I just went through the CalWORKs application process about 6 weeks ago and wanted to add my experience to this incredibly helpful thread! Like so many others here, I was in a very similar situation - working part-time making around $975/month and had about $2,000 in savings that I was absolutely convinced would disqualify me. Yes, they definitely do check your actual bank account balances. I had to bring 3 months of statements for all my accounts (checking and savings) to my eligibility interview. But your $1,800 is completely fine - the $10,000 resource limit gives you plenty of room, and what really amazed me was how positive my worker was about seeing emergency savings. She actually said it was "excellent financial planning" and told me she was glad to see someone who had prepared for unexpected expenses. When I mentioned I was keeping the money for potential car repairs (just like you!), she said that was exactly the kind of forward thinking they like to see from applicants. The whole process took about 4-5 weeks from application to first payment. My biggest advice is to be completely honest about all accounts, organize your paperwork beforehand (bank statements, pay stubs, ID, Social Security cards, rent receipts), and don't stress about your modest savings at all. CalWORKs is designed exactly for working people like you who are trying hard but still struggling to cover basic expenses. Your situation sounds like a perfect fit for what the program is meant to support. Don't let anxiety about the verification process stop you from getting help you clearly deserve - you've got this!

I just completed my CalWORKs application about 3 weeks ago and was in almost your exact situation! I had $1,650 in savings and was making $925/month part-time - I was so worried the savings would disqualify me that I almost didn't apply. They absolutely do check bank accounts - I had to bring 3 months of statements for all my accounts to the eligibility interview. But your $1,800 is totally fine! The $10,000 resource limit means you're nowhere near any issues. What really shocked me was my worker's reaction to my emergency savings. She actually said "I'm so glad to see you have some money set aside for emergencies - that shows real financial responsibility." When I mentioned it was for car repairs (just like you!), she said that was exactly the smart planning she liked to see. The whole verification process felt scary beforehand, but it was actually pretty straightforward. Just be completely honest on your application, bring organized paperwork (bank statements, pay stubs, ID, Social Security cards, rent receipts, utility bills), and don't stress about your modest savings. Your part-time income definitely qualifies you - CalWORKs is designed specifically for working families who are doing their best but need some support to make ends meet. The process took about 5 weeks total for me from application to first payment. Don't let anxiety about the bank verification stop you from getting help you clearly deserve. Having emergency savings shows you're being responsible, not trying to cheat the system. You've got this - good luck with your application next week!

The worker I spoke to said there might have been a data entry error when my caseworker entered my income. Apparently, they entered one of my paystubs twice! She said she's correcting it and I should get an updated notice in the mail within 10 days. So relieved!

That's great news that you got it resolved! Data entry errors are unfortunately pretty common with CalWORKs cases. I'm glad that Claimyr service worked for you - I've been hesitant to try it but your experience makes me feel better about using it if I need to. Hopefully your corrected benefit amount will be backdated to when the error started so you don't lose out on any money you were entitled to. Thanks for updating us on what happened - this whole thread will be really helpful for other people dealing with similar income calculation issues!

As someone who's been helping people with CalWORKs paperwork for years, I just want to emphasize a few key points that might save you headaches down the road: 1. For your babysitting income - create a simple log showing dates, amounts, and who paid you. Even if it's handwritten, sign and date it. The county accepts self-declarations for cash income. 2. Since your rent increased, definitely include that receipt. Handwritten receipts from landlords are totally valid - don't worry about that. 3. Double-check that you're reporting income for the correct month (March 2025 in your case). This trips up a lot of people. 4. Before you submit, go through the form one more time and make sure every single question has an answer - even if it's just checking "no" or "none." Blank spaces are the #1 reason forms get rejected. 5. If you submit online, take that screenshot of your confirmation! If you mail it, use certified mail. The "we never got it" excuse is unfortunately common. You're being really proactive by asking these questions upfront. That puts you ahead of most people doing their first SAR7. You've got this!

