Congratulations on the new job, Megan! You're being really smart about handling this proactively. I just wanted to add something that helped me when I went through this process - make sure to keep a detailed log of every interaction you have with the county office, including dates, times, and the names of anyone you speak with. I created a simple spreadsheet tracking my submission date, confirmation receipts, phone calls, and any follow-up communications. This documentation trail was incredibly helpful when I had questions later about my case closure. Also, once you get that written confirmation that your benefits have ended, keep it somewhere safe permanently - not just for a few months. I've heard stories of people needing to reference their termination documentation years later for various reasons like tax purposes or if they ever need to reapply for assistance. The fact that you're asking these questions ahead of time shows you're going to handle this perfectly!

Congratulations on your new job, Megan! You're absolutely doing the right thing by being proactive. I went through this exact same situation about 8 months ago. Here's what I learned: definitely submit everything in writing through BenefitsCal rather than just calling. Use the specific language "I request voluntary discontinuance of my CalWORKs case effective [date]" - not just "reporting income change" because they might just reduce your benefits instead of closing the case. Include your job offer letter or first paystub as proof, and make sure your termination date is the day BEFORE your first paycheck to avoid any overlap. Also, ask them to confirm in writing (email is fine) that they received your request and what the expected processing timeline is. Don't forget that your Medi-Cal might continue even after CalWORKs ends, and you might still qualify for CalFresh with the higher income limits. Keep copies of everything and take screenshots of your BenefitsCal submission! The whole process took about 2 weeks for me and having everything documented made it completely smooth. You've got this!

Reading through this thread is exactly what I needed right now! I'm on day 1 of waiting for my Cash Aid restoration and already getting anxious about the timing. It's so helpful to see Oliver's update that it actually came through overnight like the supervisor promised. The information about Cash Aid and CalFresh processing separately is really valuable - I had no idea they were on different systems. This community is amazing for sharing real experiences instead of just the official "it takes 1-3 business days" responses we get from the office. Definitely bookmarking this thread for anyone else I know going through benefit restorations!

This thread is incredibly helpful for anyone dealing with CalWORKs restoration delays! I went through something similar about 6 months ago and the waiting period was absolutely brutal - especially when you're counting on that money for essential expenses like rent. What I learned from my experience is that even when supervisors give you specific timeframes, the backend processing systems often have their own schedule. In my case, I was told "by end of business today" and it actually showed up 2 days later at around 3am. The overnight batch processing seems to be when most deposits actually hit accounts. One thing that helped me was setting up account alerts so I'd get a text notification as soon as any deposit posted - saved me from obsessively checking my balance every hour. It's also worth noting that if you're ever in this situation again and facing immediate housing issues, most counties have emergency assistance programs that can help with one-time rent payments while you're waiting for regular benefits to resume. Thanks for sharing your experience Oliver - these real-world timelines are so much more valuable than the generic "3-5 business days" responses we usually get!

Just wanted to share my recent experience since I'm also a family of 5 who just went through this process. We got approved last month and are receiving $1,268 for CalWORKs cash aid and $1,159 for CalFresh with zero income. The amounts everyone mentioned are pretty spot on! A few things that helped speed up our process: 1) Apply online first at GetCalFresh.org or YourBenefitsNow.org to get in the system faster, 2) Gather ALL your documents before your interview (birth certificates, Social Security cards, proof of address, etc.), and 3) If you have kids under 5, mention it during your interview as it can help with work requirements. Also, don't forget about WIC if your kids are under 5 - that's additional food assistance specifically for young children that stacks with CalFresh. My 2-year-old gets formula, milk, eggs, and other basics through WIC which really helps stretch our food budget. The whole process took about 6 weeks from application to getting our first benefits, but we got emergency CalFresh within 3 days since we had literally $0 income. Hang in there - it's stressful but the assistance really does help while you get back on your feet!

