How to repay CalFresh overpayment without destroying my budget?

This happens more often than you think! CalFresh overpayments can be handled several ways: 1. Monthly payment plan - you can negotiate a reasonable amount based on your income 2. Benefit reduction - they take a percentage from future benefits (usually 10% or $10, whichever is higher) 3. Full repayment - only if you have the means 4. Compromise - in some cases, they might settle for a lesser amount if paid quickly 5. Hardship reduction - if you can prove significant financial hardship Your best bet is to contact your county office ASAP and request a repayment plan. Explain your situation as a single parent. They're usually willing to work with you, especially if you're proactive about it. The worst thing you can do is ignore it - that could lead to tax refund intercepts or other collection actions.

they always do this BS!!!! i got hit with a $2300 "overpayment" last year cause they said i didnt report my new job fast enough even tho I DID REPORT IT!!! they take 10% of ur benefits each month forever until its paid back or u can try to pay it off. the whole system is rigged to make u fail and then punish u for it. good luck getting anyone to even answer ur calls at the county office tho, i tried for TWO WEEKS straight and kept getting disconnected after waiting on hold for hours!!!

when i had an overpayment they just started taking like $37 from my monthly benefits without even asking me first. i would def call them ASAP and try to set up something you can afford. they can garnish tax returns too if you dont make arrangements

I'm a former county eligibility worker and I can tell you that you have rights in this situation. First, you can request a fair hearing if you believe the overpayment determination is incorrect (you only have 90 days from the notice date to do this). If the overpayment is correct, here are your options: - For an Inadvertent Household Error (IHE) like yours appears to be, they can deduct up to 10% of your monthly benefits or $10, whichever is higher - You can negotiate a Repayment Agreement for a lesser monthly amount if you demonstrate financial hardship - You can request a Compromise of Claims if you qualify (though this is rare) By law, they must consider your ability to pay. Call your county and ask to speak with the Collections Unit specifically. They handle repayment agreements. Document everything, including who you speak with and when. If you're having trouble getting through, ask for a supervisor. Oh, and be sure to file your SAR7 and recertification correctly going forward to avoid future overpayments.

i had to pay back like $1200 last year and just did it through benefit reduction it wasnt too bad actually they took like $38 a month and i barely noticed tbh

Last time I had an overpayment I lost my case completely when I couldn't pay it back right away. Ended up with no food stamps at all for like 8 months. Make sure you respond to everything they send you and keep copies of EVERYTHING. They lost my paperwork twice and tried to say I never sent it in.

I want to add - if you experience any wage garnishment or tax refund interception without prior notice, you can and should request a fair hearing. The county must follow proper procedures before taking those actions. Also, make sure you understand what caused the overpayment so you can avoid it happening again. It sounds like you were working overtime that wasn't reported. Remember that in California, you must report when your household's total monthly income exceeds the Income Reporting Threshold (IRT) listed on your last SAR7 or Notice of Action. For 2025, that's typically 130% of the Federal Poverty Level for your household size.

My mom had a similar situation last year and she set up automatic monthly payments through BenefitsCal website. It was pretty easy actually, just log in to your account and there should be an option for repayment somewhere in the menu. She pays like $25/month I think.

Hey Isaac, I went through something similar about 6 months ago - got hit with a $1,400 overpayment notice out of nowhere and nearly had a panic attack! Here's what worked for me: First, don't panic (easier said than done, I know). Call your county office and ask specifically for the "Collections" or "Overpayment" department - don't waste time with the general line. When you get through, be honest about your financial situation as a single dad. They really do try to work with families when you're upfront about what you can afford. I was able to negotiate a $40/month payment plan, which was way better than them taking a chunk out of my benefits each month. The key is to propose a realistic amount YOU can stick to - if you say $50/month but then can't make the payments, you'll be in worse trouble. Also, ask them to put whatever agreement you make IN WRITING before you make your first payment. I learned this the hard way when my first caseworker left and the new one had no record of our verbal agreement. One more tip - if you have ANY documentation showing you tried to report the overtime (texts to your caseworker, emails, anything), bring that up. Sometimes they can reduce the overpayment amount if you can show good faith effort to comply. You've got this! The system seems scary but most workers really do want to help when you're proactive about solving the problem.

