UPDATE: I finally got through to my worker this morning! She confirmed that my SAR 7 was processed and approved without needing the interview because all my info was complete and unchanged from previous months. She said the interview was just scheduled as standard procedure but wasn't actually required in my case. My Cash Aid and CalFresh benefits will continue without interruption. So relieved! Thanks everyone for your help and advice.

That's such a relief! Thanks for updating us - I was wondering how it turned out. It's actually really helpful to know that they sometimes schedule interviews as standard procedure even when they're not required. I've been stressed about my own upcoming SAR 7 interview next month, but this gives me some peace of mind that if I submit everything correctly, it might not be as big a deal as I thought. Glad everything worked out for you!

UPDATE: I called this morning after trying 5 times yesterday and getting disconnected. Finally got through and requested the diaper benefit. The worker confirmed I qualify and said they'll add it going back to when my daughter was born! Should see the payment in about 2 weeks. Thank you everyone for your help! I never would have known about this if I hadn't asked here.

Congratulations on getting approved! That's awesome that you'll get the back pay from when your daughter was born - that should be around $270 if my math is right ($30 x 9 months). For anyone else reading this thread who might be in a similar situation, here's what I learned when I got the diaper benefit for my son: - Call early in the morning (around 8-8:30am) to have the best chance of getting through - Have your child's full name and birthdate ready when you call - Ask specifically for "CalWORKs Diaper Assistance" - some workers know it by different names - Keep notes of when you called and who you spoke with in case there are any issues Also want to echo what others said about asking about ALL the benefits you might qualify for. I found out I was missing out on the childcare benefit too, which has been a huge help. These programs exist to help us but they really don't make it easy to know what's available!

I recently applied for calfresh and was asked if I had a bank account (which completely caught me off guard) and I said yes but I really wish I had said no because I don't like my information being out there would it have been better if I said no? would have had been made a difference?

I work for a nonprofit that helps people navigate benefit applications, and I want to emphasize what others have said - being honest on your CalWORKs application is absolutely the right approach. The Asset Verification System (AVS) that counties use can identify bank accounts at most major financial institutions, so it's much better for them to hear about your account from you directly. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that when you apply for CalWORKs, you'll likely need to provide bank statements for the past 30-60 days anyway, so they'll see your account activity regardless. Having $780 from your tax refund is completely normal and acceptable - tax refunds don't count against you as long as you report them. Also, don't worry about your previous CalFresh application. Different programs have different asset verification processes, and county workers understand this. The important thing is being truthful moving forward. Make sure to keep good records of your bank statements and any documentation they might ask for during the application process.

Update: I went back to the office today with ALL the documents for my kids. Turns out there was a mix-up with my case - they had me confused with someone else who has a similar name!!! The supervisor apologized and they're processing my application now. They also said I can get benefits backdated to when I first tried to apply. Thank you everyone for your help and advice!! I was so stressed about this but now it's getting fixed! For anyone else having similar issues - definitely ask for a supervisor and bring ALL your documentation!!

So glad to hear you got it resolved! This is a perfect example of why it's so important to persist and ask for a supervisor when something doesn't seem right. Mix-ups with similar names happen more often than you'd think in the system. For anyone else reading this thread who might face similar issues - Dmitry's experience shows that sometimes the problem isn't with your eligibility at all, but with administrative errors. Always trust your instincts if something seems off, especially when you know you should qualify based on income and family size. And great job getting the retroactive benefits too! That can make a huge difference financially. Thanks for coming back to update us on the outcome - it really helps other community members who might be going through the same thing.

The county will definitely be able to see that your son is on another case. Make sure to bring ID for both yourself and your son (his birth certificate and Social Security card if you have copies), plus the custody order. You should also bring proof of your address, income verification (pay stubs), and any information about other resources you have. The more documentation you bring to your interview, the smoother the process should go.

One thing I'd add - when you submit your application, make sure you specifically mention in writing that this is a shared custody situation with an existing case for the same child. I've seen cases where workers don't realize there's already another case and it causes delays or confusion. Also, if possible, try to schedule your interview during a time when you can bring your son with you - some workers like to see the child in person to verify the relationship, especially in shared custody cases. Good luck with the process!