Just got approved for CalWORKs but husband now wants to support me financially - Will I get in trouble if I cancel?

You're not going to get in trouble! This is a change in circumstances that happened AFTER your interview, which is totally different from lying during the application process. Here's what you should do: 1. Document when this conversation with your husband happened (date and time) 2. Call your worker again and leave a voicemail explaining you need to withdraw your application due to changed circumstances 3. Follow up with an email or through BenefitsCal if possible You don't need to physically go to the office unless you can't reach anyone after several attempts. If the EBT card arrives, just don't use it and keep it somewhere safe until you confirm your case is closed. If your husband's support won't put you over the income limit anyway, you could also just report this new income at your next SAR7 (Semi-Annual Report). As long as you report changes when they happen, you're following the rules.

ur fine no worries. same thing happened to my cousin. she applied for cash aid and then her boyfriend decided to help her out. she just called and said she didnt need it anymore. nobody investigated her or nothing. just dont use the card when it comes and ur good

You absolutely need to report this change immediately, but don't panic about fraud accusations. Fraud requires intent to deceive, and you clearly didn't have that intention. Your situation changed after approval. However, I would strongly recommend getting something in writing. Phone calls to CalWORKs offices can be a nightmare - I spent 4 hours on hold last month trying to report income changes. If you can't reach anyone by phone, try using the Claimyr service (claimyr.com). They'll wait on hold with CalWORKs for you and call you back when there's a real person on the line. Saved me hours of frustration. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE Alternatively, submit your withdrawal request through BenefitsCal if possible, or send a signed letter to your county office stating you wish to withdraw from the program due to changed financial circumstances that occurred on [exact date].

THE SYSTEM IS RIGGED ANYWAY!!! They make it IMPOSSIBLE to get through on the phone when you need to cancel but if you're ONE DAY late reporting income they'll slap you with an overpayment notice faster than lightning!!! My sister tried for TWO WEEKS to cancel her benefits after she got a job and they STILL accused her of fraud. Document EVERYTHING and get NAMES of whoever you talk to!!!

Wait I'm confused... you mentioned EBT but then talked about CalWORKs? Are you trying to cancel CalFresh (food stamps) or Cash Aid (CalWORKs)? Those are different programs with different reporting requirements. For CalFresh you have to report when your income goes over 130% of the Federal Poverty Level. For CalWORKs the Income Reporting Threshold (IRT) is different. Which program did you get approved for?

i went thru this exact situation but opposite lol. My husband said he would help me financially then bailed on me after i told the caseworker i didn't need benefits. had to reapply and it was a whole mess. make sure ur 10000% sure ur husband will actually follow through before u cancel anything, just saying...

Just to add some practical advice: you can request a voluntary discontinuance of your benefits by submitting a written statement. You can do this through BenefitsCal (easiest way), by mailing/faxing a letter, or by visiting the office in person. In your statement, clearly explain: 1. Your full name and case number 2. That you are requesting voluntary discontinuance of CalWORKs and CalFresh 3. The exact date your financial situation changed (when your husband offered support) 4. That at the time of your interview, the information you provided was accurate Keep a copy of whatever you submit, along with delivery confirmation if possible. If you go in person, ask for a receipt or confirmation that they received your request. This creates a paper trail showing you acted in good faith, which protects you if questions ever come up later about the timing.

One more thing to consider - since your husband's support wouldn't put you over the income limit anyway, you might want to reconsider canceling completely. Instead, you could just report his contributions as income on your next SAR7. Some reasons to consider: 1. Having CalWORKs/CalFresh as a backup if his financial situation changes 2. Access to other benefits like childcare assistance and job training through Welfare to Work 3. The 48-month time clock for CalWORKs only counts when you're receiving actual cash benefits You're not doing anything wrong by receiving benefits you qualify for, even with some help from your husband. Just accurately report all income and you'll be fine.

I'm new to this community but wanted to share my experience since I went through something similar last year. I applied for CalWORKs and my ex-husband decided he wanted to start paying child support regularly right after I got approved (he had been very inconsistent before). I was terrified about fraud accusations too, but when I called my worker and explained the situation, she was actually really understanding. She said changes in circumstances happen all the time and the important thing is reporting them promptly. I ended up keeping the benefits and just reported his support as income, which reduced my cash aid but I still qualified for some assistance. The key thing that helped me was being completely transparent about the timeline - I told them exactly when the conversation happened and that it was after my approval. Having that documentation really put my mind at ease. Whatever you decide to do (cancel or keep with reported income), just make sure you document everything and be upfront about the timing. You're clearly acting in good faith here, which is what matters most. Good luck!

I'm also new here but wanted to add my perspective as someone who works in social services (not CalWORKs specifically, but similar programs). What you're describing is absolutely NOT fraud - fraud requires intentional deception, and you clearly told the truth during your interview based on what you knew at that time. Changes in family support are incredibly common right after someone applies for benefits. Sometimes it's because family members didn't realize how much the person was struggling, sometimes it's because they have mixed feelings about government assistance. Your caseworker has probably seen this exact scenario dozens of times. A few practical tips from what I've observed: - Document the conversation with your husband (date, time, what was discussed) - If you decide to keep benefits, report the new income within 10 days as required - Be prepared to provide details about the amount and frequency of his support - Keep records of any actual financial help he provides You have two perfectly valid options: cancel the benefits or keep them and report the income change. Either way, you're following the rules. Don't let anxiety make this decision for you - think about what makes the most sense for your family's long-term stability.