Just wanted to add - if this happens again in the future, you can also try calling the main CalWORKs customer service line at 1-877-847-3663. They can sometimes patch you through directly to your worker or at least document that you were waiting for the call. Also, if you're in a county that uses the GetCalFresh portal, you can submit a complaint there about missed appointments. It creates a paper trail that can be helpful if you need to escalate later. Really glad you got it resolved though - system outages are unfortunately pretty common and it's not always the worker's fault!

So glad you got it resolved! This is actually really common - I work as a benefits advocate and see this happen to clients all the time. System outages, scheduling mix-ups, and worker overload are unfortunately just part of the reality with CalWORKs right now. For anyone reading this thread who might face this in the future: always call the same day if your worker doesn't call at the scheduled time. Don't wait! And definitely keep records like others mentioned - date, time, who you spoke with, what was said. I tell all my clients to treat these appointments like job interviews - be 10 minutes early, have all docs ready, and follow up immediately if something goes wrong. The system has flaws but most workers really are trying their best with impossible caseloads.

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago - $342 stolen from my CalWORKs cash aid while my card was in my purse the whole time! I was so confused and scared they wouldn't believe me. Here's what worked for me: I called the EBT customer service line immediately and they were actually really helpful. They explained that card skimming is super common now - criminals put devices on card readers that steal your info without you knowing. Then they make fake cards with your account info. The investigation took about 2 weeks for me, but I did get all my money back. The key things that helped: - I reported it within 24 hours of discovering it - I had receipts showing I used my card at a different location around the same time as the theft - I was very detailed in my written statement on the EBT-2259 form For the emergency assistance - don't give up! Call back and ask different people until someone helps. I had to call 3 times before I found a worker who knew about the emergency funds. Tell them you're facing eviction due to the theft and ask specifically about "immediate need payments" or "emergency assistance." You're going to get through this! The system can be frustrating but they do replace stolen benefits when it's clearly fraud like this. Keep all your paperwork and don't let them make you feel like you did anything wrong.

I'm so sorry this happened to you! As someone who's been on CalWORKs for a few years, I know how terrifying it is when your benefits get stolen, especially when it's rent money. The skimming scams are getting really bad - they put these tiny devices on card readers that you can't even see, and they steal your card info without you knowing. Here's what I learned when my friend went through this same thing: 1. You did the right thing calling EBT customer service first. Make sure you get a reference number for your report. 2. When you fill out the EBT-2259 form, be as detailed as possible. Write down exactly where you were when the theft happened, that your card never left your possession, and include any receipts from legitimate transactions you made around that time. 3. For emergency help with rent - call your county office and specifically ask about "emergency assistance due to EBT theft." Some workers don't know about all the emergency programs available. If the first person says no, ask for a supervisor. 4. File a police report too, even if they say they can't investigate. Having that report number can help with your county case. The good news is that people ARE getting their money back from these thefts - it just takes time. Don't let them make you feel like you're lying. This is happening to so many people right now. You're going to get through this!

One more thing - once you apply for CalWORKs and they open a child support case, that case continues even if you later stop receiving Cash Aid. So be prepared for that. The only way to close it would be if you both agree to close it and you're no longer on public assistance. I wish someone had told me that before I applied!

Hey Emily, I totally understand your stress about this situation! I went through something similar when I first applied for CalWORKs. Here's what helped me: I called the county office before applying and asked to speak with someone about the child support requirements. They explained everything upfront, including the Good Cause exemption process that Natalie mentioned. Even though it sounds like you might not qualify for the exemption, it's worth understanding all your options. Also, when you do talk to your child's father, maybe frame it as "I need temporary help to get back on my feet, and this is unfortunately a requirement" rather than making it sound permanent. Some counties also have family mediation services that can help parents work through these situations. The most important thing is that you get the help you need right now - your housing stability matters for both you and your child. Don't let fear of potential relationship drama keep you from accessing benefits you're entitled to when you're in a tough spot!

I just went through this same thing last week! That notification is so misleading - I immediately thought they were cutting my benefits too. But like everyone else said, it's just their way of saying they processed your SAR7. What I've noticed is that the timing of when you see this notification can vary. Sometimes it shows up the day after you submit, sometimes it takes 2-3 days. But as long as you didn't report any income or household changes, your benefits should stay the same. Pro tip: if you're ever really worried about it, you can also log into your BenefitsCal account online to double-check your case status there. Sometimes it shows more detailed info than the EBT app does. The important thing is you got your receipt when you turned in the SAR7 - that's your proof it was submitted on time if any issues come up later!

I'm new to CalWORKs and just submitted my first SAR7 yesterday. Seeing this thread is such a relief! I was planning to spend all day tomorrow calling the county office because I got that same "Account Changed - Status Changed" message and had no idea what it meant. The wording really is terrible - it makes it sound like something bad happened when it's actually good news that they processed your paperwork. Thank you everyone for explaining this! I'm definitely going to start following the tips about screenshotting my benefit amounts and submitting early to avoid the stress.

So glad you got through to your worker and got it sorted out! This is exactly why I always tell people to ask questions here first - the community knows so much more than the confusing notices they send us. Good luck with your phone interview next week! Pro tip: have all your documents organized and ready before the call starts. They sometimes ask for specific numbers or dates on the spot, and it's way less stressful when you're prepared. You've got this!

I'm so glad to see this community helping each other out! @Brianna Muhammad, it sounds like you got everything figured out, but I wanted to add one more tip for anyone else who might be going through their first annual redetermination - if you're having trouble gathering all the required documents, most county offices will accept a signed statement explaining why a document is missing (like if your bank is slow getting statements or your employer hasn't given you recent pay stubs yet). Just don't use this as an excuse to not try - they really do want to see the actual documents when possible. And remember, the annual redetermination might seem scary, but it's just their way of making sure your case information is current and accurate. The workers aren't trying to kick you off (usually!), they just need updated info to calculate your benefits correctly.