Make sure when u report u also tell them if ur breastfeeding!! U can get WIC benefits and also it cud affect ur WTW hours and participation reqirements if ur on welfare 2 work. I got a 3 month exemption from work requirements when I had my baby cuz i was breastfeeding!

Just wanted to add - if you're having trouble getting through by phone, try calling right when they open (usually 8am) or right after lunch around 1pm. Those tend to be the best times to actually reach someone. Also, some counties have specific "baby born" hotlines that are faster than the general CalWORKs number - ask when you do get through if they have one for future reference. And congrats on your new little one! The first few weeks are tough but hang in there. Make sure to take care of yourself too while you're dealing with all this paperwork stuff.

Just wanted to update everyone - I was finally able to report my job change! I couldn't get the BenefitsCal site to work (kept getting errors), so I used that Claimyr service someone mentioned and got through to a worker in about 15 minutes. The worker took all my info over the phone and emailed me a Statement of Employment form for my boss to fill out. She said my cash aid will probably decrease next month but not by as much as I thought, and she's sending me childcare paperwork for my increased hours. Thanks everyone for all your help!!

Congrats on getting it resolved, Grace! Your experience really shows how important it is to be persistent when dealing with these systems. For anyone else reading this thread, I'd also recommend keeping copies of everything you submit - take photos of forms before you send them, save confirmation numbers, and keep notes with dates of who you talked to and what they said. One more tip: if your income continues to fluctuate (like if you get overtime or your hours vary), ask your worker about quarterly reporting instead of semi-annual. Some counties allow this for people with unstable income, and it can help prevent overpayments down the road. It's more paperwork but can save you headaches later! Hope the childcare subsidy works out well for you - that extra support can really make a difference when you're transitioning to higher income!

Hey Gemma! Congrats on getting approved! Just to add to what everyone else has said - when you do go to withdraw that $100 for rent, make sure you have your PIN memorized and don't write it down anywhere. Also, if you're planning to withdraw cash regularly, consider spacing it out rather than taking large amounts at once for safety reasons. One thing I learned the hard way is to always check your balance before and after transactions. You can do this at the ATM or by calling the EBT customer service line. Sometimes there are delays in benefit deposits or unexpected fees, so it's good to stay on top of your account balance. Also, keep all your ATM receipts! If there's ever a dispute about fees or if money goes missing, those receipts are your proof. I keep mine in an envelope at home just in case. Good luck with everything!

Hey Gemma! I've been on CalWORKs for about a year now and wanted to share a few things I wish I'd known when I first started. First - yes, you can definitely withdraw cash from ATMs! The Bank of America tip everyone mentioned is gold - seriously stick to those ATMs to avoid extra fees. I made the mistake of using random ATMs my first month and got hit with so many charges. One thing I don't think anyone mentioned yet is that you can also check your balance by texting your EBT card number to 303-304 (it's free). Super convenient when you're out and want to make sure you have enough for something. Also, if you're ever in a pinch and need cash but don't want to pay ATM fees, you can buy something small at a grocery store and get cash back - even just buying a pack of gum for $1 and getting $20 cash back saves you money compared to ATM fees at non-BoA locations. Your benefits should be available within 1-3 business days of your approval letter date. If it's been longer than that and there's no money on your card, definitely call the customer service line or use that Claimyr service someone mentioned. Good luck with everything! This community is great for questions so don't hesitate to ask if you run into any issues.

glad u got ur money! mine came thru too 👍 calworks always stressin us out lol

So glad to hear everyone's payments came through! This is exactly why I love this community - we all help each other through these stressful situations. For anyone who might face this in the future, it's worth noting that EBT system delays are more common during the first few days of the month when most benefits are distributed. I always try to keep a small emergency buffer when possible, but I know that's not always realistic for everyone. The EBT customer service number that Fatima shared is definitely worth saving in your contacts!

Thanks for updating us! This is actually a common issue - many banks place holds on government deposits, especially if it's a new account or there have been overdrafts in the past. For future reference, you can often ask your bank for an exception to the hold policy for recurring government benefits. Some banks will reduce or eliminate the hold time if you explain it's for essential living expenses.

@Isabella Costa - if your payment is still delayed after what happened with NeonNebula's bank hold situation, I'd definitely try calling your bank first to see if they're holding your deposit. If that's not the issue, then maybe try that Claimyr service Chloe mentioned to get through to someone at the office faster. The emergency payment option Ravi talked about might also be worth looking into if you're in a tight spot financially. Hope yours shows up soon!