I just want to echo what everyone else has said - definitely report the inheritance! I went through a similar situation last year when I received about $3,800 from my dad's estate. I was so scared about losing benefits that I almost didn't report it, but I'm so glad I did. Yes, my CalWORKs payment was $0 for that month because it put me over the income limit, but the next month everything went back to normal. The most important thing is to report it in writing (not just a phone call) and keep copies of everything. I also kept detailed receipts for how I spent the money - car repairs, past-due bills, etc. - just in case they ever asked. The temporary loss of one month's benefits was way better than the stress of worrying about them finding out later. You're being smart by asking about this ahead of time instead of just hoping for the best. This community has been such a lifesaver for getting real advice from people who actually understand what we're going through!

As someone new to this community, I'm really impressed by how helpful and supportive everyone has been in sharing their real experiences with inheritance reporting. I'm not currently dealing with this situation myself, but reading through all these stories has been incredibly educational about how CalWORKs actually works in practice. The clear consensus from everyone who's been through this is that reporting the inheritance is absolutely the right thing to do, even though it means one month of reduced benefits. What strikes me most is how many people have successfully navigated this exact situation and had their benefits resume normally the following month. @Bethany, you've received such valuable advice from people who've actually lived through this process - it sounds like reporting it immediately in writing and using the money for necessary car repairs is definitely the smart approach. This community is such an amazing resource for getting honest, practical guidance from people who truly understand the system!

What a rollercoaster this thread has been! @DeShawn I'm so happy it worked out for you - that panic when you think your benefits might get cut off is just awful. I've been there! This whole situation really highlights how broken the communication is between the county and recipients. They switch your reporting requirements but don't send a clear notification? That's ridiculous. We shouldn't have to be detectives just to figure out what we're supposed to do. I want to echo what others said about keeping good records. After my own nightmare experience with a missed SAR 7 (that turned out to be submitted correctly but "lost" in their system), I now: 1) Take screenshots of EVERYTHING when I submit online 2) Keep a calendar with all my important dates highlighted 3) Save every single letter they send me, even the boring ones Also, for anyone reading this who's new to CalWORKs - don't be afraid to ask your worker questions! I know some of them can be hard to reach, but the good ones will explain your reporting requirements clearly. And if you get someone who's unhelpful, don't hesitate to ask to speak with a supervisor. This community has been such a lifeline for navigating all this bureaucracy. Thank you everyone for sharing your knowledge and supporting each other! 💪

This thread is such a perfect example of why this community is so valuable! @DeShawn I'm so relieved everything worked out for you - the panic of thinking your benefits might get cut off is absolutely terrifying, especially when you're already struggling. What strikes me most about this whole situation is how many people have experienced similar technical issues with BenefitsCal. It really shouldn't be this hard to submit required paperwork, and the fact that the system doesn't give clear error messages when you're actually on annual reporting instead of semi-annual is just poor design. For anyone else who might face this issue, I want to add that if you're ever unsure about your reporting requirements, you can also check your EBT card balance receipt - it sometimes shows your next report due date at the bottom. Not all counties do this, but it's worth checking. Also, a tip from my own experience: if you do need to submit emergency paperwork and can't get through by phone, try showing up at your county office right when they open. Yes, it's a pain to go in person, but for time-sensitive stuff like this, sometimes it's the only way to get immediate confirmation that your paperwork was received. Thanks to everyone who jumped in with advice - this is exactly the kind of mutual support that makes navigating this complex system more manageable! 💙

I'm a CalWORKs recipient and had this exact same experience! Applied online and the BenefitsCal site showed absolutely nothing for over a week - I was convinced something went wrong. But then I got a call out of the blue for my interview appointment. The caseworker explained that their internal system processes applications even when the website doesn't reflect it properly. She said this happens to probably half their online applicants and they're aware it's a problem but haven't been able to fix it yet. Since you got that confirmation email with a number, your application is definitely in their system. I'd suggest calling the county office and giving them that confirmation number - they can look up your application status on their end even if you can't see it online. Also, when you do get your interview (and you will!), bring copies of everything you uploaded just in case. The worker told me sometimes documents don't transfer properly from BenefitsCal to their system. Hope this helps ease your worries a bit!

