UPDATE: I FINALLY got through to someone today and found out my worker was waiting for verification from my landlord but never told me!!! They said they sent a letter that I never received. Check your BenefitsCal account to see if they're waiting for something from you - the status might show there even if nobody told you directly.

If all else fails, remember you have the right to request a State Fair Hearing if your application isn't processed within the required timeframe (30 days for regular CalWORKs/CalFresh applications). You can call 1-800-743-8525 to request one. Sometimes just mentioning that you're planning to request a hearing can suddenly make things move much faster.

Just wanted to add something important - if you have any barriers that make it hard to complete your 30 hours, tell your worker ASAP. Things like: - Physical or mental health issues - Domestic violence situation - Transportation problems - Childcare issues These might qualify you for a temporary exemption or modified WTW plan with fewer hours. Don't struggle in silence trying to meet requirements that aren't realistic for your situation. The 30-hour requirement can be adjusted based on your circumstances.

To answer your follow-up question - yes, how you distribute hours throughout the week is flexible as long as you meet your total weekly requirement. Some people do more hours early in the week, others spread them out evenly. Regarding your son's specialist appointments - YES, that could potentially qualify you for an adjustment to your WTW plan. Document all appointments and speak with your worker about a "family stabilization" referral, which is specifically for parents dealing with children's special needs. Keep in mind that CalWORKs has supportive services that can help - they can provide transportation assistance (bus passes or mileage reimbursement) and childcare assistance while you complete your WTW activities. Don't miss out on these benefits!

one more thing nobody said yet when u get direct deposit it shows up as "ca state disburs" or something like that on ur bank statement not as "calworks" so dont get confused when u see that

Something important to note: Some banks will process CalWORKs direct deposits immediately, while others may hold the funds for 1-2 business days. If you're relying on your Cash Aid for immediate expenses, ask your bank about their policy for government direct deposits. Also, if you have any outstanding overdraft fees or negative balances in your account, the bank may use part of your CalWORKs payment to cover those fees. Just something to be aware of when deciding if direct deposit is right for your situation.

Just to clarify for everyone: the deposit timing isn't arbitrary or meant to cause stress. The system processes millions of benefits overnight in batches. This is why CalFresh and CalWORKs don't typically appear exactly at midnight. Your Cash Aid will be available on your regularly scheduled deposit date, which is determined by the last digit of your case number. If your deposit date falls on a weekend or holiday, funds should be available the previous business day. If you're experiencing financial hardship due to timing issues, speak with your eligibility worker about: 1. Immediate Need payments (in crisis situations) 2. Housing assistance programs through CalWORKs 3. Requesting a different payment date if possible in your county It's also helpful to keep your BenefitsCal app updated, as some counties send notifications when deposits are processed.

anyone else notice that the funds show up on the website before they actually work at the atm?? I can see my balance updated online sometimes but the card still declines if i try to use it too early lol

Congratulations on getting your benefits! Just to add to what others have said, you can also check your EBT card balance and transaction history by calling the number on the back of your card (1-877-328-9677) or on the website (www.ebt.ca.gov). This way you can see if you've been charged any fees and keep track of your remaining balance. It's also good to monitor for any suspicious activity since benefit theft has unfortunately become more common. Make sure you change your PIN regularly and never share it with anyone!

the whole system is DESIGNED to nickel and dime us poor people i swear!!!! why do we only get 4 free withdraws when rich people get unlimited?? and why do we have to pay ANYTHING to access OUR OWN MONEY?? the county should be required to give us our full benefits without any bank taking a cut thru fees!!!!

Honestly depends on whether the worker actually submits the paperwork when they say they will... my sister had to wait 3 MONTHS because her worker "forgot" to process it even though she signed everything. When the worker finally did it, the benefits were backdated but that didn't help her when she needed money for those 3 months! The system is a joke sometimes.

One important thing to remember: once you're added to the case, you'll need to meet your WTW hours consistently. Make sure you understand exactly how to document your job search activities and your work hours. Each county has specific forms and procedures for this. For job search documentation, generally you need to show: - Names and contact information of places you applied - Dates of applications/interviews - Follow-up actions - Time spent on each activity Keep detailed records of everything. If your worker determines you aren't meeting the requirements, they can issue a sanction, which would remove your portion of the grant (though not affect your mom's or brother's portions).

UPDATE: I just called my county office to ask about this situation (I work with CalWORKs recipients). The worker explained that California recently implemented an expanded educational support program for teens in alternative education programs like Independent Studies. The payments include: - Basic educational support: $600 for 16-17 year olds - Enhanced educational support: $1,200+ for 18-19 year olds still completing high school requirements - Additional incentives for maintaining good grades (like your daughters' 4.0 GPAs) This is still being rolled out county by county, which is why some people haven't heard about it. You should still verify with your specific worker, but it sounds like this may be legitimate!

idk but i wouldnt question free money lol just spend it quick before they figure out if its a mistake 😂

Just a quick update for everyone in this thread - I spoke with my CalWORKs worker yesterday about this exact issue. The county has officially shifted to a new deposit schedule using an automated system that processes payments throughout the night rather than during the standard 9-5 workday. This is actually good news as it means funds are available earlier than before. Your benefits won't disappear if you don't withdraw them immediately - they remain on your card until you use them (though remember unused benefits don't affect your eligibility or future payment amounts).

UPDATE: I waited until morning and my money was still there! Didn't have to go out in the rain at 6am after all. Thanks everyone for the advice and peace of mind! The closest 7-11 ATM worked with no fees too.

Update on the job retention bonus question - I checked with a colleague who works directly with WTW and she confirmed that under MPP Section 42-717, counties have discretion to count your previous WTW participation toward the job retention milestone if your reapplication is approved within 30 days of discontinuance. The key is having your previous WTW counselor document that you were in good standing in the program and maintaining continuous employment. Don't just accept a denial if your new worker isn't familiar with this provision - ask to speak with the WTW supervisor if necessary.

i don think ur gonna get that bonus tbh. when u miss the SAR they close evrything and u gotta start from scratch. thats how the county rolls lol. u should focus on getting ur regular benefits back first tho.

so glad it worked out for you!! happy birthday to your little one! 🎂

That's great news! Thanks for updating the thread - it's helpful for others to see these situations resolved. For future reference, try to submit your SAR 7 by the 5th of your SAR month (even though technically due by the 11th) to avoid this stress next time. The earlier you submit, the more time there is to fix any issues.