Do I have to assign child support to get CalWORKs Cash Aid if the dad isn't on my EBT case?

Yes, when you apply for CalWORKs (Cash Aid), you are required to cooperate with child support enforcement as a condition of eligibility. This means you'll need to provide information about the absent parent of your children and assign your rights to child support to the county. This requirement is different from CalFresh (EBT), which doesn't have the same child support cooperation requirement. However, there is an important exception you should know about - if you have good cause reasons not to cooperate, such as domestic violence concerns or if cooperation would not be in the best interest of your children. If cooperating with child support would put you or your children at risk, you can request a "good cause" exemption from this requirement.

When I applied for Cash Aid last year they made me fill out child support forms for both my kids dads even tho I hadn't seen one of them in like 5 years. It SUCKS but yea they require it. They told me its because the state wants to collect child support to offset what they pay in Cash Aid. Like they pay you aid but then try to get the money back from the dad.

yea u have to do the child support thing they make u. theres some form u can fill out for DV stuff if ur scared of him finding u or somthing but u need proof i think. or maybe just tell them u dont know where he is?? idk if that works tho lol cause they can find ppl pretty easy these days

I work with CalWORKs recipients, and I wanted to clarify a few things: 1. Yes, assigning child support rights is required for CalWORKs, unlike CalFresh 2. For the "good cause" exemption, you don't always need police reports or formal documentation. You can complete a "good cause" claim form CW 51 where you explain your situation. This can include: - History of domestic violence - Fear of emotional harm to you or children - Conception due to rape or incest - Adoption proceedings in process 3. The county will evaluate your claim - sometimes your statement alone is enough if it seems credible 4. If you get the exemption, you can still receive full CalWORKs benefits without child support cooperation I'd recommend being truthful about your situation when applying. The good cause process is there to protect families in difficult situations.

Just wanted to share my experience: I tried for WEEKS to reach someone at the county to discuss my own child support situation for my CalWORKs case. Kept getting disconnected or waiting for hours. Finally I tried a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to a real person at the county in like 15 minutes. They have this system where they wait on hold for you and call you back when they get a real person. Was totally worth it to get my questions answered and avoid the automatic disconnects. They have a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE Best part was I got to talk to someone who actually explained all my options regarding the child support requirement instead of just getting generic info from the website.

Let me tell you, this child support requirement is THE WORST part of CalWORKs. When I applied, I had to give info on my ex who had been completely out of the picture for 3+ years. Within a month of my CalWORKs approval, he got served papers, figured out I was receiving aid, and started harassing me and my family. I should have applied for the good cause exemption but didn't know about it at the time. HOWEVER - and this is important - if you genuinely fear contact with him will cause problems, PLEASE talk to your eligibility worker specifically about a good cause exemption. Don't just skip this part of the application or they'll deny your benefits altogether.

I've been on CalWORKs for about 8 months now as a single mom of two. The child support cooperation is definitely required, BUT! The good cause exemption is real and they do approve it in many cases. When I applied, I explained that my ex had been emotionally abusive and I was afraid of him finding us through the child support process. I didn't have police reports either, but I did have some threatening text messages I could show, and a statement from my therapist about my anxiety related to him. They approved my good cause claim and I haven't had to deal with any child support stuff. Definitely be honest with your worker about your concerns. They've seen it all before and most of them genuinely want to help.

i almost 4got! if u do end up having to do the child support thing just so u know its the LCSA (local child support agency) that handles it not calworks directly. so once ur case gets referred thats who ull deal with for that part. its separate from ur regular calworks worker

The whole system is RIGGED to make it as HARD AS POSSIBLE for single parents to get help!!! I've been through this nightmare and they don't care about your safety AT ALL. They just want to track down these men to get their money back. My worker literally told me "it's about the state recouping costs" NOT about helping my kids!! Even with the so-called "good cause" exemption, they make you jump through a million hoops and most people get DENIED anyway. The whole thing is a JOKE. My advice? Find ANY other way to make ends meet before dealing with this system!!

Hey Chloe! I went through a very similar situation about 6 months ago. I was already getting CalFresh for me and my two kids, and when I applied for CalWORKs due to reduced work hours, I was really worried about the child support requirement too. My ex has anger issues and I was terrified of him finding out where we lived. Here's what I learned: Yes, they do require child support cooperation for CalWORKs (unlike CalFresh), BUT the good cause exemption is absolutely worth pursuing if you have legitimate safety concerns. Even though you mentioned you don't have police reports, threats and toxic behavior can still qualify you. I'd suggest keeping any old text messages or emails that show his threatening behavior. When you apply, be completely honest with your eligibility worker about your concerns. Tell them about the threats, the toxic relationship, and your fear of him finding you through the child support process. Ask specifically about filling out form CW 51 for the good cause exemption. In my case, they approved my exemption based on my statement about emotional abuse and some screenshots of threatening messages. I've been receiving CalWORKs for 6 months now without any child support involvement, and it's been a huge relief for both me and my kids. Don't let fear of the child support requirement keep you from applying if you really need the help. The good cause protections are there for situations exactly like yours!

