I'm so glad I found this thread! I'm in almost the exact same situation - single parent, working part-time retail, and just found out I'm at 41 months on my time limit. My caseworker mentioned it like it was no big deal and I've been losing sleep over it ever since. Reading everyone's responses has been incredibly helpful. I had NO IDEA there were extensions available or that work hours could stop the clock. My worker definitely never mentioned the CW 2190A form or any of these options. It really does feel like they're hoping we don't know our rights. I'm going to request my time calculation immediately and ask about the extension form. Also going to double-check that my work hours are being counted properly - I usually work 25-30 hours a week at my retail job so hopefully some of those months don't count toward the limit. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences and knowledge. This community is literally a lifeline when the system seems designed to keep us in the dark about our options!

I'm a newcomer here but this thread is exactly what I needed to find! I'm at 45 months and just got the "you're approaching your time limit" letter in the mail. Like everyone else, my worker never explained ANY of these options - just said I need to "prepare for the end of benefits." Reading through all these responses has been eye-opening. I had no clue about the CW 2190A form, work hour exemptions, or that there were specific circumstances for extensions. I'm a single dad with two kids and work nights stocking at a grocery store (usually 30+ hours), so it sounds like I might have some options I didn't know about. The part about requesting a case review for time calculations really caught my attention - I was in a job training program for about 4 months last year and wonder if those months were incorrectly counted against my limit. Going to call my worker tomorrow (or try Claimyr if I can't get through) to request my detailed time calculation and that extension form. This community has already been more helpful than my entire county office! Thank you all for sharing your knowledge and experiences.

I'm also dealing with this same timing change and it's been such a headache! I'm in Fresno County and my Cash Aid switched from midnight to 8am availability sometime last fall. Like so many others here, I found out the hard way when I was standing at an ATM at 12:30am trying to get money for an emergency. What I've learned is that you can actually call your county's EBT customer service line the day before your deposit date to confirm the exact time your benefits will be available. They won't always volunteer this information, but if you specifically ask "what time will my Cash Aid be available for withdrawal on [date]" they'll give you the exact window for your county. I've also found that having a backup plan is essential now. I started keeping a small emergency fund (even just $20-30 when possible) from the previous month specifically for situations where the timing doesn't work out. I know that's not always possible when every dollar is stretched, but even that small buffer has saved me from late fees twice. @Dana Doyle definitely look into that CW 2218 hardship accommodation form that @Liam Duke mentioned - if this timing is causing you to get late fees on your rent, that sounds like exactly the kind of situation it's meant to address. And thank you for starting this thread! It's so helpful to know we're not alone in dealing with these changes that nobody bothered to properly announce to us.

I'm in Los Angeles County and experienced this exact same issue! My Cash Aid used to be available right at midnight but now I have to wait until around 8:30am. It's so frustrating because I have to drop my kids off at school early and used to handle bill payments the night before. What I discovered is that you can set up text alerts through the BenefitsCal website that will notify you when your deposit has actually been processed. It's not perfect but at least you don't have to keep guessing or making multiple ATM trips. Go to benefitscal.com and look for "Notification Settings" after you log in. Also, for anyone dealing with rent timing issues - I talked to a tenant rights organization and learned that in California, landlords are required to give you a written 3-day notice before they can even start eviction proceedings, regardless of what late fees they charge. So while the timing is still stressful and expensive with late fees, you do have some legal protection. @Dana Doyle I hope you can get that CW 2218 hardship form to help with your rent situation. This timing change has created so many problems for families that were barely making it work before!

I've been through this exact situation multiple times and completely understand your anxiety! The key thing that saved me from benefits interruptions was learning to fill out the SAR7 like it's a brand new application every single time, regardless of whether anything changed. Here's my foolproof approach that has worked for 2+ years: **Never use shortcuts like "no changes" or "same as before"** - the system flags these as incomplete. Instead: - Write "$0.00" in every income box if you have no income - List every household member's full name and relationship again - For resources/property: Write "NONE" if you don't have any, or list everything you have (even that old car or small bank account) - Fill in your complete address even if it hasn't changed **The zero income explanation is crucial!** In the additional information section, I always write something like: "I currently have $0 income. My basic needs are met through CalWORKs cash aid ($XXX/month), CalFresh benefits, and occasional assistance from family for utilities and transportation." **Submit early and keep proof!** I submit mine at least a week before the due date and always keep a copy with proof of submission (receipt if in-person, tracking if mailed, screenshot if online through BenefitsCal). The most important thing I learned: when in doubt, over-explain rather than under-explain. It's much easier to provide extra information upfront than to deal with a discontinued case later. You've got this - just be thorough and treat it like your first time applying!

