This has been such a helpful thread! I've been on CalWORKs for about 2 months and honestly had no idea direct deposit was even possible. My caseworker never mentioned it during my orientation either - seems like they really need to do a better job informing people about this option! I'm definitely going to look into getting that CW8572 form filled out. The ATM fees are already adding up and it would be so much more convenient for paying rent and utilities online. One thing I'm wondering about - for those who switched, did you notice any change in the actual deposit dates? Like, does it still come on the same day of the month as your EBT did, or do the timing shift around when you switch to direct deposit? I want to make sure I plan my budget accordingly. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this community is way more informative than the official channels!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I've been on CalWORKs for about 6 weeks now and my caseworker never mentioned direct deposit either - it's honestly kind of frustrating that this seems to be such a common experience. I'm definitely going to look into getting that CW8572 form submitted ASAP. The ATM fees are already eating into my budget more than I expected, and being able to pay bills online would be a huge relief. Quick question for everyone who's made the switch - do you know if there's any limit to how many times you can change your direct deposit info? Like, if I need to switch banks later on, is it just a matter of filling out a new form or is there some kind of restriction? Also really appreciate all the specific tips about name matching and calling the bank ahead of time - these are the kinds of details that make all the difference but never get explained properly during the official process!

So glad this thread exists! I'm actually going through this exact situation right now - moved last week and have been stressed about updating my address. Based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds like the golden rule is: don't trust just the online system. I'm planning to do the BenefitsCal update today, then either try that Claimyr service @Donna Cline mentioned or just bite the bullet and go to the office in person with my lease. One question though - for those who went in person, what time of day did you find was least busy? I'm trying to minimize the wait time if possible, especially since I have to bring my toddler with me. Also, did anyone have issues with month-to-month rental agreements as proof, or do they accept those just fine? My landlord doesn't do formal leases, just a simple rental agreement. Thanks everyone for sharing your real experiences - this is way more helpful than the county website!

This is such valuable information! I'm bookmarking this thread for future reference. What really stands out to me is how many people had issues relying solely on the online system - it seems like BenefitsCal is good for initiating the change but you absolutely need that human confirmation. For anyone still dealing with this, I'd also suggest taking photos/screenshots of your BenefitsCal profile showing the updated address, and if you go in person, ask for some kind of written confirmation or receipt that the change was processed. Documentation is your friend when dealing with any government benefits program. The Claimyr service @Donna Cline mentioned sounds like a game-changer for avoiding those brutal hold times. Has anyone else used it for other CalWORKs issues beyond address changes? I'm curious if it works well for general case questions too. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this kind of real-world advice from people who've actually been through the process is worth its weight in gold!

Harold, I'm seeing lots of great advice here! Just wanted to add that if you're planning to stay in Texas for an extended period while helping your aunt, you might want to consider opening a local bank account if possible. Some banks offer free checking accounts, and you could transfer money from your EBT withdrawals to avoid repeated ATM fees. Also, regarding the 30-day rule that others mentioned - if your aunt's health situation requires you to stay longer unexpectedly, make sure to call your CalWORKs worker to explain the circumstances. They're usually understanding about family emergencies, especially when it involves caring for elderly relatives. One more practical tip: many Texas grocery stores like H-E-B have ATMs that work with EBT cards and sometimes have lower fees than standalone bank ATMs. Might be worth checking if there's one near your aunt's place. Hope your aunt's health improves soon and that you can access your funds without any trouble tomorrow! Take care of yourself too while you're caring for her.

Harold, I hope your aunt is doing better! I've been following this thread and wanted to add something that might help - if you're worried about ATM fees adding up, you can also check your EBT balance for free by calling the customer service number on the back of your card (1-877-328-9677) instead of using an ATM just to check your balance. That way you can confirm your funds are there before you find an ATM to withdraw from. Also, since you mentioned this is your first time using your EBT card out of state, just know that the transaction might take a few extra seconds to process compared to California ATMs. Don't panic if it seems to be taking longer than usual - that's normal for out-of-state transactions. All the advice here about Walmart and major bank ATMs is spot on. You've got this! Let us know how it goes tomorrow if you get a chance.

