Glad to hear your deposit finally came through! Wells Fargo is notorious for not processing early - they're very strict about waiting until the actual payment date. For future reference, if you ever need to switch banks for better deposit timing, some good options that consistently process CalWORKs early are Golden 1 Credit Union (like Giovanni mentioned), Navy Federal if you qualify, and most local credit unions. Also, since you mentioned this is only your 3rd month, you might want to set up account alerts through your Wells Fargo app so you get notified the moment deposits hit. That way you won't have to keep checking manually every month. Welcome to the CalWORKs community - sounds like you're getting the hang of how everything works!

I've been on CalWORKs for about 6 months now and switched from EBT card to direct deposit after my 2nd month - best decision I made! Like others mentioned, it really does depend on your bank. I use a local credit union (SAFE Credit Union) and consistently get my payment around 10pm the night before it's due. One thing I wish someone had told me when I was new - if you're stressed about timing with rent, talk to your landlord about the situation. A lot of landlords are actually understanding about government benefit timing, especially if you communicate upfront. Mine lets me pay on the 2nd now instead of the 1st, which takes all the pressure off. Also, Pro tip: download your bank's mobile app if you haven't already and turn on push notifications for deposits. Game changer for peace of mind!

I'm so glad I found this thread! I've been dealing with a similar situation - I'm on SSI and was only getting $45/month in CalFresh, barely enough to cover a few days of groceries. After reading all these comments about medical expense deductions, I realized I never reported my monthly prescription costs, physical therapy copays, or even my medical transportation expenses. I called my county office yesterday (took three tries to get through!) and spoke with a caseworker about adding these medical expenses to my case. She was actually really helpful and said many SSI recipients don't know about this deduction. She's sending me the forms to document everything and said my benefits should increase significantly once they recalculate. One thing she mentioned that I haven't seen discussed here yet - if you use rideshare or public transit to get to medical appointments, those costs can also count toward your medical expense deduction if you're on SSI. I spend about $40/month on Uber rides to my doctor visits that I never thought to report. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences here - this community knowledge is invaluable when the system doesn't always explain these important details upfront!

This thread has been incredibly eye-opening! I'm also on SSI and have been struggling with a really low CalFresh amount ($38/month) that barely covers anything. Reading everyone's experiences about medical expense deductions has made me realize I've been missing out on reporting so many qualified expenses. I had no idea that things like over-the-counter medications, medical equipment, and even transportation to appointments could count toward increasing benefits. I spend probably $80+ per month on various medical costs that I never reported because nobody ever told me about this deduction when I applied. The part about Medicare Part B premiums really caught my attention too - I pay that monthly but never connected it to my CalFresh calculation. It's honestly frustrating that caseworkers don't automatically ask about or explain these deductions, especially for SSI recipients who could really benefit from knowing about them. I'm definitely going to gather all my medical receipts and call my county office to request a recalculation. Thank you to everyone who shared their knowledge and experiences - this community support is exactly what people need when navigating these complicated benefit systems!

As someone who's dealt with this exact situation multiple times, I can confirm everything others have shared here. The fraud protection system is actually pretty sensitive - I've had my card blocked just for using it at a different grocery store chain than usual, even within California! One thing I'd add is that when you call EBT customer service, be prepared with your full SSN, card number, and be able to verify some recent transactions. They ask a lot of security questions before they'll remove the block. Also, if you're planning to be out of state for more than a few days, ask them how long the "travel authorization" lasts - sometimes it's only good for 30 days and you might need to call again for longer trips. The whole system definitely needs better upfront communication, but at least the protection has gotten better since the skimming got so bad. I lost $400 in cash aid to skimmers at a gas station ATM last year and it took 3 weeks to get it replaced. So while the travel blocks are annoying, I'd rather deal with a phone call than lose all my benefits again.

I'm really glad this worked out for you! This whole thread has been incredibly educational - I had no idea about the travel notification requirements either. It's honestly shocking that this information isn't clearly communicated when you receive your EBT card. For anyone else reading this who might travel frequently, it sounds like calling ahead before your trip might be the smartest approach to avoid getting stuck without access to your benefits. The fraud protection makes total sense given all the skimming horror stories, but the lack of clear guidance from the state is really problematic. Also want to echo what others said about keeping that EBT customer service number (1-877-328-9677) saved in your phone and having all your card info ready when you call. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this is exactly the kind of practical knowledge that helps families navigate these systems successfully!

my sister had same problem they didnt take her calworks but the next year they took her tax return without telling her first so watch out for that part

I went through something similar last year. EDD said I owed them about $800 from unemployment overpayment, but when I got my CalWORKs emergency assistance payment, they didn't touch it. The two systems really don't talk to each other that way. However, I did end up setting up a $15/month payment plan with EDD after they started sending threatening letters about wage garnishment (even though I wasn't working at the time). It was worth it for peace of mind. Also, definitely keep all your paperwork about the stimulus payment - you'll need it for your next reporting period. Your CalWORKs worker should be able to tell you exactly how to report it so it doesn't mess with your regular benefits.

Hey! I'm actually heading to Vegas next week too and this thread has been so helpful! One thing I wanted to add - if you're flying Southwest, they have a partnership with some credit unions that offer fee-free ATM access even out of state. Might be worth checking if your EBT card is linked to any of those networks. Also, I learned from a friend that some of the bigger grocery stores in Vegas (like Smith's or Albertsons) let you get cash back when you buy something with your EBT card, which could save you ATM fees altogether. Just buy a small item and ask for cash back - way cheaper than ATM fees! Make sure to double-check which stores allow cash back with CalWORKs benefits though, since some only do it for CalFresh. Hope you have an amazing time with your family!

This is such great info! I'm new to the CalWORKs program and had no idea you could use benefits out of state. Reading through everyone's experiences has been really educational. I especially appreciate the tips about avoiding sketchy ATMs and keeping receipts - those are things I wouldn't have thought about as a newbie. Quick question though - if I'm traveling out of state, do I need to notify my caseworker beforehand or is it okay to just go as long as it's a short trip? I don't want to accidentally mess up my case by not following proper procedures. Thanks everyone for sharing your knowledge with those of us who are still learning the system!