Will CalWORKs/CalFresh find out my partner got a job if we don't report income using his SSN?

They WILL find out, and when they do, you'll end up with a huge overpayment that you'll have to pay back. CalWORKs and CalFresh both use income verification systems that match SSNs with employment records. It's called the Income Eligibility Verification System (IEVS). They might not catch it immediately, but they almost always do eventually, and then you'll owe ALL the money back that you weren't entitled to. You're required to report within 10 days when your household income exceeds the Income Reporting Threshold (IRT) listed on your last approval notice. Even if it doesn't exceed the IRT, you still need to report it on your next SAR7. Don't risk it. An overpayment can turn into a fraud case if they think you deliberately hid income.

I was in the same boat last year my bf got a job and i didnt report it for like 3 months. BIG MISTAKE!! They found out and now we have a $3897 overpayment we gotta pay back AND they reduced our benefits for 6 months as a penalty. they deff check that stuff with social security numbers i learned the hard way

To directly answer your question: Yes, CalWORKs and CalFresh can and will discover unreported employment through quarterly wage data matches with EDD (Employment Development Department). They use your partner's SSN to cross-reference employment records. You should report the change within 10 days if his income exceeds your IRT (Income Reporting Threshold). You'll find your specific IRT amount on your last approval notice. Even if it's below the IRT, you must report it on your next SAR7. Keep in mind that reporting income doesn't automatically mean losing all benefits. The programs have earned income disregards - they don't count every dollar earned when calculating benefits. For CalWORKs, they disregard the first $450 plus 50% of the remaining earned income. CalFresh has a 20% earned income deduction. Report the change promptly, provide all requested verification, and the county will recalculate your benefits accordingly.

you should just report it and get it over with... my cousin hid income for almost a year and ended up with FRAUD charges!!! not worth it trust me

To clarify about penalties: There are three types of violations: 1. Inadvertent Household Error: An honest mistake results in just paying back the overpayment. 2. Administrative Error: If the county made the mistake, you might still need to repay but with more flexible terms. 3. Intentional Program Violation (IPV): If they determine you deliberately concealed information, penalties include benefit disqualification (3-12 months first offense, 12-24 months second offense, permanent disqualification third offense), financial penalties, and in serious cases, criminal prosecution. If the county suspects fraud, they refer the case to their Special Investigations Unit. They can conduct interviews with employers, check bank records, and even conduct surveillance in serious cases. As others mentioned, they'll set up a repayment plan if you can't pay a lump sum. For active cases, they typically reduce your benefits by 10% until it's repaid.

has anyone tried calling to report income changes lately?? i tried 6 times last month and got hung up on every time!!! so frustrating

Thanks everyone for the advice. I'm definitely going to report the new job. I checked and found our IRT letter - it says $2780 for our family size and my boyfriend will make about $2400 a month at his new job. So if I understand right, I should still report it on the SAR7 in 2 months, but don't need to do a special report right now since it's under our IRT? And the income disregards mean we might still get some cash aid even with his new job?

I'm sorry but this system is SUCH a trap. They give you barely enough to survive, then when you finally find work they take away your benefits AND charge you OVERPAYMENTS if you don't report EXACTLY on time!!! How are people supposed to ever get ahead? It's all designed to keep people POOR and DESPERATE. I bet they have a quota for "fraud" cases they need to meet every year. The whole thing makes me SICK.

I understand how overwhelming this feels! I just went through something similar last year. The good news is that since your boyfriend's income ($2400) is below your IRT ($2780), you have until your next SAR7 to report it - no need to panic about the 10-day rule right now. But here's what I wish someone had told me: even though you can wait, I'd honestly recommend reporting it sooner rather than later. The county workers are usually more understanding when you're proactive about reporting changes, and it shows good faith if any issues come up later. Also, don't forget that with the $500 disregard plus 50% of remaining income, you'll likely still qualify for some cash aid! Run the numbers: $500 + 50% of $1900 = $1450 disregarded, so only $950 counts against your grant. You might be surprised how much you can still receive. One tip: when you do report, make sure to ask about transitional benefits and childcare assistance - there are programs specifically designed to help families transition to work without losing everything at once. You've got this! Taking care of your family while navigating these systems is hard work, but you're doing the right thing by asking questions and planning ahead.

