needs to actually talk to someone about her application or status.

Thank you, I'll definitely look into this service. My daughter has already tried calling a few times and just gets disconnected or has to hang up after being on hold forever because she has to pick up her kids from school.

Actually, with six children, your daughter might qualify for a reduced Welfare to Work (WTW) participation requirement even if none of the children are under age 2. Single parents with multiple school-age children can sometimes qualify for what's called the "20-hour rule" instead of the standard 32 hours. It depends on several factors, but the CalWORKs worker should evaluate this during her appraisal. Also, if she's already working at Walmart, those hours can count toward her WTW requirements. Be sure she mentions her current employment during her application process.

I'd recommend she apply online through BenefitsCal.com first, then follow up in person if possible to submit verification documents. Applications are supposed to be processed within 45 days, but emergency Cash Aid can sometimes be issued faster if she indicates an urgent need (like facing eviction or utility shutoff). Once approved, benefits are usually loaded onto an EBT card within 1-3 days. The initial application will be the longest part of the process. Make sure she answers all questions honestly and completely to avoid delays. With her situation (6 children, part-time income), she should also be eligible for expedited CalFresh (food assistance) which can be issued within 3 days of application if she meets certain criteria.

Oh that's good to know! None of the kids are under 3, but her oldest middle schooler does have ADHD and an IEP at school. Would that qualify for the special needs allowance?

A child with ADHD who has an IEP may qualify for the Special Needs supplement if there are documented additional costs related to the condition. Your daughter should bring documentation of the diagnosis and IEP to her interview, along with any information about additional expenses she incurs related to the child's needs. The CalWORKs worker can evaluate if it meets the criteria. Also, she should ask about the School Readiness program which can help with supplies and clothing for school-aged children.

Yes, CalWORKs typically requires cooperation with the Local Child Support Agency (LCSA) to establish paternity and pursue child support from the absent parent. HOWEVER - there are important exceptions for domestic violence situations! Your daughter can request a "good cause" exemption from the child support cooperation requirement if: - Cooperation would risk harm to her or the children - The children were conceived through rape or incest - She's in the process of adopting the children - Other compelling safety reasons If your friend was denied, she should have been offered the opportunity to claim good cause. She may want to reapply and specifically request the good cause exemption form. The county must evaluate these claims and shouldn't just deny benefits outright.

That would be so helpful! She's currently behind on rent and worried about eviction. I'll definitely have her ask about this program. Does she need to be approved for CalWORKs first before asking about housing support?

Yes, she needs to be a CalWORKs recipient first to qualify for the Housing Support Program. But once approved for CalWORKs, she should immediately tell her worker about her housing situation. If she's facing imminent eviction, she might also qualify for Homeless Assistance, which is emergency aid that can provide temporary shelter or help prevent eviction. If she's already received an eviction notice, bring that to the interview as it can help qualify for expedited processing of her application under hardship rules. The county can sometimes issue emergency payments to prevent homelessness while the regular application is being processed.