I just wanted to add something about the application timeline that might help - when you do finally get through to someone at the county office, ask specifically about expedited processing if you're facing immediate homelessness. They can sometimes process emergency CalWORKs payments within 5-7 days if you meet certain crisis criteria. Also, since your rent is $2,300 for a 2-bedroom with 5 people, you might want to look into the CalWORKs Housing Support Program in your county. Some counties have additional rental assistance programs specifically for CalWORKs recipients that can help bridge the gap between your benefits and actual housing costs. One more tip - when you go to your interview, bring a utility shutoff notice or eviction notice if you have one. This can help establish the urgency of your situation and potentially qualify you for additional emergency assistance beyond the regular monthly amounts.

I'm going through this exact situation right now too! Just had my nephew added to my case last week and I've been constantly checking BenefitsCal with no updates showing. Reading everyone's responses here has been so reassuring - I had no idea the payment system and online portal were completely separate! My caseworker also told me everything was processed but seeing the same old household info on the website was making me panic. Now I understand it's just a viewing portal that updates way later. I'm going to stop refreshing it every hour and just wait for my Notice of Action to arrive in the mail. Has anyone here ever had an issue where the NOA didn't come within the 10 days? Just wondering if I should be concerned if it takes longer than that to show up.

I'm dealing with this same frustrating situation right now! Added my daughter to my CalWORKs case about 10 days ago after she moved in with me permanently, and BenefitsCal still shows the old household composition. My caseworker assured me everything was processed on their end, but seeing no changes on the portal was really stressing me out. Reading all these responses has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea that the eligibility system (CalSAWS) and BenefitsCal portal were separate systems that sync on different schedules! That explains why so many of us have experienced this same delay. I was starting to think there was an error with my case. I'm going to follow the advice here and call the EBT customer service line before my next payment date to verify the correct amount will be deposited. Also keeping an eye out for that Notice of Action in the mail since that seems to be the most reliable confirmation. It's such a relief to know this 1-2 week delay is completely normal and doesn't mean anything went wrong with the case processing!

I'm new to this community but going through a very similar situation right now. My ex also reported me after our breakup and I just had my fraud investigation interview last week. I wanted to share a few things that might help: First, they did allow me to reschedule my interview once when I couldn't get childcare, so if you need accommodations, ask. Second, the investigator was actually more professional and less intimidating than I expected - they're just doing their job, not trying to trap you. One thing I wish I had known beforehand: they asked very specific questions about my living situation, who else has access to my benefits card, and whether anyone else helps support my household. Make sure you're prepared to answer those accurately because they can verify a lot of this information. Also, if you do end up with an overpayment, ask about hardship considerations. If paying it back would cause severe financial strain, they sometimes have options to reduce the monthly payment amount or pause collections temporarily. The waiting for results after the interview is nerve-wracking, but at least once it's done you'll know where you stand. Hang in there - you're handling this the right way by taking it seriously and being prepared.

I'm new to this community but wanted to share some encouragement and practical advice. I went through a fraud investigation about two years ago - also reported by an ex - and while it was one of the most stressful experiences of my life, I got through it and you will too. A few things that really helped me: 1. I organized everything chronologically - dates worked, amounts earned, any proof I had (even photos of me at work). This showed I was taking it seriously. 2. During my interview, I brought a simple one-page summary of all the unreported work with dates and amounts. The investigator actually appreciated having it organized. 3. I admitted my mistake immediately and explained that I genuinely thought sporadic cash work under $300/month didn't need to be reported until the next SAR7. They classified mine as an inadvertent overpayment. I had to pay back $2,100 over 20 months (about $105/month deducted from future benefits) but kept my CalFresh and Medi-Cal throughout, and my kids' portion of Cash Aid was never affected. The hardest part is the waiting and not knowing, but the fact that you're being proactive and honest puts you in the best possible position. Most investigators can tell the difference between someone trying to scam the system and a single parent who made a reporting mistake while trying to get by. You've got this - just focus on being completely truthful and organized with your documentation.