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The county offices are TERRIBLE about following their own rules. They just want to kick as many people off as possible to save money! Your sister should absolutely file for a fair hearing IMMEDIATELY. Don't wait! And document EVERYTHING. Take screenshots, save emails, write down names and times when she talks to workers. The system is designed to frustrate you until you give up. I was wrongfully denied CalFresh TWICE before I finally got a fair hearing and won. The judge was shocked at how badly they messed up my case.
So true! When I requested my case notes through a records request, I found out my worker had been documenting things completely wrong for months. They had me listed as refusing to provide verification I never even knew they needed!
One more important thing: if your sister gets her CalFresh reinstated (which she should!), she might qualify for a higher amount than before. When someone receives both CalWORKs and CalFresh, their CalFresh amount is typically lower because Cash Aid counts as income. Now that she's not getting Cash Aid, her CalFresh should actually INCREASE to help compensate for that lost income, assuming her other income and expenses remain the same.
That's really helpful to know! I'll make sure to tell her to ask about this specifically when she gets through to someone. Thank you!
One more thing - since your application was submitted in 2024, your eligibility and benefit amounts will be calculated using the new 2025 payment standards, which are slightly higher than last year. For a family of 3 (you plus twins) in most counties, the maximum monthly grant should be around $1,052. Since you applied on November 28th, if approved, you should receive prorated benefits for the days remaining in November (3 days), plus December and January in full, assuming February is when your regular monthly payments begin. Make sure all of this is accounted for in your retroactive payment.Lastly, don't forget to apply for CalFresh (food stamps) if you haven't already, plus WIC which is especially helpful for families with infants.
Thank you for all this detailed information! I really appreciate knowing the exact amount I should expect. I did apply for CalFresh and WIC at the same time. CalFresh was approved pretty quickly but still waiting on the WIC appointment. It's just the CalWORKs that seems to be taking forever.
i switched counties last year (from riverside to alameda) and was so confused when my payment dates all changed! no one explained the calwin vs calsaws thing to me and i thought they had reduced my benefits or something cuz the payment was "late" compared to what i was used to. ended up having to take out a payday loan because i didnt know when the money was coming 😓
That's unfortunately a common issue when switching between counties with different systems. For anyone moving between counties, always ask your new worker specifically about payment dates and any differences you should expect. The same benefits may be processed on different schedules depending on the county's system. Also, most counties offer emergency assistance if you're in danger of eviction or utility shut-off while waiting for your regular benefits. Always ask about emergency options before turning to payday loans, which can create a difficult cycle of debt.
my worker told me its supposed to be the 15th every month but if that falls on weekend it goes to monday. but then sometimes its saturday?? makes no sense tbh
The official policy is that supplements should be available on the 15th, but in practice, it depends on: 1. Which system your county uses (CalWIN vs CalSAWS) 2. Weekends/holidays (payments don't process on non-business days) 3. Your bank's processing time (some banks hold deposits longer) 4. The volume of payments being processed that day That's why there's so much confusion - the target date is the 15th, but these factors create variations. The most consistent thing is which week of the month you'll receive it, rather than the exact day.
Just so u no they will only replace stolen benefits ONCE per year now. They changed the rules in January. So if this happens again in the next 12 months ur out of luck...
That's not entirely accurate. The once-per-year limit applies to SNAP/CalFresh benefits, not CalWORKs Cash Aid. CalWORKs follows different rules because it's state-administered. They can replace stolen cash aid multiple times, but they will investigate more thoroughly after the first claim. That said, it's extremely important to protect your new card - never use it at gas pumps (go inside to pay), cover the keypad when entering PIN, and check for card skimmers at any ATM you use.
UPDATE: I got a call back from my county office! They're expediting my claim because I have an immediate need (rent due) and they're issuing emergency benefits that should be available by tomorrow. I have to go to the office first thing in the morning to sign the GEN 1000 form and bring any evidence I have. They also suggested filing a police report which I'm going to do online tonight. Thank you everyone for your help! I'll update again once everything is resolved for anyone who might have this problem in the future.
That's great news! Make sure to change your PIN immediately when you get your new card, and be careful about where you use it. Avoid sketchy ATMs, gas pumps, and always check for card skimmers (little devices attached to the card reader). I'd also recommend withdrawing your cash all at once from inside a bank rather than making multiple ATM transactions. Please let us know how it goes!
Brandon Parker
i work wtih homeless clients and see this CONSTANTLY. It's not just phones - I've seen them discontinue for verifying small amounts in Cash App, Venmo, or asking for receipts for things people bought months ago. The system is absolutely DESIGNED to create barriers. Your friend should file for a hearing AND submit the verification. But here's the truth - even after he fixes this, they'll find something else to question in a few months. Tell him to DOCUMENT EVERYTHING. Save every receipt, every letter, take notes during phone calls with date/time/worker name. The county workers have impossible caseloads so they look for any reason to close cases and reduce their workload. It's disgusting but that's how the system operates now.
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Aaron Boston
•I understand your frustration, but as a former eligibility worker, I want to clarify something. Most workers aren't trying to close cases to reduce workload - in fact, closing cases often creates MORE work (hearings, restoration requests, supervisory reviews). The verification requirements come from federal and state auditors who monitor counties for error rates. When counties have high error rates (benefits issued incorrectly), they face penalties. That's why verification has gotten stricter. That said, I agree with documenting everything. Good record-keeping is essential when navigating any benefits system.
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Levi Parker
Update: I talked to my roommate and helped him understand what probably happened. We're putting together documentation about his phone today, and he's going to try to visit the office in person tomorrow morning. I'm also going to help him write a statement explaining that he misunderstood the verification requirement. Thanks everyone for the advice - I'll let you know what happens after he talks to them!
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Libby Hassan
•Good plan! In-person is definitely the way to go for urgent issues like this. Make sure he brings ID and his case number if he has it. Sometimes you can get lucky and meet with a worker the same day. Wishing him the best of luck!
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