Just wanted to chime in as someone who's been through several recertifications across different counties - the experiences shared here really highlight how much variation there can be in the process! I've lived in both Riverside and Orange County while on CalWORKs, and I noticed that each county (and sometimes even individual workers) can have slightly different approaches to verification. In Riverside, my worker was very by-the-book and asked for bank statements during one recertification when I had reported a small inheritance. In Orange County, my current worker tends to be more flexible and usually only asks for additional documentation if something seems inconsistent with previous reports. One thing I've learned is that building a good relationship with your worker really helps. When I switched counties, I made sure to introduce myself properly at my first appointment and asked about any specific documentation preferences they had. It's made subsequent recertifications much smoother because we both know what to expect. For anyone still feeling nervous about the process - remember that CalWORKs workers see hundreds of cases, and they're usually pretty good at distinguishing between genuine mistakes or unusual circumstances versus intentional non-compliance. As long as you're making a good faith effort to report accurately and provide requested documentation, most workers will work with you to resolve any questions that come up.

This entire thread has been so educational! I'm scheduled for my first CalWORKs recertification in a few weeks and was really anxious about what documents they might ask for. Reading everyone's experiences has helped me understand that the bank statement requests aren't automatic for everyone - it really depends on your specific situation and any changes you've reported. I especially appreciate the advice about keeping records of unusual deposits and having explanations ready. I received some money from selling old furniture last month and was worried about how to explain that, but now I know I should just be upfront about it and keep any documentation (like the Facebook Marketplace messages) that shows it was a legitimate one-time sale. It's also reassuring to know that different counties handle things differently, so I shouldn't assume my experience will be exactly like someone else's. I'm definitely going to follow the advice about asking my worker about their specific documentation preferences when I go in. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community is such a great resource for navigating the system!

One more tip - when you reapply, you can actually request a reasonable accommodation based on your disability. This means they can give you extra time to submit documents, help you fill out forms, or even do a phone interview instead of requiring you to come in person if your back injury makes it difficult to travel. Just be sure to mention your need for accommodation when you apply.

I just went through this exact situation 6 months ago! Definitely reapply - don't waste time with an appeal. Since your income changed due to becoming disabled, that's a completely new circumstance and appeals won't help you here. When you reapply, make sure to bring your SDI award letter as proof of your new income level. Also ask about expedited processing since you have a young child and are dealing with a disability. In my county they processed my reapplication in about 10 days once I had all the right paperwork. Pro tip: Since you're now on disability, you'll likely qualify for the disability exemption from work requirements, which means you won't have to do job search or training activities while you're recovering. This is a huge relief when you're already dealing with health issues! Good luck - you've got this! Your situation is exactly what these programs are designed to help with.

This whole thread is so validating and helpful! I just joined this community a few weeks ago and I'm about 2 months into getting CalWORKs. I actually bookmarked this thread after reading through everyone's experiences because I know I'm going to need to reference these tips again. What really struck me is how @Mateo Rodriguez mentioned getting 2-3 calls per week from clients with this exact confusion - that really shows this isn't a "user error" problem, it's a system design problem. The fact that so many people independently go through the same panic suggests the orientation process is seriously lacking. I love all the practical solutions people have shared - the sticky note idea, saving the EBT number with button instructions, testing both account types right away. These are the kinds of real-world tips that actually help families navigate the system successfully. The community EBT guide idea that @Chloe Martin and others mentioned sounds incredible. I'd definitely be interested in helping contribute to something like that. Between everyone's experiences here, we could probably create something more useful than any official materials. It could include things like: how to check both balances, where you can/can't use cash benefits, what to do if money is actually missing vs just on the wrong account, and maybe even common error messages and what they mean. @Paolo Romano thank you so much for sharing your experience and starting this conversation - this thread is going to help so many people avoid that same panic!

