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This is such a relief to read your update! I'm actually going through something similar right now - my SAR 7 got processed last week but I'm still worried about my payment coming through on time. Your post gave me hope that even when the BenefitsCal system doesn't update properly, the benefits can still arrive as scheduled. Definitely going to use that EBT phone tip to check Friday night. So happy your son got his birthday celebration! The stress of waiting for benefits when you have urgent needs is absolutely awful, but it sounds like you handled it perfectly.
I'm so glad this thread helped you feel more confident about your situation! That EBT phone check trick is honestly a lifesaver - I wish more people knew about it. The waiting and uncertainty is the worst part of this whole process. Fingers crossed your payment comes through smoothly too! It's really reassuring to see when things work out despite all the system glitches and stress.
I've been through this exact same panic multiple times and it's honestly traumatic every month wondering if your benefits will actually show up. The fact that you got through to a worker who confirmed everything was processed is actually a really good sign - they don't usually say that unless it's actually done in the system. I've noticed that BenefitsCal is basically useless for real-time updates, especially during SAR 7 processing periods. The backend systems they use to actually load the money onto cards seem to work independently from what we see on the website. That EBT phone check tip is golden - I use it every month now because it's literally the only reliable way to know for sure. Really hope everything works out for your son's birthday!
This is exactly why I think CalWORKs needs to completely overhaul their technology systems. It's not right that families have to live in constant anxiety about whether their basic survival benefits will show up on time. The disconnect between what workers can see in their systems versus what recipients see online is just cruel - especially when people are dealing with emergencies like broken appliances or kids' birthdays. I'm new to this program and already feeling overwhelmed by how unreliable the information systems are. Thank you for sharing that EBT phone tip - definitely going to bookmark that for future use!
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wait i didnt even know this was a thing!!! my daughter is 2 and ive been on calworks for a year… does anyone know if theres a form on benefitscal for this or do u have to call?
There's no form on BenefitsCal for this specifically. You need to contact your worker, either by phone or by leaving a message in your BenefitsCal account. Make sure to mention that you'd like the diaper benefit added AND retroactive payments for any months you should have received it but didn't.
I just went through this exact same situation last month! I have a 15-month-old and was shocked to find out I'd been missing out on $30/month for over a year. When I called my worker, she said the diaper benefit should have been added automatically when my case started, but there was some kind of system glitch. The good news is they gave me all the backpay from when my daughter was born - it was like getting a $360 check! Definitely call ASAP because the longer you wait, the more money you're missing out on. And don't let them tell you it's "per family" - I had one worker try to tell me that but it's absolutely per child under 3. Pro tip: when you call, ask them to email or mail you a summary of what they added to your case so you have it in writing. That way if there are any issues later, you have proof of what was discussed.
Wow $360 backpay sounds amazing! That's a great tip about getting it in writing too. I'm definitely going to ask for that when I call. Did you have any trouble getting through to your worker or did you use that Claimyr service someone mentioned?
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Just wanted to add my experience for anyone who might search for this issue in the future! I had the exact same 104 error about 3 weeks ago and it was such a nightmare. What made it even worse was that it happened on a Friday evening, so I couldn't reach anyone until Monday. I ended up having to borrow money from family for groceries over the weekend. When I finally got through to EBT customer service on Monday (took about 2 hours of calling), they said the flag was triggered because I had withdrawn money from an ATM in a different city when I was visiting my sister. Apparently their system flagged it as "suspicious location activity" even though it was totally legitimate! They cleared it immediately once I explained, but those 3 days of not being able to access my benefits were really stressful. I switched to direct deposit right after that incident and haven't had any issues since. For anyone dealing with this - definitely push for direct deposit if you can. It's so much more reliable!
Wow, that's so frustrating that they flagged your card just for withdrawing money in a different city! It makes me wonder how sensitive their "suspicious activity" detection really is. Like, what if you're homeless or staying in different places temporarily? Or what if you just need to withdraw money while you're out running errands in a different part of town? It seems like their system is way too strict and doesn't account for normal life situations. I'm really glad you were able to get it sorted out and that direct deposit has been working better for you. This thread is convincing me more and more that I need to switch away from the EBT card as soon as possible. Three days without access to your benefits sounds absolutely awful, especially over a weekend when you can't even call for help!
This thread is such a lifesaver! I'm about 4 months into CalWORKs and honestly had no idea these EBT security issues existed until now. Reading everyone's experiences has been both informative and a little scary - the thought that my benefits could get locked without warning is really concerning, especially when I'm already living paycheck to paycheck. I had a minor issue with my PIN last month but nothing like the 104 error. Definitely going to ask my caseworker about direct deposit at my next recertification meeting after seeing how many people have dealt with these card problems. Also saving that EBT customer service number and the Claimyr callback service info just in case. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their stories and solutions - this is exactly the kind of real-world advice that actually helps people navigate this complicated system!
I'm so glad you found this thread helpful! I'm also relatively new to CalWORKs (about 6 months) and this whole discussion has been incredibly educational. It's really eye-opening to see how many different ways the EBT system can malfunction - from the 104 security flags to location-based blocks to PIN issues. What strikes me most is how these technical problems can have such serious real-world consequences when people are depending on these benefits for basic necessities. I had no idea about any of these potential issues when I first got my EBT card. Like you, I'm definitely planning to ask about direct deposit at my next appointment. It seems like such a simple solution that could eliminate most of these headaches. Thanks for adding to this thread - the more experiences people share, the better prepared we all are to handle these situations if they come up!