I'm dealing with something similar right now - got an overpayment notice for $950 last month and I was terrified! What really helped me was calling first thing in the morning (like 8 AM sharp) to get through faster. One thing I learned that might help you: if you're currently receiving benefits, they legally can't take more than 10% of your monthly allotment OR $10 (whichever is higher) without your agreement to a different plan. So if you're getting say $400/month in benefits, the most they can automatically deduct is $40. But honestly, setting up your own payment plan is usually better because you have more control. I'm doing $35/month and they were totally fine with it once I explained I'm also supporting elderly parents on a tight budget. Also - and this is important - make sure you ask them about "good cause" when you call. If you can show that the overpayment wasn't entirely your fault (like unclear instructions from your caseworker, or if you tried to report but couldn't get through), they might reduce the amount you owe. Document everything from your call - date, time, who you spoke with, what was agreed to. I keep a little notebook just for CalFresh stuff now. Good luck, you're going to get through this!

I went through this exact situation about 2 years ago - $2,100 overpayment because my work schedule changed and I got confused about the reporting requirements. As a single mom, I totally understand the panic! Here's what saved me: I called and immediately asked for a hardship evaluation. Since you're a single dad, you should qualify. They look at your rent, utilities, childcare costs, etc. and can often reduce both the payment amount AND sometimes even the total owed. I also discovered that if you're receiving other benefits like Medi-Cal or WIC, they take that into consideration when setting up payment plans. Don't be afraid to mention every expense you have - child support, medical bills, car payments, everything counts. One more thing - if you do end up with benefit reductions instead of a payment plan, you can ask them to review and adjust it every 6 months if your situation changes. They don't tell you this upfront, but it's totally allowed. The whole process took about 3 weeks to get sorted, but I ended up paying $25/month instead of losing $65 from my benefits each month. Hang in there - they really do work with families when you're honest about your financial situation!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stress - overpayment notices are genuinely terrifying when you're already stretched thin! I went through something similar about a year ago ($1,200 overpayment for unreported income changes) and I know that pit-in-your-stomach feeling. Here's what I wish I'd known from the start: Call immediately and ask for a "Financial Hardship Waiver" in addition to setting up a payment plan. Many counties in California can actually waive part of the debt if you can demonstrate that repaying the full amount would cause severe financial hardship for your family. As a single parent, you have a strong case for this. When you call, have your monthly budget written out - rent, utilities, childcare, transportation, everything. Be specific about your kids' ages and any special needs or expenses they have. The caseworker needs to see the full picture of why $1,875 would be impossible for you to repay without your family suffering. Also, don't let them pressure you into agreeing to anything on the first call. It's totally okay to say "I need to review this information and call you back tomorrow" if you feel overwhelmed. They're required to give you time to consider your options. You're being proactive by reaching out here and planning to call them - that's already putting you ahead of the game. This situation is fixable, even though it doesn't feel like it right now. Your kids are lucky to have a dad who's working so hard to figure this out responsibly.

I'm going through the exact same thing right now - got an overpayment notice for $1,650 two weeks ago and I've been losing sleep over it! Reading all these responses has been incredibly helpful and honestly makes me feel less alone in this situation. I wanted to add one thing that might help you (and others reading this): When I called my county office, they told me that if you're having trouble getting through on the phone, you can also submit a written request for a payment plan or hardship review. I sent mine via certified mail so I have proof they received it, and they responded within 10 business days with options. Also, I learned that some counties have specific "Financial Counselors" who specialize in helping people with overpayment situations. It's worth asking if your county has these specialists - mine was way more knowledgeable and helpful than the general caseworkers. One last tip: If you're working with a local food bank or community organization, they might have advocates who can help you navigate this process or even conference call with you when you speak to the county. Mine had someone who'd dealt with CalFresh overpayments before and she helped me understand all the terms and options. Keep us posted on how your call goes tomorrow! Rooting for you - single parents have to stick together and this community has shown how much people are willing to help each other through these stressful situations.

I'm so sorry you're going through this stress, Isaac. I just wanted to add one more resource that helped me when I faced a similar situation last year - if you have any documentation showing you ATTEMPTED to report the overtime income (like call logs showing you tried to reach your caseworker, emails, or even text messages), make sure to mention that during your call. I was able to get my overpayment reduced from $980 to $650 because I had phone records showing I tried calling my caseworker 8 times over two weeks when my hours increased, but could never get through. They classified it as "good faith effort" and reduced the amount. Also, when you call tomorrow, ask specifically about the "10% rule" - they can only take 10% of your monthly benefits OR $10 (whichever is higher) without your written agreement to a different plan. Knowing this rule helped me negotiate because I realized the automatic deduction they wanted to do was actually MORE than the legal limit. Everyone here has given you amazing advice. You're going to get through this! Being proactive and having a plan (which you clearly do now) makes all the difference. Your kids are lucky to have such a responsible dad who's working hard to handle this the right way instead of just ignoring it.

