Do Social Security children's benefits count toward CalWORKs IRT? Will it affect my Cash Aid?

Yes, Social Security benefits (including children's survivor benefits) DO count toward your IRT for CalWORKs. You need to report them within 10 days if your total monthly income goes above your IRT limit, which should be listed on your last Notice of Action. Since it's for 4 kids, it's very likely to put you over the threshold. CalWORKs will most likely reduce your Cash Aid dollar-for-dollar based on the Social Security amount, possibly eliminating it completely if the SS benefits exceed your CalWORKs grant. Your CalFresh might be reduced too, but not as drastically because they use a different calculation.

I went thru this last yr. U gotta report it ASAP dont wait for SAR7 or they cud say u got an overpayment and make u pay back!!! But u might keep some cash aid dependng on how much SS ur gettin. My kids get survivor benes 2 and they reduced my cash but didnt cut it compltely.

Even though the Social Security benefits will count toward your IRT and reduce your Cash Aid, there's actually a silver lining here. Social Security survivor benefits are typically higher than CalWORKs, so your total household income will likely increase. Plus, Social Security benefits don't have the 48-month time limit that CalWORKs does, and you won't have to deal with Welfare to Work requirements anymore if your Cash Aid ends completely. You should also know that your kids will still qualify for Medi-Cal even if your Cash Aid stops. They'll transition to a different Medi-Cal category. Make sure you tell your worker you want to keep Medi-Cal when you report the Social Security.

When I started getting disability for my son last year they cut my CalWORKs by the EXACT AMOUNT he got from SSI!!! It made no difference in my total income which was SO FRUSTRATING because I thought I'd finally get ahead. The system is designed to keep us poor I swear. They'll probably reduce your Cash Aid by exactly what you get from Social Security so you won't actually have more money, just different sources. And they take FOREVER to process the changes which means you'll probably deal with confusing notices and payment amounts for months. 😡

I've been trying to reach my worker for 2 weeks about a similar issue. My son's father died and he's getting survivor benefits now too, but I can't get through to anyone at the county to ask how it affects my benefits. Finally used this service called Claimyr that got me through to a live person at the CalWORKs office within 20 minutes instead of waiting on hold forever. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE When I finally talked to my worker, she told me I needed to bring verification of the Social Security award letter, and then they'd recalculate everything. She said my 10-day reporting clock starts when I actually receive the first payment, not from the award letter date. So you have a little time to get everything in order.

One important thing nobody's mentioned: if the Social Security benefit is more than your CalWORKs grant, you'll become what's called a "zero grant" case. This means you get $0 in Cash Aid but technically remain a CalWORKs recipient. This is actually GOOD because you'll still qualify for CalWORKs childcare benefits and other supportive services if you're working or in school. Make sure you specifically tell your worker you want to remain a zero grant case if your Cash Aid reduces to zero - some counties automatically close your case unless you request this.

why are u guys acting like getting social securty is a bad thing?? its WAY better than calworks!! my kids get it and its more money plus u dont have to do all the welfare to work stuff and no time limits!! be happy ur getting it srsly

my sister gets ss for her kids and calworks for herself it can work that way too but idk how they figured it i think it depends how they calcuate who is in the assistance unit or something

I'm sorry for your loss and understand this is a stressful time figuring out how benefits work together. Based on what others have shared, it sounds like you'll likely lose most or all of your Cash Aid since the Social Security amount ($3,200) is above your IRT ($2,786). But here's what I'd focus on: 1. Report it within 10 days of receiving the first payment to avoid overpayment issues 2. Ask about "zero grant" status if your Cash Aid goes to $0 - you'll keep other CalWORKs benefits 3. Your kids will still have Medi-Cal even if Cash Aid stops 4. Social Security is more stable long-term (no time limits, no work requirements) The transition might be bumpy for a few months while everything gets sorted out, but you'll likely be in a better position overall. Make sure to keep all your Social Security paperwork and bring copies when you report the change. Hang in there!

