What's a CalWORKs WTW orientation and do I lose benefits if I miss it?

Yes, you absolutely need to attend the WTW (Welfare to Work) orientation! It's mandatory for almost all CalWORKs recipients. At the orientation, they'll explain the work requirements you need to fulfill to keep getting Cash Aid. They'll go over your options like employment, education, training programs, etc. They'll also have you sign your WTW plan. Your part-time job at Walmart definitely counts toward your weekly work requirement hours, but you still need to attend the orientation to get it properly documented in your plan. The orientation usually takes 2-3 hours. They'll explain everything there, including childcare assistance that you might qualify for since you have a toddler. If you miss it without calling to reschedule, they can start the sanction process which can reduce or stop your Cash Aid.

The WTW orientation is when they tell u all the rules you gotta follow to keep getting Cash Aid. I went to mine last year and it was boring AF but you HAVE TO GO or they will cut your benefits for real. I missed mine the first time and they started the 'non-compliance' process right away. Such a pain to fix it after. BTW they have childcare vouchers you can get!!! Ask about that at the orientation. That helped me sooo much with my kids.

I just went through this last month! Call them ASAP to ask if you can bring your toddler or if they provide childcare during the orientation. Most counties actually offer on-site childcare during these mandatory meetings, but they often don't mention it in the letters (which is super frustrating). The orientation covers: - Your required participation hours (usually 20-30 weekly depending on your child's age) - Activities that count toward those hours (your Walmart job counts!) - Available supportive services (childcare, transportation, work clothes, etc.) - How to report your participation You'll meet with a WTW case manager who will help create your personalized plan. Don't skip it - sanctions are real and can reduce your grant by your portion (not your child's).

I tried for THREE DAYS to call about rescheduling my WTW orientation when my kid got sick and couldn't get through to anyone!!! Left messages, no callback. Then they sanctioned me even though it wasn't my fault! Had to go in person to fix it. The whole system is broken.

just fyi they might make u do more hours if ur walmart job isnt enough. when i went to orientation they said i needed 30 hrs a week cuz my kid is over 6. my mcdonalds job was only 22 hrs so i had to sign up for job search activities for the other 8 hrs. its stupid. but the childcare benefit is actually pretty good once u get it set up. took forever tho lol

To directly answer your question about what happens at a WTW orientation: it's basically an introduction to the CalWORKs work requirements. They'll explain that to keep receiving Cash Aid, most adults need to participate in work or work-preparation activities for a certain number of hours each week. They'll cover: 1. Your specific hourly requirements (likely 20hrs/week with a toddler) 2. The various activities that can count toward those hours 3. The supportive services available (childcare is the big one!) 4. How to document and report your participation At the end, you'll meet with a case worker to create your Welfare to Work plan based on your individual situation. Since you already work at Walmart, they'll likely just include that in your plan. If you're not meeting the full hourly requirement with that job, they might suggest additional activities.

btw dont forget to bring ID to the orientation!! my friend got turned away cuz she didnt have hers and had to reschedule the whole thing

Hey Oliver! I totally get how overwhelming this can feel when you're new to the system. I went through my WTW orientation about 6 months ago and was super stressed beforehand too. A few practical tips that helped me: - Call ahead and confirm they have childcare available during the orientation (most do but it's good to double-check) - Bring a snack and water bottle - sometimes these run longer than expected - Write down any questions you have beforehand so you don't forget to ask - Bring proof of your Walmart employment (pay stubs or work schedule) to show them right away The orientation itself isn't too bad once you're there. The staff are usually pretty understanding, especially when they see you're trying to comply. And honestly, once you get your WTW plan set up properly, it makes everything clearer about what you need to do to keep your benefits. You've got this! The fact that you're already working shows you're doing what you need to do - the orientation is just paperwork to make it official.

