Moving from Texas to CA with SNAP - when to apply for CalFresh and CalWORKs?

You should apply for CalFresh AND CalWORKs immediately! Don't wait. You can apply for both together on BenefitsCal.com (that's California's online portal). When you move to a new state, you're supposed to report the move to Texas within 10 days, but you can apply in California right away - the systems don't talk to each other automatically. CalFresh is CA's version of SNAP, and CalWORKs is our cash aid program. Since you have a child and no income, you'll likely qualify for both. The sooner you apply, the better, since benefits aren't retroactive.

Apply immediately! I moved from Arizona last year and made the mistake of waiting until my AZ SNAP ran out. Ended up with a gap month with no food benefits. For CalWORKs, just know they'll require you to participate in Welfare to Work (WTW) activities since you have a child over 2 years old. That means you'll need to do job search activities, education, or training for 20-30 hours a week. The benefit of CalWORKs though is they also provide childcare assistance while you're meeting your WTW requirements or working. Apply for both at once on BenefitsCal and get the process started ASAP.

when i moved here they wanted hella proof - ID, birth certificates, proof u really moved here (i used my new CA cell phone bill), and bank statements. get everything ready b4 u apply. also they made me do a phone interview before approving anything. took like 3 weeks total

I help people navigate CalWORKs applications regularly, and here's what you need to know: 1. Apply immediately on BenefitsCal.com for both programs together 2. For proof of CA residency while staying with your cousin, you can provide a signed statement from your cousin confirming you live there + any mail you've received at that address 3. Once approved for CalWORKs (which can take up to 30 days), you'll be referred to WTW, but you'll get a 30-day stabilization period before activities must begin 4. Your 4-year-old qualifies you for childcare assistance through CalWORKs 5. You should contact Texas SNAP to report your move, but don't close your case until CalFresh is approved to avoid gaps Also, request an expedited CalFresh determination if your bank account has less than $150 and your income/resources are less than your monthly rent/utilities - they must provide benefits within 3 days if you qualify for expedited service.

I tried calling the county office when I moved here from Nevada last year and spent 3 HOURS on hold before getting disconnected. TWICE. Finally I found a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that held my place in line and had a case worker call ME back. Saved me so much stress! They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE. Was totally worth it because I got approved for both CalFresh and CalWORKs and the worker helped me figure out what verification documents I needed based on my specific situation.

THEY WILL MAKE U DO JOB SEARCH!!! welfare 2 work is no joke, u have to do like 30hrs a week or theyll cut ur cash!!! but the free childcare is dope, i get that for my kids and its worth the hassle

One more important thing - tell them you need homeless assistance when you apply! Since you're staying with your cousin temporarily, you qualify for CalWORKs Temporary Homeless Assistance which can help pay for temporary shelter like a hotel while you find permanent housing. They can also help with security deposit and first month's rent through Permanent Homeless Assistance when you find a place. Many people don't know about this program but it's super helpful when relocating.

Everyone here is givin great advice but nobody mentioned the income reporting threshold (IRT)! When u get on CalWORKs they'll give u an amount and if u make more than that before taxes u HAVE to report it within 10 days even outside ur regular reporting period. If u dont report over IRT income they can say u committed fraud even if it was a mistake so pay attention to that letter when u get it!!

Something nobody has mentioned yet - if you start receiving CalWORKs cash aid, you'll need to assign your rights to child support to the county unless you have good cause not to cooperate (like domestic violence concerns). This means if your child's other parent isn't in the picture, the county will pursue them for child support automatically. Most of that money goes to reimburse the state for your cash aid, but you'll get the first $100 per month of child support collected (called a disregard payment) without it affecting your benefits. Just something to be aware of when applying.

Welcome to California! I moved here from out of state too and know how overwhelming it can be. One thing that really helped me was creating a checklist of all the documents I needed before starting the application. Based on what others have shared, you'll want to gather: your Texas ID, birth certificate for you and your son, Social Security cards, any bank statements from the last 3 months, proof of your move to CA (like a cell phone bill with your new address), and documentation of your last paycheck from Texas. Also, if you qualify for expedited CalFresh benefits, you could get food assistance within 3 days while waiting for the full CalWORKs determination. The BenefitsCal website lets you upload all documents digitally now, which saves time. Don't stress too much about having perfect documentation right away - they'll tell you exactly what you need during the process. You've got this!

Hi Zainab! I went through a similar situation when I moved here from Florida with my two kids last year. A few things that really helped me that haven't been mentioned yet: 1. When you apply on BenefitsCal, save your confirmation number and take screenshots of everything - the system sometimes glitches and you'll want proof you submitted everything on time. 2. For temporary housing proof while staying with your cousin, I used a simple letter from my family member stating I was staying there temporarily, plus I had them sign an affidavit. The county accepted this along with any mail I'd received there. 3. They'll assign you to a specific county office based on where you're staying. Once you know which office, try calling first thing in the morning (8 AM sharp) - that's when I had the best luck getting through. 4. If you get approved for CalWORKs, ask about their transportation assistance program too. They can help with bus passes or gas vouchers while you're job searching or attending WTW activities. The whole process took about 3-4 weeks for me, but I did get expedited CalFresh in 3 days since my savings were almost gone. Don't give up if it feels overwhelming - the benefits really do help while you get back on your feet in a new state. You're doing the right thing by applying immediately!