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Just wanted to share my experience since I went through something similar last month! I requested case closure when I got a job offer and was really worried about the timing too. The good news is they did honor the March benefits since I requested closure after the 10th, just like everyone is saying here. One thing that really helped me was asking my worker to send me an email confirmation of our conversation about the closure request - that way I had something in writing right away while waiting for the official NOA. Also, definitely keep track of your exact start date and first paycheck amount because if they ever question anything later, having those details documented will save you so much stress. The whole process took about 3 weeks for me from request to actual closure, so you should be all set for March! Congrats on the new job - it's such a relief to be moving forward!
That's such great advice about asking for email confirmation right away! I wish I had thought of that when I talked to my worker yesterday. I'm definitely going to call back and ask for that email confirmation while I wait for the official paperwork. It's really reassuring to hear from someone who just went through this exact same situation and had it work out smoothly. Thanks for sharing your experience and the tip about documenting the start date and first paycheck - I'll make sure to keep detailed records of everything. It's so helpful to have this community where people actually understand what it's like to navigate this system!
Congratulations on your new job! From everything I've seen in this thread, it sounds like you're in good shape for March benefits since you requested closure after the 10th. I went through something similar about 6 months ago and they definitely honored my benefits for that month. One thing I'd add that I don't think anyone mentioned yet - make sure to ask your worker about the impact on any other family members if you have them. When I closed my case, I had forgotten that my teenage son could still qualify for CalFresh on his own, and we almost missed out on that because I didn't ask the right questions. Also, if you have any pending WTW requirements or activities, make sure those get properly cancelled too so you don't get hit with any compliance issues after your case closes. Really great advice from everyone here about keeping all the paperwork and getting everything in writing. This community has been such a lifesaver for navigating all these confusing rules!
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Hey! I'm also new to working while on CalWORKs and this thread has been super helpful. Just wanted to add that when I started my job, my worker told me to keep ALL my paystubs and any documentation about hours worked - they want to see everything during your next eligibility review. Also, if you have any gaps in employment or your hours vary a lot week to week (which sounds like might happen with your 22-25 hour range), make sure to explain that when you report. They prefer consistent reporting over surprises. Good luck with the Target job - retail can be tough but the experience is valuable!
This is such great advice about keeping all the documentation! I'm already learning that retail scheduling can be unpredictable - some weeks I might get 20 hours, others could be 28 depending on staffing needs. I'll make sure to document everything and explain the variation when I submit my SAR7. It's reassuring to hear from someone else who's navigating this for the first time too. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Great job on landing the Target position! One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned yet - make sure you understand how your work schedule might affect your WTW (Welfare to Work) requirements. Since you're working 22-25 hours per week, those hours should count toward your participation requirements, but you'll want to confirm with your worker that they have this documented correctly. Also, Target often offers benefits like employee discounts and sometimes health insurance options for part-time workers after a certain period - these benefits don't count as income for CalWORKs purposes, so don't worry about reporting those. One last tip: if your Target location offers direct deposit, I'd recommend setting that up. Having consistent pay dates makes it easier to track your monthly income totals for IRT purposes. Keep doing what you're doing - being proactive about understanding the rules will definitely pay off!
This is really helpful about the WTW requirements! I hadn't thought about how my Target hours would count toward those. I definitely need to make sure my worker has all this documented properly. And thanks for the tip about direct deposit - that's a great idea for keeping track of the monthly totals. I'm feeling much more confident about managing all of this now with everyone's advice. It's nice to know there are people here who've been through similar situations!
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I'm so sorry you're going through this - EBT theft is becoming way too common and the system makes it so hard to get justice. Based on what everyone else has shared, definitely file for that state hearing ASAP since you only have 90 days. The fact that you reported it immediately and have location proof showing you weren't at the ATM should work in your favor. One thing I'd add is to also check if there were any other suspicious transactions around the same time - sometimes thieves will test the card first or hit multiple ATMs. Also, if you haven't already, try to get a detailed transaction history from the EBT customer service line (1-877-328-9677) showing the exact time/location of the theft versus your normal usage patterns. Having that side-by-side comparison can really help show it wasn't you. Don't give up - from what I'm reading here, a lot of people win these cases at the hearing level even after getting denied initially. The system is definitely designed to discourage appeals, but you have strong evidence and deserve to get your money back!
This is really helpful advice about getting the detailed transaction history! I hadn't thought about checking for other suspicious transactions around the same time. When I called EBT customer service before, they just told me the basic info but didn't mention I could get a full detailed history. I'm going to call that number tomorrow and request everything. It's encouraging to hear from so many people that the hearing level is where these cases often get overturned - gives me hope that all this evidence I've gathered will actually matter. Thanks for taking the time to share all these specific steps!
