This entire thread is such a perfect example of why this community is so essential! I've been on CalWORKs for about two years now and I still learn new strategies from reading everyone's experiences. What strikes me most about Lena's situation is how it highlights the fundamental disconnect between what BenefitsCal promises (streamlined digital processing) and what it actually delivers (a fancy document upload system that still requires constant phone follow-ups). I've developed a similar tracking system to what Nathan and others described, but I also want to add one tip that's saved me multiple times: when you do get through to a worker and they confirm they're processing your documents, ask them for a "ticket number" or "case note reference" for that conversation. Many counties use internal tracking systems, and having that reference number can be incredibly helpful if you have to call back about the same issue. It shows that you already spoke to someone and helps the next worker locate the previous conversation in their system. Also, for anyone dealing with this kind of situation, remember that you can request expedited CalFresh processing if you're experiencing food insecurity due to county delays. Don't suffer in silence while waiting for them to fix their processing backlogs - advocate for yourself and ask about emergency assistance options. Thanks again to Lena for sharing this experience and updating us with the positive resolution. These real-world examples are invaluable for helping everyone navigate this complex system!

This thread is incredibly helpful! I'm about 4 months into CalWORKs and just realized I've been making the same mistake - trusting that "received" status on BenefitsCal means everything is being handled. I actually submitted some verification documents about 10 days ago and have just been waiting patiently, thinking they were processing them. After reading everyone's experiences, I'm calling tomorrow morning to check on the status. The tracking systems everyone has shared are amazing - taking screenshots, setting 5-day follow-up reminders, keeping notes of every conversation, and asking for ticket numbers. I'm going to implement all of these strategies going forward. It's honestly shocking that we need such elaborate systems just to ensure the county processes our paperwork, but clearly it's necessary. Lena, I'm so glad you got your CalFresh sorted out and that you'll receive the full month's benefits! Your experience (and everyone's advice) is going to save so many people from this same stressful situation. This community is truly invaluable for learning how the system actually works versus how it's supposed to work.

I'm going through a very similar situation right now and this entire thread has been incredibly helpful! My partner and I have been having relationship problems and I've been weighing whether to remove him from our CalWORKs case. Reading everyone's real experiences with the actual dollar amounts and timelines is so much more useful than trying to figure this out from the official websites. A few things that really stood out to me from all your stories: - The net impact seems much more manageable than I expected (around $75-100 less per month after CalFresh increases) - The 3-5 month delay with DCSS processing gives time to work things out more formally - Having documentation ready ahead of time really speeds up the process - The timing with SAR7 submissions matters for smoother processing One question I have - for those who did this during an ongoing relationship crisis, did removing your partner from CalWORKs actually help or hurt your ability to work things out? I'm wondering if having that financial separation made things clearer or if it added more stress to an already difficult situation. Also, has anyone had experience with their kids asking questions about why dad isn't on the "paperwork" anymore? My kids are young but they're pretty observant about changes. Thank you all so much for sharing your experiences so openly - it's exactly what I needed to hear to make an informed decision about my own situation!

I went through this exact same situation about a year ago and wanted to share my experience to hopefully help you make your decision. When I removed my partner from our CalWORKs case, my cash aid dropped by about $195/month, but my CalFresh increased by $118/month, so the actual impact was around $77 less per month - much more manageable than I initially feared. The child support cooperation requirement is unfortunately mandatory in most cases. Even though I explained that my ex was already helping with groceries, school supplies, and picking up our kids from daycare twice a week, they still made me complete all the DCSS paperwork. However, the process moves incredibly slowly - it took almost 4 months before DCSS even sent him any initial paperwork, which actually gave us time to work out a more consistent support arrangement. A few tips that really helped me: - Ask your worker to calculate your new benefit amounts BEFORE making the change official so you can budget properly - Start documenting any support he provides now (keep receipts, note dates/amounts) since you'll need to report informal support as income anyway - Submit your household change request in writing and keep a copy - don't rely on phone conversations - Plan for about 2-3 weeks processing time, and ask about emergency food assistance if there's a gap in your CalFresh timing The whole process was definitely stressful at first, but it ultimately gave me more financial independence and clarity about our relationship. The slow DCSS timeline really does provide breathing room to figure things out. Hope this helps with your decision!

As someone who just went through this exact process a few months ago, I can confirm everything everyone's been saying! I was so nervous about getting a lease while on CalWORKs and CalFresh, but it turned out to be much less complicated than I expected. A few practical tips from my experience: 1) Shop around for both the lease AND insurance quotes before making any decisions - the insurance increase was actually more than I expected, so factor that in. 2) Some dealerships have financing specialists who work with people on benefits regularly and can help explain exactly what paperwork you'll need. 3) When I reported it on my SAR7, I included a brief note explaining it was necessary transportation for work - my worker really appreciated the transparency. The peace of mind of having reliable transportation has been worth every penny. No more missed work days due to car trouble, no more stress about getting the kids to school. And like others mentioned, it's actually helped my job situation because I can take on more hours without worrying about transportation. Don't let fear of "messing up" your benefits stop you from getting what you need to maintain stability. The system really is designed to support you in staying employed and independent. Good luck with your search!

