Is there a new 9-month CalWORKs limit then 3-month waiting period before reapplying?

There is no standard 9-month time limit with a 3-month waiting period for CalWORKs in California. The main time limit is the 48-month lifetime limit for adults (children can still get aid after that). Your worker might be confusing your situation with something else, or there might be a specific reason in your case.Some possibilities:1. You might be hitting your 48-month lifetime limit2. There could be a Welfare to Work participation issue3. Maybe you're in a special category with different rules4. Your worker might be referring to a county-specific programI recommend calling your county office ASAP and asking specifically about this \

Thank you so much for responding! I've definitely not hit 48 months - I've only been on it twice in my life. I do have some WTW hours I missed last month because my childcare fell through, but wouldn't they just sanction me for that? A full 3-month break seems really extreme. I'm going to call tomorrow, but I'm worried I won't get through. Last time I tried calling, I was on hold for 2 hours and then got disconnected 😫

theres no 9 month rule that i ever heard of. been on calworks on n off for like 6 yrs. maybe ur worker got u mixed up w/ somethin else? or maybe u got some kinda sanction? did u miss ur SAR7 or somethin?

I turned in my SAR7 on time last month! But you're right, maybe there's some kind of mix-up or sanction I don't know about. I did miss some of my WTW hours when my babysitter quit, but I thought they'd just reduce my grant, not make me wait 3 months to reapply!

Are you sure they weren't talking about the 9-consecutive months of WTW sanctions? If you get sanctioned for not meeting your Welfare to Work requirements for 9 consecutive months, there can be additional penalties. But even then, I don't think it's a mandatory 3-month break from the program entirely.I'd definitely get clarification on this. When I had an issue with my CalWORKs last year, I used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an actual person at the county office. They have this system that holds your place in line and calls you back when a worker is available. Saved me hours of waiting on hold. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwEDefinitely get clarity on this rule because it doesn't sound like standard CalWORKs policy to me.

Thank you for this info! I've only missed my WTW hours for one month, not 9 months straight, so that can't be it. I've never heard of Claimyr before but I'll check it out. At this point I'm desperate to talk to someone who can explain what's going on with my case. The waiting on hold is impossible with two kids running around!

THERE IS NO 9 MONTH RULE!!! This is exactly why I hate dealing with these county workers who don't know their own rules!!! I've been through the entire CalWORKs handbook when fighting my own case and nowhere does it say anything about a mandatory 9-month cycle with 3 months off. The only time limits are:- 48-month LIFETIME limit for adults- Welfare-to-Work compliance timelines- Reporting deadlines for SAR7 and recertificationYour worker is WRONG or there's some serious miscommunication happening. Request a written notice of action that cites the specific regulation they're using to enforce this supposed rule. They CAN'T just make up rules! Also, ask for a supervisor immediately!

i agree with everything said above 👆 but also maybe check if ur in some special program? like refugee assistance or something? those can have different time limits. but regular calworks def dont have no 9 month rule then wait 3 months

I've worked with CalWORKs recipients for several years, and I believe I know what might be happening in your case. There's a rule called the \

Thank you for the detailed explanation! I've never used the homeless assistance benefit, so it's not that. I really think there must be some kind of miscommunication happening. I've been stressing about this for days now. I'll definitely ask for the regulation in writing when I call tomorrow.

OMG this happened to me too!!! But mine was because I had hit what they call the \

Wow, that's exactly what I'm afraid of - being told something wrong and then struggling for months because of bad information! I haven't hit any income thresholds since I'm not working right now (still looking for work that works with my kids' schedules). I'm definitely going to ask for a supervisor.

updates??? did u call them yet? what did they say?

I tried calling ALL DAY yesterday and couldn't get through. I'm going to try that Claimyr service someone mentioned above because I'm getting desperate. I'll update once I actually talk to someone!

Just following up - were you able to get this resolved? One additional thought: could your worker have been referring to the CalWORKs Housing Support Program? Some of those housing assistance components have time limits that might be around 9 months, but that would be separate from your regular Cash Aid.Also, if you're being told incorrect information, remember you can file for a fair hearing. You have 90 days from any negative action to request this, and it's your right to have your case reviewed by an Administrative Law Judge who is separate from the county.

I finally got through yesterday! Turns out my worker WAS confused. She mixed up my case with someone else who was in some special refugee program that does have different time limits. She apologized and confirmed I'm still eligible and don't need to take any 3-month break. Such a relief! Thanks everyone for your help and support!