Do I need to upload check stubs to CalWORKs after reporting new job income verbally?

Yes, you absolutely need to upload your check stubs! Just telling them verbally isn't enough - you need to provide verification of your income. Upload them to BenefitsCal as soon as you get them (you don't need to wait for them to ask). This is really important because: 1. They need to recalculate your Cash Aid amount based on your exact earnings 2. Your Welfare to Work hours requirement may change depending on how many hours you're working 3. If you don't provide verification, they could discontinue your benefits for failure to provide Make sure you keep uploading each check stub you get. And it's not a dumb question at all - the reporting requirements can be confusing when you first start working!

EVERYONE telling u diff things is why this system is so frustrting!!! When I started working they never told me to upload NOTHING and then 3 months later they hit me with an overpayment notice saying I owed $1245 back!!! Said I was supposed to be sending check stubs the whole time but nobody ever told me that!! Make sure u get RECEIPTS for everything u upload too. Take screenshots after u upload in case they say later they never got them.

Just wanted to say congrats on the new job! That's a big step. I remember when I first started working while on CalWORKs and was so confused about everything. And yes def upload those stubs asap - I actually take pics of mine with my phone as soon as I get them so I don't forget.

Upload those check stubs immediately! And call your worker to confirm they received them. I tried using Claimyr service (claimyr.com) last month when I couldn't get through to my worker about a similar issue - they got me connected to a real person at the county in about 10 minutes. You can see how it works in their video: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE Just make sure you report ALL income within 10 days of receiving it. This includes your first check stub and each one after. Your benefits will usually adjust the following month after you report - they don't typically retroactively reduce the current month.

Just to add some info, since you're in WTW (Welfare to Work), your new job hours will count toward your WTW participation requirements. Make sure you're tracking your hours carefully and getting them signed off if needed. When I started working part-time, my required WTW activities were reduced by the number of hours I worked. So if you have a 30-hour requirement and work 20 hours, you only need 10 more hours of WTW activities. And remember you're entitled to supportive services like childcare assistance and transportation reimbursement even while working! A lot of people don't realize they can still get those benefits after they start a job.

u def need 2 upload them but if ur making under IRT (income reporting threshold) on ur SAR7 then u only HAVE 2 report it on ur semi annual report but me i always report everything cuz not worth the risk imo

My worker said u can report it on BenefitsCal and it counts the same as mailing in, its easier cuz they get it right away. I forgot to report once for like 3 weeks and nothing bad happened so dont stress too much if ur a little late but better to do it right away obviously

Thanks everyone for the help!! I just uploaded my first paystub to BenefitsCal and took a screenshot like someone suggested. I'm going to call my worker tomorrow to make sure they got it and ask about childcare too. This community is so helpful!

You're doing great by being proactive about this! One thing I'd add - when you call your worker tomorrow, ask them to note in your case file that you reported the job and uploaded the paystub. Sometimes different workers see your case and having notes helps avoid confusion later. Also, since you mentioned you have a 2-year-old, definitely ask about the childcare right away. The approval process can take a few weeks, so the sooner you apply the better. And don't forget about transportation assistance if you need help getting to work - that's another supportive service that can really help during the transition period. You're asking all the right questions and being responsible about reporting. That's exactly what you need to do to stay in compliance!

Hey Hannah! First off, congrats on the new job - that's awesome! 🎉 And don't worry, your question isn't dumb at all. The CalWORKs system can be really confusing, especially when you're new to it. Everyone here has given you great advice. Definitely upload those check stubs ASAP to BenefitsCal - verbal reporting alone isn't enough. They need the actual documentation to verify your income and adjust your benefits accordingly. Since you're in WTW, here's what I'd recommend doing right now: 1. Upload your paystub immediately (sounds like you already did this - great!) 2. Call your worker and confirm they received it 3. Ask about how your work hours will affect your WTW participation requirements 4. Request childcare assistance for your 2-year-old (this can take time to process, so start now) 5. Ask about transportation assistance if you need help getting to work Keep uploading every single paystub you get going forward, and always take screenshots like others mentioned. Better to over-document than under-document with CalWORKs! You're being super responsible by asking these questions and reporting everything properly. That's exactly the right approach to avoid any issues down the road. Keep it up!