UPDATE: I finally got through to someone at the county! Used that Claimyr service and it actually worked. The worker said my claim was approved 5 days ago but there was a system error preventing it from being loaded onto my card. They're manually processing it now and I should have the funds within 48 hours. She also fixed my BenefitsCal account - apparently it was blocked for security reasons after the theft, exactly like some of you said. Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions!

This is such a relief to read your update! I've been following your situation and was really worried about your rent deadline. It's incredible that the county had already approved your claim 5 days ago but didn't tell you - that's exactly the kind of communication breakdown that makes this process so much harder than it needs to be. For anyone else dealing with similar issues, this really shows how important it is to keep pushing and trying different approaches. The Claimyr service seems to be a game-changer for actually getting through to someone who can help. I'm definitely bookmarking that for future reference. Hope you get your funds loaded soon and can finally get some peace of mind! Thanks for updating us - it gives hope to others going through the same nightmare.

For everyone in this thread - here's a simple breakdown: 1. If you had ANY earned income: File taxes to claim EITC and Child Tax Credit 2. If you had ZERO earned income but have dependent children: Still file to claim the refundable portion of the Child Tax Credit and California state credits 3. If you had ZERO earned income and NO dependents: You probably won't get a refund unless you had taxes withheld from some other income source To find free tax help: - Call 211 for VITA locations near you - Visit irs.gov/vita - Ask at your county CalWORKs office for referrals Most important: Tax refunds DO NOT count as income for CalWORKs and don't need to be reported!

I'm in a similar situation - been on CalWORKs with my 4-year-old and haven't worked at all this year due to my own health issues. Reading through all these responses has been really eye-opening! I had no idea there were credits available even without earned income. Quick question for those who have gone through the VITA program - do they help you understand what documentation you need beforehand? I want to make sure I have everything together before I go so I don't waste anyone's time. Also, how long does the appointment usually take? This thread has been so much more helpful than trying to get answers from my caseworker. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!

I got a completely new card with new number. The worker strongly recommended it. Said even changing the PIN isn't always enough because sometimes the scammers have ways to access the card info regardless of PIN changes. Be prepared that the new card takes 3-5 business days to arrive by mail though!

This is such valuable information, thank you for sharing your experience! I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - had $485 stolen from my EBT card last week. I filed the police report and uploaded everything to BenefitsCal but haven't heard back yet. Your post gives me hope that persistence pays off. I'm definitely going to try calling right at 8am tomorrow like you suggested. It's so frustrating that we have to jump through all these hoops when we're already struggling, but I'm grateful to know the process can work. Did they give you any advice on preventing this from happening again? I'm paranoid about using my card anywhere now!

make sure ur mom gets on medi-cal too!! my mom was paying like crazy for her medicare part B out of her ss check but when she got on medi-cal they started paying that part for her so she got an extra $170 a month!!

I'm new to CalWORKs and just went through something similar with my elderly father. One thing I learned that might help - when you report your mom moving in, ask your worker specifically about the "deeming" rules. Sometimes they can exclude a portion of her income if she has her own necessary expenses like medical costs or medications. Also, definitely get her on the SSI application ASAP - even if she only gets approved for a small amount, it opens up other benefits like automatic Medi-Cal. The waiting period is tough but it's worth it in the long run. Hang in there!

Based on what you've shared, here's what I recommend: 1. Report your income accurately - the risks of not doing so are too high 2. At your recertification interview, explain your health challenges and that you're gradually building capacity - ask about available transition supports 3. Request information about the "Welfare to Work Specialized Service" programs which can provide additional support during your transition period 4. Ask about the exact calculation of your new benefit amount with your current income - you might still be eligible for partial benefits 5. Request information on all transitional benefits you'll qualify for when cash aid ends Remember that the goal of CalWORKs is to help you become self-sufficient. Your story of gradually increasing work capacity is exactly what the program wants to see, and there should be supports to help you complete that journey without falling backward.

Your situation resonates with me so much. I'm also dealing with chronic health issues while trying to get back to work. One thing that really helped me was asking my worker about the "good cause" exemptions for people with ongoing health conditions - they can extend your time limits and provide additional flexibility during your transition. Also, if you haven't already, document EVERYTHING about your health conditions and how they affect your work capacity. Keep all your medical records updated in your case file. This can help you qualify for extended supports even as your income increases. The income disregard calculation others mentioned is real - for someone with no dependents, they don't count the first $225 of your monthly earnings, then only count 50% of anything above that. So if you're earning $800/month, they'd only count $512.50 toward your income eligibility ($800 - $225 = $575, then $575 x 50% = $287.50, plus the first $225 = $512.50). This might mean you can keep some benefits longer than you think. Definitely be honest but advocate hard for yourself during recertification. Explain your health journey and ask specifically about every transition program available. You've worked so hard to get where you are - don't let fear make you risk losing everything by not reporting.