UPDATE: I was able to get the verification through BenefitsCal! For anyone else who might need this, here's what I did: 1. Logged into BenefitsCal 2. Went to "My Benefits" section 3. Found "Proof of Benefits" on the sidebar 4. Selected CalWORKs (they had options for different benefits) 5. Downloaded the PDF and printed it It has all the info my kid's program needed - household members, benefit amount, and it's on official letterhead. Thanks everyone for your help! 💕

@Kendrick Webb So happy you were able to get it sorted! This is such valuable info for other parents in similar situations. I've been in this exact spot before - needing official documentation on a tight timeline while juggling work schedules. It's really stressful! One thing I'd add for anyone else reading this thread: if you run into issues with BenefitsCal being slow or glitchy (which does happen sometimes), try logging in during off-peak hours like early morning or late evening. I've found the system runs much smoother when fewer people are using it. Also keep your case number handy when you log in - sometimes it speeds up the process. Thanks for taking the time to post the step-by-step instructions. That kind of detailed help is exactly what this community needs! 🙏

That's great news! Thanks for updating the thread - it's helpful for others to see these situations resolved. For future reference, try to submit your SAR 7 by the 5th of your SAR month (even though technically due by the 11th) to avoid this stress next time. The earlier you submit, the more time there is to fix any issues.

This is such a relief to read your update! I'm actually going through something similar right now - my SAR 7 got processed last week but I'm still worried about my payment coming through on time. Your post gave me hope that even when the BenefitsCal system doesn't update properly, the benefits can still arrive as scheduled. Definitely going to use that EBT phone tip to check Friday night. So happy your son got his birthday celebration! The stress of waiting for benefits when you have urgent needs is absolutely awful, but it sounds like you handled it perfectly.

wait i didnt even know this was a thing!!! my daughter is 2 and ive been on calworks for a year… does anyone know if theres a form on benefitscal for this or do u have to call?

I just went through this exact same situation last month! I have a 15-month-old and was shocked to find out I'd been missing out on $30/month for over a year. When I called my worker, she said the diaper benefit should have been added automatically when my case started, but there was some kind of system glitch. The good news is they gave me all the backpay from when my daughter was born - it was like getting a $360 check! Definitely call ASAP because the longer you wait, the more money you're missing out on. And don't let them tell you it's "per family" - I had one worker try to tell me that but it's absolutely per child under 3. Pro tip: when you call, ask them to email or mail you a summary of what they added to your case so you have it in writing. That way if there are any issues later, you have proof of what was discussed.

For future reference - once you get your PIN situation sorted out, I recommend writing it down somewhere secure (not in your phone). Also, make sure to create your online BenefitsCal account if you haven't already. Between the two, you should always have a way to check your benefits status. The online system is actually much more reliable than the phone system, and you can see your SAR7 due dates, verification requirements, and benefit amounts all in one place.

I went through this exact same nightmare about 6 months ago! The county PIN system is so poorly explained when you first apply. What helped me was calling first thing in the morning (like 8:00 AM sharp) when the phone lines open - I had better luck getting through to a real person instead of getting stuck in the automated system. Also, if you can't get to the office during regular hours, some counties have evening or Saturday hours once a month. Might be worth checking if yours does that. The whole system is frustrating but once you get that PIN reset, write it down somewhere safe because you'll definitely need it again!

Yes! If you're doing education for your WTW hours, definitely bring your current class schedule, enrollment verification, and any progress reports you have. Your worker will need to verify you're meeting your participation requirements as part of redetermination. And yes, statements for all accounts, even if they have a low balance. They look at everything during annual redetermination.

So glad you got through to your worker and got it sorted out! This is exactly why I always tell people to ask questions here first - the community knows so much more than the confusing notices they send us. Good luck with your phone interview next week! Pro tip: have all your documents organized and ready before the call starts. They sometimes ask for specific numbers or dates on the spot, and it's way less stressful when you're prepared. You've got this!