OP, just checking in - were you able to get through to anyone at the county? If you still haven't reached someone, remember that you have 90 days from the date of discontinuance to request a state hearing if you believe your benefits were incorrectly stopped. The form is called DPA 479, or you can request one by phone at 1-800-952-5253. Also, if you're experiencing an emergency food situation, ask about expedited CalFresh. They can sometimes issue emergency benefits within 3 days if you qualify.

So glad you got it resolved! This is exactly why I always tell people to scan documents instead of taking photos when uploading to BenefitsCal. The system flags photo uploads for manual review which can cause huge delays. For anyone else reading this - if you don't have a scanner, most libraries and UPS stores offer free scanning services, or you can use scanning apps on your phone that create actual PDF files instead of just photos. The county workers told me photos often come through blurry or sideways which is why they get flagged. Thanks for updating us OP - stories like this help other people going through the same thing!

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Just started a new job two weeks ago and went over my IRT. The stress about potential overpayments is real - I've been losing sleep over it. What's helped me is creating a simple spreadsheet to track everything: when I reported, confirmation numbers, dates I tried calling, etc. I also opened a separate savings account and I'm putting any benefits I receive there until I get clarity on my eligibility status. That way if there is an overpayment, I have the money set aside. From everything I'm reading in this thread, it sounds like we might both be overthinking this. The earned income disregards seem like they could really help keep us eligible. Still nerve-wracking though! Let me know what you find out when you talk to your caseworker - I'm in the same boat waiting for answers.

Just wanted to chime in as someone who works with CalWORKs recipients - you're absolutely doing the right thing by reporting immediately and being cautious with the money. From what you've described, with $1,800/month income for a family of 2, you'll very likely still be eligible but at a reduced grant amount due to the earned income disregards others mentioned. A few practical tips: 1) If you can't get through by phone, try calling different numbers - sometimes the general county number has shorter wait times than the direct CalWORKs line. 2) When you do speak with someone, ask them to walk you through the exact calculation so you understand how your new grant amount was determined. 3) Request written confirmation of any changes to your case. The good news is that California has strong protections for people who report changes timely like you did. Since you reported right away through BenefitsCal, even if there were any issues, you'd have documentation showing you followed the rules. Keep that confirmation number handy! You're handling this exactly the right way.

You definitely should file taxes! I was in almost the exact same situation last year - getting CalWORKs and doing babysitting on the side. I was so scared about the whole thing but it turned out to be totally worth it. Here's what I learned: You can file with just self-employment income (that's what babysitting counts as). I used the free tax software through IRS Free File and it walked me through everything. The Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit are HUGE - I got back over $3,000 with two kids! About the CalWORKs reporting thing - I was honest with my worker about some unreported side income and they were actually pretty understanding. They calculated an overpayment but let me pay it back slowly through small deductions from my monthly grant. The tax refund I got was way more than what I had to pay back, so it was still a win. My advice: file your taxes and get that money, then be more careful about reporting going forward. Keep track of your babysitting income in a little notebook or your phone. You got this!

I'm in a really similar spot! I've been getting CalWORKs for about 8 months now and do some cleaning work for cash here and there. Reading all these responses is making me realize I should definitely file taxes - I had no idea you could get so much money back from those tax credits even without a regular job! The whole reporting income thing has me stressed too. Like you, I never knew how to calculate the irregular cash work on my SAR7 forms. Sometimes I'd make $150 one week and then nothing for a month. But from what everyone's saying here, it sounds like as long as you're under that Income Reporting Threshold most people are talking about, you might not even be in trouble for not reporting it mid-period. I think I'm going to look for one of those free VITA tax places someone mentioned and just be honest about everything. The potential refund sounds way too good to pass up, and it seems like most people who came clean about unreported income didn't face anything too terrible from CalWORKs. Thanks for asking this question - you probably helped a lot of us who were wondering the same thing!

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Just got my Cash Aid approved two weeks ago and the ATM confusion has been so overwhelming. Like everyone else is saying, my caseworker gave me absolutely zero guidance - just handed me the EBT card and basically said "figure it out yourself." I've been bouncing between different ATMs all week trying to access my benefits. Wells Fargo has been a complete disaster (declined every single time), Chase worked but only let me get $200, and I finally had success at a Bank of America location that let me withdraw $300. This thread has been incredibly helpful! I had no idea about: - The EBT Edge app (downloading it right now!) - Getting cash back at grocery stores instead of paying ATM fees - The customer service number to find fee-free locations - That different banks have completely different policies for EBT It's honestly ridiculous that we're all learning this basic information from each other instead of getting proper instructions when we're approved. We're already dealing with enough stress without having to play detective just to access our own benefits! Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences - this has been more educational than my entire intake process. Going to try the Bank of America route and call that customer service line tomorrow.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this! I went through the exact same confusion when I first got Cash Aid approved a few months ago. The ATM situation is honestly one of the most frustrating parts of the whole system. From my experience, here's what I've learned: - Wells Fargo is terrible with EBT cards - they seem to block them randomly - Bank of America ATMs work the most consistently and usually allow higher withdrawal amounts ($300-500) - There's a daily limit (usually around $1000 in CA but individual ATMs often have lower limits) - You can get cash back at grocery stores when buying something small - it's free and often lets you get more than ATMs Also, if you have the EBT Edge app (if not, download it!), it shows fee-free ATMs near you. And calling the number on the back of your card (877-328-9677) can help you find locations that won't charge fees. For your rent situation, you might need to plan to withdraw the max each day until you have enough, or see if your landlord will accept partial payments over a few days. Some Walmart locations also let you withdraw larger amounts at customer service. It's ridiculous that caseworkers don't explain any of this basic stuff when you get approved. We shouldn't have to figure it out through trial and error!

I went through something very similar when I started working part-time while on CalWORKs. Here's what I learned that might help you: First, yes your benefits will decrease but you'll likely still be financially better off overall. The income disregards mean they won't count every dollar you earn against your grant. Second, DEFINITELY apply for the childcare assistance program that others mentioned - it was a game changer for me. Having reliable childcare let me take on more consistent hours without worrying about my kid. Third, keep detailed records of everything - your paystubs, hours worked, rent payments, etc. This makes reporting much easier and protects you if there are any questions later. Last tip: if your hours are inconsistent week to week, ask your worker how to handle reporting fluctuating income. Some months you might be under your IRT and others over, so knowing the rules helps avoid any overpayment issues. You're doing great by working and staying on top of your reporting requirements. The transition period is stressful but it does get easier once you understand how everything works together.

I'm in a really similar situation right now! I just started a part-time job at $16/hour getting about 18-20 hours per week while receiving CalWORKs for me and my two kids. I was so worried about losing all my benefits when I had to report it. What I found out from my worker is that they actually WANT you to work and the system is designed to make sure you're better off working than not working. Like others said, they don't count every dollar - there's that $225 they don't count at all, then they only count half of what's left. One thing that really helped me was asking my worker to do a "what if" calculation before I officially reported. They could estimate how my grant would change based on my expected income. Maybe ask about that when you submit your SAR 7? Also, definitely look into the childcare program! I qualified and it's been amazing - my kids are in a great daycare program and I don't pay anything. It actually motivated me to ask for more hours at work since I had reliable childcare. You're doing the right thing by working and reporting properly. The first few months are the hardest while you figure out how everything works together, but it does get easier!