Hey QuantumLeap! I went through this exact situation about 8 months ago and want to share what worked for me. First, definitely get that CW 2190A form like others mentioned - but here's something important: submit it AT LEAST 30 days before your 48-month limit hits. Don't wait until the last minute! Also, since you're working at Target, make sure your hours are being properly reported. If you're working 20+ hours per week, those months might not count toward your time limit under the "federal participation" rules. My worker had miscounted 4 months where I was working enough hours - getting that corrected bought me crucial extra time. One more tip: if your county has a CalWORKs advocacy organization or legal aid clinic, reach out to them NOW. They can help you navigate the extension process and make sure your worker is following all the rules. Some counties are better than others at explaining your options, and having an advocate can make a huge difference. You've got this! Don't let them rush you through without getting all the information you're entitled to.

I'm so glad I found this thread! I'm in almost the exact same situation - single parent, working part-time retail, and just found out I'm at 41 months on my time limit. My caseworker mentioned it like it was no big deal and I've been losing sleep over it ever since. Reading everyone's responses has been incredibly helpful. I had NO IDEA there were extensions available or that work hours could stop the clock. My worker definitely never mentioned the CW 2190A form or any of these options. It really does feel like they're hoping we don't know our rights. I'm going to request my time calculation immediately and ask about the extension form. Also going to double-check that my work hours are being counted properly - I usually work 25-30 hours a week at my retail job so hopefully some of those months don't count toward the limit. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences and knowledge. This community is literally a lifeline when the system seems designed to keep us in the dark about our options!

Update: I went to Bank of America today with my EBT card and ID, and it worked perfectly! The teller let me withdraw my entire Cash Aid amount with no problems or fees. Thank you all so much for the help! This is going to make paying my rent so much easier.

This is such valuable information! I've been on CalWORKs for about 8 months now and had no idea about the Bank of America teller option. I've been making multiple ATM trips every month too, especially when I need to pay my car payment and insurance at the same time. One thing I'd add - if you don't have a Bank of America nearby, you can also check if your credit union participates in the EBT program. My local credit union told me they can do full Cash Aid withdrawals at the teller window too, though they might charge a small fee (mine was $2). Still way better than making 3-4 ATM trips! Also, for anyone reading this - make sure you bring a valid photo ID when you go to the teller. They're required to check it for EBT transactions.

I went through something similar last year! The stress is absolutely overwhelming when you have little ones depending on you. Since you still have about 12 days before the actual cutoff date, you're in a much better position than I thought from your original post. Here's what worked for me: I went to the office super early (like 7:30 AM) without an appointment and explained it was an emergency situation with young children. They were able to fit me in that same day because of the urgency. Bring everything - your ID, the discontinuance notice, any recent pay stubs, rent receipts, and utility bills. Also, when you're there, ask about getting a copy of your case file to see what address they have on record for you. If there's a mismatch, that's solid proof you should have received the forms elsewhere. The good news is that if you can get everything submitted before the effective date, your benefits should continue without any interruption. You've got this - just take it one step at a time and don't be afraid to advocate for yourself and your babies! 💪

I'm so sorry you're going through this stress with two little ones! I've been in a similar situation and know how terrifying it feels. Since you discovered you still have time before the actual cutoff date, here's what I'd do RIGHT NOW: 1. Check BenefitsCal online immediately - log in and see if your renewal forms are available digitally 2. Call your county office first thing in the morning and explain you never received forms and have a 2-month-old baby 3. If you can't get through by phone, show up at opening time and ask for emergency assistance Bring EVERYTHING: your discontinuance notice, ID, recent pay stubs, rent receipt, utility bills, and any documentation of your address change. Ask specifically about "good cause" since you never received the forms. The key is getting everything submitted before that effective date on your notice - that way you avoid any gap in benefits entirely. You've got about 12 days which is actually doable if you act fast! Also document everything - get names, times, confirmation numbers. And don't let them brush you off - you have babies to feed and house, so be persistent but polite. Sending you strength mama - you can get through this! 💕

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this! EBT theft is unfortunately becoming way too common. I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago and here's what saved me: 1. After filing your police report, ask the officer for a CASE NUMBER - you'll need this for your county claim 2. When you call your CalWORKs worker, specifically mention you need "emergency replacement benefits due to theft" - there's actually a fast-track process for this now 3. Most importantly: ask about the CalFresh/CalWORKs Emergency Food and Cash program while your claim is being processed. This can provide temporary assistance within 72 hours For your landlord situation - bring them a copy of the police report AND the EBT theft claim paperwork. In my experience, most landlords will work with you when they see you're dealing with actual theft vs just not having money. Some will even accept a partial payment with a written agreement for the rest. Also, check if your county has a "Fraud Unit" hotline - they often process theft claims faster than going through your regular worker. In Los Angeles County, for example, they have a dedicated EBT fraud line that moves much quicker. You're handling this the right way by acting fast. The replacement benefits DO come through, usually within 5-10 days if you have all your paperwork in order. Hang in there! 💪

I'm really sorry this happened to you - EBT theft is so frustrating and scary, especially when rent is due! I had my benefits stolen twice last year and learned some hard lessons about the process. One thing I want to emphasize that others mentioned but is SUPER important: when you call your CalWORKs worker, don't just say your money was "stolen" - use the specific phrase "I need to report EBT benefit theft and request emergency replacement benefits." The workers have specific protocols they have to follow when you use those exact words. Also, while you're waiting for your benefits to be replaced, check if your county participates in the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP). If they do and you qualify, you might be able to get some immediate food assistance even without cash on your EBT card. For your landlord situation - in addition to showing them the police report, mention that California recently passed stronger laws requiring counties to replace stolen benefits. Most landlords know about the EBT theft epidemic now and understand it's not your fault. One last tip: document EVERYTHING. Take photos of all your paperwork, save confirmation numbers from phone calls, and write down the names of everyone you speak with. This saved me when my first claim got "lost" in the system. You're doing all the right things by acting quickly. The stress is awful but you WILL get through this! 💪

Just wanted to add my experience for anyone still worried about this - I've been on CalWORKs for 3 years and have reported my tax refund every year on my SAR7. Each time I write "TAX REFUND - EXEMPT" in the other income section and I've never had any issues. My benefits stayed exactly the same. The key is being clear about what it is so your worker doesn't accidentally count it. Also, if you're using tax prep software like TurboTax or H&R Block, they usually give you a summary sheet that shows exactly how much was your refund versus credits like EITC - keep that paperwork too in case they ask for it later. Don't stress too much, just report it clearly and you'll be fine!

I've been on CalWORKs for about 8 months now and this is my first tax season since starting benefits. Reading through everyone's responses has been incredibly helpful! I was definitely overthinking this - I kept going back and forth on whether to report my $2,800 refund or not. Now I understand I need to report it but it won't hurt my eligibility. Quick question for anyone who knows - when you write "TAX REFUND" on the SAR7, do you put the gross refund amount or just the federal portion? I got refunds from both federal and state taxes. Should I list them separately or combine them into one entry? Thanks again everyone for making this so much clearer than the official paperwork does!