Just wanted to add my experience - I successfully set up direct deposit about 6 months ago and it's been working great! A few tips that helped me: 1. When filling out form CW 2208, use black ink and write very clearly - I've heard messy handwriting is a common reason for rejection 2. Double-check your routing and account numbers against your bank's website, not just your checks (sometimes printed checks have errors) 3. If you submit through BenefitsCal, take screenshots of the upload confirmation page in case you need proof later 4. Keep using your EBT card for a few cycles after submitting - don't assume it worked until you see the money in your bank account The whole process took about 3 weeks for me from submission to first direct deposit. Way better than dealing with the EBT card for cash! Good luck getting yours set up.

I went through this exact same process last month and wanted to share what worked for me! After reading all the comments here, I downloaded form CW 2208 from my county's website (didn't even need to call). The key things that made my submission successful: - Used the BenefitsCal upload method mentioned by @Angelica Smith - so much faster than mailing - Got a bank verification letter instead of using a voided check (my bank gave me this for free) - Made sure to sign and date EVERYTHING on the form - Uploaded a crystal clear scan, not a blurry phone photo The whole thing took about 10 days to process and I got a confirmation message through BenefitsCal when it was approved. Now my Cash Aid goes straight to my checking account on the same day it would have hit my EBT card. Still keep the EBT card though since CalFresh benefits stay on there like others mentioned. Hope this helps someone avoid the phone wait times!

Congratulations on taking the job! That's such great news. I went through something similar about 6 months ago when I started working part-time. One thing that really helped me was keeping detailed records of all my paystubs and any communication with my worker about how they calculated my benefits. It made the monthly reporting so much easier. Also, if you haven't already, ask your worker about any work-related expense deductions you might be eligible for - things like uniforms, transportation costs, or even childcare expenses above what they cover. Every little bit helps when you're transitioning to work while still on benefits. Hope the new job goes well for you and your daughter! It sounds like you did your research and made a smart decision.

That's awesome that you took the job! I'm so glad it worked out. For anyone else reading this who might be in a similar situation, I want to add that it's also worth asking your worker about the CalWORKs WTW (Welfare-to-Work) program if you haven't already. They can sometimes provide additional support like help with work clothes, tools, or even gas cards for transportation to work. Also, don't be discouraged if your first few benefit calculations seem confusing or if there are delays in processing your income changes. The system can be slow to adjust, but as long as you report everything on time with your SAR forms, they'll make any necessary corrections and backdate them. One more thing - if you ever get a raise or your hours increase, don't panic about losing benefits immediately. The income disregards mean you can actually earn quite a bit more before you completely phase out of assistance. Good luck with your new job!

I'm so glad I found this thread! I just submitted my SAR7 yesterday and was already starting to worry when I saw it still shows "pending review" this morning. Reading everyone's experiences really helps calm my nerves - especially knowing that 5-10 business days is totally normal and that benefits continue as long as we met the deadline. @cc288379ec13 thanks for sharing your whole journey from worry to resolution, and @dac71e00e811 that specific question about whether it was "received and considered complete" is so helpful. I'm bookmarking this thread in case I need to call later. It's amazing how much clearer things become when you hear from people who've actually been through the process instead of trying to decode the official websites!

Reading through this entire thread has been incredibly educational! As someone who's been on CalWORKs for about 6 months now, I've submitted 3 SAR7s and each time I still get that same anxiety while waiting for processing. What I've learned is that the "pending review" status can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks, but as long as you submitted before the deadline, you're protected. One tip I'd add: if you're really stressed about it, you can also check if your county has online chat support through their website - some counties offer this and it's sometimes faster than calling. Also, keep records of EVERYTHING - confirmation numbers, screenshots, dates you called, who you spoke with. I started doing this after my second SAR7 and it's saved me so much stress. @cc288379ec13 I'm really glad you got confirmation that everything was received! It's such a relief when you can actually talk to someone and get real answers.

Congratulations on the job offer! This is such exciting news and you absolutely should take it. Everyone here has given you fantastic advice about the income disregards and how you'll still qualify for benefits while working. I wanted to share my experience as someone who made this exact transition about 18 months ago. With your $2,450 monthly income and 2 kids, you'll definitely still qualify for some assistance after the $450 disregard and 50% calculation on the remaining income. Your countable income will be around $1,000, which means you'll likely get reduced cash aid but keep full CalFresh and Medi-Cal. Here's what I wish someone had told me: the first month or two can feel chaotic as you adjust to working while managing benefit changes, but it gets so much easier once you establish a routine. Make sure to set up a simple filing system for all your work documents from day one - pay stubs, work schedules, any correspondence with your caseworker. This will save you so much stress later. Also, when you call Monday to report your job, ask about any "return to work" bonuses or incentives your county might offer. Some counties provide small one-time payments or gift cards to help with work-related startup costs like uniforms or transportation. The financial improvement is real - between your wages, partial benefits, childcare assistance, and tax credits, you'll be in such a better position than benefits alone. Take that job with confidence! You're setting up your family for real stability and independence.

Congratulations on the job offer! This is such an exciting opportunity and you should definitely take it. Everyone here has given you amazing advice about how the income disregards work, but I wanted to add something from my recent experience. I was in almost the exact same situation 6 months ago - $2,300/month job offer with 2 kids, terrified of losing my $845 cash aid. Turns out the income disregards really do work like everyone explained! With your $2,450 income, after the $450 disregard and 50% calculation, your countable income will be around $1,000, so you'll still get some cash aid plus keep all your other benefits. One thing that really helped me was calling the CalWORKs customer service line at 1-877-847-3663 instead of trying to reach my individual caseworker. They were able to run the calculations over the phone and tell me exactly what my new benefit amount would be before I even reported the job. It made me feel so much more confident about the decision. Also, definitely ask about the childcare assistance right away! That benefit alone saved me over $800/month in daycare costs, which more than made up for the reduction in my cash aid. You're going to be so much better off financially with work income + partial benefits + childcare support + those tax credits everyone mentioned. Take that job - you've got this!

Welcome to the community @Elin Robinson and @Ava Kim! This thread is a perfect example of why this community is so valuable - the official channels often leave us in the dark about changes like the MAP increase, but members here share real experiences that actually help. I've been on CalWORKs for about 3 years and I still learn new things from posts like this. Definitely keep checking your BenefitsCal accounts regularly - I've found notices there weeks before they show up in the mail (if they ever do). And don't hesitate to post questions here - this community is super supportive and knowledgeable about navigating all the confusing aspects of the system!

This is such a great thread for understanding the MAP increases! I'm also new to CalWORKs and had a similar experience - my payment went up unexpectedly and I panicked thinking it was a mistake. Reading everyone's experiences here makes me feel so much better about it. It's frustrating that the county doesn't proactively communicate these changes clearly, but I'm grateful for communities like this where people share real information. I'm definitely going to start checking my BenefitsCal account regularly like everyone suggested. Thanks to everyone who shared their knowledge - it's incredibly helpful for those of us still learning how this system works!