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I'm dealing with the same issue right now - my payment is 5 days late and I'm getting really worried. I called the main number yesterday and actually got through to someone after about an hour wait (kept hitting redial when it disconnected). The worker told me there's been a statewide system glitch affecting payments processed between March 19-22, which explains why so many of us are having problems this month. She said they're working on it but couldn't give me an exact timeline. Really frustrating when you're counting on that money for basic necessities. At least knowing it's a widespread issue makes me feel less like it's something wrong with my specific case. Hang in there everyone - sounds like we're all in this together!
Thanks for sharing that info about the statewide system glitch! That actually makes me feel a lot better knowing it's not just me or something I did wrong with my case. An hour wait is brutal but at least you got through to someone who could explain what's happening. Did they say if there's anything we can do to speed up the process or do we just have to wait it out? Really appreciate you taking the time to call and share what you found out with the rest of us!
I'm going through the exact same thing right now - my payment was supposed to come 4 days ago and nothing! I've been calling nonstop but keep getting the busy signal or getting disconnected after waiting forever. It's so stressful because I need to pay utilities and buy groceries for my kids. Reading through all these comments makes me feel less alone though - sounds like this system glitch is affecting a lot of us. I'm going to try that Claimyr service someone mentioned and also see if I can get to my local office in person tomorrow. Really hoping this gets resolved soon because I can't keep waiting much longer. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences and tips!
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This is such a frustrating situation and I feel for you! I went through something similar when I first learned about this policy. One thing that might help with your decision - you can always apply for CalWORKs and then discontinue it later if your ex becomes more consistent with payments. The system allows you to close your case voluntarily, and then all future child support would come directly to you. It's not ideal to have to make these calculations, but at least you have some flexibility to adjust as your circumstances change. Also, don't forget that even though they keep most of the child support, they're still actively pursuing collection from your ex through wage garnishments, tax intercepts, etc. - enforcement you might not be able to do as effectively on your own.
That's a really good point about being able to close the case later if things change! I hadn't thought about that flexibility. You're also right that having the county do the enforcement is probably way more effective than me trying to chase him down myself - he's ignored me plenty of times but probably can't ignore wage garnishments. This gives me a better perspective on weighing the pros and cons. I think I'm going to go ahead and apply, especially since I really need help right now, and then see how it goes. Thanks for the encouragement!
I've been on CalWORKs for about 8 months now and can confirm everything people are saying about the child support policy. It's definitely frustrating at first, but I wanted to add that the county's child support services are actually pretty aggressive about collecting - way more than I could ever be on my own. My ex went from sporadic payments to having his wages garnished automatically. Sure, I only get the $50 pass-through, but at least I KNOW I'm getting something every month now instead of wondering if he'll decide to pay or not. Also, like others mentioned, make sure you ask about ALL the benefits when you apply - the childcare assistance alone saved me like $800/month, which more than makes up for the child support they keep. The system isn't perfect, but when you're in a tough spot it can really help stabilize things while you get back on your feet.
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This whole thread has been incredibly helpful! As someone who's been on CalWORKs for about a year now, I've always been terrified about reporting any extra money because I wasn't sure how it would be handled. Seeing Morgan's real experience - from the initial worry through to getting actual confirmation from her caseworker - really shows how the system is supposed to work when you're honest about everything. What really stands out to me is how different people had different experiences or heard different things, but the folks who seemed most knowledgeable (like Eli and Kaylee) were consistent about the actual rules. It makes me realize how important it is to get information from reliable sources rather than just going off what someone heard happened to someone else. I'm definitely bookmarking this thread for future reference. The breakdown of how one-time gifts vs. recurring income works, the IRT thresholds, and even the processing timeframes - this is exactly the kind of practical information that's so hard to find clearly explained anywhere else. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences, especially Morgan for the follow-up!
I completely agree with everything you said, Victoria! This thread really is a goldmine of practical information that you just can't find explained this clearly in official documentation. What struck me most was seeing how the initial panic (which I think we've all felt) can actually be resolved when you understand how the system really works. The distinction between one-time gifts and recurring income is something I wish they explained better when you first sign up for CalWORKs. I've been on benefits for a few months now and honestly had no clue about any of this until reading through everyone's experiences here. Morgan's journey from worry to resolution really shows why this community is so valuable - we can share real experiences and help each other navigate these situations with actual facts rather than just fear and rumors. I'm definitely saving this thread too, and I feel much more confident now about being transparent on my SAR 7 forms going forward!
