What happens to my EBT balance when I get a job? Will CalWORKs take back my Cash Aid?

Congrats on the job! Here's what you need to know: 1. The money already on your EBT card is yours to keep and use. CalWORKs won't take it back or deactivate your card just because you got a job. 2. You need to report your new income within 10 days if it puts you over your Income Reporting Threshold (IRT). Check your last SAR7 or Notice of Action for your specific IRT amount. If your new job income is below your IRT, you just report it on your next semi-annual report (SAR7). 3. Depending on how much you'll earn, your benefits might be reduced or discontinued for future months, but that doesn't affect money already issued. 4. Keep your EBT card even if your benefits stop! If you need help again within the year, it's easier to restart benefits with the same card.

ur friend is wrong 2 tell u 2 spend it all quick, thats not how it works. the $ they put on ur card already is urs. they cant take it back. they dont ask 4 it back. its not like they check ur card balance or nothing. but u DO gotta report the job so u dont get overpayments later. i got a job last yr and didnt report it fast enuf and they made me pay back 2 months worth later on!!

To add to what others have said, if your job is part-time, you might still be eligible for partial Cash Aid depending on your income. CalWORKs has something called "earned income disregard" where they don't count the first $225 of your earnings plus 50% of the remainder when calculating your grant amount. For example, if you earn $1,800/month, they'd disregard $225 plus 50% of $1,575 (which is $787.50), so only $787.50 of your income would count against your grant. Depending on your family size and grant amount, you might still get some cash aid. Also, even if your Cash Aid stops, you might still qualify for CalFresh and Medi-Cal for quite a while longer. They have different income limits.

you definitely need to report within 10 days if your over your IRT but if your not you can just put it on your next SAR7. but keep in mind you'll still be eligible for childcare benefits for a while after your cash aid stops! make sure to tell them you need that. also you might get transitional CalFRESH too.

Has anyone actually been able to get through to their worker to report income changes? I've been calling for THREE DAYS trying to report my new job and the phone system just disconnects me after 45 minutes on hold. So frustrating!! How are we supposed to follow the rules when we can't even get through to talk to anyone???

this is why the system is so broken smh... they make it so hard to do the right thing. i tried to report my job in march and kept getting hung up on. Then i got a notice saying i owe $1200 for overpaymnt. how is that fair when i TRIED to report??

One more thing I wanted to mention - since you're starting work, you might qualify for the CalWORKs Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). When you file your taxes next year, make sure to claim this credit. It can give you back a significant amount of money depending on your income and number of children. Also, don't forget that after your CalWORKs case closes due to employment, you may be eligible for Transitional Medi-Cal for up to 12 months regardless of your income. This is really important to maintain healthcare coverage for you and your children.

make SURE u do that SAR7 when they send it even if ur not on cash aid no more!!! if u miss it they mite cut off ur other benefits too!!!

Congratulations on your new job at Target! 🎉 That's such a big step. I just wanted to add something that might help during your transition - if you haven't already, look into applying for childcare assistance through CalWORKs Stage 1. Since you're moving from welfare to work, you should qualify for this program which can cover most of your childcare costs while you're employed. The application process can take a few weeks, so I'd recommend starting that paperwork as soon as you report your job. They'll help you find approved childcare providers in your area. With kids ages 4 and 6, this benefit could save you hundreds of dollars a month and really make the difference in whether working is financially worth it for your family. Also, don't stress too much about the reporting timeline - you're clearly trying to do everything right by asking questions ahead of time. That shows you're being responsible about it!

Congratulations on landing the Target job! That's awesome news. I went through this exact same situation last year when I got hired at Walmart, so I totally get the anxiety about what happens with your benefits. Everyone here has given you great advice, but I wanted to share what actually happened in my case. I had about $280 left on my EBT when I started working, and like others said, that money stayed mine - no one took it back or anything. The key thing is just being upfront about reporting your income. Since your new income ($1,800) is below your IRT ($2,250), you technically don't have to report until your next SAR7. But honestly? I'd recommend reporting it anyway within the 10 days. Here's why - it shows good faith effort, and your worker can help you understand exactly how your new income will affect your benefits going forward. Plus, with the earned income disregard that Lucas mentioned, you might still get some cash aid for a while. One tip: when you do report, ask your worker to walk you through the calculation so you know what to expect each month. It really helped me plan my budget better during the transition. You're doing everything right by asking questions first. Good luck with the new job!

Congratulations on the new job! 🎉 I'm so happy for you - getting that first job while on CalWORKs can feel overwhelming but you're taking all the right steps by asking questions first. Just want to echo what everyone else said about the money already on your EBT card - that's yours to keep! They absolutely cannot and will not take it back. I remember panicking about the same thing when I got my first job off CalWORKs. One thing I don't think anyone mentioned yet - since you're starting at Target, they might have some employee benefits that could help too. Some locations offer things like employee assistance programs or even help with childcare referrals. Worth asking your manager about once you get settled in. Also, when you do call to report your income, try calling right when they open in the morning (usually 8am). I've found that's when you're most likely to get through without sitting on hold forever. The afternoon calls are always a nightmare. You're going to do great! The transition from benefits to work is scary but so worth it. And remember - if this job doesn't work out for any reason, you can always reapply for benefits. Having that safety net knowledge really helped reduce my anxiety when I made the switch.

