I want to address a few misconceptions I'm seeing in this thread: 1. The county should NOT freeze your upcoming benefits while investigating a theft claim. Those are separate issues. 2. You don't need to wait for your theft claim to be resolved before applying for Homeless Assistance - these are separate programs and you can access Homeless Assistance immediately if you're at risk of eviction. 3. There is no direct deposit option for benefit theft replacements - they always issue paper checks for security reasons. 4. The 30-day timeline is the maximum allowed by state regulations, not a suggestion. If you're having trouble reaching anyone, I strongly recommend going in person to your county office if possible. Theft claims with eviction risk should be prioritized.

I'm so sorry you're going through this - EBT theft is incredibly stressful, especially when you're facing eviction. I went through something similar earlier this year and here's what I learned: The 30-day timeline others mentioned is correct, but don't wait passively. Document every call you make (date, time, who you spoke with if anyone). If you can't get through by phone, definitely go in person like Sasha suggested. Bring copies of your police report, the theft claim form, and any eviction notices from your landlord. Also, ask specifically about "Immediate Need" payments - some counties can issue emergency funds within 72 hours for people facing homelessness due to circumstances beyond their control. Your situation definitely qualifies. One more tip: if going in person doesn't work, contact your county supervisor's office. They often have staff who can intervene when constituents aren't getting proper service from county departments. Sometimes political pressure is what it takes to get things moving. Hang in there - you WILL get your money back, it's just a matter of pushing the system to do its job properly.

UPDATE: I finally got through to someone at the county! Used that Claimyr service and it actually worked. The worker said my claim was approved 5 days ago but there was a system error preventing it from being loaded onto my card. They're manually processing it now and I should have the funds within 48 hours. She also fixed my BenefitsCal account - apparently it was blocked for security reasons after the theft, exactly like some of you said. Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions!

This is such a relief to read your update! I've been following your situation and was really worried about your rent deadline. It's incredible that the county had already approved your claim 5 days ago but didn't tell you - that's exactly the kind of communication breakdown that makes this process so much harder than it needs to be. For anyone else dealing with similar issues, this really shows how important it is to keep pushing and trying different approaches. The Claimyr service seems to be a game-changer for actually getting through to someone who can help. I'm definitely bookmarking that for future reference. Hope you get your funds loaded soon and can finally get some peace of mind! Thanks for updating us - it gives hope to others going through the same nightmare.

This is such a perfect example of why direct communication with the county office is so crucial when BenefitsCal isn't working properly! I've been receiving CalWORKs for about a year now and have learned that the online system can be unreliable for so many different reasons - from simple glitches to major data migrations like what happened to you. Your experience really highlights how important it is not to assume the worst when the website shows errors. I'm saving this thread because the troubleshooting steps everyone shared are gold - especially the advice about asking specific questions like "Has my case been discontinued?" and requesting discontinuance dates/reason codes if needed. It's also really helpful to know that cases can temporarily disappear during system updates while still being active in the county's internal system. Thanks for following up with the resolution - it gives me so much more confidence about how to handle similar situations in the future!

What a relief that it turned out to be just a system migration! This whole thread has been so educational for me as someone who's still fairly new to the CalWORKs system. I had no idea that technical issues like data migrations could temporarily make cases disappear while still being active in the county's internal system. The collective wisdom shared here - from checking mail carefully for notices that might look like junk mail, to asking specific questions about discontinuance status when calling the county office - is invaluable. It really shows how important it is to call the county directly rather than relying solely on BenefitsCal when something seems wrong. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and advice, and especially to Oliver for following up with the resolution. This kind of community support makes navigating these stressful situations so much more manageable!

I'm a caseworker at DSS and wanted to reassure you - being a few days late with your SAR 7 is not uncommon and you're handling it the right way by going in person tomorrow. Since you're within the 10-day grace period, your benefits shouldn't be discontinued. A few professional tips: - Complete EVERY field on the form, even if it's N/A - Bring originals of all pay stubs and any other income verification - Ask for a receipt with the date stamp when you submit it - If there are any questions about your form, they can help you correct it on the spot The most important thing is getting a complete, accurate form submitted. Your regular payment date might be delayed by a day or two while it processes, but you should still receive your full benefit amount for this month. Try not to stress too much - you're being proactive and that's what matters most.

I'm so glad you're getting such helpful advice here! Just wanted to add one more thing that might help - when you go to the office tomorrow, if the wait is really long, you can also ask if they have a "same day processing" option for SAR 7s. Some offices can expedite late forms if you explain your situation (single mom, rent due, etc.). Also, don't forget to bring a pen and maybe some snacks/water since you might be there for a while. The staff are usually pretty understanding when people come in right away after realizing they're late - it shows you're trying to stay compliant. You're doing everything right by going in person first thing tomorrow. Sending you positive thoughts that everything works out smoothly! 🤞

I'm new to this community but wanted to share my experience since I went through something similar last year. I applied for CalWORKs and my ex-husband decided he wanted to start paying child support regularly right after I got approved (he had been very inconsistent before). I was terrified about fraud accusations too, but when I called my worker and explained the situation, she was actually really understanding. She said changes in circumstances happen all the time and the important thing is reporting them promptly. I ended up keeping the benefits and just reported his support as income, which reduced my cash aid but I still qualified for some assistance. The key thing that helped me was being completely transparent about the timeline - I told them exactly when the conversation happened and that it was after my approval. Having that documentation really put my mind at ease. Whatever you decide to do (cancel or keep with reported income), just make sure you document everything and be upfront about the timing. You're clearly acting in good faith here, which is what matters most. Good luck!

I'm also new here but wanted to add my perspective as someone who works in social services (not CalWORKs specifically, but similar programs). What you're describing is absolutely NOT fraud - fraud requires intentional deception, and you clearly told the truth during your interview based on what you knew at that time. Changes in family support are incredibly common right after someone applies for benefits. Sometimes it's because family members didn't realize how much the person was struggling, sometimes it's because they have mixed feelings about government assistance. Your caseworker has probably seen this exact scenario dozens of times. A few practical tips from what I've observed: - Document the conversation with your husband (date, time, what was discussed) - If you decide to keep benefits, report the new income within 10 days as required - Be prepared to provide details about the amount and frequency of his support - Keep records of any actual financial help he provides You have two perfectly valid options: cancel the benefits or keep them and report the income change. Either way, you're following the rules. Don't let anxiety make this decision for you - think about what makes the most sense for your family's long-term stability.