Thanks everyone for all this helpful info. I'm going to try using that Claimyr service to get through to my worker and get specific numbers for our situation. I'll also talk to my fiancé about how we might need to adjust our budget once we're married. We may need to postpone the wedding a few months until we figure out a better plan. I appreciate all the advice, especially about the transitional benefits I hadn't considered!

One last thing to consider - timing your marriage strategically might help. If you report the marriage near the end of your current certification period, there's sometimes less disruption. For example, if you're due for redetermination in September, getting married in August might be better than getting married in May, as they'll review everything at redetermination anyway. Just a thought to help with your planning. Wishing you all the best with your marriage regardless of when you decide to do it!

I'm so sorry this is happening to you! The stress of unexpected benefit changes is terrible. I've been on CalWORKs for 3 years and had a similar situation last summer. In my case, it turned out my semi-annual report (SAR7) had a discrepancy they needed to resolve. Check your BenefitsCal account for any alerts or messages - sometimes they post notices there instead of mailing them. Did you recently submit any paperwork that might have triggered a reassessment? Or have any household changes they might be adjusting for?

updaTE????? did u figure out why they took ur money?? im worried now they gonna do this to me next month 😭😭😭

Something important that hasn't been mentioned: When you start working, the months where you're working and still getting some CalWORKs don't count fully against your 48-month time limit! So it's definitely in your advantage to work part-time while still getting some benefits. This is called the Earned Income Time Limit Exemption. Make sure your worker applies this to your case.

I just wanted to update everyone - I took the job! After talking to my worker (finally got through), she confirmed everything that most of you said. I'll still get some Cash Aid, keep childcare benefits, and actually have more total money each month. Thanks for all the advice!

BTW sometimes if u just submitted docs today the system might not update payment til midnight tonight... check again in the morning b4 u panic

Just wanted to add one more thing - if you absolutely cannot wait until Tuesday and your payment doesn't appear tomorrow (Friday), you might want to ask about Emergency Assistance. If your case is already approved and you're facing potential eviction, there are sometimes expedited payment options available. Not all workers will mention this unless you specifically ask.

I just checked with my friend who works for the county (not my county, but still knows the system). She said there was a CalWORKs Cost of Living Adjustment that went into effect in October 2024, AND there was a separate supplemental payment that went out to families with certain circumstances. If you were just approved in December, your base amount should already include the COLA. But you might also qualify for the supplemental payment, which is separate. You need to speak directly with a benefits specialist or supervisor, not just the front-line workers. Be persistent and specifically ask for a supervisor if the regular workers can't help.

good luck actually reaching anybody! i spent THREE DAYS trying to get through to my county office last month. kept getting disconnected after waiting 45+ minutes each time! the system is BROKEN

Senior citizens can definitely get calworks but they don't tell u that at the office!! my mother in law gets it for my husband's little sister. shes 65. they tried telling her she had to do job search but when we showed them her ID proving her age they had to exempt her. make sure ur mom brings her ID!!!!

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.

u might wanna ask bout the IRT too. thats the income reporting threshold. its different for calworks vs calfresh n u need to know both so u dont get in trouble if u start working!

One more thing to consider - when you get CalWORKs, you'll switch to Semi-Annual Reporting (SAR7) forms. You'll need to report any income changes every 6 months, or immediately if you go over your Income Reporting Threshold (IRT). Make sure they explain this clearly, as missing reports can cause both benefits to stop. Also, for a family your size, you should qualify for expedited CalWORKs if you have less than $100 in resources and immediate needs. Ask about this if your situation is urgent.

Here are some immediate steps to protect yourself while waiting for your claims to process: 1. Get a new EBT card immediately and create a completely unique PIN 2. Change your BenefitsCal online password 3. Whenever you get benefits, immediately transfer them to a separate bank account or withdraw all the money at once (at a bank teller, not ATM) 4. When you go to the CalWORKs office, ask about their "Expedited Replacement" policy for theft victims 5. Always check your balance before AND after using your card 6. Never let anyone take your card out of your sight at stores 7. Cover the keypad when entering your PIN Most counties are now taking benefit theft more seriously because it's becoming so common. Make sure to use the specific term "electronic benefit theft" in all your communications.

Sorry this happened to you! For anyone else dealing with this - there's a new law (I think from 2023) that better protects victims of EBT theft. Counties are supposed to replace stolen benefits more quickly now. Make sure when you file your claim you specifically ask about the "EBT theft protection" law and say you need replacement benefits while waiting for the investigation. I'd also recommend contacting your state representative's office - they can sometimes speed things up.

I had a NIGHTMARE getting through to my worker when I needed to explain my car situation. Kept calling for 3 days straight and either got voicemail or disconnected. Finally I tried this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to a real person in about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE - it was way better than wasting hours redialing. My worker explained exactly how to list my car and loan on the recert and it was no problem at all.

One more thing to consider - make sure your car insurance is up to date when you submit your recertification. Sometimes they ask for proof of insurance too, especially if you're using the vehicle for work purposes like DoorDash. Just have that documentation ready with your other paperwork so you don't delay the process if they request it.

Since we're talking about extra money - don't forget to check if you qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit too if you're working. It's tax season and that can be a huge help. Not related to CalWORKs but just wanted to mention it since we're discussing possible extra funds.

i do work part time so i'll look into that too. every little bit helps right now