update us when u get ur money back!! im curious if its really faster now like they saying

I'm so sorry this happened to you! EBT theft is unfortunately becoming way too common. I went through something similar about 6 months ago and here's what I learned: The key is getting ALL your paperwork submitted correctly the first time. I made the mistake of not filing the police report immediately, which delayed my case by almost 2 weeks. Once I had everything in order (the EBT 2259 form, police report, and affidavit), it took exactly 9 business days to get my money back. Pro tip: When you call your worker, ask specifically about "emergency replacement benefits" - don't just wait for them to offer it. Some workers won't mention it unless you ask directly. I was able to get about 60% of my stolen amount replaced as emergency aid within 4 days while waiting for the full investigation. Also, definitely change your PIN right away and maybe consider using ATMs inside banks rather than standalone ones if possible. Those skimming devices are everywhere now. Keep us posted on how it goes! The system has definitely improved from what it used to be.

One more important thing - when your mom applies, make sure she also asks about: 1. CalFresh (SNAP/food stamps) - separate application but can be done at the same time 2. Medi-Cal for your niece if she doesn't already have it 3. Child care assistance if needed (though at 67 she might not need it) 4. Emergency clothing allowance - one-time payment for clothes for your niece If your niece has any special needs or disabilities, mention that too as there can be additional assistance available. Also, your mom will need to complete a SAR7 form every 6 months to report any changes and recertify annually. Make sure she knows these deadlines as missing them could stop the benefits.

Just wanted to add - if your mom gets overwhelmed with all the paperwork and requirements, see if your county has a senior services department that can help her navigate the application process. Many counties have case workers who specialize in helping older adults access benefits. Also, if she's denied initially (which sadly happens a lot with senior caretakers), don't give up! Request a hearing immediately. I've seen too many seniors get discouraged after the first denial when they actually qualify. The appeals process can be confusing but there are legal aid organizations that help with CalWORKs appeals for free. Your mom is doing an amazing thing raising your niece, and she deserves all the support available to help make that easier financially. Good luck with the application!

Unfortunately, there's no special exemption for student income in CalWORKs. All earned income in the household counts against your grant (after standard deductions). However, your son might qualify for the Cal-Learn program if he's a teen parent, or for specific WTW exemptions if he's meeting certain educational requirements. One thing to consider: if your son is saving for college, have him look into opening a Coverdell Education Savings Account or 529 plan. These special savings accounts DON'T count against your resource limits for CalWORKs eligibility. Regular savings accounts do have limits that could affect your entire family's eligibility if they exceed $10,211 (the current resource limit for most families).

I'm dealing with something similar in Whittier! Getting letters from multiple offices is so confusing. One thing that helped me was calling the main DPSS number (866-613-3777) early in the morning around 8 AM - the wait times are usually shorter then. When you get through, ask them to do a "benefit history review" for your case. They can tell you exactly what triggered the reduction and when it started. Also, since your son just started working, make sure you understand the "earned income disregard" rules. The first $225 of his monthly earnings shouldn't count against your benefits, but anything over that gets calculated into your grant reduction. It might be worth having him track his hours carefully to stay under certain thresholds if possible while he's saving for college. Good luck at the Pomona office tomorrow! Bring copies of everything - your son's pay stubs, the CalWORKs notices showing the reduction, and your most recent SAR7. Sometimes having all the paperwork right there helps them figure out the issue faster.

BTW dont let anyone tell u that u need a court custody order!!! my worker tried to tell me that but its NOT TRUE. as long as both parents agree where kids are living its fine. they just need statements from both of u

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago! Just want to add that you should also check if you're receiving any other benefits like WIC or Medi-Cal for the kids - those will need to be transferred separately too. The county offices don't always automatically coordinate between different programs, so you might need to contact each one individually. Also, make sure your ex knows that he'll need to complete the eligibility interview within 30 days of submitting his application, and he should bring proof of income, rent/utilities, and any childcare expenses. The county will want to verify everything fresh since it's technically a new case. Good luck with the transition!

UPDATE: I just got a call from my worker - they received my mailed documents and my application is now approved! Benefits will be backdated to my original application date. So relieved this nightmare is finally over. For anyone else dealing with pending applications - keep calling until you get answers!

This is such valuable information, thank you for sharing your experience! I'm currently dealing with a similar situation - my application has been pending for 3 weeks now and I keep getting the runaround when I call. Reading all these comments makes me realize I need to be way more proactive about following up. I'm going to start mailing physical copies of everything today, even though the website says my documents were received. It's frustrating that we have to work around a broken system, but I'm grateful for this community sharing real solutions. Has anyone had success getting through to a supervisor when the regular workers can't help?