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

Thank you so much! I found the form and am filling it out now. One last question - does direct deposit change anything about my reporting requirements or how I use BenefitsCal? Or is it just changing how I receive the money?

It only changes how you receive the money. You'll still need to complete your SAR7 every 6 months and annual recertification as usual. Your reporting requirements stay exactly the same. Everything in BenefitsCal works the same too - you'll just see your benefits are being issued via direct deposit instead of EBT when you check your payment history.

Just wanted to add - make sure when you talk to them that you ask them to check if they accidentally calculated your income as bi-weekly when it's actually semi-monthly, or vice versa. This is a really common mistake. Bi-weekly means every two weeks (26 pay periods per year) while semi-monthly means twice a month (24 pay periods per year). Also, if they do correct it but your benefits are already reduced for next month, ask them to issue an emergency supplemental payment to make up the difference. They can do this, but you have to specifically request it.

If you're unable to get this resolved quickly, remember that you have the right to request a fair hearing. When you request a hearing, you can also request "aid paid pending" which means your benefits will continue at the previous level until the hearing decision. You must request the hearing within 10 days of receiving the NOA that reduces your benefits to qualify for aid paid pending. You can request a hearing online at https://acms.dss.ca.gov/ or call the state hearing division at 1-800-743-8525. Make sure you have your case number and the NOA date ready when you call. In my experience working with the system, most income calculation errors can be resolved without a hearing, but it's important to know your rights just in case.

You can also report the changes online through BenefitsCal if you have an account set up. That way you have documentation that you reported within the 10-day timeframe. I always take screenshots of everything I submit online because the county "lost" my reports twice before.

Good point about childcare assistance! Since you're starting a new job, make sure to ask about: 1. CalWORKs childcare benefits 2. Work expense deductions (they don't count all your income against you) 3. Earned Income Disregard (first $225 + 50% of remaining earnings are disregarded) Your benefits might actually increase for a while even with your new job, especially since your partner's income is no longer counted in the household.

Great question! If you and your husband file together as one household (which you should), then as long as ONE of you meets a student exemption (like being a veteran), you can both receive CalFresh. The student restrictions only apply if NOBODY in the household meets an exemption. So your veteran status should cover both of you for the student eligibility issue.

also make sure u tell them if u have kids!!! we get the diaper stipend for our baby thru calworks and that helps a ton

Just saw your post and wanted to share what worked for me. I had the same issue last year - couldn't reach anyone about an incomplete SAR7. I finally called my state assembly member's office (google your local representative) and explained my situation. Their constituent services person called the county office and suddenly my caseworker called me back within HOURS after I'd been trying for weeks! They can really light a fire under them. Worth a shot if nothing else works!

Update: I tried that Claimyr service and IT WORKED!!! Got through to a person in 20 minutes after trying for a week on my own. Turns out they needed verification of my new job's pay stubs because the format looks different from my old ones. They're giving me 10 days to submit them and said my benefits won't stop if I get them in. Such a relief! Thanks everyone for the help!

There are some important technical details about benefit theft replacement that might help you understand what's happening: 1. When CalWORKs approves a theft replacement, the county must submit form 271 to CDSS (California Dept of Social Services) for the replacement authorization 2. After CDSS approval, it gets sent to the EBT card processor (FIS) through a batch file process 3. Batch files are typically only processed on business days 4. The replacement will be issued as a separate transaction in your EBT history labeled "ADMIN ACTION" or sometimes "BENEFIT REPLACEMENT" 5. You have the right to request an emergency replacement if you're facing imminent hardship (like eviction or utility shutoff) I recommend calling your county's EBT customer service number (not the general EBT number) and specifically asking about the status of your form 271 replacement. They should be able to tell you exactly where in the process your replacement is stuck. If that doesn't work, you can also contact the state EBT customer service centers directly at one of these numbers: - Northern California: (877) 328-9677 - Southern California: (877) 328-9677 Specifically ask for a supervisor who can check the EPPIC system for pending administrative actions.

UPDATE: I went to the office this morning and waited for 3 hours, but finally got to speak with a supervisor. Turns out they approved my replacement but there was some kind of "system error" when it was supposed to transfer to my EBT card. They had to manually reprocess it and promised the money would be on my card within 24 hours. The supervisor gave me her direct number to call if it doesn't show up by tomorrow. I asked why nobody told me about this error when I called before, and she just shrugged and said the regular workers probably couldn't see that note in the system. So frustrating! Will update tomorrow if the money actually shows up.

Have you checked if your payment method got changed by accident? Once my cash aid didn't come through because somehow my account got switched from direct deposit back to EBT card without me doing anything. Worth checking if the money might be on your EBT card instead of your bank account. Also, did you recently change any information on your case? New address, added/removed household member, reported new income? Sometimes even small changes can put a temporary hold on benefits while they recalculate everything.

Update us on Tuesday if you can - I'm curious whether this was a technical glitch or an actual hold on your case. With the verification showing "Pending Review," that's almost certainly the cause. Counties have a timeframe to process verifications (typically 10 business days), but they often fall behind. The frustrating part is that benefits should continue while verification is pending review, unless they had explicitly told you it was required to continue your benefits. Since you submitted before the deadline, your benefits should not have been interrupted. When you do reach someone on Tuesday, ask them to check for any "holds" or "flags" on your case. Sometimes there are system holds that the frontline workers don't even notice unless they specifically look for them.

Just to clarify something important: even if your benefits get temporarily discontinued because of the late SAR7, once they process your complete form, they should restore benefits retroactively to the beginning of the month. You might see a gap in your EBT deposits, but you should eventually receive the full benefit amount you're eligible for. Make sure to keep documentation of when you submitted everything in case there's any dispute about timelines.

Did they tell you WHY the SAR7 was incomplete? Sometimes they mark it incomplete for really small reasons. One time they said mine was incomplete because I used blue ink instead of black ink on one signature (which is ridiculous). Another time they said I was missing proof of rent but I had included it. Always get specific details about what's missing and get the name of who you speak with. The 3-day timeline is standard but sometimes it takes longer because they're processing so many reports at once.

Did u get a receipt from ur mom for the gift? Alwys get proof when someone gives u money. I keep ALL my receipts for EVERYTHING just in case CalWORKs asks. They WILL ask for proof sometimes randomly just to check if u lyin.

Update: Finally got through to my worker today! She confirmed that the one-time gift won't affect my ongoing eligibility since I'm still under my IRT even with that added. My benefits might be slightly less for the next payment period, but I won't lose them. Also, my SAR 7 was processed yesterday - it took 8 business days total. The worker said they're just backed up right now because it's SAR 7 season and they're short-staffed. Thanks everyone for the help and reassurance!