CalWORKs benefit theft happened TWICE - DHA took my reimbursement money before I left the office!

omg that happen to me last year!!! i got benefit theft in november and they finally gave me back like $680 in january but then it disappeard the next day. turns out they had to do some special override thing cuz the system automatically took it back thinking it was a duplicate payment or somethin. took another 2 weeks to get it fixed tho 😡

This is actually a known system error with benefit theft reimbursements. What happens is the reimbursement can trigger an automatic fraud detection in the CalWORKs system because it looks like a duplicate payment for the same month. Your worker needs to submit a specific form (I believe it's called a CW 2215) to authorize the override of the system's automatic recoupment. Unfortunately, this is becoming more common with benefit theft cases. Call your worker directly using their extension number if you have it, or ask to speak with a supervisor if you go back in person. Make sure you get something in writing showing the timeline for resolving this.

When I had a similar situation (but with CalFresh not CalWORKs), I tried for days to get through on the phone with no luck. I finally got through to a real person using Claimyr.com and got my issue fixed in one call. It basically gets you to the front of the phone queue so you don't wait for hours. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE that shows how it works. Saved me so much frustration since I couldn't take time off work to go to the office in person.

I work with CalWORKs recipients as an advocate and this is unfortunately a common issue. The system has a flaw when processing benefit theft reimbursements. Here's what you need to do: 1. Document everything - take screenshots of your balance if possible showing when the money was there and when it disappeared 2. Go in person if possible and ask specifically for a supervisor who handles benefit theft reimbursements 3. Request a written explanation for why the funds were recouped 4. Ask them to expedite the override process due to your immediate need This is fixable but it typically takes 3-5 business days for the override to process once they submit the proper documentation. If your rent is due in 4 days, make sure to emphasize that this is an emergency hardship situation.

THE SAME EXACT THING HAPPENED TO ME!!!! They are STEALING from us and calling it a "system error"!!!! I had to go in and DEMAND to speak to a supervisor THREE TIMES before they fixed it. And even then they tried to say I would have to wait until next month's regular payment. DO NOT let them tell you that! They CAN and MUST issue an emergency replacement within 5 days according to the regulations!!! Bring the MPP section 44-302 with you which covers theft replacement!!

i had benefits stolen 2x this year already... the first time they reimbursed me no problem but second time they said i was being negligent with my card info or something??? idk how since i never gave my pin to anyone. they do have a way to put emergency replacement funds on your card same day tho if you get the right worker. maybe try going back but talk to someone different?

I think what happened is that it was probably an overpayment they're trying to recoup and not actually taking back your reimbursement? My cousin had this happen where they gave her back stolen benefits but then took some for an overpayment from 2 months before that she didn't know about. Check if you got any notices about overpayments recently.

Just an update for anyone following this thread - I wanted to clarify that when benefit theft reimbursements are processed incorrectly and then automatically recouped, the county office MUST follow the emergency issuance timeframes. This means: 1. They have 3 business days to verify the error 2. They have to reissue the funds within 1 business day after verification So total maximum time should be 4 business days, not weeks. If they tell you otherwise, ask to speak with a program specialist who handles benefit theft cases specifically. This is covered under ACL 22-84 which updated the benefit theft replacement policies in 2022.