This thread has been such a goldmine of information! I'm a newcomer here and was literally losing sleep over this exact question. My 2015 Honda just died on me last week and I've been terrified to do anything that might affect our CalWORKs and CalFresh benefits that we just got approved for two months ago. Reading through everyone's real experiences has been so much more helpful than trying to decipher the official policy documents online. The key takeaways I'm getting are: leased vehicles don't count as resources since we don't own them, the monthly payment just needs to fit our budget, and we report it on the next SAR7 rather than rushing to call immediately. I'm especially grateful for the practical tips about getting insurance quotes upfront and asking dealerships about financing specialists who work with people on benefits. The idea of being proactive with documentation and transparent with case workers seems to really pay off based on what everyone's shared. It's such a relief to realize this is about maintaining stability rather than creating barriers. Having reliable transportation for work and getting my daughter to school safely is exactly the kind of thing these programs should support. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and helping newcomers like me navigate these situations with confidence!

I'm also new to CalWORKs (started about 3 months ago with my 2-year-old twins after losing my job) and this entire thread has been absolutely life-changing to read! I had no clue whatsoever that we could get tax refunds without any work income - I was literally panicking about tax season thinking I'd either owe money or have some complicated situation to deal with. Seeing everyone's real experiences getting back $4,000-7,000+ with just Cash Aid is incredible. With twins, it sounds like I could potentially get even more since that's two children for the Child Tax Credit! This could honestly save us from eviction - we're behind on rent and this kind of refund would completely turn our situation around. I'm calling 211 first thing tomorrow to find a VITA location. Has anyone dealt with having really young kids at the appointment? My twins are only 2 so they don't sit still well, and I don't have anyone to watch them. Will the VITA volunteers be understanding about having toddlers there during the appointment? This community is amazing - thank you all for being so open about your experiences. For the first time since losing my job, I actually feel hopeful about our financial future!

I'm also new to CalWORKs (been on Cash Aid for about 7 weeks now with my 9-year-old son) and wow, this thread has been absolutely incredible to find! Like so many others here, I had no idea we could get tax refunds without working. I was actually stressed about tax season because I thought I'd either owe money or there'd be no point in filing at all. Reading everyone's real experiences getting back thousands of dollars with just CalWORKs benefits is giving me so much hope right now. We've been really struggling since I lost my job, and hearing that I could potentially get $3,000-4,000 back with my one child would be absolutely life-changing for us. I'm definitely calling 211 tomorrow to find the nearest VITA location. One question - has anyone had success with the weekend appointments some locations offer? I saw online that some places have Saturday hours during tax season, which would be perfect since I don't have childcare during the week and my son would need to come with me. Thank you all so much for sharing your stories and being so supportive. This community has given me more helpful information in one thread than I've gotten from any official resources. Finally feeling like there might be some financial relief on the horizon!

This is such a frustrating situation and you're absolutely right to be upset! The system really fails people when they don't clearly explain these major differences between programs upfront. I went through something similar and was shocked to learn that Medi-Cal cooperation requirements are so much harsher than CalWORKs. Here's what I'd strongly recommend doing immediately: **Request a fair hearing with "aid paid pending" RIGHT NOW** - you have 90 days from your notice date and this keeps your Medi-Cal active during the entire hearing process (which can take months). This is absolutely critical. **Document everything about your current arrangement** - gather texts showing expense sharing, custody coordination, anything proving your system works well for the kids. Even without safety concerns, showing that forced cooperation would disrupt a beneficial arrangement might help. **Talk to your ex BEFORE the county contacts him** - explain this isn't your choice and you're only considering cooperation to keep healthcare. When they contact him without warning, it can destroy co-parenting relationships. The whole system punishes families who are already handling things responsibly, but don't give up. I've seen people successfully navigate this while protecting both their healthcare and family relationships. Act fast on that hearing request though - it's your best protection right now.

I'm so sorry this is happening to you - it's absolutely infuriating that they don't explain these crucial differences upfront! I just went through something very similar and the lack of transparency about Medi-Cal vs CalWORKs cooperation rules is honestly unacceptable. Here's what you need to do IMMEDIATELY: 1. **Call to request a fair hearing with "aid paid pending" first thing tomorrow** - you only have 90 days from your notice date and this will keep your Medi-Cal active during the entire hearing process. This is your lifeline right now. 2. **Have that conversation with your ex TONIGHT** - explain that this isn't your choice and the county is forcing cooperation just to keep your healthcare. Don't let them blindside him and destroy your co-parenting relationship. 3. **Start gathering documentation** - all those texts about shared expenses, custody schedules, how well your arrangement has worked for the kids over 2 years. Even without safety concerns, showing that disrupting your functional system would harm the children might give you a shot at that good cause exemption. The system is completely backwards for punishing responsible parents who already have arrangements that work, but don't lose hope. I've seen people here successfully navigate this mess while keeping both their healthcare and family relationships intact. You've got a solid plan now - just act fast on that hearing request!