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!

This thread has been so eye-opening! I've been on CalWORKs for about 4 months and my caseworker never once mentioned direct deposit as an option. I've been losing probably $15-20 monthly just in ATM fees trying to access my cash benefits, which is money I really can't afford to throw away. Reading everyone's experiences here has convinced me to definitely pursue the direct deposit option - being able to pay rent and bills online would be such a game changer for my monthly budget planning. I'm going to download that CW8572 form tomorrow and get it submitted. Really appreciate everyone sharing the practical tips about keeping your EBT card active during the transition period and double-checking that your name matches exactly between your CalWORKs case and bank account. It's honestly pretty disappointing that such an important option isn't properly explained during orientation - this community thread has been way more informative than anything I got from the official process. Fingers crossed my county processes it quickly!

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 currently going through my CalWORKs recertification and this thread is exactly what I needed to see! I had my phone interview yesterday and I've been frantically checking BenefitsCal every few hours looking for some kind of confirmation that it actually happened. The system shows absolutely nothing about the interview, which had me convinced something went wrong. It's honestly ridiculous that in 2025 we have a benefits system that can't provide basic status updates or confirmations. Like, even my pizza delivery app gives me better tracking information than the system that manages my family's survival benefits! Reading everyone's experiences here has been such a relief though. Sounds like this BenefitsCal mess is just the reality we all have to deal with, not something specific to my case. I did submit all my verification docs, completed the application, and sat through the full phone interview where they re-asked every single question I already answered online (why??). Going to follow the advice here about taking screenshots of everything and keeping my own records. It shouldn't be necessary but clearly we have to create our own backup systems since the official one is so unreliable. Fingers crossed I get my Notice of Action soon and can stop obsessively checking my mailbox! Thank you all for sharing your experiences - this community support makes dealing with these system failures so much more manageable. 💙

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!

Make sure when you call that you specifically mention you need to know why your CalFresh dropped from $850 to $397 even after your sanction was removed. Sometimes the workers don't volunteer information unless you ask very specific questions. Also, it's possible that the $850 might have included some retroactive benefits that made it temporarily higher. Did you receive any lump-sum payments or back benefits around the time you were getting $850?

I'm really sorry you're going through this stress with your benefits. From what I'm reading in the other comments, it sounds like there might be several factors at play here. The reduction from $850 to $397 does seem steep for just removing one household member, but if that $850 included back pay or retroactive benefits, then your regular monthly amount was probably never actually that high to begin with. Here's what I'd suggest: definitely use that Claimyr service someone mentioned to get through to your worker faster. When you do connect, ask for three specific things: 1) A CalFresh Budget Worksheet showing exactly how they calculated your current $397, 2) Clarification on whether the original $850 included any back pay or lump sum, and 3) Verification that they have your correct household size, income, and expenses (especially rent since you mentioned it went up). Also double-check that they're not counting child support you're not actually receiving consistently. That's a common issue that can really mess up the calculations. Hang in there - once you get the actual breakdown, you'll at least know if the amount is correct or if there's an error to fix.

I've been on the fence about direct deposit for months but reading all these experiences has really helped me decide! My biggest concern was what happens if there's a problem, but it sounds like most people have had smooth experiences once it's set up. I'm particularly glad to hear about the timing tips - submitting the form right after getting my current payment and allowing 3 weeks for processing. That takes away a lot of my anxiety about potentially missing a payment during the transition. I'm going to download the CA 183 form from the CDSS website tonight and get my bank to print me a deposit slip tomorrow. Thanks to everyone who shared their real experiences - it's so much more helpful than trying to figure this out from official websites alone!

I've been using CalWORKs direct deposit for about 18 months now and it's honestly been a lifesaver! I was in the exact same situation as you - checks getting delivered to the wrong address, arriving late, etc. The direct deposit has been incredibly reliable. My payment shows up in my account at the same time every month, usually around 3am on payment day. A few things that helped me during setup: I submitted my CA 183 form about 3 weeks before my next payment date to give plenty of processing time. Also, I made sure to keep a copy of everything for my records (the completed form, my voided check, and later the confirmation letter). The county can be slow to process paperwork sometimes, but once it's in the system it works like clockwork. One thing to be aware of - if you ever need to update your banking information, submit the new form as early as possible. Any changes take time to process and you don't want to be stuck waiting for a paper check if there are delays. Overall though, I'd definitely recommend making the switch. The peace of mind is worth it!