I'm so glad to see all the helpful responses here! As someone who's been through the CalWORKs application process, I want to echo what others have said about the good cause exemption - it's a real protection that can help in situations like yours. One thing I'd add is that when you apply, don't feel pressured to make a decision about child support cooperation on the spot. You can request time to consider the good cause exemption and gather any documentation you might have (like those threatening messages you mentioned). The eligibility worker should give you the CW 51 form to complete if you want to pursue the exemption. Also, remember that your safety and your children's wellbeing come first. The fact that you're concerned about potential problems from contact with your ex is a valid reason to explore the good cause option. Even without police reports, a pattern of threatening behavior or a toxic relationship history can be grounds for approval. The financial stress of reduced work hours is real, and CalWORKs can provide crucial support while you're looking for better employment. Don't let fear of the child support requirement prevent you from getting help your family needs - there are protections in place for exactly these situations. Wishing you the best with your application!

I want to add one more piece of practical advice - when you go in for your CalWORKs appointment, bring copies of any documentation you have (those threatening messages, etc.) rather than just your phone. The workers appreciate having physical copies they can put in your file, and it shows you're prepared and serious about the good cause exemption. Also, if your first eligibility worker seems dismissive about the good cause option, don't be afraid to ask to speak with a supervisor. Some workers are more knowledgeable about the exemption process than others. You have the right to have your concerns taken seriously. One last thing - the CalWORKs application process can take a few weeks, so apply as soon as you can if you're already struggling with reduced hours. Even if you end up needing to provide more information for the good cause exemption, getting the application started will put you in the system and potentially speed up your benefits once everything is sorted out. You've got this! The fact that you're researching your options and asking questions shows you're being smart about protecting your family while getting the help you need.

I just want to add something that might help - if you do end up needing to go through the child support process despite trying for the good cause exemption, know that there are some safeguards even within that system. When I had to cooperate with child support for my CalWORKs case, I was able to request that my address be kept confidential in the child support case. They use a P.O. Box or the county office address instead of your home address on all the paperwork that gets served to the father. Also, you can ask the child support worker to put notes in your file about safety concerns, which can affect how they handle contact and enforcement. It's not perfect protection, but it's better than having your personal information freely available. That said, the good cause exemption sounds like it would be the best option for your situation based on what you've described. I just wanted you to know there are additional safety measures even if that doesn't work out. Don't give up on getting the help you need for you and your kids!

Hi Chloe! I'm new to this community but wanted to share what I learned when I was in a similar situation. I was really nervous about the child support requirement too when I first looked into CalWORKs. What helped me was calling the county office beforehand and asking specifically about the good cause exemption process. They were actually pretty helpful in explaining that you can request the CW 51 form and that threatening behavior, even without police reports, can be valid grounds for the exemption. One thing that surprised me was that they told me the exemption process happens pretty quickly - usually within a couple weeks of submitting the form - so you don't have to wait months wondering if you'll be approved. Since you mentioned he's threatened you before, I'd definitely encourage you to apply for CalWORKs and be upfront about requesting the good cause exemption right from the start. The workers I dealt with seemed to understand that safety comes first, especially when kids are involved. Your situation with the reduced work hours sounds really stressful, and it sounds like CalWORKs could provide the bridge you need while you find better employment. Don't let the child support requirement scare you away from getting help your family needs - the protections really are there for situations exactly like yours.

Hi Chloe! I'm new here but wanted to share some encouragement after reading through all these helpful responses. It sounds like you've gotten some really solid advice about the good cause exemption process, and I'm glad to see so many people sharing their positive experiences with it. One thing I'd add is that you might also want to ask about getting connected with a domestic violence advocate or family support services in your area, even if you don't think your situation rises to that level. Sometimes they can provide additional documentation or support letters that help strengthen a good cause claim, and they understand the dynamics of toxic relationships really well. Also, remember that you deserve this help - you're working, you're caring for three young children on your own, and you're being responsible by looking for ways to make ends meet during a difficult time. Don't let anyone make you feel like you're doing anything wrong by applying for benefits you're entitled to. It sounds like you have a solid plan now with gathering those old messages and being upfront about the safety concerns from the start. Wishing you the best with your application, and I hope you get the financial relief you need while you look for better work opportunities!