Will I lose CalWORKs for not paying rent? Worker said I must report rent even while staying with someone for free

The worker is partially right but explained it poorly. CalWORKs does include housing costs in the benefit calculation, but reporting $0 rent shouldn't make you ineligible. What probably happened is the worker is confused about the rules for "free housing" - they're supposed to calculate if you're receiving "in-kind income" when someone lets you stay for free. As for adding the father of your unborn child - yes, if you're living together, they typically need to include him in your "assistance unit" since you're having a child together. His income would count toward household income even though your older child has a different father. For the address situation, that person should definitely update their address with the county. Using an address where you don't live is technically fraud and could cause bigger problems for her later. The county usually gives people time to update their info without penalties if they self-report.

omg the same thing happened to my cousin!!! they made her report she was paying $200 rent to her mom even tho her mom wasn't charging her anything!!! its so they can justify cutting ur benefits. they always try to find some way to reduce what u get its so annoying

Urgent: For the address issue - the person needs to update their address ASAP! I got caught in a similar situation where someone was using my address without my knowledge. When the county found out, they launched a fraud investigation against BOTH of us! It was a NIGHTMARE to clear up. Both households could end up with overpayments and have to pay back benefits. For your rent question - you should explain to your worker that you're not paying rent because your housing is temporary and you're saving that money for other child expenses like diapers, clothes, etc. Ask for a breakdown of exactly how your grant is calculated.

The housing thing sounds fishy to me... I've been on CalWORKs for 2 years staying with different relatives and never paid rent. They never threatened to cut my benefits. I'd ask to speak to a supervisor honestly.

About the father of your unborn baby - yes, he would need to be included in your CalWORKs case IF you're actually in a relationship and living together as a family unit. But if you're just temporarily staying together for support during the pregnancy but maintaining separate finances/lives, you might be able to explain that to your worker. The rules about who's in your "assistance unit" can be complicated. And I don't think the worker should be threatening to reduce your benefits for not paying rent - that sounds like a misunderstanding of the rules. CalWORKs is supposed to help with ALL child expenses, not just housing.

Let me clarify a few things about CalWORKs rules that might help: 1. HOUSING: CalWORKs doesn't require you to pay rent. However, if someone provides you free housing, it can be counted as "in-kind income" which might slightly reduce your grant. The worker shouldn't be telling you to make up a rent amount - that would be fraudulent reporting. 2. ASSISTANCE UNIT: If the father of your unborn child lives with you AND you present yourselves as a family unit (sharing resources/responsibilities), then yes, he must be added to your case. His income would count toward the household's total. However, if you maintain separate finances and are just co-parenting under the same roof temporarily, you might be able to make that case to your worker. 3. ADDRESS VERIFICATION: The county is required to verify residency. If someone else was using that address for benefits, they need to clear that up. Both that person AND you should update your information with the county to avoid potential fraud investigations. I would recommend requesting an in-person meeting with your eligibility worker and supervisor to sort this all out properly. Bring any documentation that shows your current living arrangement.

Sounds like ur worker is new or somthin. Ive never had 2 report specific rent when i was stayin w family. they just asked if i pay anythin toward household expenses. i just said i help with utilities when i can & that was fine. Also for the address thing - the other lady DEF needs 2 update her address!! my friend got hit with a fraud case for keepin her old address on file & had 2 pay back like $4500!!!

UPDATE: I spoke with a supervisor yesterday and got some clear answers! 1. I do NOT have to make up a rent amount. Free housing can count as "in-kind income" but they can't just cut off my CalWORKs completely for this reason. 2. Since the baby's father and I aren't in a relationship (we're just co-parenting and I'm temporarily staying with him), I need to submit a statement explaining our living arrangement. The supervisor said they'll review it case-by-case. 3. For the address issue - the previous resident needs to update her address with the county ASAP. The supervisor said they won't automatically assume fraud if she self-reports, but continuing to use an incorrect address could cause problems. Thanks everyone for your help! My original worker was definitely giving me incorrect information.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stress, especially while pregnant! I went through something similar last year. The worker was definitely giving you wrong information - they can't just cut off your CalWORKs because you're not paying rent. What helped me was writing down everything the worker told me, then calling back to speak with someone else to verify. I also found it helpful to ask them to explain exactly which policy or regulation they're referring to when they make these claims. For the living situation with the baby's father - document everything about how you maintain separate finances and aren't in a romantic relationship. Write down dates, who pays for what, etc. This will help when you meet with the supervisor. And yes, that other person absolutely needs to update their address immediately! I've seen people get hit with fraud investigations for much less. Better to be proactive about it. Hang in there - you're advocating well for yourself and your kids!