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This is such a helpful thread! I just want to add that if you're having trouble reaching your eligibility worker by phone, you can also try sending them a secure message through your county's online portal if they have one. Some counties have gotten better about responding to those within 24-48 hours. Also, when you do get through to your worker, ask them to explain what verification documents you need to submit on a regular basis and when they're due. I started keeping a calendar reminder for all my CalWORKs deadlines after going through this same cash aid hold situation twice! It's so much less stressful when you know what's coming up and can stay ahead of the deadlines. The fact that your CalFresh still works is actually a good sign - it means your case isn't closed, just temporarily held for that specific verification. Once you get that school attendance form processed, everything should go back to normal!
This is really solid advice about keeping track of deadlines! I wish someone had told me this when I first started receiving benefits. I've been scrambling to figure out what documents I need and when they're due. One thing I'd add is to also ask your worker for their direct phone number and extension if possible. Some workers are better about returning calls than others, but having that direct line can save you from going through the main county number every time. Also, if your worker is out or unavailable, ask to speak with their supervisor or another worker in the unit who can access your case. The online portal suggestion is great too - my county just started offering that and it's been a lifesaver for submitting documents without having to go in person or deal with fax machines that never seem to work!
I'm dealing with something similar right now! My EBT card works perfectly for CalFresh but I haven't been able to access my Cash Aid for almost a week. Reading through all these responses is making me realize I probably have a verification hold too. I think I remember getting a letter about needing to submit some kind of income verification, but honestly I get so many letters from the county that I sometimes lose track of what needs to be turned in when. Does anyone know if they give you a specific deadline on those verification requests, or is it just "submit as soon as possible"? Also, I'm curious - if your Cash Aid gets put on hold like this, do you still accrue the benefits for those days, or do you lose that money completely? Like if it takes a week to get the hold removed, will I get that week's worth of benefits or is it just gone? Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences - it's really helpful to know this is a common issue and not something more serious with my case!
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I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago! The confusing part is that CalWORKs and CalFresh are processed by different departments even though they use the same SAR-7 form. What probably happened is CalFresh processed your missed report first and cut you off, but CalWORKs hasn't gotten to it yet in their system. The February payment you got might actually be legitimate if it was issued before they processed the discontinuance, but you're definitely at risk of them demanding it back as an overpayment. I'd recommend calling your worker and being upfront about the situation - explain that you thought the SAR-7 only affected CalFresh and that's why you didn't realize the urgency. Most workers appreciate honesty and might work with you on avoiding penalties. Also, keep detailed records of when you submit everything and any conversations you have with county staff. If they do try to collect an overpayment later, having documentation of your good faith efforts to fix the mistake can really help your case. Don't panic, but definitely don't delay getting that form submitted!
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! It's really helpful to know that the departments process things separately - that explains why I was so confused about why one stopped and the other didn't. I already submitted my SAR-7 yesterday with an explanation note, and I'm keeping copies of everything like you suggested. It's such a relief to hear from people who've been through the same thing and came out okay on the other side. Hopefully my worker will be understanding too. I really appreciate everyone in this community being so supportive - navigating these benefit systems can feel so overwhelming when you're doing it alone!
I'm so glad to see this community helping each other out! As someone who's been receiving CalWORKs for over 2 years, I can tell you that missing SAR-7s is unfortunately pretty common and the system definitely doesn't make it easy to understand. What happened to you is exactly what I've seen happen to friends - CalFresh gets cut immediately but CalWORKs sometimes takes longer to process the discontinuance. The good news is that you acted quickly once you realized what was happening! I've learned to set phone reminders for the 1st of every report month so I never forget again. One tip that's helped me: if you're ever unsure about reporting requirements, you can usually find your current SAR-7 due date printed on your most recent CalWORKs payment stub. It sounds like you're doing everything right by submitting the form with an explanation. Even if there are some hiccups getting everything restored, you're way better off than if you had just ignored it completely. Keep us posted on how it goes - your experience will definitely help other people in similar situations!
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UPDATE: I finally got through to my worker! Went to the police station this morning and filed a report, then called CalWORKs about 20 times until I finally got through. My worker sent me the CW 2215 form and I filled it out right away. She said they have to investigate but should replace the benefits within 10 business days. I'm still stressed about making rent, but she referred me to an emergency assistance program that might help with that. Thanks everyone for your advice - will update again when I hear about my replacement benefits!
thats great!!! fingers crossed u get it soon. the waiting is the worst part!
Great work! Make sure to follow up in a week if you haven't heard anything. And save all your documentation in case there are any issues with your claim.