I'm so sorry for your loss. Losing a partner while raising kids is incredibly difficult, and navigating the benefits system during grief makes it even harder. From what I've learned through my own experience with Social Security survivor benefits, yes - they do count toward your CalWORKs IRT and you'll need to report within 10 days of receiving the first payment. With $3,200 in SS benefits vs your $2,786 IRT, you'll likely lose your Cash Aid completely. But honestly? This might end up being better for your family long-term. The Social Security is guaranteed income without time limits or work requirements. Once the dust settles, you'll have more predictable income and won't have to worry about the CalWORKs 48-month clock or meeting WTW hours. Your kids will keep their Medi-Cal, and if you ask for "zero grant" status, you can still access CalWORKs supportive services. The hardest part is the transition period while everything gets recalculated. Make sure you have enough saved from your current benefits to cover any gaps. And definitely use that Claimyr service someone mentioned if you can't reach your worker - getting accurate information from your county is crucial right now. You're doing everything you can for your kids during an impossible time. This change, while scary, is going to give your family more stability in the long run.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Ava. Going through this while grieving and caring for four children must be incredibly overwhelming. You've gotten some really solid advice here about the reporting requirements and how Social Security survivor benefits will affect your CalWORKs. Just to add a few practical tips for the transition: 1. When you report the SS benefits, ask your worker to calculate both scenarios - keeping the kids in your CalWORKs case vs. removing them and keeping you as a non-needy caretaker relative. Sometimes one option gives you more total household income. 2. Make sure you understand exactly when your Cash Aid will stop vs. when your SS payments start. There's sometimes a timing gap that can create budget challenges. 3. Keep detailed records of all your communications with both Social Security and CalWORKs during this transition - it helps if there are any calculation errors later. 4. Consider asking about emergency CalFresh if your food benefits get reduced significantly during the transition period. You're navigating an incredibly complex system during one of the hardest times in your life. Be patient with yourself as you figure this out, and don't hesitate to ask your worker to explain the calculations if anything seems unclear. Your kids are lucky to have someone fighting so hard to make sure they're taken care of.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Ava. Losing your partner while caring for four children is unimaginably difficult, and having to navigate the benefits system on top of everything else just adds to the stress. You've received excellent advice here about reporting the Social Security within 10 days and asking about zero grant status. I want to emphasize one thing that might help ease your worry: while the transition period will be challenging, Social Security survivor benefits are actually designed to provide MORE support than temporary assistance programs like CalWORKs. A few additional thoughts: - Call Social Security directly to ask about the exact start date of your payments so you can plan for any timing gaps - If your county has a CalWORKs family advocate or ombudsman, they can help you navigate the transition and ensure all calculations are done correctly - Some food banks have special programs for families going through benefit transitions - it might be worth calling 211 to ask about temporary food assistance during the changeover Your children are fortunate to have a mother who is being so proactive about understanding how these changes will affect your family. This survivor benefit represents security and stability that your late partner worked to provide for his children. While change is always scary, especially during grief, you're moving toward a system with fewer restrictions and more long-term security. Take care of yourself during this transition. You're handling an enormous amount right now, and you're doing it well.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Ava. What you're going through is incredibly difficult, and it's completely understandable to feel anxious about these benefit changes during such a challenging time. Based on what others have shared, it sounds like you have a good grasp of what to expect - the Social Security survivor benefits will likely reduce or eliminate your Cash Aid since they'll put you over your IRT. But I want to echo what others have said: this is actually your late husband's legacy providing more stable, long-term support for your children. One thing I haven't seen mentioned is that you might want to ask your eligibility worker about transitional benefits. Some counties offer short-term assistance to help families bridge the gap between when one benefit ends and another begins. It's worth asking about when you report the Social Security. Also, make sure you get everything in writing - the calculation showing how they determined your new benefit amounts, the effective dates, and confirmation of your zero grant status if applicable. This documentation will be helpful if there are any errors or delays. You're being such a good advocate for your family by asking these questions and planning ahead. Your children are fortunate to have someone who cares so much about their stability and well-being during this transition.