Thanks for updating us! This is actually a common issue - many banks place holds on government deposits, especially if it's a new account or there have been overdrafts in the past. For future reference, you can often ask your bank for an exception to the hold policy for recurring government benefits. Some banks will reduce or eliminate the hold time if you explain it's for essential living expenses.

@Isabella Costa - if your payment is still delayed after what happened with NeonNebula's bank hold situation, I'd definitely try calling your bank first to see if they're holding your deposit. If that's not the issue, then maybe try that Claimyr service Chloe mentioned to get through to someone at the office faster. The emergency payment option Ravi talked about might also be worth looking into if you're in a tight spot financially. Hope yours shows up soon!

hey did u fix this yet? I'm having the same problem and just wandering if you found a solution? My cash aid shows as issued too but cant get it out of ATM.

This is such a relief to hear that the grocery store cash back worked! I'm dealing with the same issue right now - my benefits show as issued but ATMs keep declining my card. I was getting so panicked about rent too. Which grocery stores have you all had success with for EBT cash back? I know some stores have limits on how much you can withdraw at once, so I'm wondering if I need to make multiple trips or if there are stores that let you take out larger amounts.

updaTE????? did u figure out why they took ur money?? im worried now they gonna do this to me next month 😭😭😭

That's such a relief that you got it sorted out! This is exactly why I always keep copies of EVERYTHING I send to the county. They "lose" paperwork constantly and then blame us for not submitting it. I scan all my documents and keep them in a folder on my phone so I can resend them immediately when they mess up. For anyone reading this - always keep detailed records of what you submit and when. Take photos of your pay stubs, bank statements, everything. The county workers are overworked and make mistakes all the time, but WE'RE the ones who suffer when they do.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this - it's incredibly frustrating when you're already stressed about keeping your benefits and then they make it worse by missing their own appointments. I've been through similar situations and here's what helped me: Keep detailed records of every call attempt, including dates, times, and how long you waited on hold. If you have a smartphone, take screenshots of your call log showing the duration. When you do get through, immediately ask them to note in your case file that THEY missed the scheduled appointment, not you. Also, if you haven't already, try calling different county offices if your area has multiple locations - sometimes one office answers faster than others. And don't let them rush you off the phone once you do connect - make sure they reschedule your appointment AND confirm they've documented their mistake in your case notes. You're doing everything right by being proactive. The system is broken, but you have rights and protections. Keep fighting for what you need for your family!

I'm going through something similar right now with my recertification! My worker was supposed to call me last Friday and never did. I've been calling every day since then and can barely get through. When I finally did connect yesterday, they told me my worker was "out sick" but couldn't tell me when she'd be back or who was covering her cases. The stress is unreal - I have two kids and work part-time, so losing CalWORKs would be devastating. What really gets me is how they expect us to drop everything when they call, but then they can just not show up with zero consequences. I've started documenting everything too after reading posts here. Taking photos of my phone showing missed calls, writing down who I talk to and when. One thing that's helped me is calling right when they open at 8am - the wait times are usually shorter then. Also, if anyone knows about this, can you request a specific date/time for your makeup appointment or do they just assign whatever they want? I need to make sure I can arrange childcare if they reschedule during my work hours.

So glad to see this worked out for you! This is a perfect example of why it's so important to be persistent with CalWORKs. The direct worker number tip is golden - I always tell people to look for that on their paperwork first before calling the main line. For anyone else dealing with missed interviews, another tip is to check if your county has a specific "interview unit" with its own phone line - some counties separate regular eligibility calls from interview scheduling calls. Also, if you ever can't get through by phone and need to go in person, try to arrive right when they open at 8am to avoid the longest waits. The system definitely has its problems, but knowing these workarounds can save so much stress!

Welcome to the community @5141cfe34e13! You're absolutely right about how supportive everyone is here - it makes such a difference when dealing with these bureaucratic challenges. Since you're new, here's another tip that might help: if you ever need to submit documents for CalWORKs, try to use the document upload feature in BenefitsCal whenever possible instead of faxing or mailing. It creates a digital trail and you get confirmation that they received it. Also, always keep screenshots/copies of everything you submit. The more you can document your interactions with the system, the better protected you are if any issues come up. This community has been a lifesaver for navigating all these processes - don't hesitate to ask questions!