I work with families in similar situations and wanted to share some additional resources that might help. The California Department of Social Services has a specific handbook section (MPP 82-823) that covers adding household members who are caretaker relatives - you can reference this if your worker seems uncertain about the process. One thing I'd recommend is asking your sister if she has her birth certificate or any medical records that show your family relationship. While not always required, having documentation that proves you're siblings can make the process smoother. Also, don't worry too much about your mom's current benefit status. When you add your sister to your case, the county's computer system will automatically check for duplicate enrollment across cases. If there's an overlap, they'll work with you to resolve it - it's not something that will get you in trouble. The most important thing is that you're providing a stable home for your sister during a difficult family time. The CalWORKs program is designed to support exactly these kinds of situations. Make sure to emphasize on your SAR7 that this is a long-term living arrangement, not just temporary babysitting.

One thing that might help ease your worries - I had a very similar situation with my younger cousin who came to stay with me when her mom went through some struggles. The county was actually really understanding and helpful once I got connected with the right worker. Here's what worked for me: I called ahead before submitting my SAR7 and explained the situation over the phone. That way, when they received my paperwork, they were already expecting it and had flagged my case for review. It prevented any delays or confusion. Also, since your sister has been with you for 7 months already, make sure to note on the SAR7 the exact date she moved in. They may ask why you waited so long to report it, but as others mentioned, you're not required to report household additions immediately - just on your next SAR7. The school enrollment letter is definitely your best bet for proving residence. I'd also suggest getting a simple letter from a neighbor, family friend, or even her doctor if she's had any appointments while living with you. Having multiple sources confirming she lives at your address just makes everything smoother. You're doing an amazing thing for your sister during a tough time. Don't let the paperwork stress you out too much - the system is designed to help families exactly like yours.

Just to add some clarification on the reporting rules: 1. You must report new employment within 10 days of getting your first paycheck. 2. If your income exceeds your IRT (Income Reporting Threshold), you must report within 10 days. 3. Otherwise, you must report all income on your Semi-Annual Report (SAR 7). And about paybacks - yes, if you delay reporting and receive benefits you weren't eligible for, you'll have to repay the overpayment. However, as someone mentioned, CalWORKs has an earned income disregard, so you might still be eligible for partial benefits even with your new job.

Thanks everyone for the advice! I'm definitely going to report within 10 days of getting my first paycheck. I found my IRT letter and it says $1,790 for my household, which is more than I'll make at this part-time job. I'll make copies of my paystubs and upload them to BenefitsCal right away. Really appreciate all the help - definitely don't want to deal with overpayments or fraud accusations!

I'm so sorry this happened to you! As someone who's been on CalWORKs for a few years, I know how terrifying it is when your benefits get stolen, especially when it's rent money. The skimming scams are getting really bad - they put these tiny devices on card readers that you can't even see, and they steal your card info without you knowing. Here's what I learned when my friend went through this same thing: 1. You did the right thing calling EBT customer service first. Make sure you get a reference number for your report. 2. When you fill out the EBT-2259 form, be as detailed as possible. Write down exactly where you were when the theft happened, that your card never left your possession, and include any receipts from legitimate transactions you made around that time. 3. For emergency help with rent - call your county office and specifically ask about "emergency assistance due to EBT theft." Some workers don't know about all the emergency programs available. If the first person says no, ask for a supervisor. 4. File a police report too, even if they say they can't investigate. Having that report number can help with your county case. The good news is that people ARE getting their money back from these thefts - it just takes time. Don't let them make you feel like you're lying. This is happening to so many people right now. You're going to get through this!