I just went through this same stress with my SAR7 last month! One thing that really helped me was calling the county office's automated line to confirm they received my form after I submitted it. Most counties have a system where you can check the status of your paperwork by entering your case number. Also, if you're really worried about getting it right, some counties let you submit a draft first for review before the official due date. I did this once when I was unsure about a section - they looked it over and told me exactly what to fix before I submitted the final version. The biggest mistake I made early on was not dating everything properly. Make sure you use the correct reporting month dates, not just the date you're filling out the form. And like everyone said, definitely keep copies! I scan mine with my phone and email them to myself as backup. One more tip - if you have to submit by mail, use a service that gives you tracking confirmation. The $3-5 extra cost is worth the peace of mind knowing exactly when they received it. Good luck with your form - sounds like you're being way more careful than most people, so you should be fine!

Harold, I'm seeing lots of great advice here! Just wanted to add that if you're planning to stay in Texas for an extended period while helping your aunt, you might want to consider opening a local bank account if possible. Some banks offer free checking accounts, and you could transfer money from your EBT withdrawals to avoid repeated ATM fees. Also, regarding the 30-day rule that others mentioned - if your aunt's health situation requires you to stay longer unexpectedly, make sure to call your CalWORKs worker to explain the circumstances. They're usually understanding about family emergencies, especially when it involves caring for elderly relatives. One more practical tip: many Texas grocery stores like H-E-B have ATMs that work with EBT cards and sometimes have lower fees than standalone bank ATMs. Might be worth checking if there's one near your aunt's place. Hope your aunt's health improves soon and that you can access your funds without any trouble tomorrow! Take care of yourself too while you're caring for her.

Harold, I hope your aunt is doing better! I've been following this thread and wanted to add something that might help - if you're worried about ATM fees adding up, you can also check your EBT balance for free by calling the customer service number on the back of your card (1-877-328-9677) instead of using an ATM just to check your balance. That way you can confirm your funds are there before you find an ATM to withdraw from. Also, since you mentioned this is your first time using your EBT card out of state, just know that the transaction might take a few extra seconds to process compared to California ATMs. Don't panic if it seems to be taking longer than usual - that's normal for out-of-state transactions. All the advice here about Walmart and major bank ATMs is spot on. You've got this! Let us know how it goes tomorrow if you get a chance.

I'm in a similar situation and wanted to share what I learned when I applied. You're right that it's worth trying! One thing to keep in mind is that CalWORKs has a time limit (usually 48 months lifetime), so you might want to think about whether now is the best time to use those benefits or if you'd rather save them for when you're deeper into your education. Also, since your partner works for Amazon, make sure to report his income accurately including any overtime or bonuses - they'll verify it anyway. The good news is that California has relatively higher income limits compared to other states, and with your high rent costs, you might be surprised at what you qualify for. If you do apply and get approved, definitely look into the CalWORKs education programs. They can help with books, supplies, and sometimes even childcare while you're in school. The combination of benefits plus educational support could really help you reach your goals. Start with the pre-screening tool on BenefitsCal.com to get an idea of what you might qualify for before doing the full application.

Based on your situation, I'd strongly encourage you to apply! With a household of 4 and rent at $2,300, you're likely spending over half your income on housing alone, which actually helps with CalWORKs eligibility calculations. A few key points for your situation: - CalWORKs considers your entire household income, but they also factor in your family size and high housing costs - Since you're unmarried but living together with shared children, you'll apply as one household unit - The child support requirement typically doesn't apply when the father lives in the home and is part of the CalWORKs case - Being a student can actually work in your favor - CalWORKs has educational incentives and you may be able to meet work requirements through school participation For CalFresh (SNAP), the income limits are generally higher than CalWORKs, so even if you don't qualify for cash aid, you might still get food assistance. I'd recommend using the pre-screening tool on BenefitsCal.com first to get a rough idea of eligibility. Even partial benefits could help significantly with your budget. The application process takes time, so starting sooner gives you a better chance of getting help when you need it most. Don't let uncertainty stop you from trying - the worst they can say is no, but you might be pleasantly surprised by what support is available!