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!