Question about cash aid/AFDC in California

[Satori]

ok, A friend and I are disagreeing on something and I know I have seen it in the paper work that there is a loophole in the maximum family grant rule. The rule states that if you give birth more then 9 months after you apply for aid that that child will not be added on for cash aid purposes. So in other words unless you were pregnant when you applied any future child you might have while on aid can get food stamps and medical but not cash. I am positive there is a loophole that says if you go off cash aid for 2 months then reapply then ALL children will be covered.

They can't exclude future children if there is a break in aid, I mean if your on aid with 2 kids then go off and need to reapply 6 years later and now you have 5 kids I don't see them saying sorry, you were on aid before and that amount is locked in, we can't pay you for the 4 new kids.

eta: I'm asking for a friend, she's had 3 kids since going on aid and now finds herself in an intolerable situation with her DH and wants to leave him but since she only gets aid for 1 child she can't afford to support herself and 4 kids on such a small grant. Judgments aside, what options does she have besides get a job which isn't really feasible for her with her kids health issues, which she's exempt from WTW becasue of the aided child's medical needs.

[CameronsMama]

I don't know what the time limit is (so I don't now if 2 months would be long enough) but if you are off the aid long enough that you have to reapply (rather than apply to reinstate) then the new benefits would be based on the new family situation. The loophole to the loophole, however, is that it has to opened as a brand new case, with a complete new applicant process, in order for the additions to the family to be considered. Which takes longer than reinstatement, as with any new case you have to jump through all the hoops again, and you need to furnish the proof of eligibility, etc. Nothing transfers from the old file. This is what a friend of mine had to do when they were recieving aid before and then after her youngest was born, and it took a while, and things were tight while they waited. It worked though.

ETA- this was a few years go though, so I suppose things could have changed some since then.

[whiddle]

I believe you need a 10 month break before you can receive aid for all children. She can ask her caseworker.

Also, I believe the time limit is 36 months unless the child is the product of incest or a rape.

[CaliMommie]

Satori~ You are right, it is a two month break. I know someone who did that.