ok update - i just txted my cousin who works for san benito county (next to monterey) and she said right now ALL counties are backed up with benefit theft claims cuz theres been a huge spike in EBT fraud. so monterey aint the only slow one fyi

I'm so sorry this happened to you! I went through the same thing in Monterey County about 6 months ago. The wait was absolutely nerve-wracking, especially with bills piling up. What really helped me was documenting everything - I kept a log of every phone call, who I spoke with, and what they told me. Also, if you haven't already, make sure you request a card replacement in addition to the benefit replacement. They're separate processes and you'll need the new card to access your benefits once they're restored. One more thing - see if your local food bank or churches have emergency assistance programs while you wait. I found a few places that helped with groceries so I could save whatever little money I had left for rent. Hang in there, you'll get through this!

Thanks everyone for your helpful replies. I called the office using that service someone mentioned and FINALLY got through to my worker. Turns out they had processed my SAR 7 two weeks ago but never updated the status in the system! She said everything is fine and my redetermination appointment is still scheduled for next month. Such a relief but so frustrating that I spent all this time worrying for nothing.

So glad you got it sorted out! This is exactly why I always tell people to keep that receipt when you turn in paperwork - it's literally your lifeline if something goes wrong. The fact that their system shows "pending" when it was actually processed weeks ago just shows how unreliable their tracking is. At least now you know for future reference that the online status might not reflect reality. Good luck with your redetermination appointment!

Wow, this is exactly what I'm dealing with right now too! My CalWORKs got cut off two weeks ago in Riverside County and I'm still trying to figure out what happened. Reading through all these responses is so helpful - I had no idea about the expedited processing option or that I could get my worker's direct number. The address issue you mentioned is concerning because I moved about 6 months ago and thought I updated everything properly. Now I'm wondering if that's why I didn't get any notices either. I'm definitely going to call tomorrow and specifically ask them to verify they have my correct address in ALL their systems. Thanks for sharing your experience and keeping us updated! It gives me hope that this can actually get resolved relatively quickly if I stay on top of it. I'm also going to check out that Claimyr service someone mentioned since I've been trying to call DPSS for days with no luck.

I went through this exact same situation in Riverside County about 8 months ago and it was incredibly stressful! My benefits got cut off without warning and when I finally got to speak with someone, they told me they had sent multiple notices to an address I hadn't lived at in over a year. What really helped me was going to the office in person with ALL my documents - lease, utility bills, pay stubs, everything - even if they didn't specifically ask for them. The worker was able to see exactly what was missing from my file and we got it sorted out right there. I also made sure to get a receipt showing I had submitted everything. One tip I wish someone had told me: ask for a supervisor if the first worker you talk to seems unhelpful or gives you conflicting information. I wasted two weeks getting the runaround from one worker who kept telling me different things, but the supervisor was able to expedite my case once she reviewed it. My benefits were restored in about 12 days and I did get retroactive payments for the time I was without them. Hang in there - I know how scary it is when you have kids to feed and rent to pay, but it will get resolved!

I'm sorry you're going through this stress! I've been on CalWORKs for about 2 years now and had a similar scare once. Since you got your SAR 7 in before the end of the month, you should be okay - the system is designed to handle this exact situation. One thing that really helped me was going to the office in person with a copy of my lease showing my rent due date. I explained my situation to the front desk and they were able to get me an emergency appointment same day. The worker told me that having a child's illness is definitely considered "good cause" for late submission. Also, if you do end up with a delay in benefits, talk to your landlord ASAP. Many landlords are understanding if you can show them documentation that benefits are just delayed, not cancelled. Sometimes they'll accept partial payment or give you a few extra days if you're upfront about it. Keep us posted on how it goes! Sending you good vibes that everything works out.

Hey Aria, I just wanted to share my recent experience that might help ease your worries. I turned in my SAR 7 about a week late last month (my mom was hospitalized and I was at the hospital with her constantly). I was terrified about losing benefits, but here's what happened: I called the main CalWORKs line and explained it was a medical emergency with good cause. The worker I spoke to was actually really understanding and put a priority flag on my case. My benefits came through just 2 days late - not ideal, but way better than I expected. The key things that helped me: 1) I called multiple times until I got someone who could actually help (not just take a message), 2) I had my documentation ready (hospital paperwork showing the dates), and 3) I emphasized that it was preventing a housing crisis. Since your son's illness is definitely good cause and you got it in within the same month, I think you have a really good chance of getting your benefits processed without major delays. The fact that you've never been late before should work in your favor too - they can see you're normally compliant. Hang in there! The system isn't perfect but it does have protections for situations exactly like yours.

THIS IS Y I RECORD EVRYTHING!!! I had a supervisor lie 2 my face about sum paperwork so now i record all phone calls (california is 2 party consent so u gotta tell them). but soon as they know ur recording suddenly they start following the rules funny how that works lol

Just checking back - have you had any success with any of these approaches? If nothing else has worked, I wanted to add one more suggestion: file for a rehearing based on the county's failure to comply. This is an official process where you tell the State Hearings Division that the county hasn't implemented the decision. They can then issue an order compelling compliance and potentially even imposing sanctions on the county. The rehearing request form is here: https://cdss.ca.gov/cdssweb/entres/forms/English/DPA531.pdf Make sure you include all the documentation showing your attempts to get the county to comply. This creates a formal record of their non-compliance.