Reading through this thread as someone who's been on CalWORKs for about 8 months now, I'm really impressed by how supportive and knowledgeable this community is! Alexander, your experience perfectly demonstrates why it's so important to self-report even when you're late - the difference in how they handled it compared to what could have happened if they discovered it during a review is huge. I wanted to share something that might help others: my county actually has a specific voicemail line just for reporting income changes. You can leave a detailed message with your case number, the income details, and when you received it, and they'll process it and call you back. It's been really helpful when I can't get through during regular phone hours. Not sure if all counties have this, but it's worth asking about! Also, for anyone dealing with irregular income from gig work or side jobs, I've found it helpful to take screenshots of payment notifications from apps like Venmo or CashApp as backup documentation, especially for those smaller cash payments that might add up over time. The practical advice shared here is invaluable - this is the kind of real-world guidance that makes navigating these benefit requirements actually manageable!

This entire discussion has been such a valuable learning experience! As someone who's been on CalWORKs for about a year and occasionally does some tutoring work, I really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and practical advice. Alexander, I'm so glad everything worked out for you! Your situation really highlights how important it is to be proactive and honest, even when you're scared about potential consequences. The fact that they treated it as an inadvertent error shows that the system can be fair when people are acting in good faith. What I find most helpful about this thread is all the real-world strategies people have shared - the phone reminders for the 10-day window, keeping detailed records of all income (including cash payments), asking for reference numbers when reporting by phone, and even simple things like writing your IRT limit on a sticky note where you'll see it daily. These are the practical tips that actually help you stay compliant day-to-day. I had no idea about some of the options people mentioned, like requesting modified reporting schedules for irregular income or the text reminder services that many counties offer. I'm definitely going to look into both of those - they could make managing my tutoring income so much less stressful. Thanks to everyone for creating such a supportive community where people can share real experiences and learn from each other!

I'm so glad I found this thread! I'm actually in the middle of this process right now and can share what's working for me. I just submitted my application for an online medical assistant program through CalWORKs last week. What really helped was finding out that my county has a specific "Education Liaison" who specializes in helping WTW participants navigate education approvals - you might want to ask if yours has something similar. She walked me through exactly what documentation they need and even helped me fill out the WTW 2 form correctly the first time. One thing I learned is that they really want to see a "career pathway plan" showing how your certificate connects to actual job opportunities. I used Indeed and Bureau of Labor Statistics to research medical billing jobs in my area and included screenshots showing dozens of remote positions available. The key phrase that got my worker's attention was "long-term self-sufficiency" - they love seeing that you're thinking beyond just getting off assistance. Also, don't be afraid to mention that medical billing skills can lead to starting your own freelance business eventually! They see that as entrepreneurship which is a big plus. The waiting is nerve-wracking but everyone here is right - the official policy is definitely on your side for online education!

I'm so glad you asked this question because I went through the exact same uncertainty last year! CalWORKs absolutely DOES accept fully online programs - I completed an online medical coding certificate while on Cash Aid and it counted for all my WTW hours. The key is making sure your program is from an accredited institution and leads to clear employment opportunities, which medical billing definitely does. What really helped me get approved was presenting it as a cost-saving measure for CalWORKs - no childcare or transportation expenses needed! I brought documentation showing the school's accreditation, job placement rates, and local salary data for medical billers (around $18-22/hour starting in most areas). My worker was initially hesitant but approved everything once she saw the official policy language. Make sure to request your approval in writing through a WTW Activity Agreement before you enroll. Also ask about supportive services - they covered my laptop, software, and even upgraded my internet since it was required for school. Medical billing is perfect because most positions are remote now, giving you flexibility with your kids after graduation. Don't let anyone tell you online doesn't count - the state regulations clearly support it! If you need help getting through to speak with a supervisor quickly, I've heard good things about services like Claimyr that can help you bypass long hold times. You've got this - stay persistent and document everything!

