Will I qualify for CalWORKs if my 2020 CA tax return showed $0? Cross-state tax confusion

CalWORKs eligibility isn't based on your tax return specifically. It's based on your current income, resources, and household composition. The 2020 tax return might be used for verification purposes, but it's not the deciding factor. What matters is your current situation - how much you're earning now, how many children you have, etc. You should submit your application through BenefitsCal and provide whatever income verification you currently have (pay stubs, bank statements). If you're working now, they'll look at that income, not what you made in 2020. The cross-state tax situation shouldn't automatically disqualify you. Also, CalWORKs is completely separate from stimulus payments, so those past issues shouldn't affect your CalWORKs eligibility.

they dont care about ur 2020 taxes for calworks!!!! its about NOW income. i had same thing happen with my taxes all messed up cuz i moved states but still got approved. bring ur last 3 paystubs thats what they want

I work as an eligibility specialist (not for California, but another state) and I can confirm that tax returns from 2020 would not be the determining factor for your CalWORKs eligibility in 2025. CalWORKs is looking at your current situation - income, resources, household composition. The program worker might be asking about 2020 taxes for verification purposes or to establish a pattern of income, but it's not the main deciding factor. You'll need to provide: - ID for everyone in your household - Proof of current income (pay stubs, employer statement) - Information about resources (bank accounts, vehicles, property) - Proof of residence in California - Birth certificates for your children If you're working part-time, you'll likely need to participate in Welfare to Work (WTW) activities to maintain eligibility once approved. This can include job search, education, or training activities.

CalWORKs is a mess right now! I had a similar issue where they kept asking for documents I already submitted THREE TIMES. I couldn't get anyone on the phone for weeks. Finally I used Claimyr.com to reach a live person - it's this service that gets you through the phone systems and connects you directly to a worker. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE that shows how it works. It was the only way I could get my questions answered without waiting for hours on hold only to get disconnected. But yeah, tax returns from 2020 shouldn't matter for your CalWORKs eligibility. It's about your current situation.

i think ur confusing stimulus payments with calworks. stimulus was based on tax returns but calworks is cash aid that looks at ur current income. two totally different programs run by different agencies. feds did stimulus, county handles calworks. have u actually applied for calworks yet or are u just wondering if u should?

About your Welfare to Work question - yes, your current 20 hours of work will count toward your WTW participation requirements. For a single parent with a child under 6, you typically need 20 hours of WTW activities, so your current job should satisfy that requirement. CalWORKs also provides childcare assistance while you're working or participating in approved activities. Make sure to ask about childcare benefits during your interview - they should help cover costs while you're working those 20 hours, which could help you find additional hours or a better job. The childcare benefit is actually one of the most valuable parts of CalWORKs for many families.

THE SYSTEM IS RIGGED!!! They ALWAYS say one thing then do another. Last year they told me my tax return didn't matter for CalWORKs, then denied me saying my "reported income" was too high - which was from a tax return from a year when I had a good job before I got laid off!! Called 37 TIMES over 3 weeks and nobody would fix it. Had to get my state assembly member involved to get it straightened out. Don't trust what they tell you over the phone. Get EVERYTHING in writing and keep copies of EVERYTHING you submit. Take pictures of documents before you hand them over. And if they deny you, APPEAL IMMEDIATELY - you only have 90 days!!

btw if ur kid is under 3 you can get the $30 diaper allowance too with calworks. they dont tell u about it u gotta ask

Since your child is 4, you should ask about: 1. Childcare assistance - covers care while you work or do WTW activities 2. Transportation assistance - can help with bus passes or gas money to get to work 3. Once-in-a-lifetime homeless assistance if you're at risk of losing housing 4. Work expense allowances if you need special clothing/tools for your job 5. CalFresh (food benefits) if you haven't applied already When you have your interview, just be upfront about your current situation - working part-time, struggling with childcare costs, etc. The cross-state tax issue from 2020 really shouldn't impact your current eligibility. If the worker seems fixated on that, politely ask how that affects your current application and why it matters for determining your present eligibility.