I'm pretty new to both this community and CalWORKs (just got approved about 6 weeks ago), and reading through this entire thread has been absolutely incredible! Dylan, I'm so relieved to hear you got everything resolved - that must have been such a stressful situation with rent coming due. What really stands out to me is how this wasn't actually an eligibility problem at all, but a technical issue between two separate systems that I had no idea even existed. Learning that there's a difference between the eligibility system and payment processing system is huge - it explains so much about why sometimes representatives say "everything looks good" but the actual problem persists. I'm definitely taking notes on all the specific terminology everyone shared here - "EBT issuance specialist," "payment processing supervisor," "imminent risk of homelessness," "payment issuance error" - because it's clear that using these exact phrases can completely change your experience from getting bounced around to actually reaching someone who can solve the problem. It's also really encouraging to see that the Claimyr service actually worked! As someone still learning to navigate all this, seeing real success stories from community members gives me so much confidence in the advice shared here. This thread perfectly shows why this community is so valuable - people don't just sympathize, they share actual step-by-step solutions that work in real life. I'm bookmarking this whole conversation because I know these tips could be lifesavers if I ever face similar issues. Thanks to everyone for creating such a supportive and informative space for those of us still figuring out these complex systems!

I'm also new to this community and CalWORKs (just got approved about 2 months ago), and this thread has been absolutely invaluable! Dylan, I'm so glad you were able to get this resolved - the stress of having your case show active but no actual payment must have been overwhelming, especially with rent due. What really opened my eyes is learning about the distinction between the eligibility system and payment processing system. I had no idea these were separate systems that could get disconnected! This explains so much about why sometimes when you call, representatives say "everything looks fine" but your actual issue isn't resolved - they're probably only seeing the eligibility side. I'm definitely saving all the specific terminology everyone shared - "EBT issuance specialist," "payment processing supervisor," "imminent risk of homelessness" - because it's clear that knowing these exact phrases can make the difference between getting transferred around endlessly versus reaching someone who can actually access the right system to help. It's also really encouraging to see that the Claimyr service actually worked for you! Sometimes you see suggestions online and wonder if they're legitimate, but hearing real results from community members gives me confidence in the advice shared here. This is exactly why communities like this are so essential - you get practical, tested solutions from people who've actually navigated these challenges successfully. Thanks to everyone for sharing their knowledge and creating such a supportive space for newcomers like me!

I'm also a single mom on CalWORKs and was in the same exact position last year! I was so scared to file because I thought I'd owe money or something would mess up my benefits, but it turned out to be one of the best decisions I made. I got back around $2,800 total - mostly from the Child Tax Credit and some education credits since I was taking classes too. The process was way easier than I expected, and like others said, CalWORKs benefits don't count as income so you don't report them anywhere on your taxes. I used the free filing software through the IRS website and it walked me through everything step by step. Don't let anyone tell you not to file - you're literally leaving free money on the table if you don't! That refund helped me so much with textbooks and childcare expenses for the next semester.

I'm a CalWORKs caseworker and wanted to jump in to clarify a few things I'm seeing in this thread. First, you absolutely should file taxes even with no earned income - CalWORKs benefits are NOT taxable and won't be reported on your return, but you can still qualify for several credits. The Child Tax Credit alone can get you up to $1,600 per qualifying child, and if you're in college, the American Opportunity Tax Credit can add another $2,500. Just make sure you have your child's SSN and your 1098-T from school. Also, filing taxes will NOT affect your CalWORKs eligibility - tax refunds from credits like these are specifically excluded from income calculations for benefits. Many of our clients get substantial refunds that really help with school and family expenses. Don't miss out on money you're entitled to!

Thanks everyone for all the helpful information! I checked my last notice and found my IRT amount - it is indeed $2,823. My hours are staying steady for now so I'm well under that threshold. I'll just make sure to report everything accurately on my next SAR7 and keep all my paystubs. It's also good to know about that income disregard - makes me feel better about working more hours since not all of it will count against my grant.

Just wanted to jump in as someone who recently went through this! I'm also a family of 3 and had similar concerns when I started working. The $2,823 IRT is correct, and I found it really helpful to set up a simple spreadsheet to track my monthly income - especially since my hours vary week to week. One thing that caught me off guard was that they count ALL income sources toward the IRT, not just your main job. So if you do any side work, get child support, or have any other income, make sure to include that too. I almost went over my IRT because I forgot to count a small freelance payment I received. Also, definitely keep Paolo's advice in mind about the earned income disregard - it really does make a difference in your final grant amount!

I've been through this exact situation multiple times! One thing that really helped me was setting up text notifications in my BenefitsCal account if you haven't already. Go to your account settings and enable SMS alerts - they'll text you if there are any updates or if they need additional documents. Also, if you do end up calling and can't get through to your specific caseworker, ask to speak with the "worker of the day" - they can access your case and tell you the status of your SAR 7. Sometimes they can even see notes that aren't visible online about what documents they might still need. Don't stress too much though - you submitted it with time to spare and it shows as received. That's already better than a lot of people who wait until the last minute!

I went through this same anxiety when I first started submitting online! One thing that helped me feel more secure was calling the main CalWORKs number and asking them to verify not just that they received my SAR 7, but also to confirm what specific documents they have on file. Sometimes they'll say "we have your SAR 7" but when you ask them to list the attachments, you find out one of your pay stubs didn't upload properly or something. Also, if you're really worried about timing, you can always drop off a backup copy in person at the office with a cover letter saying "backup copy of SAR 7 submitted online on [date]" - that way you have double protection. I know it defeats the purpose of submitting online, but for peace of mind it might be worth it the first few times until you get comfortable with the system. The fact that you submitted it several days early puts you in a good position though! Most people I know who have issues are the ones submitting on the very last day.

This entire conversation has been absolutely eye-opening! I'm a single mom who just started the CalWORKs process and I'm currently in a paralegal certificate program. Reading everyone's experiences, especially about SIP status and college CalWORKs offices, has completely changed how I'm approaching this. I was so worried that I'd have to choose between my education and getting help for my kids. My intake worker made it sound like their job readiness programs were mandatory, but now I understand I have options! The paralegal program I'm in leads directly to employment and I started it before applying for benefits, so it sounds like I should qualify for SIP status. I'm definitely calling my college tomorrow to find their CalWORKs office. The fact that they can advocate directly with your caseworker and help with all the paperwork sounds like it could save me so much stress. I had no idea these resources existed! Thank you to everyone who shared their knowledge and experiences. Stories like Tasia's give me so much hope that it's possible to pursue meaningful career training while getting the support your family needs. This community is incredible for helping people navigate such a complex system. I'll definitely update once I get everything sorted out with my education plan!

This thread has been incredibly informative and gives me so much hope! I'm a newcomer to both CalWORKs and this community, and I had no idea about most of these options. I'm currently in a respiratory therapy program that I started before applying for benefits, and my caseworker has been pushing me toward their job training workshops instead. Reading about SIP status and college CalWORKs offices is a complete game-changer! I was honestly starting to panic thinking I'd have to choose between my education and keeping benefits for my family. Respiratory therapy is definitely career-focused with great job prospects, especially after COVID showed how critical these healthcare roles are. I'm calling my college first thing tomorrow to find their CalWORKs office. The fact that they can help with paperwork and even talk directly to your caseworker sounds amazing. I've been dreading my upcoming WTW meeting, but now I feel like I actually have a plan and know my rights. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and knowledge - especially Tasia for the detailed updates showing it really works! This community is such a valuable resource for navigating this complex system. Stories like these prove that persistence and self-advocacy really do pay off when you're trying to pursue meaningful career training.