I'm new to this community but wanted to share what I learned when I was in a similar situation. The key thing to understand is that California has something called the "cliff effect" - where small increases in income can lead to big losses in benefits. But they've actually made some improvements to help with this! Since your boyfriend's income is under your IRT, you do have time, but I'd suggest reporting it early like others mentioned. When you do, ask specifically about: 1. **Cal-Learn program** if you're under 19 - provides extra support for young parents 2. **Supportive Services** - can help with work clothes, transportation, etc. 3. **The 60-month time clock** - his employment might qualify you for "good cause" exemptions Also, something I didn't see mentioned: if this is his first job in a while, they might apply the "new employment" rules which can be more favorable for the first few months. One more tip - document EVERYTHING. Take photos of his pay stubs, keep records of when you report, save emails/letters. If any issues come up later, having good records makes a huge difference. You're being smart by asking questions first. The system is complicated but there are people (like the folks here) who want to help you navigate it successfully!

I just wanted to chime in as someone who's been through the CalWORKs system for a few years now. The advice everyone's giving is spot on - definitely report the income change! One thing I learned that might help ease your worries: they don't just automatically cut you off the moment you report income. The system is designed (at least in theory) to help people transition to work. With your boyfriend making $2400/month and your family's IRT at $2780, you're actually in a pretty good position. Here's what will likely happen when you report: they'll recalculate your benefits using the income disregards others mentioned, and you'll probably still receive some cash aid and food stamps. The transition is usually gradual, not a sudden cliff. Also, if you're worried about calling and getting disconnected (I've been there!), you can also report online through C4Yourself or even visit the office in person. Sometimes bringing paperwork in person actually gets things processed faster. The most important thing is to be honest and proactive. I've seen people get into serious trouble trying to hide income, but I've never seen anyone get penalized for reporting changes promptly, even if it reduces their benefits. You're clearly trying to do the right thing here, and that counts for a lot with the caseworkers. Good luck with everything! It sounds like your family is taking a positive step forward.

Hey there! I can totally relate to your situation - I went through something really similar about 6 months ago when my partner started working again. The anxiety about potentially losing benefits while still needing them is so real! Based on what you've shared, it sounds like you're actually in a good spot since his income ($2400) is under your IRT ($2780). That means you can wait until your SAR7, but honestly? I'd recommend reporting it early anyway. Here's why: When I reported my partner's new job proactively, our worker was really helpful and walked me through exactly how the income disregards would work. With the $500 disregard plus 50% of the remaining income, we ended up keeping more benefits than I expected! Also, don't forget to ask about transitional Medi-Cal when you report - that was a lifesaver for us because even when our cash aid got reduced, we kept healthcare coverage for a full year. One practical tip: when you call to report, have his first few pay stubs ready and ask them to calculate your new benefit amount right then and there. It takes away the guesswork and helps you plan your budget. You're being really responsible by asking questions first. The system is confusing but there are definitely ways to make the transition to work without falling off a cliff. Good luck!

I just want to say how much I appreciate this whole thread! I'm actually in a really similar situation - my husband just got hired last week and I've been losing sleep over whether to report it right away or wait. Reading everyone's experiences and advice has been so helpful. What really stands out to me is how many people are saying to be proactive about reporting. I was leaning toward waiting until our next SAR7, but seeing how the county workers respond better to people who report early makes a lot of sense. Plus, learning about all these programs I didn't know existed - transitional Medi-Cal, supportive services, Cal-Learn - makes me feel like there might actually be help available during this transition instead of just getting cut off. @StarStrider - I hope everything works out well for your family! It sounds like you're making a smart, well-informed decision by reporting the income change. Your boyfriend's new job could be the beginning of a really positive change for your family, especially with all the support programs people have mentioned here. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences, both good and bad. This community is such a valuable resource for navigating these complicated systems!