Hey everyone! I'm also pretty new to CalWORKs and this thread has been incredibly helpful. I wanted to add something I learned from my neighbor who's been receiving benefits for years - she told me to always check the ATM slot where you insert your card. If it looks loose, feels weird, or sticks out more than it should, don't use that machine. Scammers attach fake card readers right over the real ones. Also, I've been using the Wells Fargo ATMs inside their branches during business hours when possible - there are usually employees and security cameras around which makes me feel safer. One more tip: if you ever feel like someone is watching you enter your PIN or following you after using an ATM, go directly to a safe public place like inside a store or restaurant. Trust your instincts! It's better to be overly cautious with our benefits since we depend on them so much.

Hi Yuki! Welcome to CalWORKs - I know it can feel overwhelming at first, especially with all the security concerns. I've been receiving benefits for about 6 months now and wanted to share what's worked for me. I actually called the EBT customer service line (the number on the back of your card) and asked them to walk me through all the security features available. They told me about setting up account alerts, how to temporarily freeze my card if I'm worried about it being compromised, and which ATM networks are safest to use. One thing that really helped my peace of mind was learning I could check my balance online or through the app instead of at ATMs - that way I'm not exposing my card and PIN as often. Also, many counties now offer workshops on EBT safety - mine had one at the local library that covered everything from spotting skimmers to what to do if your benefits get stolen. Might be worth asking your caseworker if your county offers anything similar. The most important thing I learned is to act immediately if something seems off - don't wait and hope it's nothing. Good luck and don't hesitate to ask more questions!

I work as a benefits coordinator and wanted to add some clarification about the income limits that might be helpful. For CalWORKs, they use a "net income" calculation after certain deductions. With VA disability of $3,738 plus dependent benefits, you're likely over the gross limit, but there are some deductions they can apply like work-related expenses if you're employed, certain medical costs, etc. Even if you don't qualify for cash aid, I'd strongly recommend applying because: 1. Stage 1 childcare can cover up to 75% of childcare costs 2. Cal-Learn program if you're pursuing education 3. Mental health services and substance abuse counseling (if needed) 4. Job training programs that might benefit your family long-term The key is being very specific about what services you're interested in when you apply. Don't just ask about "CalWORKs" - ask about "CalWORKs supportive services for families with disabled veterans." The terminology can make a big difference in what information you receive.

I'm also new to this community and wanted to share what we discovered when navigating similar benefits with my husband's disability status. One thing that really helped us was contacting our local Family Resource Center - they often have advocates who specialize in helping veteran families navigate the maze of different benefit programs and income counting rules. What surprised me most was learning that some counties have their own additional programs for veteran families that aren't widely advertised. Our county had an emergency assistance fund specifically for disabled veterans' families that helped us with a security deposit when we had to move due to rent increases. Also, since you mentioned struggling with rent increases - definitely look into your county's Emergency Rental Assistance program if you haven't already. Many of these programs have separate eligibility criteria from CalWORKs and don't count VA disability the same way. We were able to get help with back rent even though we didn't qualify for ongoing cash assistance. The application process can feel overwhelming, but don't let that discourage you from exploring all your options. Every bit of assistance helps when you're trying to make ends meet with a growing family.

Glad to see some payments are coming through! For future reference, it might be a good idea to save this information somewhere. These quarterly system updates usually happen around the same time each quarter (end of February, May, August, and November). If you keep track of these dates, you can plan ahead for potential delays. Honestly it's frustrating they don't communicate this better though!

Same thing happened to me! My 15-month-old's diaper allowance didn't come through today either. I was starting to panic thinking I did something wrong or missed some paperwork. Really glad to see it's just a system issue and not just me. Going to check my balance again now that some people are saying theirs showed up. This whole quarterly maintenance thing is news to me - wish they would send us some kind of heads up about it!

Hey Connor! Just wanted to chime in as someone who's been on CalWORKs for a while now. I think what might be happening is people are mixing up different programs or maybe hearing about county-specific pilot programs that don't apply everywhere. I've learned the hard way to always double-check any rumors about extra money - last year I heard about some "emergency payment" that turned out to be only for people affected by wildfires in specific counties. One thing that might help with your budget planning though - have you looked into the local food banks and WIC if your kids qualify? I know it's not cash, but it can free up some of your grocery budget for other necessities like those school supplies and winter clothes you mentioned. Also, some school districts have programs that help with supplies and clothing - worth asking at your kids' schools. Good luck with getting the real info from your county office!

I'm new to this community but I've been on CalWORKs for about 8 months now with my 3-year-old daughter. Reading through all these responses has been really eye-opening! I had no idea about some of these additional benefits like the diaper allowance - definitely going to ask about that at my next appointment. It's frustrating how much confusing information gets passed around, but I really appreciate everyone taking the time to clarify things. I've been struggling to reach my caseworker too (the phone system is awful), so I'm going to check out that Claimyr service someone mentioned. Connor, I hope your visit to the county office goes well! Let us know what you find out about the childcare assistance - I'm working part-time too and childcare costs are eating up most of my paycheck. Thanks to everyone for being so helpful and sharing real information instead of just rumors.

I'm also pretty new to the program and this thread has been super educational! One thing I wanted to add - if you're ever unsure whether it's maintenance or a real issue with your card, you can also try using your EBT card at a grocery store to test if it's working. Sometimes ATMs have issues but the card still works for purchases. Also learned from my caseworker that if you're having persistent issues with your card (like it gets demagnetized or damaged), most county offices can issue emergency replacement cards same-day if you go in person. Really glad everyone got their access back though!

Just want to add for anyone reading this later - if you're working night shifts like me and need access to your benefits during these late hours, consider keeping a small emergency cash buffer if possible. I know that's easier said than done on a tight budget, but even $20-30 set aside can cover things like gas or urgent expenses when the system goes down unexpectedly. Also, many 24-hour stores like some Walmarts and grocery chains allow cashback with EBT purchases, so you can sometimes get cash that way even when ATMs are down for maintenance. The produce section is usually your cheapest option - grab some bananas or apples and get cashback. Hope this helps other night shift workers avoid the panic I felt tonight!