This thread is exactly what I needed to read today! I'm in almost the identical situation - my aunt gave me $700 last month to help with my car insurance and utilities, and I've been absolutely panicking about whether to report it on my upcoming SAR 7. Reading through Morgan's experience from start to finish has been so reassuring. What really helped me understand is how several people explained the difference between one-time gifts and ongoing income. I think I was confusing CalWORKs rules with some other programs I'd heard about. The fact that Morgan stayed under her IRT even with the gift and everything worked out fine gives me hope that my situation will be similar. I'm definitely going to report the $700 from my aunt now. My IRT is $2,100 and my regular income last month was only $950, so even with the gift I should be well under the threshold. It's scary to be transparent when you're worried about losing benefits, but everyone's experiences here show that honesty really is the safest approach. Thank you to everyone who shared their stories and knowledge - this community is such a lifeline when you're trying to navigate these systems!
You're absolutely making the right choice by reporting it, Talia! Your situation sounds very similar to Morgan's - you're well under your IRT even with the gift included, which is the key factor. That $700 from your aunt combined with your $950 regular income puts you at $1,650, still $450 under your threshold, so you should be in good shape. It's completely understandable to feel nervous about reporting extra money, but as this whole thread shows, being upfront protects you much better than trying to hide it. Plus, you're doing exactly what the system expects - reporting all income honestly so they can make accurate benefit calculations. The worst case scenario based on everyone's experiences here would be a small temporary reduction in your next payment, but since you're so far under your IRT, you might not see any change at all. Either way, your ongoing eligibility should be fine. You've got this!
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One thing nobody mentioned yet - if you've been on CalWORKs for a while, be careful about your 48-month time limit. You might want to consider asking for an exemption during really tough times (like now) so you don't use up your months when you really need them. There are exemptions for various reasons including lack of childcare, domestic violence, caring for an ill family member, etc. Those exempt months won't count against your lifetime limit.
That's a really good point. I've used about 30 months so far and have been worried about hitting that limit. I think I might qualify for the childcare exemption since I can't find anyone affordable to watch my youngest when I work evening shifts.
This whole situation is so frustrating! I'm in the same boat - that extra payment was helping me cover my daughter's after-school program so I could work more hours. Now I had to pull her out and I'm back to part-time only. Has anyone had luck with the county's emergency rental assistance? I heard they have some funds left but the application process is confusing. Also wondering if anyone knows about getting help with car repairs - mine needs new brakes but I can't afford it and need it to get to my WTW activities. Hang in there everyone, we'll figure this out together. It shouldn't be this hard just to keep a roof over our kids' heads.
NeonNova
So glad you got it resolved! This is super helpful info for anyone else who might run into the same issue. The automatic fraud protection makes sense but it's frustrating when you're trying to pay rent and don't know why your card suddenly won't work at ATMs. Good to know that calling EBT customer service directly (not the county office) can fix these blocks immediately. Definitely saving this thread for future reference!
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Faith Kingston
•This is exactly the kind of situation that can cause so much stress when you're already dealing with tight finances! Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences here - it's so helpful to know that this fraud protection thing is apparently pretty common. I had no idea that using your EBT card in a different county could trigger a security block. Makes me wonder if there's a way to notify them ahead of time when you're traveling to avoid this issue? Either way, great that you got it sorted out in time for rent!
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Norah Quay
This is such valuable information! I've been on CalWORKs for about 8 months and had no idea that using your EBT card in a different county could trigger an automatic fraud protection block. That's really good to know for future reference. I travel to see family in other counties pretty regularly and would have been completely confused if this happened to me. Thanks for sharing the resolution - it's so helpful to know that EBT customer service can remove these blocks immediately over the phone. The distinction between calling EBT customer service versus the county office is really important too. Glad you got your rent situation sorted out!
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Mia Roberts
•This whole thread has been such an eye-opener! I'm pretty new to the CalWORKs system and honestly had no clue about any of these potential issues. The fraud protection triggering from out-of-county use seems like something they should warn people about when you first get your card. It's crazy how something as simple as visiting family can suddenly block your ability to get cash for essential things like rent. Really grateful for communities like this where people actually share real solutions instead of just complaining. Definitely bookmarking this post - feels like required reading for anyone with an EBT card!
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