have u checked wit local churches?? my cousin got rent help from catholic charities when she was facing eviction. they paid 2 months rent for her when county was being slow. also did u apply for calworks online through BenefitsCal or in person?? going in person can make things go faster sometime.

I see from your comments that you're getting some good advice and making calls tomorrow. One more suggestion - when you go to your CalWORKs appointment, bring ALL your documentation: ID for everyone, birth certificates, social security cards, lease agreement, eviction notice or communications from landlord, utility bills, bank statements, and proof of any income or resources. Being fully prepared can sometimes get you immediate emergency assistance versus having to come back multiple times. Also ask specifically about "Immediate Need" payments through CalWORKs, which can provide up to $200 while your regular application is processing. And regarding the lock changing - this actually gives you significant legal leverage. In many California counties, a landlord who performs an illegal self-help eviction (like changing locks) can be liable for damages up to $100 per day plus actual damages. Document everything and mention this when you speak to legal aid.

One more thing to check - make sure you look at your BenefitsCal account online if you have access. Sometimes there are electronic notices or requests for verification that don't get mailed. The system has been moving more toward digital communication.

UPDATE: I FINALLY got through to my caseworker! Turns out there was a glitch in their system during their monthly issuance batch processing. Several households in my county were affected. They're doing an emergency issuance tonight and I should have my benefits by tomorrow morning. Thank you everyone for your advice and support during this stressful situation!

My neighbor swears someone at the grocery store stole her benefits but turns out her teenage son was using her card without telling her lol. Make sure it's actually theft before reporting it!

To answer your follow-up question about replacement benefits, here's what I've seen working with clients who've experienced theft: - The new process (as of January 2025) is significantly better than before - Most legitimate claims are being processed in 3-4 weeks now (compared to 3-6 months previously) - You'll need to submit form CF 303 (EBT Benefit Theft Report) - Include the police report number and any evidence (skimmer photos, unusual transaction locations) - Be very specific about when you last used the card and when you discovered the theft The process still requires persistence. Document every call, email, and interaction with your county worker during the claim process. Keep copies of everything you submit.

if u got regular calfresh too maybe the ppl answering here are confused what ur asking about lol... p-ebt is different

For anyone else landing on this thread: There's been a scheduled system update for P-EBT in February 2025 that's caused some benefit loading delays. According to the CDSS website, benefits that were scheduled for the first week of February may be delayed by 3-5 business days. This might explain why the text notification went out but the benefits aren't showing up yet. Once you do get the P-EBT card, remember to activate it immediately by calling the number on the back and setting a PIN. The benefits should be available immediately after activation. For online shopping, you'll need the 16-digit card number, expiration date, and security code, just like a regular debit card.

I work with CalFresh recipients through a community organization, and there's definitely some confusion happening. The state legislature approved the CalFresh Plus supplemental program to start in April 2025, providing quarterly supplements based on household size. For a household with children, it will be approximately $150 extra every three months, but the first payment won't be until April. Some counties started sending informational notices about it in January, which might explain why your caseworker mentioned it. The notices weren't supposed to go out until March to avoid exactly this type of confusion.

It sounds like the caseworker was referring to the new CalFresh Plus program but got the start date wrong. As others have mentioned, it begins in April. If you need emergency food assistance in the meantime, consider contacting local food banks or calling 211 to find resources in your area. Many schools also have after-school snack programs that might help with your kids' immediate needs.