Oliver, I just want to add that you should definitely ask about the CalWORKs childcare program at your orientation! Since you're working at Walmart and will need to meet WTW requirements, you might qualify for subsidized childcare that could help with your work schedule AND give you some peace of mind. Also, don't stress too much about the orientation itself - they're used to dealing with parents who have toddlers and understand the challenges. Most counties are pretty flexible about rescheduling if you have a legitimate childcare emergency, but it's always better to attend the first scheduled appointment if possible. One thing that really helped me was bringing a notepad to write down important info like contact numbers, deadlines, and what supportive services I qualified for. There's a lot of information to absorb and it's easy to forget details when you're juggling everything else. Good luck with your orientation! Remember, this is actually a good thing - it means you're getting connected to resources that can help support your family while you're working toward self-sufficiency.

Hey Oliver! I just wanted to chime in as someone who's been through this process recently. I know it feels overwhelming getting that letter out of nowhere, but honestly the orientation isn't as scary as it sounds. One thing I wish someone had told me - if you're working part-time at Walmart and your toddler is under 6, you're probably already meeting most of your requirements! The 20 hours/week rule that others mentioned is spot on. Quick practical tip: when you call about childcare, also ask if they have any orientation sessions specifically for working parents. Some counties offer evening or weekend slots that might work better with your Walmart schedule. Also, don't be afraid to speak up during the orientation if something doesn't make sense. The case workers would rather clarify things upfront than deal with confusion later. And if your current work hours fluctuate (retail schedules can be unpredictable), make sure to mention that so they can help you plan for slower weeks. You're already doing great by working and taking care of your little one - this is just making it official so you can keep getting the support your family needs!

Just wanted to add that you should also ask about transportation assistance at your orientation! Since you're working at Walmart, they might be able to help with bus passes or gas vouchers if getting to work is ever a challenge. I didn't know about this until my second appointment and it would have saved me so much stress those first few months. Also, if your Walmart hours get cut during slow periods, don't panic - there are other approved activities that can help you meet your weekly requirements temporarily. Things like online job training courses or even attending parenting classes can count toward your hours. The key is communicating with your case worker BEFORE you fall short on hours, not after. You sound like you're already doing everything right by working and wanting to understand the system better. The WTW program is actually designed to support working families like yours, even though the initial letter can sound pretty intimidating!

Hey Oliver! I'm new to CalWORKs too (just got approved 2 months ago) and went through my WTW orientation last month. I was terrified beforehand but it was honestly not as bad as I expected! A couple things that really helped me: - I called 3 days before and they confirmed they had on-site childcare during the orientation (my 3-year-old actually had fun playing with the toys there) - The whole thing took about 2.5 hours but they gave us a 15-minute break in the middle - Since you're already working at Walmart, you're ahead of the game! They'll just need to verify your employment and work that into your official plan One thing I wish I'd known - bring any work documents you have (pay stubs, schedule, etc.) because they can set up your plan right there instead of having to come back. Also ask about the emergency childcare vouchers - they can help if your regular childcare falls through and you might miss work. The staff were actually really nice and seemed to understand that we're all just trying to figure this out. Don't stress too much - you've got this! And definitely don't skip it, but it sounds like you're planning to go anyway which is smart.

I just want to say how amazing this community is! Oliver, you came here stressed and confused about your WTW orientation letter, and look at all the helpful, detailed responses you got from people who've actually been through this process. As someone who's been navigating CalWORKs for about a year now, I can tell you that having this kind of peer support makes SUCH a difference. The official letters and paperwork can be so intimidating and unclear, but getting real talk from other parents who understand the system is invaluable. Oliver, you're going to do great at your orientation! You're already working, you're proactive about getting information, and now you know what to expect and what questions to ask. That puts you way ahead of where most of us were going into our first WTW meeting. For anyone else reading this who might be facing their first WTW orientation - bookmark this thread! The advice here covers pretty much everything you need to know. And don't be afraid to ask questions in this community - as you can see, people here really care about helping each other succeed.

Oliver, I just wanted to add one more thing that might help ease your nerves - bring a small bag with snacks and a drink for both you and your toddler, even if they have on-site childcare. Orientations can run long and hungry toddlers are nobody's friend lol! Also, if you're anything like me and tend to get overwhelmed with a lot of new information at once, don't be shy about asking them to repeat something or explain it differently. The case workers would much rather clarify things during the orientation than have you leave confused and potentially mess something up later. One last tip - if possible, try to schedule your orientation for a day when you're not working right before or after. I made the mistake of trying to squeeze mine in between shifts and felt so rushed and stressed. Having the whole day free (or at least the morning/afternoon) will let you focus and really absorb what they're telling you. You're going to do great! The fact that you're already working and actively seeking information shows you're exactly the kind of participant the WTW program is designed to support. Good luck with everything!

