I see you mentioned you're going to call them. When you do, ask specifically for an "Income Computation Worksheet" - this is a form that shows exactly how they calculated your grant amount. Also request a hearing immediately if there's an error - you only have 90 days from the Notice of Action date to appeal. Let us know what you find out!

That overpayment recovery can be really brutal when you're not expecting it! Just FYI - you have the right to request a lower repayment amount if 10% is causing hardship. They can sometimes reduce it to 5% or even pause collections temporarily if you can show it's creating a financial emergency. Also make sure to keep all the paperwork they send you about the overpayment - if their math is wrong or they can't prove when/why it happened, you can dispute it. Good luck with everything!

did u get a confirmation number when u applied online? make sure u save that! i lost mine and they said they couldnt find my application and i had to start all over again!!

Just wanted to update and see if you've had any luck reaching your county office. If you qualified for expedited processing, you should have heard something by now. If not, I'd recommend going in person to the office if possible. Sometimes that's the fastest way to get answers. Also, make sure to document everything - when you call, who you speak with, what they tell you. This can be helpful if you need to file for a fair hearing later.

UPDATE: Just called using that specific language about "expedited processing due to imminent housing crisis" and finally got somewhere! The supervisor said they'll flag my case for priority review and I should see a resolution within 3-5 business days. They also referred me to a rental assistance program through a local nonprofit that might help in the meantime. Thanks everyone for the advice!

I'm so sorry you're going through this! I had my benefits stolen on May 3rd too ($489) and finally got my refund yesterday after using that expedited processing language. What really helped was calling first thing in the morning (around 8 AM) when the phone lines open - I got through much faster than calling later in the day. Also, I documented every call I made with the date, time, and who I spoke with. When I called for expedited processing, I had all those details ready which seemed to help show I'd been actively following up. Don't give up - it sounds like they're finally processing the May 3rd cases now!

One more thing I forgot to mention - if you're having trouble with the overpayment, you can contact your local legal aid office. They provide free legal help for people with CalWORKs issues, including overpayments. Google "legal aid" plus your county name to find them. Also, if paying back the overpayment would cause you "undue hardship" (like not being able to pay rent or utilities), you can request a hardship waiver. It's not easy to get, but worth trying if you're in a really tough spot. Don't give up on benefits completely - the system is complicated, but once you understand the reporting rules, it gets easier to avoid these situations in the future.

I've been through this exact situation and I want to reassure you that it's not as hopeless as it feels right now. The most important thing is to act quickly and know your rights. First, call your worker ASAP and request form CW 2200 (Request for Overpayment Repayment Agreement). You can negotiate a payment plan as low as $10-25/month depending on your circumstances. Don't let them pressure you into agreeing to more than you can afford. Second, you have 90 days from the date of the overpayment notice to request a fair hearing if you want to dispute it. Even if you did make a mistake, sometimes they'll reduce the amount or find errors in their calculation. Third, regarding your reduced benefits - if your income has dropped since December, you need to report that change immediately. They should recalculate your grant based on your current income, not what you were making in December. The key thing about reporting income going forward: you must report within 10 days if your income goes over your IRT (Income Reporting Threshold). This amount should be listed on your Notice of Action. As long as you stay under that threshold, you only need to report on your SAR7. Don't close your case out of frustration - that actually makes collections more aggressive. Stay on the program and work with them to resolve this. You've got this!

Since you mentioned you're having trouble reaching the county office, make sure you're trying early in the morning right when they open. That's usually the best time to get through. Also, email them through your BenefitsCal account - it creates a documented trail of your attempts to report the theft, which can be important if there are any disputes about when you reported it. For your immediate needs, the county should be able to issue emergency CalFresh benefits within 3 days if you explain your situation. But you MUST get through to them to request this. Be persistent. If your worker isn't responding, ask to speak with a supervisor.

I'm so sorry this happened to you - EBT skimming is unfortunately becoming a huge problem in California. As someone who works with families facing similar situations, here's what you need to know: **Immediate steps:** 1. Good that you canceled your card! While waiting for the new one, you can still use your CalFresh benefits by calling the EBT hotline and doing phone transactions at participating stores. 2. **Police report:** File it in Salinas (where you live) - bring your EBT transaction history, ID, and any documentation you have about the fraudulent charges. 3. **County contact:** Try calling your county office at 8:00 AM sharp when they open. If you can't get through, go to the office in person - they can't ignore you if you're physically there. **Emergency help while waiting:** - Request expedited CalFresh replacement (3-day processing) - Ask about emergency food assistance - Contact 211 (dial 2-1-1) for local food banks and emergency resources in Salinas **Forms you'll need:** - CF 303 for CalFresh replacement - CW 1812 for Cash Aid replacement (remember: only one replacement per year, up to $2000) The Cash Aid replacement law (AB 1613) is newer, so some workers might not be familiar with it. Don't let them tell you it's not possible - cite the law by name if needed. Stay strong - you will get through this! 💪