Quick update - there's been a system-wide issue with direct deposit processing in several California counties since late 2024. The state is working on fixing it, but many requests are severely delayed. If you call, specifically mention the "direct deposit backlog issue" and ask if your county is affected. That will help them give you more accurate information about your situation.

I'm dealing with the exact same issue! Submitted my direct deposit form in November and still getting paper checks. After reading all these responses, it sounds like there's definitely a system-wide problem affecting multiple counties. I'm going to try calling the main customer service line tomorrow and mention the "direct deposit backlog issue" that @Jamal Washington mentioned. It's so frustrating having to cash these checks every month when direct deposit should be simple. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - at least now I know I'm not the only one dealing with this mess!

also just fyi when they do start garnishing his benefits youll only get like $50 of it since your on calworks. the rest goes to the county to "pay back" the benefits theyve given u. its so backwards! they should let us keep it all since were the ones taking care of the kids!

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now! My ex also gets VA disability and it took me months to figure out that I needed to be super specific with DCSS about what type of benefits he receives. One thing that really helped me was getting a copy of his VA award letter (I found it when picking up my kids one time). Having that documentation with the exact monthly amount made DCSS take action much faster. Also, just a heads up - even though it's frustrating that most of the money goes to reimburse CalWORKs, once they start collecting regularly you might find that the total amount puts you in a better financial position overall. In my case, I was able to transition off cash aid after about 6 months of consistent collections because my total income (child support + work) became enough to cover our expenses. Hang in there and keep pushing - the squeaky wheel definitely gets the grease with these agencies!

I understand your concern about the CalWORKs application process for your child. This is actually an important distinction that needs clarification. When applying for CalWORKs, you should be truthful about who in the household is applying for benefits. If you know you don't qualify due to your probation violation, you should indicate that you're applying for your child only, not for yourself. The application should reflect that you are the parent/caretaker, but not seeking benefits for yourself. It's true that the system can verify probation status through background checks, but that doesn't mean you should mark that you're applying for yourself if you know you don't qualify. Accuracy on these forms is important. For your situation, here's what you should do: - On your next renewal or if you need to update information, clarify that you're only applying for your child - Consider contacting your eligibility worker to explain the situation and correct any misunderstanding - Your child can still receive benefits even if you don't qualify As for potential trouble from past applications, it would be best to proactively address this with your caseworker. Explain that you misunderstood the application question. They deal with application confusion regularly and can help you correct the information. In the long term, resolving your probation violation might be worth considering as it could allow you to qualify for benefits yourself.

Based on your comment about recently starting work, that's likely what happened. When you report a significant change on your SAR7 that requires recalculating your benefits, many counties will conduct what's called a "partial redetermination" that can reset your annual recertification timeline. Still, I strongly recommend calling your county office to confirm. You can also check your most recent Notice of Action letter - it should have information about your certification period at the bottom. If you can't reach your worker after multiple attempts, consider contacting the CalWORKs ombudsperson for your county or ask to speak with a supervisor.

That's great news that you found the Notice of Action with the updated certification period! It sounds like your partial redetermination when you started working did reset your timeline. Just wanted to add - when you do call tomorrow to confirm, it might be helpful to have that Notice of Action handy with the new certification date. Sometimes the workers have outdated info in their system and having that document can help clarify things quickly. Also, congrats on getting the part-time job! It's always nerve-wracking when you start working while on CalWORKs because you're not sure how it'll affect everything, but it sounds like you handled the reporting correctly.

anyone else think its crazy that we gotta jump through all these hoops just to pay them money for insurance? 🤡 system's broken yo

Hey OP, which insurance company are you dealing with? Some are definitely worse than others when it comes to customer service.