I just went through this exact same situation last month! What saved me was setting up text alerts through my bank app - I got notified the moment my deposit hit at like 2am on my payment day. Also, if you're really stressed about making rent on time, some landlords will accept a screenshot of your pending deposit as proof that payment is coming. Mine did when I explained the CalWORKs timing situation. And definitely look into that hardship exception Oliver mentioned - I had no idea that was even possible! The whole system would be so much easier if they just gave us exact dates upfront instead of making us guess.

I completely understand the stress of not knowing exact payment dates - I've been there too! One thing that really helped me was calling the EBT customer service line (1-877-328-9677) instead of trying to reach my caseworker directly. They can actually tell you the specific date your payment will be deposited based on your case number and any holidays that month. The wait times are usually shorter than calling your local office, and they have access to the payment calendar. Also, I started keeping a little notebook where I write down the actual date my payment hits each month - after a few months you start to see the pattern more clearly. For this month specifically, if your case number ends in 5 and there are no system delays, you should get it on the second working day. Hope this helps reduce some of that rent anxiety!

I've been on CalWORKs for about 8 months now and wanted to share something that really helped me with the timing issue. Since my payment comes on the 6th but most of my bills are due on the 1st, I started using my local credit union's "bill pay" feature to schedule automatic payments for a few days after my benefits hit. This way I don't have to stress about remembering dates or worrying about late fees. Most banks and credit unions offer this service for free, and you can set it up so your rent, utilities, etc. get paid automatically on whatever date works with your CalWORKs schedule. It took a couple months to get everything aligned, but now I barely have to think about it. Just make sure you account for any processing time your bank might need - some transfers can take 1-2 business days.

Just wanted to add something that might help with your rent situation - if you're really tight on timing and your landlord won't work with you on the due date, consider asking if they accept partial payments. Some landlords will let you pay half your rent on the 1st (maybe from savings or a small loan from family) and then the other half when your CalWORKs hits on the 7th. It's not ideal long-term, but it can help during those first few months while you're getting established and figuring out your budget rhythm. Also, don't forget that you might be eligible for utility assistance programs through LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) which can help free up more of your CalWORKs money for rent. Your worker should be able to help you apply for that too.

I'm really sorry this happened to you! What that worker told you is completely wrong - there is absolutely NO 9-month limit on CalWORKs cash aid. I've been receiving benefits in LA County for over 14 months now and have never had any automatic reductions like that. The actual lifetime limit is 48 months total, not some made-up 9-month rule. Your grant dropping from $221 to $22 without proper written notice sounds like a major administrative error or system glitch. When you call back tomorrow, ask for a supervisor immediately and don't waste time with frontline workers who clearly aren't properly trained. Request they review your entire case while you're on the phone and ask specifically about: - Whether your SAR7 was properly processed - If there were any income reporting issues - Why you didn't receive a Notice of Action before the reduction If phone calls don't work, consider going to your local DPSS office in person with all your paperwork. Sometimes face-to-face gets faster results. Stay strong and keep pushing - this community has seen these kinds of errors get resolved successfully before. You deserve your full benefits and shouldn't have to stress about rent because of their mistakes!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stress! What that worker told you is absolutely false - there is NO 9-month limit on CalWORKs cash aid. I'm a newcomer to this community but I had to speak up because this kind of misinformation is so harmful. I've been researching CalWORKs policies extensively as I navigate the system myself, and the lifetime limit is definitely 48 months, not 9 months. Your grant dropping that dramatically without proper notice sounds like a serious administrative error. From reading all the responses here, it seems like LA County DPSS has major training issues with their frontline staff giving out completely incorrect information. It's unacceptable that you're having to stress about rent because of their mistakes. When you call back tomorrow, definitely follow the advice others have given about demanding a supervisor immediately. Don't let them give you any more made-up policies. You deserve your full benefits and proper explanations for any changes. This community seems incredibly knowledgeable and supportive - I'm glad you found this place to get real information instead of the nonsense that worker fed you. Stay strong and keep fighting!

Based on what you've shared, here's what I would do in your situation: 1. Call your worker ASAP (using Claimyr if you can't get through) and ask specifically about lump sum averaging for worker's comp settlements 2. Get documentation from your lawyer outlining what portions of the settlement are for medical expenses versus lost wages 3. Ask your doctor for updated documentation about your work limitations for your WTW exemption 4. Create a budget for how you'll handle expenses if you do lose benefits for one month 5. Report the settlement within 10 days of receiving it, but not before 6. If you have a bank account, be aware that the month after you receive the settlement, your resources will be checked to make sure you're still under the $10,000 limit The good news is that even in the worst-case scenario where you lose benefits for one month, you should be automatically reinstated the following month without having to reapply.

One more thing to consider - if your doctor has said you can't return to your old job, make sure you're also looking into vocational rehabilitation services through the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR). They can help with job training or education for work you CAN do with your injury limitations. This could be really important for your long-term financial stability since $8,500 won't last forever. Also, when you do report the settlement, ask your worker about any hardship exemptions or special circumstances that might apply since this is related to a work injury that's affecting your ability to earn income. Sometimes there are additional protections for people in situations like yours that workers don't automatically mention. Stay strong - it sounds like you're handling this the right way by asking questions and planning ahead!

Congratulations on your new baby! I went through this exact same situation about 5 months ago when my daughter was born. Here's what I experienced: The CalFresh increase happened relatively quickly - it showed up on my EBT card within about a week on my regular issuance date. The cash aid took longer, about 2-3 weeks, but you will get backpay from your baby's birth date which was a huge help when it finally came through. One thing that really saved me stress was discovering you can check the status of pending changes in your BenefitsCal account under the "Case Actions" section. It shows whether they're still processing the baby's addition or if it's been completed, so you don't have to keep calling for updates. Since your rent is due next week, definitely mention that urgent need when you call your worker back. Ask specifically about emergency rental assistance programs - many counties have one-time emergency funds that can help bridge the gap while you're waiting for your increased benefits to process. Also, make sure to keep detailed records of everything - screenshots of when you submitted documents, confirmation numbers, dates of calls, etc. If there are any delays or issues, having that documentation makes resolving problems much easier. The $30 diaper allowance will be automatically added to your regular cash aid amount, not sent separately. And don't forget to update WIC with your new baby's information too since that's processed separately from CalWORKs. Hang in there - I know the waiting is incredibly stressful when you're already financially stretched, but it should come through within the next week or two!

Congratulations on your new baby! I just went through this same process about 6 weeks ago when my son was born. Here's what happened with my case: The CalFresh increase showed up on my EBT card pretty quickly - within about 8 days on my regular issuance date. The cash aid took a bit longer, around 2 weeks, but like everyone mentioned you do get backpay from the baby's birth date which was such a relief when it finally came through. One thing that really helped me was calling right at 8am when the offices open - I found that's when I had the best chance of getting through to a real person without waiting on hold for hours. Also, if you log into BenefitsCal and check under "Case Actions" or "Pending Changes," you can actually see the status of your baby's addition to your case without having to call constantly for updates. Since you mentioned rent is due next week, definitely stress that urgency when you talk to your worker. Ask specifically about emergency assistance programs - my county had a one-time emergency rental help program that could bridge the gap while waiting for benefit increases. Every county is different but it's worth asking about. The $30 diaper allowance gets automatically added to your regular cash aid payment, not sent separately. And make sure to update WIC too if you haven't already - they process separately from CalWORKs. Keep screenshots of everything you've submitted and any confirmation numbers. If there are delays, having that documentation makes resolving issues much easier. Hang in there - the waiting is so stressful with a newborn and tight finances, but it should process within the next week or two!