I hope everyone affected by this files a complaint with the state. Go to cdss.ca.gov and find the complaint form. The more of us that complain, the more pressure there is to fix these ongoing system problems. They can't keep leaving families stranded like this!

I'm so sorry this happened to you! As a single mom who's been on CalWORKs for 2 years, I know exactly how terrifying it is when you can't access your benefits right before rent is due. The system failures are way too common and they never seem to learn from them. Since you got confirmation from your worker about the system issue, I'd suggest also asking them for a formal letter on county letterhead that you can give to your landlord. Some landlords are more understanding when they see official documentation. Also, if your landlord does charge you a late fee because of this, keep all the documentation - the county should reimburse you since it's their system failure, not anything you did wrong. Hang in there! This community has really good advice and we're all rooting for you to get through this. 💙

UPDATE: I called this morning after trying 5 times yesterday and getting disconnected. Finally got through and requested the diaper benefit. The worker confirmed I qualify and said they'll add it going back to when my daughter was born! Should see the payment in about 2 weeks. Thank you everyone for your help! I never would have known about this if I hadn't asked here.

Congratulations on getting approved! That's awesome that you'll get the back pay from when your daughter was born - that should be around $270 if my math is right ($30 x 9 months). For anyone else reading this thread who might be in a similar situation, here's what I learned when I got the diaper benefit for my son: - Call early in the morning (around 8-8:30am) to have the best chance of getting through - Have your child's full name and birthdate ready when you call - Ask specifically for "CalWORKs Diaper Assistance" - some workers know it by different names - Keep notes of when you called and who you spoke with in case there are any issues Also want to echo what others said about asking about ALL the benefits you might qualify for. I found out I was missing out on the childcare benefit too, which has been a huge help. These programs exist to help us but they really don't make it easy to know what's available!

UPDATE: My Cash Aid just posted to my account this morning! The supervisor was right about the overnight deposit timing. Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions. For anyone dealing with this in the future - they really do seem to process Cash Aid and CalFresh separately, and the system does update overnight.

Congratulations on getting your benefits! This is such a helpful thread for others going through the same situation. I'm dealing with a similar Cash Aid restoration right now (day 2 of waiting) and this gives me hope that the overnight processing really does happen. It's so stressful when you're depending on these benefits and the timing feels uncertain. Thanks for taking the time to update everyone - it really helps to know the supervisor's timeline was actually accurate in your case!

ur gonna get less $ for sure. system punishes u when someone works. my sister added her bf back and lost half her cash aid. they dont care if u cant pay rent. smh

I went through something similar when my boyfriend moved back in after we worked things out. The advice here is spot on - you really need to report this ASAP. I waited about 6 weeks to report and ended up owing back $450 in overpayments. The county worker was actually pretty understanding when I explained we had just reconciled, but they still had to follow the rules. One thing that helped me was gathering all the paperwork before I called - his pay stubs, proof of when he moved back in (I used our lease amendment), and his work schedule. Having everything ready made the appointment go much smoother. Also, ask your worker about the Transitional CalFresh benefits - sometimes when your cash aid goes down, you might qualify for other help to ease the transition. Good luck and don't stress too much about it. You're doing the right thing by reporting it, even if it means less money. At least you'll know exactly where you stand financially.

also check out if ur local WIC office gives diaper vouchers cuz some do now

I went through this exact same situation with my twins last year! What ended up working for me was connecting with my local community resource center - they had partnerships with several organizations that provide diapers regardless of your CalWORKs status. Also, don't give up on the CalWORKs route yet. Like others mentioned, make sure they're calculating ALL your deductions correctly. I was initially told I didn't qualify, but when I brought documentation of my childcare costs and transportation expenses, it changed everything. In the meantime, check out these resources: - Local food banks often have diaper programs - Churches sometimes run diaper pantries (even if you're not a member) - Facebook mom groups in your area - they often share info about diaper drives and giveaways - Some pediatrician offices keep sample diapers they'll give to families in need Hang in there mama, there are people and programs out there to help bridge this gap!