Should I appeal CalWORKs denial or reapply now that I'm on disability?

Definitely reapply rather than appeal! Appeals are for when you think the county made a mistake in their original decision, but in your case, your circumstances have actually changed since the denial. Filing a new application will be much faster than going through the appeal process, which can take 90+ days to resolve. Make sure to submit verification of your disability income with your new application. Also, ask about the CalWORKs exemption for disability when you apply - since you're receiving SDI, you might qualify for an exemption from the Welfare to Work participation requirements while you recover.

REAPPLY!! I went thru the EXACT same situation last year and wasted almost 3 months trying to appeal when my income changed. The worker kept telling me the appeal was moving forward but nothing happened. Finally someone at the office told me I shouldve just done a new application because appeals are for when they made a MISTAKE not when your income changes after the fact. The system is SO frustrating!!!!!

Reapplying is definitely your best option. When you do, make sure to check the box for expedited processing if you're in immediate need (little/no money for basic expenses). Since you already have SDI approval, include that documentation to show your new income situation. One thing to know - your SDI counts as disability-based income, which means you might qualify for different exemptions from Welfare to Work requirements that you otherwise wouldn't get. Be sure to tell your eligibility worker about your disability so you won't be required to participate in work activities while recovering. Also, you mentioned having a 4-year-old. Don't forget to ask about the $30 monthly diaper stipend for children under age 6 when you reapply!

When I got disability I reapplied and got CalWorks within 2 weeks. But my caseworker was really helpful and she told me exactly what to bring. My cousin appealed and was waiting for months! Did they tell you why you were denied? Was it just income or something else?

try calling ur county office to ask but good luck getting thru lol. i had to call for THREE DAYS before i could talk to someone about my case. i was trying to submit new income docs after i lost my job. have you tried using Claimyr? its the only way i can get thru to my worker now. u go to claimyr.com and they call the county for u and call you back when they get someone on the line. saved me hours of waiting. they have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE but yea def reapply dont appeal.

my sister had to reapply cuz her first app got denied. make sure u upload proof of disability on benefitscal its important

One more tip - when you reapply, you can actually request a reasonable accommodation based on your disability. This means they can give you extra time to submit documents, help you fill out forms, or even do a phone interview instead of requiring you to come in person if your back injury makes it difficult to travel. Just be sure to mention your need for accommodation when you apply.

I just went through this exact situation 6 months ago! Definitely reapply - don't waste time with an appeal. Since your income changed due to becoming disabled, that's a completely new circumstance and appeals won't help you here. When you reapply, make sure to bring your SDI award letter as proof of your new income level. Also ask about expedited processing since you have a young child and are dealing with a disability. In my county they processed my reapplication in about 10 days once I had all the right paperwork. Pro tip: Since you're now on disability, you'll likely qualify for the disability exemption from work requirements, which means you won't have to do job search or training activities while you're recovering. This is a huge relief when you're already dealing with health issues! Good luck - you've got this! Your situation is exactly what these programs are designed to help with.