Congratulations on your new job! 🎉 That's such exciting news! I just went through something similar when I started working at a grocery store last fall, so I totally understand the anxiety about what happens with your benefits. Everyone here has given you really solid advice, but I wanted to add one thing that really helped me during the transition - ask your Target HR about their schedule flexibility. Since you have kids, you might need to adjust your hours sometimes for school events, sick days, etc. Many Target locations are pretty understanding about parent schedules, especially if you're upfront about your needs from the beginning. Also, since you mentioned your kids are 4 and 6, definitely look into the childcare assistance that others mentioned. But also check if your area has any after-school programs through the school district or community centers. Sometimes these are cheaper than regular daycare and can help bridge the gap while you're waiting for childcare assistance to kick in. The money on your EBT card is absolutely yours to keep - don't let anyone tell you otherwise! And honestly, even though you're under your IRT, I'd probably report the job within the 10 days anyway just to be safe and get ahead of any potential issues. You're doing everything right by asking questions first. The transition from benefits to work can feel overwhelming, but it sounds like you're being really thoughtful about it. Best of luck with your first week at Target!

Congratulations on your new job! That's amazing news! 🎉 I just wanted to add something that helped me a lot when I transitioned from CalWORKs to working - make sure you keep all your documentation organized. I'd recommend keeping records of: - When you report your job (date, time, who you spoke with) - Your pay stubs from Target - Any notices you get from the county about benefit changes - Your SAR7 forms and when you submit them I learned this the hard way when there was some confusion about when I reported my income and it took weeks to sort out. Having everything documented really helps if any issues come up later. Also, since you're starting at Target, they usually have pretty good employee discounts and sometimes offer things like earned wage access (where you can get some of your pay before payday). These little perks can really help during the transition period when you're adjusting your budget. You're being so smart by asking all these questions ahead of time. It shows you're committed to doing everything right, and that's going to serve you well in this new chapter. Best of luck with your first week! 💪

Huge congratulations on the Target job! 🎉 That's such a major accomplishment and you should be really proud of yourself for taking this step. I wanted to share something that might ease your worries - I work as a benefits advocate and help people navigate these exact situations all the time. The money already on your EBT card is absolutely, 100% yours to keep. CalWORKs cannot and will not take it back, deactivate your card, or ask for it to be returned. That money was issued based on your eligibility at the time, so it's rightfully yours. Since your Target income ($1,800) is below your Income Reporting Threshold ($2,250), you technically have until your next SAR7 to report it. However, I always recommend reporting sooner rather than later - it shows good faith and helps avoid any potential overpayment issues down the road. Plus, your worker can help you understand exactly how the earned income disregard will work in your favor. Don't forget to ask about transitional benefits when you report! You'll likely qualify for transitional Medi-Cal, possibly transitional CalFresh, and definitely childcare assistance through Stage 1. These supports are designed to help make the transition to work successful. You're asking all the right questions and being so responsible about this. That tells me you're going to do great in your new job! Best of luck! 💪

Congratulations on your new job at Target! 🎉 That's such wonderful news and a big step forward for you and your kids. I wanted to add one practical tip that really helped me when I made a similar transition - create a simple budget spreadsheet or use a budgeting app to track how your income and benefits will change over the next few months. Since you'll likely still get some cash aid due to the earned income disregard, plus potentially transitional benefits, it can get confusing to track everything. When I started working, I made a month-by-month projection of what I expected to receive from work vs. benefits, and it really helped me plan for things like work clothes, transportation costs, and childcare expenses. Target also usually provides uniforms or has specific dress requirements, so factor that into your first-month budget too. Also, don't forget to save receipts for work-related expenses like uniforms, transportation, and childcare - some of these might be tax deductible when you file next year, especially with the EITC that Lucas mentioned. You're being so smart and responsible by asking all these questions upfront. It shows you're really committed to making this work, and I have no doubt you'll succeed! The transition might feel overwhelming at first, but you've got a great support system here and you're taking all the right steps. Best of luck on your first day! 💪

Congratulations on your new job! 🎉 That's such exciting news and you should be really proud of yourself for taking this big step. I just wanted to add one thing that might be helpful - when you do call to report your job (and I agree with others that reporting early is smart even though you're under your IRT), ask your worker about the WTW (Welfare-to-Work) supportive services. Sometimes people don't know about all the additional help available during the transition to employment. For example, you might be eligible for: - Work-related transportation assistance (gas money, bus passes, car repairs) - Professional clothing allowance - Tools or equipment needed for work - Emergency childcare backup if your regular arrangement falls through These supports are specifically designed to help people succeed in their new jobs and can really make a difference during those first few months when you're adjusting to work expenses. Also, since you're at Target, they usually have pretty flexible scheduling which is great for parents. Don't be afraid to communicate with your manager about your needs - most employers would rather work with a good employee than lose them over scheduling conflicts. You're asking all the right questions and being so thoughtful about this transition. That tells me you're going to do amazing! Best of luck with everything! 💪

Congratulations on your new job at Target! 🎉 This is such a huge accomplishment and you should feel really proud of taking this step. I wanted to share something that might help ease your transition - since you mentioned your kids are 4 and 6, look into whether your local school district offers before/after school programs. These are often much cheaper than regular daycare and can be a great bridge while you're waiting for your CalWORKs childcare assistance to get approved. Some districts even offer sliding scale fees based on income. Also, Target is generally pretty good about working with parents on scheduling, but definitely communicate your needs upfront during your first week. Let them know you have young kids and what your childcare constraints are. Most managers appreciate honesty and will try to work with your availability rather than find out about conflicts later. One last tip - when you do report your income, ask your worker to explain the exact calculation they'll use with the earned income disregard. Having those numbers written down really helped me budget during my transition period. With your income level and family size, you'll likely still qualify for some assistance for a while, which can make those first few months much more manageable. You're being so responsible by asking questions ahead of time instead of just winging it. That attitude is going to serve you really well in your new job! Best of luck with your first week! 💪