I'm so sorry you're dealing with this - it's such a common problem and completely unacceptable! I've been navigating CalWORKs for about 2 years now and have learned some hard-won strategies. Here's what I recommend: First, document EVERYTHING with timestamps - screenshots of your appointment confirmation, photos of their missed appointment letter, and if possible, get your phone records from your carrier showing no incoming calls during that time slot. Second, try calling the main county switchboard (not the CalWORKs direct line) first thing Monday at 8am and specifically ask to speak with a CalWORKs Program Manager about filing a formal complaint. Third, send a message through BenefitsCal immediately stating you were available for your scheduled appointment but never received a call, and request that they note "county error" in your case file. If your benefits get interrupted because of THEIR mistake, you have grounds for a state hearing and can potentially get retroactive payments. The system is broken but don't let them make you feel like this is your fault when it clearly isn't. Stay strong and keep fighting for the services you're entitled to!

Ugh, I'm so sorry you're dealing with this but honestly not surprised at all. I've been on CalWORKs for about a year now and the missed appointment thing seems to be their favorite trick. What worked for me was actually showing up at the office unannounced right after they "missed" my phone appointment. I walked in with my phone showing no missed calls and asked to speak with whoever was supposed to call me. Turns out my worker had marked me as a no-show without even attempting to call! The supervisor made them call me right then and there to complete my interview. It's absolutely ridiculous that we have to do detective work just to get the services we're entitled to, but sometimes showing up in person is the only way to get results. Don't let them gaslight you into thinking this is your fault - keep all your documentation and make them prove they actually tried to reach you!

This is such a valuable thread! I'm currently on CalWORKs and just started interviewing for some promising positions, so this information is incredibly timely for me. Reading through everyone's detailed experiences has given me a much clearer understanding of how to handle the transition properly when my time comes. The consistent advice about using the specific phrase "voluntarily discontinue" rather than just reporting income changes is something I definitely wouldn't have known otherwise. And the emphasis on creating a paper trail through BenefitsCal while also getting phone confirmation seems like the smartest approach to avoid any overpayment issues down the road. I'm particularly grateful for the tips about timing - waiting for that first actual paycheck before setting the effective date, and being specific about keeping CalFresh/Medi-Cal if you're still eligible for those programs. The stories about people who ran into overpayment problems by relying only on phone calls really drive home how important proper documentation is. @Connor - congratulations on your new job! It's clear from this discussion that you're going to handle this transition the right way. Thanks for asking the question that generated such helpful responses from the community. This thread is definitely going to be a resource I refer back to when I'm ready to make my own transition off benefits.

I just went through this process myself about 2 months ago and want to share what worked perfectly for me! After reading through all the advice here (which is spot-on), I followed the dual approach everyone recommends. Here's exactly what I did: 1. Logged into BenefitsCal and submitted a written request using the exact phrase "I request to voluntarily discontinue my CalWORKs Cash Aid effective [specific date]" 2. Uploaded a simple signed letter restating the same request 3. Called the general CalWORKs customer service line the same day and referenced my online submission 4. Got a confirmation number from the phone representative The timing was key - I waited until I had received my first two paychecks to make sure my income was consistently over the eligibility threshold before setting the effective date. This eliminated any uncertainty about whether I'd still qualify for partial benefits. I received my Notice of Action about 8 days later confirming the cancellation, and there were zero issues with overpayments. I was also able to keep my CalFresh and Medi-Cal by being specific about only wanting to discontinue the cash portion. @Connor - the approach everyone's outlined here is rock solid. The BenefitsCal + phone confirmation method gives you the best of both worlds: documented proof AND immediate verbal confirmation. Don't stress too much about it - as long as you use the right terminology and keep good records, the process is pretty straightforward. Congratulations on the new job and good luck with your transition!

I'm really grateful for all the detailed experiences shared here! As someone who's new to CalWORKs, I had no clue about the 25% penalty for non-cooperation with child support - that's absolutely huge when you're already on a tight budget. What really stands out to me is how many people have gone through this exact same situation where their ex wants to pay directly to "avoid county fees," but then things eventually fall apart. The pattern is so consistent across everyone's stories that it seems like keeping the official case open is really the only safe choice. I'm curious - for those who decided to keep their cases open, how did your exes react when you explained the financial and legal reasons? Did any of them come to understand why the official system actually protects everyone involved, or did most remain focused on avoiding the processing fees? This thread has definitely convinced me that the security and enforcement power of the county system is worth way more than any small savings on fees. Thank you all for being so honest about your experiences - it's helping newcomers like me avoid some really costly mistakes!

