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This thread is so helpful! I'm dealing with something similar right now - my CalFresh benefits are showing as "pending" on the phone system but nothing in the app. After reading everyone's experiences, I feel way less anxious about it. It sounds like the phone system is definitely the one to trust. @Aisha Rahman glad your payment came through! And thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community is amazing for getting real answers when the official systems are confusing.
I'm really glad this thread helped ease your anxiety! When I first started getting benefits, the different systems showing different information used to stress me out so much. It's such a relief to know that others have experienced the same thing and that there's usually a logical explanation. The phone system being more reliable is definitely good to know - I'll keep that in mind for future reference too. This community really is great for getting practical advice from people who've actually been through these situations!
This is such valuable information for anyone dealing with CalWORKs system issues! I've been on benefits for about 6 months now and I've noticed the same thing - the BenefitsCal app seems to lag behind the phone system pretty consistently. Last month my payment showed up a full day before the app even updated to show it was issued. It's really frustrating how unreliable the app can be when you're already stressed about money. I've started just using the automated phone line as my primary way to check status since it seems to be the most accurate. Thanks for sharing your experience and the update that everything worked out - stories like this help all of us know what to expect!
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just so u know when they finally fix it they OWE U all the money from the months they didnt pay!!! dont let them tell u different!!! my friend had 6 months of back benefits when they finally fixed her case and she got like $4800 all at once! make sure they pay u for EVERY month u were eligible!!!
This is mostly correct, but with an important clarification: you'll receive retroactive benefits only for months where you met all eligibility requirements. If your recertification was actually incomplete (missing documents they requested), they may not backdate for that period. However, if you submitted everything and they just didn't process it, then yes, you should receive all benefits you were eligible for during the delay.
I'm so sorry you're dealing with this - it's absolutely infuriating and you shouldn't have to go through months without support for you and your kids. A few additional suggestions that have helped others in similar situations: Try calling the CalWORKs State Hearing Division directly at 1-800-743-8525 and requesting an "expedited fair hearing" due to hardship. They can sometimes put pressure on the county to resolve cases faster. Also, if you have any local food banks or churches, many have emergency assistance programs that can help with rent or utilities while you're fighting this. The 211 helpline (dial 2-1-1) can connect you to local emergency resources. One more thing - when you do finally get through to someone, ask them to put a "flag" on your case for urgency due to having minor children and no income. This sometimes helps prioritize your file. You're not alone in this struggle, and don't give up. The system is broken but your persistence will pay off eventually. Hang in there! 💙
Thank you so much for all these suggestions! I'm definitely going to try the State Hearing Division tomorrow and the 211 helpline sounds really helpful. I didn't know they could flag cases for urgency - that could make a huge difference. It's reassuring to know I'm not the only one dealing with this mess. Really appreciate you taking the time to help! 🙏
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UPDATE: Finally got through to someone today! Turns out when I reapplied, they created a duplicate case in the system which was causing the delay. The worker I spoke with said she'll fix it and my benefits should be processed within 48 hours. I also asked about Immediate Need and they're processing that for me today - should get $200 emergency funds by tomorrow! Thank you all for your help and suggestions. This has been so stressful but I feel relieved now that I know what was happening.
Great news! This is exactly why persistence pays off - these systems have so many potential points of failure. Glad you're getting the Immediate Need funds too. That should help until the regular benefits come through.
So glad you got answers! The duplicate case thing happened to my sister too. The system is so broken sometimes. Make sure to save your case number and the name of the helpful worker for future reference!
That's such great news! I'm so relieved you finally got through and figured out what was causing the delay. A duplicate case - that's exactly the kind of behind-the-scenes technical issue that we would never know about without speaking to someone directly. The Immediate Need funds are a lifesaver too. I've been in similar situations where every day without benefits feels like forever when you're trying to feed your family and keep up with bills. Thanks for updating us with what worked! Your experience will definitely help other members who run into similar problems. It's a good reminder that sometimes the "pending" status doesn't tell the whole story and you really do need to keep pushing to get answers from a real person.
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UPDATE: Thanks everyone for your help! Turns out I was looking in the wrong place (BenefitsCal instead of the EBT website). Once I checked the actual EBT website everything was there. And my Cash Aid was on my card all along - I was able to withdraw it and pay my rent. So relieved! The system is so confusing with all these different websites and logins.
So glad it worked out! Yeah the whole system is super confusing with too many different websites.
Glad you got it figured out! This is exactly why I always bookmark both sites - www.ebt.ca.gov for checking balances/transactions and BenefitsCal for applications/case management. So many people get confused between the two. For future reference, you can also download the ConnectEBT app on your phone which makes it super easy to check your balance on the go. It's saved me from panicking so many times when I thought my benefits weren't there!
Yara Khoury
I went through this exact situation 2 years ago and I'm so glad I applied! My daughter has autism and was getting CalWORKs with us (family of 4). When she got approved for SSI at $1,047/month, our CalWORKs dropped by about $200 but we still came out ahead by over $800 monthly. The process was stressful but worth it. A few things that helped me: I kept a daily log for 6 weeks before the interview documenting every meltdown, sleep issue, and daily living challenge. I also got letters from her therapists and teachers. The key is showing how the autism affects her ability to function compared to other kids her age. One thing to watch for - they'll ask about any accommodations or supports she gets at school. Have that IEP or 504 plan ready! And yes, report the SSI approval right away when you get the letter, don't wait for the first check. Good luck mama, you're doing the right thing for your family!
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Dmitry Popov
•This is exactly the kind of detailed advice I needed! Thank you for sharing your experience. I'm definitely going to start keeping that daily log - that's such a smart idea. My son has really intense sensory meltdowns and sleep issues that I don't think I've been documenting well enough. Did you just write it down in a notebook or use an app? And yes, he has an IEP so I'll make sure to have that ready. It's so helpful to hear from someone who actually went through this whole process!
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Liam O'Reilly
I just want to add that you should also ask about retroactive benefits when you apply! If your son gets approved for SSI, Social Security can pay benefits back to the date of application (up to 6 months prior in some cases). So even though the process takes months, you won't lose out on that money - it'll come as a lump sum with the approval. Also, once he's on SSI, make sure to apply for any state disability programs or assistance your county offers. Some counties have additional support services or even small cash assistance programs for families with disabled children. Your case worker should have info about local resources. The waiting is the hardest part, but from everything I've seen and heard from other families, you'll definitely be better off financially. The SSI payment alone is almost as much as your entire CalWORKs grant right now!
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