I just want to echo what everyone else is saying here - this "no pending benefits" issue is SO common with BenefitsCal! I'm a single mom and went through this exact panic last year when I applied for CalWORKs after losing my job. The website showed nothing for 9 days straight, but then I got my interview call on day 10. What really helped me was calling the county office and asking them to confirm they could see my application in their system using my confirmation number. The worker was super understanding and explained that BenefitsCal has been having these display issues for months. She could see my application was actively being processed even though I couldn't see anything online. Since you mentioned having kids and rent due soon, definitely ask about expedited processing during your interview - they prioritize families with children and housing emergencies. Also, check if your county has a same-day processing option for emergency situations. Some counties can issue temporary aid within 24-48 hours if you meet certain criteria. Don't lose hope - your application is almost certainly moving forward even though the website is useless at showing it!

This entire thread has been such a masterclass in how to handle benefit reporting mistakes properly! As someone who's been helping people with public benefits applications for several years, I see situations like Mei's all the time, and I'm so impressed with how you approached it. What really stands out to me is how this demonstrates the importance of community support when navigating these systems. The range of advice here - from the practical steps about documentation and call services, to the professional insights about good faith reporting, to the emotional support from people who've been in similar situations - shows how valuable peer knowledge can be. For anyone new to this thread or facing similar concerns, the key lesson here is that the system is designed to work with people who are trying to do the right thing. Yes, there are rules and requirements, but there's also human discretion that takes intent and effort into account. Mei, your willingness to share both the scary parts and the positive resolution is going to help so many people who might otherwise let fear prevent them from correcting honest mistakes. That $42 reduction is such a reasonable outcome for what could have felt like a catastrophic error when you first realized it. This is exactly the kind of real-world guidance that makes this community invaluable!

What an incredible thread to read through! As someone who's been on CalFresh for about 8 months now, I wish I had found this community earlier. Mei, your story perfectly captures that heart-stopping moment when you realize you might have made a mistake on something so important. I had a similar panic moment a few months ago when I wasn't sure if I had reported my work-study income correctly (turns out I had, but the anxiety was real!). Reading about your methodical approach - trying multiple contact methods, documenting everything, and being completely honest with the worker - is exactly the roadmap I would have wanted during my own stress spiral. The outcome you achieved really demonstrates what several people mentioned about good faith efforts making all the difference. A $42 monthly reduction for voluntarily reporting $160 in additional monthly income is honestly better than I would have expected, and it shows the system can work fairly when you approach it with transparency. Thanks for sharing both the scary parts and the resolution - knowing that honest mistakes can be corrected without devastating consequences takes away so much of the fear around these applications. This thread is going to be incredibly helpful for anyone facing similar situations!

I'm so sorry you're going through this stressful situation, but you're definitely not alone! I was in a very similar position two years ago with my twin boys (age 4 at the time) living at my aunt's house. The constant tension about parenting decisions was exhausting for everyone. Here's what I learned that might help you: Start by calling your CalWORKs worker and specifically asking about ALL housing assistance programs available - don't just accept "we don't have anything" as an answer. Ask about Housing Support Program, Diversion Services, TANF Emergency Aid, and the Family Stabilization Program. I had to call three different times before I got connected to someone who actually knew about these programs. Also, look into your county's Continuum of Care program - they often have rapid rehousing assistance that can help with deposits and short-term rental assistance even if you're not technically homeless. Being in an unstable family situation often qualifies. One practical tip: when apartment hunting, bring a folder with all your documentation (CalWORKs verification letter, pay stubs, references) and a brief letter explaining your situation and why you'd be a great tenant. This shows landlords you're organized and serious. The stress you're feeling is completely valid - kids pick up on family tension way more than we realize. Moving out isn't selfish, it's protecting your children's emotional wellbeing. You've got this, mama! Keep us updated on how the housing search goes. 💙

I'm really inspired by all the amazing advice and success stories shared here! As someone who's been through the CalWORKs system, I wanted to add that it's also worth checking with your local 211 helpline - they often have updated lists of emergency rental assistance programs that work alongside CalWORKs housing programs. Sometimes there are city or county-specific funds that your regular worker might not know about. Also, when you do find potential apartments, don't be afraid to explain your situation honestly to landlords. I was surprised how many were actually understanding when I explained that I was working to provide a more stable environment for my children. Some even appreciated that I was being proactive about addressing family conflict rather than just staying in a bad situation. One more tip: if you have any documentation of your good payment history (like receipts for contributing to household expenses at your mom's place, or perfect attendance at work), bring those along too. It helps show you're reliable even if your income is mostly from benefits. You're absolutely doing the right thing for your family. The fact that you're planning ahead and asking questions shows you're a thoughtful parent who prioritizes your children's wellbeing. That tension at home isn't healthy for anyone, especially little kids. Keep pushing forward - there are definitely options available once you know where to look! 💪