Update: I called using the advice from others here and FINALLY got through to someone helpful. Turns out they were missing a school attendance verification for my teenager even though I included it in my original packet! They just overlooked it. The worker was able to note it in my file and said the supervisor should approve it within 48 hours. She also said they'll backdate my benefits to when they should have started. Sometimes it really is just about getting to the right person who will actually look at your file instead of giving you the standard response.

Wow, this is so frustrating but unfortunately not surprising. I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - submitted my redetermination in early February and still waiting on "supervisor approval" too. The lack of communication is the worst part. One thing that helped me was documenting every single phone call I made (date, time, who I spoke to, what they said). When I finally got through to someone who could help, having that record made them take my case more seriously. Also, if you haven't already, try calling first thing in the morning right when they open (8 AM). I've had better luck getting through to actual caseworkers instead of just the screening line. The afternoon calls always seem to go nowhere. Keep pushing - you shouldn't have to stress about rent because they can't do their job properly. Hoping you get some movement on your case soon!

After your baby is born, don't forget to apply for the special needs food package through WIC! It's completely separate from CalWORKs but most people qualify for both. WIC gave me special breastfeeding support and extra food when my baby was born. Also, the CalWORKs diaper money ($53/month) comes on your EBT card but it's specifically for diapers - a small help but every bit counts with a newborn!

And good luck actually FINDING a caseworker to add your baby to the case after birth!!! I had to call over 20 TIMES after my daughter was born to get someone to answer and update my case. The system is BROKEN!!! And they wonder why people get frustrated and give up. 🤬

As a newcomer to this community, I can't express how helpful this entire thread has been! I'm currently dealing with the exact same situation - got approved for CalWORKs last week and BenefitsCal shows my Cash Aid as "deposited" since Monday, but my EBT card still shows $0. I was starting to panic thinking something went wrong with my application, but reading everyone's experiences here has been such a huge relief. It's incredibly frustrating that caseworkers don't explain this 3-4 business day processing delay upfront - the word "deposited" is so misleading when the money isn't actually available yet! The stress of staring at that zero balance when you desperately need the funds for rent and groceries is something they really should warn people about. Thank you all for sharing your real experiences and creating such a supportive space. I'm definitely bookmarking that Claimyr tip too in case I need to reach my caseworker quickly. This community seems like such a valuable resource for understanding how the system actually works versus what we're told officially. Fingers crossed my payment shows up by Thursday!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm so grateful I found this thread! I'm currently experiencing the exact same issue - got approved for CalWORKs two weeks ago, and while my CalFresh loaded immediately, the Cash Aid shows "deposited" in BenefitsCal but my EBT card balance is still $0. I was starting to worry that my case had been reversed or something went wrong, but reading everyone's experiences here has been such a relief. It's really frustrating that they don't explain this processing delay upfront - using the word "deposited" when the money isn't actually available yet is so misleading! The stress of watching that zero balance when you're counting on the funds for basic necessities is something no one should have to go through without fair warning. Thank you all for sharing your real experiences and supporting each other. This community provides the honest answers about how the system actually works that we don't get from official sources. I'm definitely saving that Claimyr tip for future reference too. Hopefully my payment shows up within the next few days!

Just wanted to update that I got the BenefitsCal app and it's working pretty good for checking my balance and upcoming payment dates. It did crash once when I tried to upload a document but it worked the second time. Way better than calling that automated line! Thanks everyone for the help.

For anyone having issues with the BenefitsCal app crashing, try clearing the app cache or reinstalling it. I had the same problem where it would freeze when uploading documents, but after reinstalling it's been much more stable. Also make sure you have a good internet connection when submitting stuff - I noticed it fails more often on weak WiFi or cellular signals. The app isn't perfect but it's definitely better than waiting on hold for 2+ hours just to check basic info. I use it mainly for checking balances and payment dates, then use the full website on my computer for anything more complicated like submitting lengthy documents.

To summarize what everyone's saying: While there's no automatic system that will immediately cut your benefits if your mother claims your child on taxes, it creates a contradiction that could cause problems. For CalWORKs, you're saying you have primary responsibility for your daughter. For IRS purposes, your mother would be claiming she provides more than half of your daughter's support. If you want to avoid potential complications with your benefits, the safest approach is to make sure your tax filing is consistent with what you report to CalWORKs. This means you should be the one claiming your daughter as a dependent.

Smart decision! I went through something similar and learned that consistency across all government systems is crucial. Your mom probably means well, but the potential risk to your stability just isn't worth it. One thing to consider - if your mom is providing significant support through childcare and purchasing items for your daughter, make sure you're accurately reporting any cash assistance she gives you on your SAR7 forms. The county needs to know about all sources of support, but as long as your daughter lives with you primarily and you're her main caretaker, you should be fine claiming her on taxes yourself. Also, once you complete your WTW program and get stable employment, you might be able to revisit the tax situation with your mom if circumstances change. But for now, protecting your Cash Aid is the priority.