I'm new to this community but had to create an account after finding this thread - I'm going through the exact same thing! My CalWORKs didn't deposit yesterday and my case shows discontinued with no explanation. I have a 6-year-old son and we depend on this money for rent and groceries. I've been calling all morning but keep getting disconnected after waiting on hold for hours. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been such a relief to know it's a system error and not something I did wrong - I was convinced I had missed some important paperwork! Thank you @GalacticGladiator for the info about the "April 2025 batch processing error" phrase and @Omar for the Claimyr service recommendation. I'm definitely going to try both of those today. It's absolutely unacceptable that they can just cut off so many families without proper notice, especially when it's their own mistake! The stress this causes when you're already struggling is unreal. But I'm so grateful to have found this supportive community - you're all helping each other navigate this nightmare with real solutions. I'll update once I get through to someone!

I'm so sorry this is happening to you and everyone else in this thread! As someone new to this community, I'm absolutely shocked to learn that system errors like this can affect so many families at once without any warning. Reading through all these experiences has been both heartbreaking and eye-opening - the fact that they can just discontinue benefits for hundreds of families with children and leave everyone scrambling is completely unacceptable. I'm really impressed by how this community has come together to share practical solutions and support each other through this crisis. The advice about mentioning the "April 2025 batch processing error" and using the Claimyr service seems to be helping people get through much faster than the regular phone lines. It's clear that once people reach the right person and use that specific phrase, most cases are being resolved within 24-48 hours. For anyone still trying to get through, I'd also suggest asking specifically about emergency assistance programs while you're waiting for your regular benefits to be restored - several people mentioned that counties have options for urgent situations like rent due dates. Don't give up - it sounds like they're working through these cases as quickly as possible once they identify them as part of the system error. Wishing everyone a quick resolution to this nightmare situation!

Just checking back - were you able to get cash back at a store or get through to someone at the county? If multiple locations are having the same issue, it's likely an account-specific problem rather than a general system outage.

So glad you were able to get your rent money! The ATM issue is really frustrating but at least the cash back workaround saved the day. You might want to call the EBT customer service line (when you have more time) to report that the ATMs aren't working - sometimes they don't know about these issues unless people report them. Also keep an eye on whether this happens again next month, because if it does it might be worth getting a replacement card just in case there's something wrong with the magnetic strip that only affects ATM transactions.

I'm a new CalWORKs recipient and just got my first SAR7 notice in the mail. Reading through everyone's responses here has been so helpful! I was also worried about needing bank statements since I don't have a printer and would have to go to the library to print them out. Based on what everyone is saying, it sounds like as long as I haven't had any income or household changes, I should be okay without them. My situation is pretty simple - I'm doing my WTW hours at the same placement, no one has moved in or out of my house, and my income is exactly the same as when I first applied. One question though - when you fill out the SAR7 form, do they ask for specific dollar amounts of your current income, or just whether anything changed? I want to make sure I'm prepared with the right information when I go in for my appointment next week.

I'm going through my first SAR7 review next month and this whole thread has been incredibly helpful! I was also panicking about bank statements because my printer is broken and I only have mobile banking. It's so reassuring to hear from multiple people who recently went through the process that bank statements typically aren't needed for the 6-month review when nothing has changed. I'm in a similar situation - same WTW placement, same income, same household composition. Based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds like I should be fine just reporting that nothing has changed and bringing my current paystub to verify my income amount. One thing I'm curious about - for those who've done multiple SAR7s, do they usually schedule these as in-person appointments or can you submit the form by mail/online? My county sent me a notice but it wasn't totally clear about whether I need to come in or if I can just mail the completed form back.

Hey Zara! Congratulations on your approval! 🎉 I know how overwhelming it can feel when you're new to the system. One thing I don't think anyone mentioned yet - if you have trouble finding a Bank of America ATM for free withdrawals, you can also use ATMs at any Cardtronics location (they're usually in 7-Eleven stores, Walgreens, and some other places). Those are also fee-free for EBT Cash withdrawals. Also, just a heads up that your first month might be a little confusing timing-wise since you were approved mid-month. You'll probably get a partial payment for the rest of March (since you were approved on the 18th), and then your regular full monthly amount will start coming on the 3rd of each month going forward. And definitely keep calling that EBT number (1-877-328-9677) to check your balance in the first few days after the 3rd - sometimes there can be processing delays but you'll want to know if it's actually deposited or if there's an issue that needs to be resolved. You're doing great navigating this - being proactive and asking questions is exactly the right approach! Your little one is lucky to have such a resourceful mom. 💛

Hey Zara! Congrats on your approval! 🎉 Just wanted to add one more helpful tip that I wish someone had told me when I first started getting Cash Aid - if you ever need to dispute a transaction or report your card lost/stolen, write down the date, time, and location of every ATM withdrawal or purchase you make. I learned this the hard way when my card got skimmed at a sketchy ATM and I had to prove which transactions were mine vs. the fraudulent ones. Also, if you're ever in a situation where you need cash but all the free ATMs are far away, some grocery stores like Safeway and Lucky will let you get cash back with a small purchase using EBT Cash with no extra fees. Just buy something cheap like a banana and ask for cash back - way better than paying $3+ at a random ATM! The learning curve feels steep at first but you'll get the hang of it quickly. Everyone here has given you amazing advice - this community really is the best resource for navigating CalWORKs! Welcome aboard! 😊

I'm going through a similar situation right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I just wanted to add that when you include your boyfriend in your CalWORKs application, make sure you both understand that you'll likely need to attend appointments together throughout the process - not just the initial interview. My caseworker required both me and my partner to come in for the eligibility review and when we had to recertify our benefits. It can be a hassle with work schedules but they want to verify that you're genuinely functioning as a household unit. Also, keep really good records of everything - dates you called, who you spoke with, what they told you. The system can be inconsistent and having documentation of conversations has saved me multiple times when workers gave me conflicting information. Best of luck with your application!

This has been such an incredibly thorough and helpful discussion! As someone who's navigated various benefit programs, I want to emphasize how important it is to be completely transparent during your CalWORKs application process. The advice about including your boyfriend as part of your assistance unit is absolutely correct - it's the only way to avoid the automatic child support enforcement while still getting the help your family needs. One thing I didn't see mentioned is that you should also ask your caseworker about the CalWORKs housing assistance programs that might be available in your county. Since you're struggling financially with two young kids, you might qualify for additional help with rent or utilities beyond just the cash aid. Also, make sure to ask about the Cal-Learn program if either you or your boyfriend wants to pursue education - it can provide additional support for parents working toward their GED or other educational goals while receiving CalWORKs. The most important thing is to go into this process with realistic expectations about the timeline. Even when everything goes smoothly, it can take 30-45 days to process your application and start receiving benefits. Plan accordingly and don't get discouraged if there are delays or requests for additional documentation. You've got this!