Hey Jasmine! I just wanted to add that when you apply, make sure to ask about emergency aid if you really need help right away. Some counties can provide a small emergency payment while your regular application is being processed - it's not much but it can help with immediate needs like groceries or utilities. Also, if you're having trouble with childcare while job searching or going to appointments, ask about the CalWORKs childcare program. They can help pay for childcare so you can work or your husband can look for work. Good luck with your application! 🙏

Just wanted to share my recent experience since it might help! I was in a similar situation 6 months ago - family of 4, husband lost his job, I was making about $2,200/month part-time. We got approved for CalWORKs and received $1,087/month plus CalFresh benefits. The whole process took about 6 weeks from application to first payment, but like others said, they backdated it to our application date so we got a nice lump sum initially. One thing I wish I'd known earlier - keep ALL your documentation organized from day one. They asked for additional paperwork twice during our case review, and having everything ready made it so much smoother. Also, don't be discouraged if they ask for clarification on something - it doesn't mean you're getting denied, they just want to make sure they calculate your benefits correctly. You've got this! 💪

As someone who just joined this community and is new to receiving government benefits, this whole thread has been incredibly informative and honestly a bit scary! The thought of logging in one day to find all your benefits seemingly gone is terrifying, especially when you're depending on them for basic needs. What really stands out to me is how this community immediately came together to help Dylan figure out what was happening - from identifying it as a known system glitch to sharing practical solutions like the Claimyr service and tips about keeping physical documentation. I had no idea these technical issues were somewhat common with BenefitsCal, or that there were services like Claimyr to help bypass those awful phone queues. I'm definitely going to start implementing all the advice shared here - printing important documents, taking regular screenshots, and keeping better records of my case information. It's frustrating that we have to work around these system failures, but at least we have communities like this where people share real experiences and look out for each other. Thanks Dylan for keeping us updated with the resolution - knowing it was just a temporary glitch gives me a lot of peace of mind as I'm learning to navigate these systems!

This whole situation really emphasizes how important it is to have multiple backup plans when dealing with these benefit systems! As a newcomer to this community, I'm amazed at how quickly everyone rallied to help Dylan with practical advice and reassurance. The suggestion about using Claimyr to bypass phone queues is something I'd never heard of before - that could be a game-changer when you need to reach someone urgently about your benefits. I'm definitely going to start following the advice about keeping physical copies of all important documents and taking regular screenshots of my account. It's unfortunate that we need to create our own safety nets around these technical failures, but this thread shows how valuable it is to have a community where people share real experiences and solutions. Dylan, I'm so glad your account was restored and thanks for updating us! For anyone else reading this in the future, this is exactly the kind of situation where having documented proof of your case details could save you hours of stress and phone calls.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this frustrating situation! As someone who recently went through a similar experience, I completely understand your confusion about the IRT rules. The explanation everyone gave about IRT being a "reporting schedule threshold" rather than a "benefit protection threshold" is spot on. I made the same assumption you did initially - that staying under the IRT meant my benefits would remain stable. It's really misleading how this gets communicated (or not communicated) during the application process. Since you're working IHSS, make sure when you request that hearing that you specifically ask about any special income disregards or exemptions that might apply to caregiving income. I've heard there can be additional protections for IHSS providers that don't always get applied correctly. Also, don't feel discouraged about working even though your cash aid decreased. You're gaining valuable work experience in healthcare/caregiving, which could lead to better opportunities down the road. Plus, you should still have your Medi-Cal coverage, and you might qualify for other working family benefits like childcare assistance or transportation help that weren't available when you weren't working. Hang in there - the transition period is always the hardest part, but you're taking the right steps by asking questions and advocating for yourself!