I'm really sorry this happened to you - it's so frustrating when you do everything right and still get denied! I went through something similar with my EBT card being skimmed at a gas station. The most important thing right now is filing for that state hearing within 90 days like others mentioned. When I did mine, I also requested a "fair hearing packet" which included forms and instructions that made the process clearer. One tip that helped me - try to get a printout of ALL your EBT transactions for the past few months, not just around the theft date. This helped show my normal spending patterns versus the theft. Also, if you used your phone or any apps that track location during the time of the theft, screenshot those too. Every piece of evidence helps! The whole system is designed to make you give up, but don't let them win. You have solid proof it wasn't you, so keep fighting. And definitely look into legal aid - many of them specialize in CalWORKs issues and know exactly how these hearings work.
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I'm so sorry this happened to you! The same thing happened to my neighbor last year - her benefits dropped from $400 to $31 overnight with no explanation. It turned out the county had flagged her case for review because she reported working some temp jobs, but they never sent her the paperwork requesting additional verification. One thing that might help while you're waiting to reach your worker - check your BenefitsCal account online to see if there are any pending requests or notices you might have missed. Sometimes they post things there even if the mail doesn't reach you properly after an address change. Also, if you're really struggling to make rent next week, you might want to call 211 or check with local churches/community centers for emergency rental assistance while you sort this out with CalWORKs. Many places have one-time help available for situations exactly like this. Good luck - I really hope you get answers soon!
This is really helpful advice, thank you! I just logged into BenefitsCal and you're right - there's a notice from 2 weeks ago requesting updated pay stubs that I never saw. It must have gotten lost when I moved. I'm going to upload those documents right now and then try calling tomorrow. And yes, I'll definitely look into emergency rental assistance too - I didn't even think of that option. Thanks for taking the time to help!
I'm so glad you found the missing notice on BenefitsCal! That's probably exactly what caused your benefit drop. When they request updated verification and don't receive it by the deadline, they automatically reduce benefits to the minimum amount until you provide the documents. Once you upload those pay stubs, your benefits should be restored pretty quickly - usually within a few days to a week. Make sure to upload everything they're asking for in one go so you don't have any more delays. For future reference, definitely check your BenefitsCal account regularly, especially after moving or changing jobs. The mail system isn't always reliable, but they almost always post notices online too. You can also sign up for email notifications in your account settings so you get alerts when new documents are posted. Hope this gets resolved fast for you! And definitely look into that emergency rental assistance as a backup plan just in case.
Chloe Martin
Welcome to the community @Elin Robinson and @Ava Kim! This thread is a perfect example of why this community is so valuable - the official channels often leave us in the dark about changes like the MAP increase, but members here share real experiences that actually help. I've been on CalWORKs for about 3 years and I still learn new things from posts like this. Definitely keep checking your BenefitsCal accounts regularly - I've found notices there weeks before they show up in the mail (if they ever do). And don't hesitate to post questions here - this community is super supportive and knowledgeable about navigating all the confusing aspects of the system!
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Jamal Carter
•@Chloe Martin You re'so right about this community being more helpful than the official channels! I just joined a few days ago after getting frustrated trying to get basic info from my county office. The phone system is impossible and when you do get through, sometimes the workers don t'even know about recent changes like this MAP increase. It s'reassuring to see people sharing actual real-world experiences here. I m'definitely going to be more active in this community - seems like the best way to actually understand how things work in practice vs what s'supposed to happen on paper!
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Samantha Johnson
This is such a great thread for understanding the MAP increases! I'm also new to CalWORKs and had a similar experience - my payment went up unexpectedly and I panicked thinking it was a mistake. Reading everyone's experiences here makes me feel so much better about it. It's frustrating that the county doesn't proactively communicate these changes clearly, but I'm grateful for communities like this where people share real information. I'm definitely going to start checking my BenefitsCal account regularly like everyone suggested. Thanks to everyone who shared their knowledge - it's incredibly helpful for those of us still learning how this system works!
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Giovanni Moretti
•@Samantha Johnson I totally agree! I m'also pretty new to CalWORKs and this whole thread has been so eye-opening. It s'wild how much we have to figure out on our own - like the fact that there are different regions with different payment amounts, or that retroactive payments are a thing. I had no idea about any of that! This community seems like such a lifesaver for getting real answers instead of trying to decode confusing notices or sitting on hold forever. Definitely makes me feel less alone in trying to navigate all this bureaucracy. Thanks to everyone who took the time to explain things so clearly!
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