Hey Micah! Welcome to the community and don't stress too much - we've all been where you are with that first SAR7. I just wanted to add a couple things that helped me when I was starting out: Since you mentioned your worker talked really fast during orientation, you might want to request a copy of your case plan or ask for written instructions next time you meet. You have the right to get information in writing, and it really helps when you're trying to remember everything later. Also, for your babysitting income documentation, keep it simple but consistent. I used to write something like: "Self-employment income from childcare services: Week of [date] - $X from [family name or 'Family A' for privacy], Week of [date] - $X from [family name]" etc. Then sign and date it at the bottom. One last thing - if you ever feel rushed or confused during meetings with your worker, it's totally okay to ask them to slow down or repeat something. They work with this stuff every day but for us it's all new! You're doing great by asking questions here first.

I'm really glad I found this thread because I've been losing sleep over this exact situation! My fiancé and I are supposed to get married in May, and I have a 6-year-old from my previous relationship who gets CalWORKs. Like so many of you, I was terrified we'd lose everything once his income gets counted. But reading all these real experiences from people who actually went through it is giving me so much hope! @Selena Bautista - your breakdown of the actual calculation with deductions was incredibly helpful. I had no idea about the Earned Income Disregard or that they deduct so much before calculating the "countable" income. My fiancé makes about $18/hour in food service, so using your example, we might not be in as bad shape as I feared. @Emma Garcia and @Ravi Gupta - thank you both for sharing your actual dollar amounts! Knowing that your benefits were reduced but not eliminated completely makes this feel so much more manageable. I think I was getting caught up in the horror stories and forgetting that every situation is different. I'm definitely going to use that Claimyr service to get through to my worker and get our exact numbers. It's so frustrating that we have to stress about this during what should be such a happy time, but I'm grateful for all the practical advice here. You've all helped me realize I need facts, not fears. Thank you for sharing your stories and giving me hope that love and financial stability don't have to be mutually exclusive! 💕

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stress right before your wedding! I went through something very similar when I got married 18 months ago. I had two kids (ages 8 and 10) from my previous relationship and was terrified about losing their CalWORKs benefits when my new husband's income got counted. Here's what actually happened: Yes, stepparent deeming is real, but it's not as devastating as the rumors make it sound. My husband makes about $21/hour at a logistics company, and after all the deductions (his $90 personal needs allowance, work expenses, health insurance, etc.) and the Earned Income Disregard, our CalWORKs went from $756 to $445 monthly. It was a significant reduction, but we didn't lose everything. The key things that helped us: 1) I got the exact calculation from my worker BEFORE the wedding using that Claimyr service (it really works!), 2) I made sure DCSS had all current information about my ex to maximize child support enforcement, and 3) We budgeted carefully knowing our household income would actually increase overall even with reduced CalWORKs. Most importantly, my kids kept their Medi-Cal, we still qualified for reduced CalFresh, and we got transitional benefits that helped during the adjustment period. Don't let fear ruin this happy time - get the real numbers for YOUR specific situation and plan accordingly. The system is frustrating but manageable with the right information. Congratulations on your upcoming marriage! You've got this! 💕

Let me tell you about another SCAM they pull - they'll send you notices about mandatory appointments with like 2 days notice when they KNOW you won't get the letter in time, then cut you off for "failure to comply" when you miss it! ALWAYS check your BenefitsCal account every few days even if you're not expecting anything. I got a notice in the mail AFTER the appointment date had already passed! Then had to spend 3 weeks getting my benefits turned back on. They prey on new moms especially because they know we're exhausted and overwhelmed.

Congratulations on your approval! 🎉 As someone who's been through this system, here are some additional tips to protect your benefits: 1. **Get everything in writing** - If a worker tells you something over the phone, follow up with an email or letter summarizing what was discussed. This creates a paper trail. 2. **Know your rights** - You have the right to request a fair hearing if your benefits are discontinued or reduced. Don't let them intimidate you into thinking their decision is final. 3. **Build a support network** - Connect with other CalWORKs recipients in your area. Sometimes local community organizations offer CalWORKs navigation help. 4. **Keep a CalWORKs journal** - Write down dates of all interactions, names of workers you speak with, and what was discussed. This has saved me multiple times when they claimed something different happened. 5. **Plan ahead for your redetermination** - Start gathering documents at least 2 months before your annual review is due. Don't wait until the last minute. The system can be overwhelming, especially with a new baby, but you've already proven you can navigate it by getting approved after 6 tries. You're stronger than you know! Take it one day at a time and don't be afraid to advocate for yourself and your baby. 💪