I'm so glad you were able to get through to your worker and file all the paperwork! That's the hardest part. For future reference (and for anyone else reading this), here are some tips to protect your EBT card from skimming: - Cover your PIN when entering it at ATMs - Use ATMs inside banks or stores rather than standalone ones when possible - Check your balance regularly through the app or by calling the number - If an ATM seems suspicious or your card gets "stuck," don't use it The skimming devices are getting more sophisticated, so this can happen to anyone. You did everything right by acting quickly once you noticed. Hoping your replacement benefits come through soon and you can get that emergency rent assistance sorted out!
Thank you for those prevention tips! I had no idea about covering my PIN or avoiding standalone ATMs. I usually just use whatever ATM is closest without thinking about it. This whole experience has been such a nightmare but at least now I know what to do if it happens again (hopefully it never does). Do you know if there's a way to set up alerts when money gets taken out of your EBT account? That might help catch fraud faster next time.
Yes! You can set up text alerts through the ebtEDGE mobile app or by calling the EBT customer service number. They'll send you notifications for transactions, low balances, and other account activity. It's free and really helpful for catching fraud early. You can also check your balance and recent transactions anytime through the app without having to call or find an ATM. Definitely recommend setting this up once you get your replacement card!
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Hey everyone! I'm fairly new here but wanted to jump in because this conversation is so important. As someone who works with families navigating benefits, I see this confusion about CalWORKs income limits ALL the time. @Yara Khoury - you're definitely not alone in this! The $6k vs $3k confusion happens because different programs have wildly different income limits. It's honestly ridiculous how complicated they make it. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - if your income varies month to month (like with freelance work), make sure your worker is calculating your eligibility correctly. They should be looking at your actual monthly income, not projecting based on one high-earning month. Also, if you just started earning more, there might be a grace period or transition benefits available. The system really does set families up to fail with these benefit cliffs. You shouldn't have to choose between earning enough to survive and keeping assistance that helps your family. Have you looked into any local emergency assistance programs while you figure this out? Many counties have short-term help for families transitioning off CalWORKs.
Thank you @Nia Thompson! You're absolutely right about the income variation issue. My freelance work is pretty inconsistent - some months I might make $1000 extra, other months nothing. I never thought about whether they were projecting based on my highest month vs looking at actual monthly income. That could definitely be part of the problem. I'll make sure to bring this up when I talk to them. Do you know if there's a specific way they're supposed to calculate variable income? And yes, I should look into local emergency assistance - we're really struggling right now with rent and everything else. Thanks for the advice and for pointing out how messed up this whole system is!
I'm new to this community but going through something very similar right now! I have 5 kids and just got my CalWORKs discontinued last month after my work hours increased. Like you, I was so confused about the income limits - my caseworker had told me different numbers at different times and I couldn't figure out what was accurate. What really helped me was going to my local legal aid office. They have advocates who specialize in benefits and they helped me understand that CalWORKs uses something called "prospective budgeting" - meaning they estimate your future income based on recent earnings. If you have irregular income, they're supposed to average it over a reasonable period, not just use your highest month. The legal aid advocate also helped me file an appeal and request a "continuing benefits pending" hearing, which means you can keep getting benefits while the appeal is being decided. You might still have time to do this if it hasn't been too long since your benefits stopped. I know how overwhelming this all is, especially when you're trying to take care of 7 people. The income limits really are impossibly low for California's cost of living. Hang in there and definitely try to get some advocacy help if you can - it made all the difference for me!
Welcome @Amina Toure! This is exactly the kind of information I needed to hear. I had no idea about "prospective budgeting" or that they're supposed to average irregular income instead of just using the highest month. That could definitely be what happened to me since my freelance income varies so much. The legal aid office sounds like a great resource - do you know if most counties have this or how to find one? And thank you for mentioning the "continuing benefits pending" option! I didn't know that was a thing. My benefits stopped about 3 weeks ago so hopefully it's not too late. It's so frustrating that we have to become experts in all these rules and procedures just to get basic help for our families. But I'm really grateful for this community and people like you sharing what actually works. Thank you for the hope and practical advice! 🙏
Diez Ellis
Great news! This is very typical - the system updates overnight and payments process early morning on the scheduled date. Glad everything worked out!
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Charlee Coleman
So glad to hear your payment came through on time! This is exactly why I always tell people not to panic if the pending deposit doesn't show up right away. The EBT system is notorious for not displaying pending amounts until literally hours before they hit your account. I've been on CalWORKs for 3 years now and have learned that as long as your case status shows "active" after submitting your SAR, you're almost always good to go. The anxiety is real though - I totally get how stressful it is when rent is due and you're waiting on that deposit!
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Dylan Mitchell
•This is so reassuring to read! I'm actually new to CalWORKs and just got approved last month. I haven't had to do my first SAR yet but I'm already nervous about it after reading all these posts. It's good to know that the "active" status is the key thing to look for. The whole system seems pretty confusing for newcomers like me - there are so many acronyms and processes to learn. Thanks for sharing your experience about the 3 years on the program, it helps to hear from someone who's been through this cycle multiple times!
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