I just want to echo what everyone else has said - this is such a valuable discussion for anyone navigating CalWORKs while working! The distinction between CalFresh and CalWORKs rules around the IRT is something I wish was explained better upfront. @Emily Parker, I'd encourage you to definitely request that hearing. Even if the calculation ends up being correct, you'll get a detailed explanation of how they processed your IHSS income and what disregards were applied. I've seen several people in this thread mention finding calculation errors that led to backpay, so it's worth checking. One thing I'd add is to make sure you understand all the work-related benefits you might now qualify for. Since you're working IHSS, you should maintain your Medi-Cal coverage, and depending on your situation, you might be eligible for CalWORKs childcare, transportation assistance, or other supportive services that can actually be worth more than the cash aid reduction. Sometimes the county workers don't automatically tell you about these additional benefits when your situation changes. The IHSS work experience is also really valuable - it's specialized healthcare work that looks great on applications for other caregiving positions, CNAs programs, or healthcare jobs that typically pay much better than minimum wage. You're building toward something even if it doesn't feel like it right now. Good luck with the hearing process, and thanks for starting this discussion - I'm sure it's helping a lot of people understand these confusing rules better!

I'm so sorry you've been dealing with this misinformation from your worker, Sofia. What happened to you is unfortunately way too common - workers sometimes give incorrect information either because they're undertrained or trying to manage their caseloads. The income calculation differences between CalFresh and CalWORKs are significant. CalWORKs has what's called the "earned income disregard" where they subtract $450 from your gross income, then only count 50% of what remains. So your $1,850 becomes about $700 in "countable income" for CalWORKs purposes. Given your high housing costs ($1,325 is a huge portion of your income), you should absolutely qualify for some cash assistance. The system is supposed to help families like yours who are working but still struggling to meet basic needs. When you reapply, specifically mention: - The restraining order (automatic cooperation exemption) - Your childcare costs for work - Request expedited processing due to imminent homelessness risk - Ask about utility assistance programs Don't let one worker's mistake keep your family from getting help. You're working hard and deserve support. Reapply as soon as possible!

Sofia, I'm so glad you found this community because what your worker told you was completely wrong! I'm a CalWORKs recipient myself and want to add a few things that might help: First, definitely reapply ASAP. When you do, ask to speak with a supervisor if the same worker tries to discourage you again. Workers are required by law to accept and process any application you submit - they cannot refuse to take it. Second, with your domestic violence situation, make sure to ask about the Family Violence Option (FVO). This can waive certain requirements and might even qualify you for additional services like counseling or job training that could help long-term. Third, since you're working part-time, ask about the CalWORKs "30/60 rule" - if you're working less than 30 hours per week, they might be able to help you find additional work or training opportunities that could increase your income without affecting your benefits initially. Also, don't forget about emergency assistance! Even while your regular application is processing, you might qualify for immediate help with utilities or rent if you're facing shut-off or eviction. You're not alone in this, and you deserve help. Keep advocating for yourself and your kids! ❤️

Just wanted to add that if you're having trouble getting electronic pay stubs from your employer, you can ask them for a "verification of employment" letter instead. It should include your hire date, hours worked, hourly rate, and gross pay for the last 30 days. Most HR departments can provide this pretty quickly and CalWORKs accepts it as income verification. I had to do this when my old job's payroll system was down and couldn't generate stubs. Also, don't stress too much about the bank account fluctuations - as long as your average balance stays well under that $10,000 limit, you should be fine. The workers understand that people need to save up for rent and bills. Good luck with your application!

One thing to keep in mind is that when you reapply, they'll also look at why your case closed originally. Since yours closed due to job loss but you're now employed again (even at lower pay), that actually works in your favor - it shows you're trying to work and just need temporary assistance. Make sure to mention that when you apply. Also, if you're having trouble affording basic needs while working, you might also qualify for CalFresh (food stamps) which has different income limits and could help stretch your budget further. You can apply for both programs at the same time through the same BenefitsCal application. The combination of Cash Aid + CalFresh + potentially other programs like Medi-Cal can really help bridge that gap when your job doesn't pay enough to cover all your expenses.