I'm in a similar situation right now - just got approved for CalWORKs last week and have been stressing about this exact thing! Reading everyone's responses here is so helpful. It sounds like even though the CalFresh will go down, we'll still be better off overall with the Cash Aid. I'm definitely going to try calling my worker to get the specific numbers like some of you suggested. Has anyone had luck getting through to the county office lately? I keep getting busy signals when I call. Also wondering - do they usually give you advance notice before they change your CalFresh amount, or does it just happen automatically once the Cash Aid starts?

I just wanted to add something that helped me when I went through this transition - try to stock up on some non-perishable foods before your CalFresh amount changes, especially if you're worried about that first month. Things like rice, beans, pasta, canned goods, etc. That way you have a buffer while you're adjusting to the new amounts. Also, don't forget that many food banks and pantries are available if you need extra help during the transition. I used a local food pantry for a couple weeks when I was figuring out my new budget and it really took the stress off. There's no shame in using all the resources available to feed your family! One more tip - if you shop at stores that accept EBT, many of them also participate in programs that give you extra money for buying fresh fruits and vegetables. Like at farmers markets you can sometimes double your CalFresh dollars for produce. Every little bit helps stretch that food budget further.

Just wanted to check in - how did your recertification interview go? Mine was yesterday and I got approved on the spot! Hope yours went well too!

So glad to hear it went well! I'm new to this community but going through my first CalWORKs application process right now and reading everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful. The anxiety around these interviews seems so universal - it's reassuring to know that most of the time things work out fine when you have your documents ready and are honest. Thanks for sharing the update, it gives me hope for when I have my own interview next month!

Did anyone here actually know that income limits are supposed to be on your Notice of Action letters? I just discovered this after 3 years on CalWORKs! Check your paperwork from when you were last approved - there should be a section that says what your specific IRT is. Mine was buried on page 4 of a 6-page notice!

This thread has been so helpful! As someone new to the CalWORKs system with a family of 4, I'm learning so much about income limits and reporting requirements. @Ravi Choudhury I'm glad you found your specific IRT in your paperwork - that's such a relief when you're worried about going over the limit! One thing I wanted to add for anyone else reading this: if you're having trouble understanding your Notice of Action letters, many counties have CalWORKs advocates or community organizations that can help you interpret the paperwork for free. I found one through my local library's resource center. They walked me through every page of my benefits letter and explained what all the different numbers meant. Also, for those mentioning overpayments - if you do end up with one, you can usually request a hearing to dispute it or ask for a payment plan. Don't panic if it happens, there are options to work with the county. The system is complicated but there are people who can help navigate it!

I'm new to CalWORKs and just went through something similar with my elderly father. One thing I learned that might help - when you report your mom moving in, ask your worker specifically about the "deeming" rules. Sometimes they can exclude a portion of her income if she has her own necessary expenses like medical costs or medications. Also, definitely get her on the SSI application ASAP - even if she only gets approved for a small amount, it opens up other benefits like automatic Medi-Cal. The waiting period is tough but it's worth it in the long run. Hang in there!

As someone who recently navigated this exact situation with my grandmother, I can share what worked for us. First, definitely apply for SSI immediately - even though it takes months, you want to get in the queue. While waiting, here's what helped us: when reporting to CalWORKs, we provided detailed documentation of her medical expenses (prescriptions, doctor copays, medical equipment) because they can sometimes exclude these from her countable income. Also, ask your worker about the "step-parent deeming" calculation method - it's confusing but sometimes results in a smaller reduction to your grant. One unexpected thing we discovered: once my grandmother got even $50/month in SSI, she became eligible for the Medicare Savings Program which saved her $174/month on her Medicare premium. So even a small SSI approval can have a big financial impact. The whole process was stressful but ultimately worth it. Document everything and don't be afraid to ask your worker to explain exactly how they're calculating the income deductions!

Great job getting everything sorted out with CalWORKs! Your experience is really helpful for others who might be in the same situation. It sounds like you handled it perfectly by calling and getting that documentation in your file. For anyone else reading this thread - Mateo's approach is exactly what I'd recommend. Report when hired (even without pay info) to create that paper trail, then follow up with actual pay stubs. The key is showing you're being proactive and transparent about changes. And congrats on landing the Target job! Having that IRT number ($2,735/month in your case) is super helpful to know. Most part-time retail jobs won't get anywhere close to that, so you should be good to go. Best of luck with the new position! 🎉

This whole thread is such a great resource! As someone who's been on CalWORKs for about 8 months now, I can totally relate to how confusing the reporting requirements can be. Every worker seems to tell you something slightly different! @014cf2a0535d - you handled this perfectly by calling and getting that documentation. That 2-hour hold time is absolutely brutal but so worth it for the peace of mind. And congrats on the Target job! 🎉 For anyone else reading this, the key takeaways I'm seeing are: 1. Report when you get hired (even without pay info) to create a paper trail 2. Follow up with actual pay stubs once you receive them 3. Know your IRT number - it should be on your Notice of Action 4. Keep ALL your documentation! The income disregard explanation from @fa735b3835d3 was super helpful too - I had no idea about the $450 exemption and 50% reduction formula. This is exactly the kind of real-world info they don't explain clearly in the paperwork. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences! 💪