This whole thread is such a lifesaver! I'm a single mom with two young kids and went through this exact nightmare about 6 months ago. My SAR 7 was 8 days late because my daughter was in the hospital and I completely forgot about the deadline while dealing with everything. CalFresh got cut off immediately but CalWORKs stayed on. I was so stressed about how I was going to feed my kids while waiting for benefits to come back. Like others mentioned, I had to be really persistent about getting the restoration instead of a new application - the first worker I talked to tried to tell me I had to reapply, but I asked for a supervisor and got it sorted out. One tip I don't see mentioned yet: if you're pregnant or have kids under 6 (like I do), make sure to mention that when you call because you qualify for expedited processing if for some reason they do make you reapply. Also, document everything in writing - I sent a follow-up email summarizing what the worker told me would happen and when, which helped when there was confusion later. Hang in there everyone dealing with this - it's fixable!

This is such an informative thread! I'm new to CalWORKs and CalFresh and honestly had no idea how the SAR 7 system worked or what could happen if you're late. Reading everyone's experiences is both eye-opening and a bit overwhelming - it sounds like there are so many variables depending on which worker you get and how familiar they are with the restoration process. I'm definitely bookmarking this thread and setting multiple calendar reminders for my SAR 7 deadlines after seeing how stressful this situation can be. Thank you to everyone who shared their stories and advice - it's clear this community really looks out for each other. The tip about using specific terminology like "restore" or "reinstate" when calling seems particularly valuable, and I appreciate all the practical advice about documentation and knowing your rights within that 30-day window.

This is such a helpful thread! I'm also on CalWORKs and had the exact same confusion about stimulus payments vs. regular benefits. Like others mentioned, I got my first stimulus on my tax refund card but the second one came as a check that took weeks to arrive. It's really good to know that CalWORKs caseworkers can't help with this since it's handled by the IRS - I was planning to call my worker about it too! The Get My Payment tool on the IRS website is definitely the way to go. For anyone still waiting on their check, I'd also recommend signing up for USPS Informed Delivery like someone else suggested - it really helps you track what's coming in the mail so you're not constantly checking your mailbox wondering if today's the day.

This thread has been so educational! I'm also receiving CalWORKs benefits and had the same exact confusion about stimulus payments. I actually spent over an hour on hold trying to reach my caseworker last week about this very question, so I'm glad I found this discussion before wasting more time calling the wrong agency! It makes so much more sense now that these are completely separate systems - federal IRS vs state CalWORKs. I checked the IRS Get My Payment tool like everyone suggested and it shows my payment will be direct deposited since I filed my 2024 taxes with direct deposit info. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences with the payment method changes between rounds - it helps to know this has been a common issue and not just something wrong with my specific case. Thanks to this community for always being so helpful in explaining how these different programs work!

Just wanted to add that when you call the EBT customer service number, if your account shows as "active" but with a zero balance, that's actually a good sign - it means your case worker will just reload benefits onto your existing card once you're approved. But if it says "inactive" or "closed," then you'll probably need to wait for a new card to be mailed. Also, since your interview is Tuesday and rent is due Friday, make sure to explicitly say "I am requesting immediate need assistance due to housing emergency" during your interview. Those exact words can trigger faster processing. Some counties can even do same-day emergency payments if you have all your documents ready and clearly explain the timeline. Don't just mention it in passing - really emphasize that you need help before Friday to avoid eviction. Your situation sounds like a textbook case for expedited benefits since you were involuntarily terminated and have immediate housing needs. Stay positive!

I just went through this same situation last month! Your old EBT card should work fine - they'll just reload it once you're approved. Since it's only been 3 months, your account is probably still active even with a $0 balance. Given your tight timeline with rent due Friday and interview Tuesday, make sure to specifically ask for "expedited processing due to immediate housing need" during your interview. Bring documentation of your layoff and current rent situation. Some counties can issue emergency cash within 1-2 business days for urgent housing situations like yours. You can also call the EBT customer service number on your card right now to confirm your account status - if it shows "active" you're good to go with the same card!

I'm going through the exact same thing right now - had my phone interview 2.5 weeks ago and still getting the "processing" runaround when I call or visit the office. This thread has been so eye-opening because I had no idea this was such a widespread issue with CalWORKs! Logan, I'm so glad you finally got through and discovered it was employer verification holding things up - that's exactly the kind of specific information they should have told you weeks ago instead of making you play detective. Reading everyone's strategies has given me hope and a real action plan. I've been calling randomly throughout the day and waiting hours just to get disconnected, but the 8am sharp calling strategy makes so much sense. And asking specifically "what verification are you waiting for?" instead of accepting vague "still processing" answers is going to be my new approach. The tip about requesting expedited processing if you're facing housing issues is something I definitely need to try since my rent is due next week. It's honestly heartbreaking that so many of us are dealing with the same broken system when we're already struggling financially, but this community support means everything. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and proving that persistence really does work, even when it feels impossible!

This thread has been such a valuable resource! I'm currently in week 3 of waiting after my CalWORKs interview and was starting to feel like I was doing something wrong. Reading Logan's success story and everyone's shared experiences has been so reassuring - it's clear this is a systemic problem, not individual failures. The specific strategies mentioned here (calling at 8am, asking "what verification are you waiting for?", requesting supervisors, knowing about expedited processing and Civil Rights complaints) are game-changers that I never would have known about otherwise. It's absolutely ridiculous that we have to become experts at navigating around a broken system when we're already dealing with financial stress, but I'm so grateful for this community sharing their knowledge. For anyone else still waiting - this thread proves persistence pays off and we're definitely not alone in this struggle. Bookmarking this for reference when I make my next call!

This thread is so helpful and eye-opening! I'm new to CalWORKs and had no idea that missing mail notices were such a common problem. Reading everyone's experiences makes me realize I need to be way more proactive about staying on top of my case. @CosmicCommander I'm so relieved you got it sorted out! The fact that you never received the verification request letter but they still discontinued your benefits without proper notice is exactly the kind of thing that makes this system so stressful for families who are already struggling. For anyone else dealing with similar issues, it sounds like the key takeaways are: 1) Don't assume it's about income - could be missing paperwork, 2) Keep calling until you get a real person who can explain what's happening, 3) Document EVERYTHING, and 4) Consider going in person if phone calls aren't working. I'm definitely going to set up those text alerts and start keeping a log book like Omar suggested. Thanks everyone for sharing your stories - it's scary how common these notification failures seem to be, but at least we can help each other navigate this broken system!

This whole thread is a perfect example of why we need better advocacy and oversight of county CalWORKs offices! The fact that so many people are experiencing the same issue - benefits discontinued without proper notice - shows this is a systemic problem, not just individual worker errors. What really gets me is that families are put in impossible situations where they have to choose between spending days on the phone trying to reach someone or potentially losing hundreds of dollars in benefits they depend on for basic needs like rent and food. The 10-day notice requirement exists for a reason - people need time to respond or appeal before their lifeline gets cut off. I'd encourage anyone dealing with this to also consider filing a complaint with your county's client advocate or ombudsman if the situation isn't resolved quickly. Sometimes a formal complaint gets faster action than just calling the regular worker line. You can also contact legal aid organizations in your area - many offer free help with CalWORKs issues. @CosmicCommander I'm so glad you got it resolved! Your experience highlights how important it is for people to share these stories so we know we're not alone and can learn from each other's strategies for navigating this broken system.