I'm just starting my CalWORKs journey and this thread has been absolutely invaluable! As a newcomer to the system, I had no idea about the 25% penalty for not cooperating with child support - that's a devastating amount to lose when you're already trying to stretch every dollar. What really opened my eyes was reading how consistent these stories are. It seems like almost every ex uses the same "save money on county fees" argument, but the reality is those fees are usually tiny compared to the financial protection you lose by going private. And hearing how many people had their exes start out cooperative but then stop paying when life got complicated really drives home why that official enforcement is so crucial. I think the most important takeaway for me is that even when relationships seem good right now, you have to plan for what happens if circumstances change. The county system might not be perfect, but it's designed to protect families like ours when things don't go as planned. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences so honestly - you've probably saved me from making a really costly mistake! I'm definitely keeping any future child support case official, no matter what promises get made about direct payments.

This entire thread has been so educational! I'm scheduled for my first CalWORKs recertification in a few weeks and was really anxious about what documents they might ask for. Reading everyone's experiences has helped me understand that the bank statement requests aren't automatic for everyone - it really depends on your specific situation and any changes you've reported. I especially appreciate the advice about keeping records of unusual deposits and having explanations ready. I received some money from selling old furniture last month and was worried about how to explain that, but now I know I should just be upfront about it and keep any documentation (like the Facebook Marketplace messages) that shows it was a legitimate one-time sale. It's also reassuring to know that different counties handle things differently, so I shouldn't assume my experience will be exactly like someone else's. I'm definitely going to follow the advice about asking my worker about their specific documentation preferences when I go in. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community is such a great resource for navigating the system!

As someone who works in eligibility determination (not for CalWORKs but similar programs), I can confirm what many have said here - bank statements are requested based on specific circumstances, not as a blanket requirement. The main triggers are usually: reported assets near limits, income discrepancies, or when someone reports receiving lump sums or gifts. For recertifications, counties are supposed to use the "least intrusive verification" method per federal guidelines. This means they should start with documents you already have (like paystubs) before requesting additional verification like bank statements. Your $150 birthday gift is well under any reporting threshold and wouldn't impact eligibility. The key is just being honest during your interview - if they ask about any unusual deposits or financial help, just explain what it was. Most workers appreciate when clients are upfront rather than trying to hide things. One tip I'd add: if you do get asked for bank statements, ask specifically what they need to verify. Sometimes workers can accept alternative documentation that's easier for you to provide. Don't be afraid to ask questions during your appointment - it shows you're engaged and want to comply with requirements.

This thread is such a lifesaver! I'm about 4 months into CalWORKs and honestly had no idea these EBT security issues existed until now. Reading everyone's experiences has been both informative and a little scary - the thought that my benefits could get locked without warning is really concerning, especially when I'm already living paycheck to paycheck. I had a minor issue with my PIN last month but nothing like the 104 error. Definitely going to ask my caseworker about direct deposit at my next recertification meeting after seeing how many people have dealt with these card problems. Also saving that EBT customer service number and the Claimyr callback service info just in case. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their stories and solutions - this is exactly the kind of real-world advice that actually helps people navigate this complicated system!

This thread is incredibly helpful and shows just how widespread these EBT security issues really are! I'm fairly new to CalWORKs (started about 8 months ago) and had no idea about error code 104 until reading all these experiences. What really bothers me is how the system can essentially hold your own money hostage without any warning or explanation. It's especially problematic since so many CalWORKs recipients are already in precarious financial situations where even a day without access to benefits can mean missing rent or going without food. I've been lucky so far and haven't hit any major EBT issues, but after reading all these stories I'm definitely going to switch to direct deposit ASAP. The fact that so many people have found the Claimyr callback service helpful is really good to know too - I'm bookmarking that along with the EBT customer service number just in case. Thank you to everyone for sharing such detailed experiences and practical solutions. This community provides way better guidance than any official documentation I've seen!