Isaac, I completely understand your panic - I went through this exact scenario about 18 months ago with a $1,950 overpayment (also from unreported overtime as a single parent). The good news is there are definitely options that won't destroy your budget! Here's my step-by-step approach that worked: 1. **Call EARLY** - I'm talking 7:45 AM when they open. The lines are clearest then. 2. **Ask for the "Overpayment Unit" or "Collections Department"** - Don't waste time with general intake. 3. **Lead with your situation** - "I'm a single father with two children and I need to discuss hardship options for my overpayment." 4. **Have your numbers ready**: monthly income, rent, childcare, utilities, food costs, transportation. They need to see why $1,875 is impossible. 5. **Ask about these specific options**: - Financial Hardship Waiver (can reduce total amount owed) - Compromise Settlement (pay lesser lump sum if possible) - Extended payment plan ($25-50/month range) - Good cause reduction (if you tried to report but couldn't get through) I ended up with a $30/month payment plan after they reduced my total to $1,400 based on documented attempts to contact my caseworker. The whole process took about 3 weeks but was SO worth it compared to losing chunks of my benefits. Key thing: get EVERYTHING in writing before making any payments. You've got this - being proactive puts you way ahead!

Isaac, I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stress - I know exactly how overwhelming it feels to get that overpayment notice when you're already struggling financially. I went through something very similar about 8 months ago with a $1,300 overpayment for unreported income changes. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet that really helped me: ask about setting up automatic payments through your bank account instead of benefit deductions. This might sound counterintuitive, but hear me out - when they take money from your CalFresh benefits, you lose that food assistance immediately. But if you set up even a small automatic payment ($35-50/month), you keep your full food benefits AND often get more flexibility in the payment amount. I was able to negotiate a $40/month automatic payment plan, and it actually worked out better for my family because we still got our full $380 in monthly CalFresh benefits. The caseworker explained that they prefer reliable automatic payments because it reduces their administrative work. Also, don't forget to ask about the statute of limitations on overpayments. In California, they have limited time to collect on certain types of overpayments, and sometimes older claims can be reduced or dismissed entirely. You're being smart by reaching out for advice before calling. Having a plan and knowing your options makes ALL the difference. The system seems designed to be confusing and intimidating, but there are people there who genuinely want to help when you approach it the right way. You've got this!

Isaac, I completely feel for you - getting that overpayment notice is like a punch to the gut, especially when you're already doing everything you can to make ends meet as a single parent. I went through this exact situation about a year ago with an $1,100 overpayment from seasonal work income that I reported late. Here's what I wish someone had told me from the start: the county HAS to work with you if you're proactive and honest about your financial limitations. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. When I called, I was upfront that I'm a single mom with three kids and could realistically only afford $25/month without putting my family at risk. The caseworker initially tried to push me toward a $75/month plan, but I stood firm and explained my budget in detail - rent, utilities, gas, school expenses, everything. She eventually agreed to the $25/month plan and even noted in my file that it was based on financial hardship. One crucial tip: ask them to send you a written confirmation of whatever payment arrangement you agree to BEFORE you make your first payment. I learned this from a friend who had her verbal agreement "forgotten" when her caseworker changed. Also, keep every single piece of documentation related to this - the original notice, call logs, payment confirmations, everything. The system can be chaotic, and you'll be so glad you have that paper trail if anything goes wrong. You're going to get through this! The fact that you're being proactive and seeking advice shows you're handling this the right way. Your kids are lucky to have such a responsible parent who's working hard to solve problems instead of ignoring them.

Isaac, I can only imagine how stressful this must be for you right now! I went through a similar situation about 6 months ago with an $800 overpayment and the panic was absolutely real. One thing that really helped me was preparing a simple one-page "hardship statement" before I called. I wrote down my monthly income, all my fixed expenses (rent, utilities, car payment, childcare, etc.), and then calculated exactly how much I had left over after basic necessities. Having those numbers written out clearly made it SO much easier to explain my situation to the caseworker, and I think it really helped them understand why I could only afford a small payment plan. I also learned that you can ask for a "payment plan review" every 6 months if your financial situation changes. So even if you start with one payment amount, you're not locked into it forever if things get tighter (or if they improve). The most important thing I learned is that they WANT to work with you - a small monthly payment is way better for them than someone who defaults or can't pay at all. Going in with a realistic proposal (like "I can afford $35/month based on my budget") shows you're serious about resolving this responsibly. You're going to get through this! Being a single parent is hard enough without these added stresses, but this community has shown there are definitely solutions that won't wreck your budget. Looking forward to hearing how your call goes!