Thanks everyone for the replies! I think I'm going to start keeping better records of everything and make sure what we report monthly matches what goes on the tax return. I'll bring copies of our 2024 return to our next redetermination appointment in September just to be safe. Better to be upfront than deal with overpayments later! I really appreciate all the advice.

Just wanted to add my experience - I've been on CalWORKs for 3 years and my husband does landscaping work (self-employed). They asked for his tax returns during our very first application but haven't asked since then. However, our worker did tell us that they randomly audit cases and can request documentation going back several years. What really helped us was creating a simple spreadsheet to track his monthly income and expenses. We keep all receipts in a shoebox and update the spreadsheet weekly. This way, when we fill out the monthly reporting forms, we have exact numbers that will match our tax return at the end of the year. Also, don't forget that you can deduct mileage for work-related driving! For handyman work, that's usually driving between job sites. It's 65.5 cents per mile for 2023 taxes. Keep a log of work miles - it can significantly reduce your net income calculation.

I just wanted to add something that might be helpful for your peace of mind - I actually called my county's CalWORKs office last month to ask about this exact scenario before my own recertification. The eligibility supervisor I spoke with was really clear that they see financed work vehicles all the time, especially with the rise in gig economy jobs like DoorDash, Uber, and Instacart. She explained that the policy is specifically designed to NOT penalize people who are trying to work and be self-sufficient. The $10,000 vehicle exemption exists precisely because they understand that reliable transportation is essential for employment, and the equity calculation ensures that people aren't unfairly counted as having assets they can't actually access. What really stuck with me from that conversation was when she said "We want people to be able to work their way toward independence, and that sometimes means they need to make investments in tools for their job - whether that's work clothes, equipment, or a vehicle." Your financed car falls squarely into that category. You're clearly approaching this the right way by being proactive, honest, and seeking advice. Based on everything you've shared, your equity is minimal and you have a legitimate work need. You should feel confident going into your recertification!

Reading through all these responses has been incredibly educational! I'm in a similar situation with a financed vehicle and was completely confused about how CalWORKs handles this. The equity calculation explanation really cleared things up for me - I had no idea they only count what you actually own versus the full value. What strikes me most is how supportive everyone has been in explaining not just the rules, but practical tips like getting the payoff statement, using the comments section proactively, and keeping detailed records of work expenses. StarSurfer, your situation sounds very manageable based on everyone's advice - with only $400-500 in equity, you're nowhere near the limits. I also appreciate all the mentions of business expense deductions for gig work. I've been doing Grubhub part-time and definitely haven't been tracking expenses as carefully as I should. The reminder about gas, maintenance, phone bills, and even supplies like hand sanitizer is going to help me a lot going forward. This thread is exactly why this community is so valuable - real people sharing real experiences with these complicated systems. Thank you everyone for taking the time to help each other navigate these challenges!

nobody mentined but u can also do online classes at some places. thats what im doing cause i have 3 kids at home. my worker counted my zoom classes + they gave me 10 hrs of study time each week. just make sure the school can track ur attendance somehow or they mite not aprove it

Just wanted to add that if you're having trouble reaching your worker, you can also visit the office in person to submit your WTW plan update request. I know it's a pain, but sometimes showing up physically gets faster results than trying to call. Also, once you get education approved, make sure you understand exactly what documentation they need from you each month. My county wants class schedules, attendance records, and grade reports every 30 days. Missing any of these can cause them to stop counting your hours even if you're doing great in school. Good luck with whatever path you choose - education really can open doors!

I'm a new member here but I've been reading through all these responses and wanted to add something that helped me when I was in a similar situation. If you haven't already, make sure to ask your caseworker about the "Illness or Incapacity of Child" exemption. This is specifically designed for situations like yours where you're caring for a child with ongoing medical needs like chronic asthma. With proper medical documentation (the CW 61 form others mentioned), you might qualify for a complete temporary exemption rather than just reduced hours. I got a 90-day exemption when my daughter was going through a series of specialist appointments, and it gave me breathing room to get everything organized. Also, keep a detailed log of every medical appointment, pharmacy visit, and day your daughter is too sick for school - this creates a paper trail that shows the ongoing nature of her condition. The caseworkers respond much better when you can show patterns rather than just isolated incidents. Don't give up - there are more protections available than they usually tell you about upfront!

I'm new to this community but wanted to share my experience since I just went through a WTW sanction situation last year with my twin boys who both have severe allergies. Everyone here has given you excellent advice about the documentation and exemptions - definitely pursue all of that! But I also wanted to mention something practical that helped me: when I finally got through to my caseworker (using that Claimyr service someone mentioned - it really does work!), I asked them to put me on their "priority callback list" due to my children's medical emergencies. Some workers will do this if you explain that you have ongoing childcare issues due to medical needs. It meant when I called, I got callbacks within 24 hours instead of waiting weeks. Also, if your county has a CalWORKs ombudsman office, they can be really helpful in navigating disputes with caseworkers who aren't being responsive. They helped me get a supervisor involved when my worker was being unreasonable about my medical exemption request. Don't let them intimidate you - you have rights, and caring for a chronically ill child absolutely qualifies for accommodations in the WTW program. Keep fighting for what you and your daughter need!

Congrats on your baby girl! 💕 I just wanted to add that when you do get through to report the birth, make sure to ask about getting your newborn added to your Medi-Cal too if she isn't already. Sometimes they handle CalWORKs and Medi-Cal separately and you don't want any gaps in her healthcare coverage. Also, since you have a 3-year-old already, you might want to ask about the CalFresh (food stamps) increase too when you report the birth. Adding another family member should bump up your food benefits as well, not just the cash aid. The hospital social worker might also be able to help you navigate some of this if your county worker is being unresponsive. They usually have direct lines to the eligibility workers and can sometimes get things moving faster. Hang in there mama - the bureaucracy is frustrating but you'll get through it! ❤️

Congratulations on your beautiful baby girl! 🎉 I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago and wanted to share what worked for me. You definitely need to report within 10 days, and the hospital discharge papers are absolutely sufficient to get started - don't wait for the birth certificate! I reported mine through BenefitsCal online and it was actually pretty straightforward. Just take clear photos of all the hospital paperwork showing baby's name, your name as mom, and birth date. Your grant should increase starting the month after you report (not the same month you report). For a family of 3, you're looking at roughly $100+ more per month compared to what you were getting for just you and your 3-year-old. One thing I wish someone had told me - when you report online, definitely screenshot or print the confirmation page! And also call your county office to leave a voicemail saying you've reported online. That way you have it documented both ways. Don't forget to ask about: - The $30 monthly diaper allowance (you should get this for both kids under 3 now!) - Adding baby to your Medi-Cal - Updating your CalFresh benefits for the larger family size - WTW exemption for caring for a child under 24 months (if you haven't used this exemption before) You've got this mama! The system is frustrating but stick with it - those extra benefits will really help with all the newborn expenses. ❤️