This thread is absolutely incredible and so needed! I just got approved for CalWORKs about 3 weeks ago and had almost this exact same panic attack last Friday. I was at the ATM trying to get cash for groceries and kept seeing $0.00, meanwhile my caseworker had left me a message saying my payment was processed. I was literally shaking thinking something went wrong with my case. I ended up calling my mom crying, and she suggested maybe there were different accounts on the card - turns out she was right! I had been checking my food balance the whole time instead of my cash balance. Found my money immediately once I pressed the right button. The most frustrating part is that when I picked up my EBT card, they literally just handed it to me with a pamphlet and said "call this number if you have problems." No explanation about two different balances, no walkthrough of how anything works. I felt so stupid for not knowing, but reading everyone's experiences here makes me realize this is a massive system failure, not a personal one. I'm definitely interested in helping create that community EBT guide everyone's talking about! We could save so many families from going through this unnecessary stress. The tips shared in this thread are already more helpful than anything official I've received. Thank you @Paolo Romano for sharing your experience and starting such an important conversation - this is exactly why communities like this are so valuable!

This thread has been incredibly eye-opening for me! I just submitted my CalWORKs application yesterday and honestly had no idea that system outages could cause missed interview calls like this. @Tasia I can only imagine how terrifying that must have been - waiting by the phone and then panicking when they didn't call! Reading through everyone's experiences and advice has been like getting a crash course in how to navigate the system properly. I'm definitely going to start documenting everything from day one - taking screenshots, keeping detailed logs with dates and times, and getting worker ID numbers. The tip about that callback service is interesting too, though I hope I won't need it! It's so reassuring to know that when technical issues happen on their end, the workers are usually understanding about it. Thank you for sharing your story and the update - it really helps those of us just starting out know what to expect and how to be prepared. This community is amazing for supporting each other through these challenges!

I'm so glad I found this thread! I literally just got my CalWORKs approval notice in the mail today and have been feeling really overwhelmed about what to expect going forward. Reading about @Tasia's experience with the missed interview call and how it turned out to be just a system outage has been both educational and reassuring. I had no idea that technical issues on their end could cause these kinds of problems! All the advice everyone shared about documenting everything - taking screenshots of call logs, keeping detailed records, getting worker ID numbers - is so incredibly helpful. I'm definitely going to start a organized file with all my CalWORKs paperwork and implement these strategies from day one. It's also really comforting to know that workers are usually understanding when technical problems happen on their end, and that there are backup options like going to the office in person or using callback services if needed. This community is such an amazing resource for navigating what can be a really confusing system. Thank you @Tasia for sharing your story and keeping us updated on how it got resolved - it really helps newcomers like me feel more prepared and less anxious about the whole process!

I'm so glad I found this thread! I'm in the exact same boat - currently getting CalFresh and considering applying for CalWORKs but was terrified about losing my food benefits. Everyone's real experiences and actual numbers are incredibly helpful. It sounds like even though CalFresh drops, having both programs together gives you way more total support and flexibility. The tip about asking the caseworker to explain the calculation during the interview is gold - I would never have thought to do that. Also really appreciate the heads up about keeping records and taking screenshots of current benefit amounts for comparison. This community is amazing for breaking down all the confusing government stuff into real talk that actually makes sense. Thank you all for sharing your experiences!

I just went through this process a few months ago and can confirm what everyone is saying - yes, your CalFresh will decrease when you get CalWORKs, but you'll definitely have more money overall! In my case, my CalFresh went from $580 to about $410 when I started getting $750 in cash aid, so I ended up with about $580 more per month total. The biggest game-changer for me was being able to use the cash for things like my car insurance, phone bill, and kids' school supplies that I was previously struggling to cover. One thing that really helped was asking my caseworker during the interview to walk me through exactly how they calculate the new amounts - she even showed me the formula they use (roughly 30 cents reduction for every dollar of new income). Also, don't stress too much about the paperwork - BenefitsCal actually makes it pretty straightforward to apply for both programs at the same time. You're making a smart decision to apply for both - the combination gives you so much more flexibility to actually cover all your monthly expenses instead of constantly juggling which bills to pay!