this happnd to me but opposite...they said i was gettin benefits but my card had NOTHING on it for the month! took 2wks to fix it. the system is so messd up sometimes. good luck!!

Update: I finally got through to someone at the county office! They confirmed it was an error in their system and that I wasn't supposed to receive the February payment. The worker told me to just hold onto the money and not spend it because they'll be sending me an overpayment notice. She said because I reported it before spending it and it was their error, I might qualify for a waiver, but I'll need to apply for that once I get the notice. Thanks everyone for your help!

Yes, the SAR7 is different from recertification. The SAR7 is a simpler mid-period report that verifies your continued eligibility by updating income, household composition, etc. Recertification is a more comprehensive review of your entire case that happens annually. And you're exactly right about the IRT (Income Reporting Threshold). It's the maximum amount your household can earn before you must report it, even if it's not your regular reporting month. Your IRT amount should be listed on your approval notices - it's based on your household size and is set at 130% of the Federal Poverty Level. If your income ever exceeds this amount, you must report it within 10 days. One thing to keep in mind: even though you only have to report certain changes during your report months, keeping your worker updated on things like address changes should be done immediately. Missing notices is one of the biggest reasons people lose benefits unexpectedly.

U should ask 4 ur workers email!!! My worker lets me email her questions and she usualy responds in a day or 2. Way easier than calling!!!!

If you do end up getting married and your CalWORKs decreases, make sure you connect with your Welfare to Work specialist right away. With lower cash aid, you might qualify for more supportive services like additional childcare hours or transportation assistance. I actually ended up qualifying for their education program after my benefits decreased from getting married, and they're helping me get my medical assistant certification now. Sometimes one door closes and another opens!

That's actually really good to know! I've been wanting to go back to school for nursing. Maybe this could be an opportunity to get more education support through WTW. I'll definitely ask about that. Thanks for sharing your experience!

wat i dont get is why u took out all ur money at once??? thats kinda on u tbh. not tryna be mean but i always take mine out in small amounts for this exact reason

I want to add one more important detail: when submitting your CW 2216 form, you'll need to sign an affidavit under penalty of perjury. Be 100% accurate about all details (time, place, amount, circumstances). Any discrepancies between your statement and the police report could result in denial. Also, while you're waiting for replacement, ask specifically about these emergency options: 1. Immediate Need payment (one-time emergency payment) 2. Homeless Assistance if you're at risk of eviction 3. Emergency food referrals through CalFresh Document every call attempt you make (date, time, number called). This might help if there are delays in processing your replacement request.

If you get desperate and the bank is closed, some check cashing places can do cash withdrawals from EBT cards. But WARNING - they charge really high fees, like $5-$10 per transaction. I had to do this once when my rent was due on a holiday weekend. It's not ideal but it's an option if you're truly stuck.

Great to hear you got it resolved! One more tip - you can actually call the number on the back of your EBT card and request a higher daily ATM withdrawal limit. It's not guaranteed they'll approve it, but if you explain your situation (needing to withdraw rent money once a month), they might increase your limit. Worth trying for next month!