That's awesome that you got it sorted out! Just wanted to add for anyone else reading this - if you're in a WTW program and NOT getting these payments automatically, definitely speak up. Sometimes there are system glitches or your program might not be coded correctly in their system. I had to push my worker to check why mine weren't coming through, turns out my vocational training wasn't marked as "approved" even though it was on the state list. Don't assume you're not eligible - advocate for yourself!

Great to see this thread helping so many people! I went through something similar when I started my pharmacy tech program. For anyone still confused about WTW supportive payments, here are the main types you might see: transportation (most common), childcare assistance, work clothes/uniforms, books/supplies, and tools/equipment. The amounts vary by county and your specific situation. If you're not getting payments you think you should be getting, ask your worker to review your WTW plan - sometimes they need to update it to include supportive services. Also, keep attending your program regularly because they do track attendance and can stop payments if you're not participating consistently. Good luck to everyone in their programs!

Just wanted to add something that might help with your stress level - when I was in a similar situation last year, I found it really helpful to start gathering all your documents now while you're waiting. Even if you already submitted your application, having everything organized in one folder made follow-up appointments so much easier. Also, don't forget to ask about child care assistance (CalWORKs Stage 1 Child Care) when you meet with your caseworker. Since you have a 4 and 7 year old, you'll likely need child care when you start job searching or if you get the Welfare to Work requirements. The child care assistance can cover a significant portion of costs and they can help you find providers. One last thing - if you're feeling overwhelmed by all this information (which is totally normal!), consider asking if your county has a CalWORKs orientation session or workshop. Some counties offer group sessions that walk through all the programs and requirements, which can be less intimidating than trying to remember everything from a one-on-one meeting when you're stressed. You're doing great by being proactive and asking questions!

As someone who just went through the CalWORKs application process a few months ago, I wanted to share something that really helped me get approved quickly. When you meet with your caseworker, make sure to bring a written timeline of events - like "worked at [company] until [date], received final paycheck on [date], rent due on [date]." This helped my worker understand exactly why I needed immediate assistance and made the whole interview go much smoother. Also, I see people mentioning the $2,423 gross income limit, but remember that's for ongoing eligibility. For initial eligibility when you first apply, they can be more flexible, especially if you can show your income situation has changed dramatically (like job loss). Don't let that final paycheck discourage you from applying - the earned income disregard really does help. One more tip: if your county offers online document upload, use it! I was able to submit additional paperwork they requested within hours instead of waiting for another appointment. It definitely sped up my approval process. You're being smart by getting informed ahead of time - that preparation will pay off. Good luck with everything!

Hey everyone, I'm new to this community but dealing with a similar situation. Applied for CalWORKs and CalFresh on January 20th and it's been radio silence from my worker too. Reading through all these responses is both frustrating (that this is so common) and helpful (lots of good advice here!). I'm definitely going to try calling the main office line and asking for a supervisor or duty worker like several people suggested. Also going to check my BenefitsCal account more thoroughly - I usually just look at the main status page but sounds like there might be more detailed info buried in there. Quick question for those who've been through this - when you finally did get through to someone, were they able to give you a realistic timeline for when your case would actually be resolved? I'm trying to figure out if I should be preparing for this to drag on for weeks more or if there's hope it could move quickly once I make contact. Thanks for sharing all your experiences - it really helps to know I'm not alone in this mess of a system!

I'm so sorry you're going through this stress - the uncertainty is the worst part when you're counting on these benefits to make ends meet. Based on what others have shared here, it sounds like there are a few solid steps you can take right away: 1. Definitely call the main county office number and ask for the duty worker or supervisor - don't just keep calling your assigned worker who's not responding 2. Check every section of your BenefitsCal account thoroughly - sounds like they sometimes put requests for additional info in there without proper notification 3. Since you're facing immediate financial hardship with rent due soon, specifically ask about expedited processing when you call Also, when you do get through to someone, ask them to document in your case notes that you've been trying to reach your worker for weeks. This creates a paper trail showing you've been cooperative and trying to move things forward. The fact that you submitted everything they requested right away shows you're on top of things - this delay is definitely on their end, not yours. Don't let them make you feel like you did something wrong. Keep pushing and advocating for yourself and your kids. You've got this! 💪

Just noticed you mentioned you're a new applicant - did you complete your WTW (Welfare to Work) appointment yet? Sometimes they hold the first cash payment until after you've done that initial WTW orientation meeting. Might be worth checking if that's what's delaying things.

Hey @Zara Rashid! I was in a similar situation about 6 months ago - single mom, just approved, super stressed about when the cash would hit. Here's what I learned: for new cases, they sometimes take 3-5 business days from approval to load your first cash payment, regardless of the normal schedule. Since you were approved "last week" and got your card yesterday, I'd expect it to show up within the next day or two. One thing that helped me was checking my balance multiple times throughout the day - sometimes the money loads overnight or early morning. Also, if you have your approval paperwork, look for any mention of "first payment date" - mine was buried in the small print but it was there. If nothing shows up by Thursday and you're really stressed about rent, definitely contact your worker about emergency assistance options. Good luck!

I've been dealing with CalWORKs for about 6 months now and the phone wait times are absolutely brutal. What I've learned is that calling right at 8 AM sharp gives you the best chance, but even then you might wait 30-45 minutes. I keep a phone charger nearby and put it on speaker while I do other things. One thing that might help with your specific situation - if your payment is showing as "pending" in BenefitsCal, try clicking on the case details to see if there are any alerts or required actions listed. Sometimes they'll show what's missing there even if they don't send you a notice. Also, some counties have a separate "document upload" section where you can proactively submit pay stubs or work schedules if you think that might be what's holding things up. The system definitely isn't user-friendly, but hang in there. Once you figure out your county's quirks it gets a bit easier to navigate.

I feel your pain! I've been dealing with CalWORKs for over a year now and those wait times are absolutely insane. What's worked best for me is calling exactly at 8:00 AM when they open - I literally have my phone ready to dial at 7:59 and hit call right at 8:00. Even then I usually wait 20-30 minutes, but it's way better than calling later in the day. For your SAR7 issue, definitely check your BenefitsCal messages and case alerts section like others mentioned. Also, if you know your caseworker's direct extension or email, try reaching out that way too. Some workers are actually pretty responsive to emails even when the main line is backed up. The fact that your payment is showing as "pending" usually means they're waiting for something specific from you, but their communication about what that is absolutely sucks. Keep us posted on how it goes - dealing with this stuff is stressful enough without having to guess what they need!