I'm really sorry this happened to you! This exact same thing happened to my sister - someone got $520 from her CalWORKs cash aid through an ATM withdrawal while she had her card the whole time. It turns out these criminals are using something called "shimming" now too, which is even harder to detect than regular skimming. They slide super thin devices into card slots that steal your info. A few things that might help you right now: 1. When you go to turn in that EBT-2259 form, ask to speak with an eligibility worker supervisor if possible. Sometimes they have more knowledge about emergency assistance options. 2. Mention that you're facing homelessness due to the theft - use those exact words. There are specific emergency housing assistance programs that might be available. 3. Ask about "Homeless Assistance Program" or "HAP" funds - these are sometimes separate from regular emergency aid and workers don't always think to mention them. 4. If your county has a CalWORKs advocacy group or legal aid clinic, try calling them too. They often know about resources that regular workers might not mention. The investigation process is frustrating but people really are getting their money back. My sister got hers replaced in about 18 days. Hang in there and don't let them brush you off about emergency help - you have every right to ask for assistance when you're a victim of theft!

Hi Yuki! Welcome to CalWORKs - I know it can feel overwhelming at first, especially with all the security concerns. I've been receiving benefits for about 6 months now and wanted to share what's worked for me. I actually called the EBT customer service line (the number on the back of your card) and asked them to walk me through all the security features available. They told me about setting up account alerts, how to temporarily freeze my card if I'm worried about it being compromised, and which ATM networks are safest to use. One thing that really helped my peace of mind was learning I could check my balance online or through the app instead of at ATMs - that way I'm not exposing my card and PIN as often. Also, many counties now offer workshops on EBT safety - mine had one at the local library that covered everything from spotting skimmers to what to do if your benefits get stolen. Might be worth asking your caseworker if your county offers anything similar. The most important thing I learned is to act immediately if something seems off - don't wait and hope it's nothing. Good luck and don't hesitate to ask more questions!

Hi Yuki! I totally understand your paranoia about EBT security - it's unfortunately a real problem. I've been on CalWORKs for about a year and here's what's worked for me: I exclusively use ATMs inside Target, CVS, or major grocery stores during busy hours when there are lots of people around. I also always wiggle the card reader before inserting my card to make sure nothing is loose or attached. One thing that really gave me peace of mind was setting up the California EBT app on my phone - it lets me check my balance without using an ATM and I get instant notifications for every transaction. If your county offers direct deposit to your Chase account, definitely go for that option! Mine doesn't offer it yet but I've heard it's the safest way. In the meantime, the cash back method at grocery stores that others mentioned is really your safest bet. I usually buy something small I actually need (like milk or bread) and get $100 cash back, then do this a few times over a couple days until I've withdrawn everything. Stay safe and don't feel bad about being extra cautious with your benefits!

I'm new to this community but this entire thread has been incredibly helpful! As someone who just started receiving CalFresh benefits, I had no idea about all these potential pitfalls - verification requests going to spam folders, mysterious error codes, phone systems that don't work, etc. @Gemma Andrews I'm so glad you persisted and got your benefits restored! Your experience is a perfect case study in why this community is so valuable. @Melina Haruko thank you for explaining the error codes and appeal process - that kind of insider knowledge should be publicly available but clearly isn't. @Chloe Taylor and @Ezra Bates the suggestions about assembly member offices and expedited phone lines are brilliant workarounds I never would have known about. It's honestly shocking that we need services like Claimyr and all these unofficial channels just to access basic government benefits, but I'm grateful people here share what actually works. I'm definitely saving this whole conversation as my go-to resource guide if I ever run into issues. The level of practical help here is better than any official website I've seen!

I'm new to this community and this thread has been absolutely invaluable! Reading through everyone's experiences has given me so much insight into navigating the CalFresh system that I wish I'd known from the start. @Gemma Andrews I'm so relieved you were able to get your benefits restored - your persistence really paid off and thank you for sharing the resolution! The fact that the verification request ended up in your spam folder is such an important lesson for all of us. It's honestly mind-blowing how many unofficial workarounds people have had to develop just to access basic services - Claimyr, assembly member offices, expedited phone lines, checking spam folders religiously, knowing the magic phrases to say. @Melina Haruko your explanation of the error codes and advocacy resources is incredibly helpful, and @Chloe Taylor and @Ezra Bates those suggestions about alternative contact methods are brilliant. As a newcomer, I'm both grateful for this wealth of practical knowledge and frustrated that the official system is so broken that we need all these backdoor solutions. I'm definitely saving this entire conversation as my emergency resource guide. This community provides better support than any government website I've encountered!