When you file for your state hearing, make sure to specifically request discovery. This means they have to provide you with ALL the documents they used to make their decision. Often you'll find they missed or ignored key evidence. Also, be prepared to explain at the hearing why the withdrawal couldn't have been you - specific details about why you couldn't have been at that location, why you wouldn't withdraw that amount, or patterns that differ from your normal usage. Judges look closely at these details.

I'm so sorry this happened to you - EBT theft is unfortunately really common right now and the denial process is incredibly frustrating. From what I've seen in similar cases, you definitely need to file for a state hearing immediately since you only have 90 days from your denial date. The fact that you reported it the same day and have location evidence showing you weren't at the ATM is really strong proof. Don't let them discourage you - many people get denied initially but win at the hearing level when they can present their evidence properly. Also consider reaching out to your local legal aid society if you can find one - they often help with CalWORKs appeals for free and know exactly how to present these theft cases. Keep fighting for what's rightfully yours!

I'd suggest preparing for your call with your worker by gathering: 1. Recent pay stubs from both your regular job and DoorDash 2. Your most recent approval notice showing your benefit amount 3. Bank statements showing the reduced deposit 4. Any mail you've received from the county in the last 2-3 months Also, ask specifically about: - Whether they processed your address change correctly - If they're missing any required verification documents - Whether there was a change in your reported household composition - If there are any sanctions or penalties being applied It's much easier to resolve these issues when you have documentation ready.

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!

One more thing I forgot to mention - if you end up needing to apply for an exemption from cooperation (like if there's domestic violence involved), that process can take longer. But if you're just providing the information they need, it should be relatively quick to lift the penalty. Just make sure when you call that you get confirmation they've received everything they need. The LCSA and CalWORKs don't always communicate well with each other, so you might need to follow up with both offices to make sure the information gets where it needs to go.

Just checking back - were you able to get through to your worker? Did they give you any timeline for fixing this?

Update: I finally got this resolved today! After three more calls and asking to speak with a supervisor, they found the original Good Cause paperwork in my case file. The supervisor admitted they're having major issues with the child support cooperation flags in the new system. They're issuing me an emergency supplemental payment for the missing $523 that should be on my EBT card within 3 business days. If anyone else is dealing with this, definitely ask for a supervisor review and use the specific phrase "immediate need payment due to agency error" - that seemed to get things moving faster. Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions!

This is so frustrating but unfortunately not surprising. I went through something similar when my county switched systems last year - had an old overpayment from 2015 suddenly start getting deducted from my monthly grant without any warning. For anyone dealing with this, here's what I learned: Document EVERYTHING. Write down the date and time of every call, the name of whoever you speak with, and exactly what they tell you. Take screenshots of your benefit amounts and any online account information. Also, if you're having trouble getting through by phone, try going to your local office in person early in the morning. Sometimes face-to-face contact gets better results, especially for urgent payment issues. Bring all your paperwork with you. The system conversion has been a nightmare for so many families. It's really unfair that we have to deal with these agency errors affecting our ability to pay rent and buy groceries. Stay strong everyone and keep advocating for yourselves!

UPDATE: I looked up the 2025 MAP amounts to be sure. For a family of 4 with no income in Region 1 (which includes LA County), the maximum aid payment should be $1,255. If you're getting $1,127, that's a difference of $128, which is almost exactly 10% of the full amount. This makes me think they might have applied a 10% penalty for some reason. This sometimes happens if there was a previous overpayment that they're recouping, or if someone failed to comply with some program requirement. Definitely call your worker. And when you do get through, ask for a supervisor if your worker can't clearly explain the difference.

I work at a legal aid organization and see this issue frequently. The $128 difference that Michael calculated is significant and suggests there might be a specific deduction being applied. A few additional things to check when you call: - Ask if they're deducting anything for "deemed income" (sometimes applied if there are non-citizen household members) - Verify they have the correct household composition - make sure both kids are included in the assistance unit - Ask about any "prospective budgeting" - they might be anticipating income that hasn't materialized Also, you have the right to request a fair hearing if you believe your grant amount is incorrect. Don't let them brush you off - you're entitled to a clear explanation of how every dollar was calculated. Keep detailed notes of your conversations including the worker's name and date you spoke. If you continue having trouble reaching your worker, you can also contact your local legal aid office for help navigating the system.