Will applying for CalWORKs Cash Aid affect my food stamps? Work requirements for single mom with 16-year-old?

Yes, if you get approved for CalWORKs, your CalFresh (food stamps) will likely decrease some. This is because Cash Aid counts as income when they calculate your food benefits. But the total amount of benefits combined (cash + food) will be more than just food stamps alone. As for requirements - yes, you'll have to participate in the Welfare to Work (WTW) program unless you qualify for an exemption. Since your child is 16, you'll need to complete 30 hours per week of approved activities. These can include: - Employment - Job search - Education/training programs - Community service They'll create what's called a WTW plan with you after your application is approved. The good news is they also offer supportive services like help with transportation costs and sometimes work clothes/supplies if you need them.

when i got cashaid last yr they cut my foodstamps from 600 to like 370 but i was getting 925 in cash so i still came out ahead just so u know. i think they changed the welfare to work rules cuz my aunt has to do something called upfront job search now b4 she even gets approved

Since your son is 16, you'll 100% have to do Welfare to Work! I was on CalWORKs last year and they are VERY strict about WTW when your kids are teens. Make sure you go to every appointment or they'll sanction you and reduce your cash aid. They made me do 30hrs/week of job search and then I had to take any job offered. The WTW counselors can be really pushy!! And yes your food stamps will go down because cash aid counts as income, but overall you'll have more money each month between the two programs.

Just wanted to add a quick note about child support - when you're on CalWORKs, any child support payments go directly to the county first, and they only pass through the first $100 to you (or $200 if you have multiple children). The rest goes to reimburse the county for your cash aid. So even if the father starts paying, you'll only see the first $100 of it each month.

If your planning to apply make sure you have all verification docs ready upfront (ID, birth certificate for kid, proof of residence, bank statements, etc). And BE PREPARED TO WAIT FOR HOURS on the phone to reach a worker for your interview!!! I tried for 2 weeks to reach someone for my CalWORKs interview last month. It was a nightmare!!! Kept getting disconnected after waiting for 2+ hours each time. Had to keep calling back.

To answer your specific questions: 1) Yes, your CalFresh will decrease some, but your total benefits will increase. The exact calculation depends on your county and household size. 2) For WTW requirements, as the parent of a teen, you'll need to complete 30 hours weekly of approved activities. However, there are exemptions available depending on your situation. 3) Regarding child support: you must cooperate with child support enforcement as a condition of receiving CalWORKs, but you can request a "good cause" exemption if cooperation would put you or your child at risk. 4) Once approved, you'll be assigned an Employment Services Worker who will help develop your WTW plan based on your skills and goals. I recommend applying through BenefitsCal.com rather than paper applications - it's faster and you can upload your verification documents directly.

One more thing to consider - since your child is 16, you only have 2 years until they turn 18. CalWORKs has a 48-month lifetime limit, so if you've already used some months when your child was a baby, make sure to check how many months you have left. You don't want to waste them if your child is almost aging out of the program anyway!

btw theres this new beneft called the diaper stipand if ur son has any younger siblings under 2 or 3 yrs old. $30 extra a month i think? my cousin gets it for her baby

Update on BenefitsCal: it's relatively user-friendly, but make sure you have all your documents ready to upload (ID, social security cards, proof of residence, any income verification). If you get stuck, most counties have Application Assisters who can help you complete the application over the phone. Also, when you get to your WTW assignment, consider asking about the CalWORKs Education Program. If you're interested in getting training or education, you can sometimes use school/training to meet your WTW requirements, which might be a good opportunity while receiving benefits.

I just wanted to add that if you do decide to apply, don't be discouraged if the process seems overwhelming at first. I was in a similar situation a few years ago - single mom, worried about how it would affect my other benefits. The caseworkers can seem intimidating, but most of them really do want to help you succeed. One thing I wish someone had told me: keep copies of EVERYTHING. Every form you submit, every appointment notice, every communication. The system can be disorganized and having your own records saved me multiple times when documents got "lost" in their system. Also, if you end up doing the education route through WTW like Fatima mentioned, there are some really good programs available. I got my CNA certification through CalWORKs and it led to steady work. The timing might actually be perfect since your son is old enough to be more independent while you're in classes or training. Good luck with whatever you decide!

I went through this exact situation about 3 years ago when my daughter was 15! Yes, your CalFresh will go down some when you get CalWORKs, but you'll definitely have more total money each month. In my case, I was getting around $500 in food stamps and that dropped to about $320, but I was getting $700+ in cash aid, so it was totally worth it. For the work requirements, they'll work with you to create a plan. Since your son is 16, you do need to do the 30 hours, but like others mentioned, there are options. I did a mix of job search and community college classes. The education route was actually amazing - I got my medical assistant certificate and now have a stable job that pays well enough that I don't need CalWORKs anymore. One tip: when you meet with your WTW worker, be upfront about your goals and what kind of work or training interests you. They have partnerships with local colleges and training programs that can really set you up for success. Don't just accept the first thing they suggest if it doesn't feel like a good fit for you. The application process can be frustrating, but stick with it. Having that financial stability while getting training or education can be life-changing!