Just went through my CalWORKs recertification last week and had the EXACT same experience! I was so panicked when I couldn't find any record of my phone interview in BenefitsCal. Called my county office three times before finally getting through to someone who explained that the interview information doesn't show up in the portal - it's all stored in their internal system. What really helped calm my nerves was checking a few key things in BenefitsCal: 1. My documents section still showed all my paystubs as "Received" 2. The recertification task showed as "Complete" (even though no interview details appeared) 3. My current certification period was still active Got my Notice of Action exactly 6 days after the interview confirming everything was approved for another year. The system is definitely confusing but as long as you did the interview and submitted docs, you should be good! The waiting period is nerve-wracking but try not to stress too much - sounds like you followed all the steps correctly.

I'm going through my first CalWORKs recertification right now and this whole thread has been such a lifesaver! I was literally about to have a panic attack because I couldn't find ANY confirmation of my phone interview from last Tuesday in BenefitsCal. Reading everyone's experiences here has made me realize this is just how the broken system works, not something wrong with my case specifically. I did all three steps - submitted the online application, uploaded my pay stubs, and completed the 45-minute phone interview where they asked me literally every single question I already answered online (so frustrating!). Just checked and my recertification task does show "Complete" and my documents are still marked as "Received" so I think I'm okay. Still going to be obsessively checking my mailbox for the Notice of Action though! Has anyone here had experience with different counties? I'm in San Bernardino County and wondering if some county offices are better than others at processing these recertifications quickly. My benefits expire at the end of next month so I'm trying not to stress but it's hard when the system gives you zero feedback about what's happening with your case. Thank you all for sharing your stories - it really helps to know we're not alone in dealing with this confusing process! 💙

I'm really sorry you're going through this - it's so frustrating when the system doesn't clearly explain these important differences upfront! I'm dealing with a similar situation right now and was also blindsided by how differently Medi-Cal handles cooperation compared to CalWORKs. From reading all the responses here, it sounds like your best bet is to request that fair hearing with "aid paid pending" ASAP - this will keep your coverage active during the entire hearing process which could give you months to figure things out. Even if the good cause exemption is tough without safety issues, documenting how well your arrangement works for the kids might still help your case. The advice about talking to your ex first is so important - explain that this isn't your choice and you're only considering cooperation to keep healthcare coverage. Our co-parenting relationships are too valuable to let the county mess them up by contacting them out of nowhere. It's really backward that they punish families who already have functional arrangements, but don't give up hope! It sounds like there are people here who've successfully navigated this while keeping both their healthcare and family relationships intact. You've got a good support system here to help you through this mess.

This is such a maddening situation and you have every right to be furious! The fact that they don't clearly explain upfront that Medi-Cal has completely different cooperation rules than CalWORKs is honestly inexcusable. You made an informed decision about the 25% CalWORKs penalty but nobody told you that your healthcare coverage was at risk too. Based on everything I'm reading here, you need to act FAST on requesting that fair hearing with "aid paid pending" - this will keep your Medi-Cal active throughout the entire hearing process (which can take months) while you explore all your options. Even if good cause exemptions are rare without safety concerns, documenting how well your current arrangement serves your children's best interests might still give you a fighting chance. The advice about talking to your ex FIRST is absolutely crucial - explain that this cooperation isn't your choice and you're only considering it to keep your healthcare. When the county contacts him without warning, it can destroy years of co-parenting progress because he'll think you went behind your agreement. Also look into your county's indigent care program as backup coverage - many counties have these for people who lose Medi-Cal but still meet income requirements. The whole system is completely backwards for punishing responsible parents who already have functional arrangements that work for their kids. But don't lose hope - there are clear paths forward that can protect both your healthcare and your family relationships. You've got this!