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Ava. Losing your partner while raising four children is heartbreaking, and trying to navigate all these benefit changes while grieving must feel overwhelming. You've received wonderful advice here about the Social Security survivor benefits and how they'll affect your CalWORKs. I wanted to add one practical tip that helped me during a similar transition: when you go to report the Social Security benefits, bring multiple copies of all your documentation (award letter, first payment stub, etc.). County workers sometimes need to make copies for different departments, and having extras can speed up the process. Also, consider setting up automatic deposit for the Social Security payments if you haven't already. It provides more reliable payment timing than paper checks, which can help you budget during the transition period. Your late husband worked hard to ensure his children would be supported, and these survivor benefits are that support coming through. While the change feels scary right now, you're actually moving toward a more stable foundation for your family - no time limits, no work requirements, and predictable monthly income. You're doing an incredible job advocating for your children during one of life's most difficult circumstances. They're lucky to have such a caring, thoughtful mother looking out for their future.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Ava. Losing your partner while caring for four children is incredibly difficult, and navigating benefit changes during grief makes everything so much harder. You've gotten excellent advice here about reporting the Social Security within 10 days and how it will likely reduce your Cash Aid since $3,200 is above your $2,786 IRT. I want to add something that might help with the transition: ask your eligibility worker about the exact timing of when your Cash Aid will end versus when your first Social Security payment arrives. Sometimes there's a gap, and knowing the dates can help you budget better. Also, when you report the change, make sure to ask specifically about keeping any other CalWORKs benefits you might be eligible for - like childcare assistance if you're working or in school. Even if your Cash Aid ends, you might qualify for other support services. These survivor benefits are your husband's way of continuing to provide for his children. While the transition feels scary, you're actually moving toward more stable, long-term support without time limits or work requirements. Your kids are fortunate to have such a thoughtful mother making sure they get all the support they're entitled to during this difficult time. Hang in there - you're doing everything right by planning ahead and asking these important questions.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Ava. Navigating benefit changes while grieving and caring for four children is incredibly challenging, and your concerns are completely valid. You've received excellent advice here about the reporting requirements and how Social Security survivor benefits will affect your CalWORKs. The key points everyone has shared are spot-on - yes, you'll need to report within 10 days of receiving the first payment, and the $3,200 in survivor benefits will likely eliminate your Cash Aid since it exceeds your IRT. I want to add one suggestion that might help during this transition: consider reaching out to your local Legal Aid office or a benefits advocacy organization. They often have staff who specialize in helping families navigate the intersection of Social Security and CalWORKs benefits. They can review your specific situation and make sure you're getting all the benefits and protections you're entitled to during this change. Also, document everything during this transition - keep copies of all notices, write down what workers tell you, and save all correspondence. If there are any calculation errors or delays, having good records will help resolve issues faster. Your husband worked hard to provide this security for his children, and these benefits represent his ongoing care for your family. While the transition feels overwhelming right now, you're moving toward more stable support that will give your children security for years to come. You're being an excellent advocate for your family by asking these questions and planning ahead.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Ava. Losing your partner while raising four children is unimaginably difficult, and having to figure out how different benefits work together during this time adds so much stress. You've gotten really comprehensive advice here about the Social Security survivor benefits and CalWORKs intersection. Everyone is right that you'll need to report within 10 days of your first payment, and with $3,200 in survivor benefits versus your $2,786 IRT, your Cash Aid will likely be eliminated completely. But I want to emphasize what others have touched on - this is actually your husband's final gift to your family. These survivor benefits will provide more stable, predictable income without the stress of work requirements, time limits, or constant reporting. That $3,200 is guaranteed monthly support that will grow with cost of living adjustments over time. One practical tip for the transition: when you report to your worker, ask them to walk you through exactly what will happen month by month. Will your Cash Aid stop immediately? Will there be a partial month calculation? Understanding the timeline will help you budget during the changeover period. Also, make sure you understand your CalFresh calculation too - that benefit uses different rules and might not be reduced as drastically as your Cash Aid. You're being such a strong advocate for your children by asking these questions and planning ahead. This transition is going to lead to more stability for your family in the long run, even though it feels scary right now.