Oliver, just wanted to jump in as another parent who was totally overwhelmed by that first WTW orientation letter! I remember getting mine and immediately thinking "What did I sign up for??" But honestly, after reading through all these amazing responses, it sounds like you're in such a good position already. The fact that you're working at Walmart puts you ahead of so many people walking into their first orientation. Most people are starting from zero and trying to figure out what activities they can do to meet their hours. You've already got that covered! One thing I didn't see mentioned - if your Walmart schedule is inconsistent week to week, make sure to ask about how they handle that in your WTW plan. Retail can be so unpredictable with hours, and they usually have ways to account for that so you're not stressed every time you get a light schedule. Also, don't forget to ask about any benefits or programs specifically for working parents. Sometimes there are additional supports available that they don't automatically mention unless you ask. You've got such a great support system here in this thread - definitely come back and let us know how it goes! Your experience will probably help other parents who are in the same boat.

Oliver, I just want to echo what everyone else has said - you're going to be absolutely fine! I was in almost the exact same situation when I started CalWORKs about 8 months ago. Got that intimidating WTW letter, had no clue what it meant, and was terrified they were going to make me jump through impossible hoops. Here's what I wish someone had told me: the WTW orientation is actually designed to HELP you succeed, not trip you up. Since you're already working at Walmart, you're basically just going to formalize what you're already doing. The case workers want to see you succeed because that's literally their job. A few quick additions to all the great advice already shared: - Ask about work-related expense reimbursements (uniforms, gas, etc.) - Find out about their job advancement programs if you're interested in moving up at Walmart or eventually switching careers - Don't be afraid to mention if you're dealing with any challenges (childcare, transportation, etc.) - they have programs to help with almost everything The hardest part is just showing up that first time. After that, it's all pretty straightforward check-ins and updates. You've got this! And this community clearly has your back too. Looking forward to hearing how it goes! Your success story will definitely help other new parents who get that same scary letter.

Oliver, I can totally relate to your situation! I got that same scary WTW letter when my daughter was little and I was working part-time at Target. The letter made it sound like I was in trouble or something, but honestly the orientation ended up being really helpful. Since you're already working at Walmart, you're in great shape! The orientation will mostly be about getting your current job officially counted toward your WTW requirements. With a toddler, you'll likely only need 20 hours per week, so your part-time schedule should cover it. A couple things that helped me: - Call ahead to confirm childcare during the orientation (most locations have it but always good to double-check) - Bring recent pay stubs from Walmart to show your current work hours - Ask about the CalWORKs childcare program - it was a game changer for me when I needed reliable care for work The orientation itself is usually 2-3 hours and covers all the work requirements, available support services, and helps you create your personalized WTW plan. Don't stress too much - they're used to working with parents and understand the challenges we face. You're already doing what you need to do by working, this is just making it official so you can keep getting the support your family needs while you build toward stability. You've got this!

Oliver, I just wanted to add my voice to this amazing thread of support! As a CalWORKs recipient who's been through multiple WTW orientations (moved counties), I can tell you that your anxiety is completely normal but you're going to do just fine. Since you're already working at Walmart, you're honestly in the best possible position walking into that orientation. Most people are scrambling to figure out how they'll meet their hours, but you've already got that sorted! The orientation will just formalize what you're already doing. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - ask about their emergency assistance programs too. Sometimes when you're juggling work and a toddler, unexpected expenses pop up (car repair, medical bills, etc.) and there are often one-time assistance programs that can help bridge those gaps so you don't have to choose between keeping your job and handling emergencies. Also, if you ever run into issues with your WTW case worker down the road (hopefully not, but it happens), document everything and don't hesitate to ask for a supervisor. You have rights as a participant and shouldn't have to navigate this alone. This community clearly has your back, and honestly reading through everyone's supportive responses here gives me so much hope for how we can help each other succeed in this system. You're going to do great at your orientation!