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This thread has been absolutely invaluable! I'm currently waiting for a decision on my 15-year-old daughter's SSI application (we applied 8 months ago), and reading through everyone's detailed experiences has helped me understand exactly what to expect if/when we get approved. The consistency in everyone's advice about reporting immediately really stands out - it's clear that's the most critical step. I had heard about interim assistance reimbursement before but never understood how it actually worked until reading these explanations. Knowing that it's handled automatically between SSI and the county (rather than something I'd have to navigate myself) is such a relief. Katherine, congratulations on your daughter's approval! Your question started such an informative discussion. The specific numbers people shared about benefit changes and the tips about getting written confirmation are incredibly helpful. I'm definitely saving this thread to reference when our time comes. For those who've been through this transition - did you find that your CalWORKs worker was generally knowledgeable about the SSI interaction, or did you need to educate them about the process? I'm wondering if I should come prepared with information about interim assistance reimbursement when I eventually make that call. Thank you all for creating such a supportive community where families can learn from each other's real experiences!
Welcome to the community, Keisha! Eight months is a long wait - I really hope you hear something soon on your daughter's application. To answer your question about worker knowledge: it's been pretty hit or miss in my experience. Some CalWORKs workers are very familiar with SSI transitions since they handle them regularly, while others might need some gentle guidance. I'd definitely recommend having your SSI approval letter ready with all the key details (start date, monthly amount, backpay info) when you call. It might also help to mention "interim assistance reimbursement" by name when you report the approval - that's the official term they use, and it shows you understand the process. Most workers appreciate when clients are informed and prepared! One thing I learned is that the CalWORKs and SSI systems actually communicate pretty well behind the scenes, so even if your worker isn't super familiar with the details, the computer systems usually handle most of the coordination automatically. The most important thing is just getting that initial report made within the required timeframe. Best of luck with your daughter's application! This community has been such a great resource for navigating these systems - don't hesitate to ask questions when your time comes.
This thread has been such an incredible resource! I'm a single parent with a 12-year-old son who has autism, and we're about 6 months into the SSI application process while receiving CalWORKs. Reading through everyone's detailed experiences has answered so many questions I didn't even know to ask. What really stands out to me is how consistent everyone's advice is about reporting the approval immediately - that seems to be the golden rule. The explanation of interim assistance reimbursement being handled automatically between agencies is such a relief too. I had been worried about potentially owing money back personally. Katherine, huge congratulations on your daughter's approval! Your question sparked such an informative discussion that's going to help so many families. The specific dollar amounts people shared really help paint a clear picture of what the financial transition looks like. One thing I'm curious about - for those who went through this process, did you find it helpful to have any documentation ready beyond just the SSI approval letter when you called your CalWORKs worker? I want to make sure I'm as prepared as possible when our time hopefully comes. Thank you all for being so generous with sharing your real experiences. This community truly shows how much we can support each other through these complex systems!
Welcome Maria! Six months into the process - you're getting close to that typical decision timeframe. It's wonderful how this thread has become such a comprehensive resource for families going through SSI transitions. To answer your question about documentation - besides the approval letter, it's helpful to have your most recent CalWORKs case information handy (like your case number and current benefit amount) and any recent pay stubs if you're working. Some people also found it useful to have a pen and paper ready to write down exactly what the worker tells you about the timeline and next steps. The approval letter is definitely the most important document though, since it has all the key details the worker needs: your son's monthly SSI amount, the effective date, and information about backpay. Having those specific numbers ready makes the conversation much smoother. One tip from my own experience - don't be afraid to ask the worker to repeat important information or to send you written confirmation of any changes they're making to your case. These transitions involve a lot of moving pieces, and having everything documented really helps avoid confusion later. Autism can be a qualifying condition for SSI, so I'm hopeful you'll get good news soon! This community will be here to help you navigate the transition when that approval comes through.
Oliver Cheng
One important recommendation: While you're waiting for your case to be resolved, you might qualify for emergency CalFresh (food stamps) if you haven't already maxed out your benefits. You can apply for an emergency allotment that can be approved within 3 days if you meet the criteria. Also, contact local food banks and community resource centers immediately. Many have emergency assistance programs specifically for situations like yours. For your EBT card security going forward: 1. Change your PIN as soon as you get a new card 2. Check your balance frequently (ideally daily) 3. Never share your PIN with anyone 4. Consider withdrawing your cash benefits all at once when they're deposited Wishing you the best with resolving this quickly.
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Alina Rosenthal
•Update: Finally got through to my worker! They're sending me a form to fill out and said they can usually process benefit theft claims within 10 business days. She also approved emergency assistance for us while we wait - $200 that I can pick up at the office tomorrow. Not the full amount but at least something to help with groceries. Thanks everyone for your advice!
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Luca Esposito
I'm so sorry this happened to you! EBT theft is unfortunately becoming more and more common. I work at a community resource center and we see cases like yours every week. A few additional tips that might help: 1. Document EVERYTHING - take screenshots of your account balance showing $0, write down the exact date/time you discovered the theft, and keep records of all your calls and case numbers. 2. If you have trouble reaching your CalWORKs worker, you can also file the theft report online through your county's website in some counties, or visit any county office location - you don't have to go to the specific office where your worker is located. 3. While waiting for resolution, check if your area has any emergency rental assistance programs. Many cities and nonprofits have funds specifically to help prevent evictions. 4. Consider asking your landlord for a few extra days if possible - explain the situation and show them your theft report documentation. Many landlords are understanding when they see you're actively working to resolve the issue. Stay strong - I know this is incredibly stressful but you're taking all the right steps to get this resolved!
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