Hey Zara! Congrats on your approval! 🎉 I just wanted to add something that helped me a lot when I first started getting Cash Aid - download a budgeting app or even just use the notes app on your phone to track your Cash Aid spending throughout the month. Since it doesn't reset like CalFresh does, it's really easy to lose track of how much you have left, especially in those first few months when you're still getting used to the system. I learned this the hard way when I thought I had more money left than I actually did and my card got declined trying to buy groceries in week 3 of the month. Super embarrassing! Now I just make a quick note every time I use the cash benefits - like "3/1 - rent $600, 3/5 - groceries $50" etc. Takes like 2 seconds but saves so much stress. Also, since you mentioned having a 6-year-old, just FYI that you can use your Cash Aid for school supplies, clothes, transportation to appointments, childcare costs - basically anything your family needs. Sometimes people think it's only for specific things but it's actually pretty flexible. You're going to do great! Having that financial support will be such a relief. Welcome to the community! 💛

Hey Zara! Congrats on getting approved - that's such a huge relief when you're waiting and worrying! 🎉 I wanted to share something that really helped me when I first got Cash Aid - create a simple monthly budget plan before you get your first payment. Since you know you'll be getting $804/month, write down your essential expenses (rent, utilities, groceries, etc.) so you know exactly how much you have left for other needs. Also, a heads up that might save you some stress - sometimes the EBT system goes down for maintenance, usually late at night or very early morning. If you ever try to check your balance or use your card and it's not working, don't panic! It's probably just temporary system maintenance. The customer service line will usually have a recorded message if that's the case. One more thing - if you ever move (even temporarily), make sure to update your address with your worker ASAP. I learned this the hard way when I stayed with family for a few weeks and almost missed important paperwork because it went to my old address. Everyone here has given you amazing advice! This community has been a lifesaver for me navigating the system. Your little one is lucky to have such a proactive mom looking out for your family's needs. You've got this! 💪

As a newcomer to this community, I just want to say how incredibly helpful this entire discussion has been! I'm in a somewhat similar situation - single mom considering CalWORKs but wasn't sure about all the rules and requirements. Reading through everyone's experiences and advice has given me so much clarity about things like assistance units vs households, documentation requirements, and what to expect during the application process. @CosmicCadet - it sounds like you've gotten amazing guidance here and are really well-prepared for your application now. The decision to include your boyfriend as part of your assistance unit seems like the right call based on everything people have shared. I hope your interview goes smoothly and you get the help your family needs! And thank you to everyone who took the time to share their real experiences, both the successes and the challenges. It makes such a difference to hear from people who actually went through these processes rather than trying to figure it all out alone. This community is such a valuable resource for families trying to navigate these complicated systems.

I'm new to this community but wanted to share something that might help since I just went through a very similar situation a few months ago. I was also living with my kids' father (not married) and desperately needed CalWORKs but was terrified about the child support issue. What I learned is that the key is being completely upfront about your living arrangement from day one. I made the mistake of trying to be vague about it initially and it just created confusion. When I finally brought all our documentation showing we lived together as a family (lease, shared bills, etc.) and included him properly in the application, everything went much smoother. The income limits for a family of four are actually pretty reasonable, especially if he's only working part-time. And honestly, the welfare-to-work requirements weren't as scary as I expected - since he was already working, they just had him do some online job search training to meet his hours. One thing I wish someone had told me is to ask specifically about "good cause" exemptions upfront, not as a backup plan. There are legitimate reasons beyond domestic violence - like if pursuing child support would interfere with reunification efforts or cause financial hardship to the family. Having that conversation early might give you more options. The whole process took about 6 weeks for us but the peace of mind knowing we wouldn't have child support enforcement hanging over our heads was worth it. Hang in there - you're making the right choice by including him in your household!

I'm so glad you posted this question! I was in the exact same situation when my 17-year-old started working at a local fast food place. I was terrified we'd lose our benefits, but it turned out student income is completely exempt for both programs as long as they're under 18 and in school. The key thing I learned is to ALWAYS report it on your SAR7 even though it doesn't count - I write something like "Student income - exempt" in the notes section. My daughter has been working for about 6 months now earning around $350/month and our benefits haven't been affected at all. Just make sure you have her school enrollment ready in case they ask for proof. Your daughter should be so proud of getting her first job - don't let benefit worries discourage her from this great opportunity to learn work skills!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm a newcomer to this community and just went through something similar with my 16-year-old who started working at a local coffee shop. I was so worried about reporting his income that I called the county office multiple times and never got through. Reading everyone's experiences here has given me so much confidence - it's clear that student income under 18 is exempt for both CalWORKs and CalFresh as long as we report it properly on the SAR7. I especially appreciate all the tips about writing "STUDENT - EXEMPT" in the notes and keeping school enrollment documentation ready. @William Rivera thank you for asking this question that so many of us parents needed answered! Your daughter should be proud of her job, and you should be proud of being such a proactive parent. This community is amazing - I wish I had found it sooner!