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