Just wanted to add my experience from when I added my son to my case 4 months ago - one thing that really helped was asking the worker to give me their direct extension when I finally got through. That way when I had follow-up questions or needed to check status, I didn't have to go through the main phone system again. Also, if you're having trouble getting through by phone, try going to your local county office in person if possible. I know it's hard with a baby, but sometimes showing up physically gets faster results than waiting on hold for hours. When I went in person, they were able to pull up my case immediately and confirm that my documents had been received and were being processed. They also gave me a paper receipt showing what had been submitted and when. One more tip - if your benefits don't show up on your EBT card by the date they promise, call immediately. Don't wait another week thinking it might just be delayed. In my case there was a system glitch that required a supervisor to manually push the update through. Good luck and hang in there - the extra money really does make a difference once it comes through!

I'm in a very similar situation with my 2-month-old! I submitted all the documents through BenefitsCal about 5 days ago and have been calling every day since with no luck getting through. Reading all these responses is giving me hope that persistence will eventually pay off. I had no idea about the diaper benefit or that they're supposed to process this within 10 days as a mandatory change. I'm definitely going to try the 8 AM calling strategy tomorrow and ask for email confirmation when I do get through. It's so frustrating that we have to work this hard just to get our babies added to benefits we're already receiving, especially when money is already tight with a newborn. Thanks to everyone for sharing their timelines and specific dollar amounts - it really helps to know what to expect and that the benefits do get backdated. Fingers crossed we all get our cases processed soon!

One more important tip: While your cash theft is being investigated, ask your worker about the Immediate Need program. If you have less than $100 in resources and need money for housing/utilities/essential needs, they can issue up to $200 within 3 working days. This is separate from your regular CalWORKs benefit and won't affect your theft claim. You'll need to complete a separate Immediate Need request form when you submit your theft report.

I'm so sorry this happened to you! EBT theft is unfortunately becoming more common. Since you've already filed the police report, that's a great first step. A few additional things that might help: 1. When you go to the county office tomorrow, arrive early (they usually open at 8am) and ask to speak with a supervisor if regular workers can't help immediately 2. Bring copies of EVERYTHING - police report, your ID, EBT card, and any documentation of the fraudulent transactions 3. Ask specifically about "expedited processing" for theft cases - some counties can fast-track these if you explain the urgency 4. Document who you speak with (get names) and ask for case numbers for both your theft report and any emergency assistance requests Also, many food banks and community organizations can provide emergency food assistance while you wait for your benefits to be restored. Call 211 for local resources. You shouldn't have to choose between feeding your kids and paying rent while waiting for the system to work. Stay strong - you're doing everything right!

I just went through this same thing last week! That notification is so misleading - I immediately thought they were cutting my benefits too. But like everyone else said, it's just their way of saying they processed your SAR7. What I've noticed is that the timing of when you see this notification can vary. Sometimes it shows up the day after you submit, sometimes it takes 2-3 days. But as long as you didn't report any income or household changes, your benefits should stay the same. Pro tip: if you're ever really worried about it, you can also log into your BenefitsCal account online to double-check your case status there. Sometimes it shows more detailed info than the EBT app does. The important thing is you got your receipt when you turned in the SAR7 - that's your proof it was submitted on time if any issues come up later!

I'm new to CalWORKs and just submitted my first SAR7 yesterday. Seeing this thread is such a relief! I was planning to spend all day tomorrow calling the county office because I got that same "Account Changed - Status Changed" message and had no idea what it meant. The wording really is terrible - it makes it sound like something bad happened when it's actually good news that they processed your paperwork. Thank you everyone for explaining this! I'm definitely going to start following the tips about screenshotting my benefit amounts and submitting early to avoid the stress.

I'm brand new to this community and just started my CalWORKs application process last week. This entire thread has been absolutely amazing to discover! I was already getting anxious about what to expect during the redetermination process and what all the different status indicators in BenefitsCal might mean. Reading through everyone's real experiences here, especially the detailed explanation from the eligibility worker about the January 2025 system update causing display issues, has given me such valuable insight into how the system actually works behind the scenes. It's really frustrating that these technical problems aren't clearly communicated to recipients - I can only imagine how many people are out there panicking about status changes not knowing it's a known system issue. The fact that this community has actual workers willing to share insider knowledge about CalSAWS vs. BenefitsCal processing is incredible. Seeing your update that your payment came through on time despite the confusing status display gives me so much confidence as I prepare for my own journey with this program. Thank you for sharing your experience and taking the time to update everyone - it really helps newcomers like me understand that we can trust the process even when the technology seems unreliable. Having a supportive community like this where people help each other navigate these complex systems makes such a huge difference!

I'm completely new to this community and just received my CalWORKs approval two weeks ago! This thread has been absolutely invaluable - I was experiencing the exact same confusion about my benefits showing 'active' instead of what I thought should be 'pending' status. Like so many others here, I've been obsessively checking BenefitsCal multiple times a day, getting more anxious each time because I had no idea what was normal. The explanation from the eligibility worker about the January 2025 system update causing these display issues is such crucial information that I wish was provided to new recipients upfront! Understanding that the real processing happens in CalSAWS rather than what we see in BenefitsCal completely changes my perspective on these status inconsistencies. Reading everyone's real experiences, especially your update that your payment came through right on schedule despite the confusing online display, gives me so much confidence moving forward. As someone who's never navigated government benefits before, having a supportive community like this where experienced members and workers share practical knowledge makes such a difference in reducing the overwhelming anxiety that comes with not understanding how these systems actually function. Thank you for taking the time to share your experience and provide that reassuring update - it really helps newcomers like me learn to trust the process even when the technology appears unreliable!

I'm so sorry you went through that terrifying experience! As someone who just got my CalWORKs card a couple weeks ago, reading your story made my heart race - I can't imagine the panic of not being able to access benefits when your kids need food. This entire thread has been incredibly educational for newcomers like me. I had absolutely no idea about the PIN lockout system or that the card gets locked after 4 wrong attempts, but it's actually reassuring to know it's just a security feature and your benefits stay safe in the account. I'm definitely taking all the amazing advice everyone shared here - writing down my PIN securely, saving the EBT customer service number, downloading the Connect EBT app, and noting those off-peak calling times to avoid brutal hold waits. The Claimyr service tip sounds like a lifesaver too! Thank you for being brave enough to share such a stressful situation - your experience is going to help so many of us know exactly what to do if this ever happens. This community's support and practical knowledge is absolutely incredible!

This whole thread has been such a lifeline for someone like me who just got approved for CalWORKs! I literally picked up my EBT card from the office yesterday and was planning to use it for the first time this weekend. Reading about your experience @Anastasia Sokolov absolutely terrified me - the thought of being locked out when you need to feed your kids is every parent's nightmare. But I'm so grateful you shared it because now I know exactly what to do if this happens to me. The community response here has been incredible! I had no idea about the 4 wrong PIN attempt lockout system, but knowing it's just a security measure and that benefits stay in the account is really reassuring. I'm implementing every single tip from this thread: writing down my PIN and storing it safely, saving the EBT customer service number in my phone, downloading the Connect EBT app right now, and noting those off-peak calling hours. The Claimyr service sounds amazing for avoiding those brutal hold times too! As a newcomer, it's so comforting to see how this community rallies around each other during crises. Thank you for turning your stressful experience into a learning opportunity for all of us - this information is going to help so many people handle these situations with confidence instead of panic!