CalWORKs benefits dropping after SSI approval - confused about household composition and EBT amounts in Butte County

When Regina keeps saying "HUS" she's talking about "Household Composition" - basically who lives with you and how they're related. This matters because it affects how they calculate your benefits. Since you got approved for SSI, you're no longer eligible for CalWORKs cash aid for yourself, but your daughter could still be eligible. However, your SSI income WILL count towards household income when they calculate CalFresh (EBT food benefits). About your daughter's benefits stopping - did you get any Notice of Action in the mail? They legally have to send something explaining why benefits were cut. Was it CalWORKs or CalFresh or both that stopped? Your EBT amount can change month to month based on reported income changes, but they should explain exactly why. In Butte County, a household of 3 with your income situation should probably qualify for some CalFresh, but the exact amount depends on all reported income and expenses.

when I transitioned from GA to SSI they also messed up my daughters benefits!! took 3 months to fix. Your worker is probably combining u and ur roommate as a household unit thats what HUS means - household unit size. They think ur together not roommates. You need to clarify ur relationship status with worker ASAP!!! they're probably counting all income together

they did the exact same thing to me! case worker kept saying i was in a "household unit" with my brother who i was staying with temporarily after my divorce. had to bring separate lease agreements and bank statements showing we paid stuff separately. so annoying!!

Here's what's happening with your case: 1. SSI recipients are not eligible for CalWORKs cash aid, but your daughter is probably eligible for a "child-only" CalWORKs case if she's under 18. 2. For CalFresh (EBT food benefits), when you transitioned from GA to SSI, they needed to recalculate everything. In California, SSI recipients used to be ineligible for CalFresh, but that changed with the "CalFresh Expansion" in 2019. 3. The HUS (Household Unit Size) confusion is critical - if they're counting your roommate as part of your "food household," that would significantly affect your benefits. Under CalFresh rules, people who buy and prepare food together count as one household. If you and your roommate buy and prepare food separately, you should be separate households for CalFresh. 4. For your daughter's benefits stopping suddenly: Request an immediate case review and ask for "expedited services" since you're without expected income. They must issue replacement benefits if they stopped them incorrectly. 5. Your EBT fluctuations are likely due to them recalculating based on changing info about household composition and income. April 2024 was when emergency allotments officially ended everywhere too. I recommend requesting a case review meeting specifically about household composition and bringing documentation showing your roommate is not part of your family unit (separate finances, separate food purchasing, etc.).

Im in Butte County too and the caseworkers there are TERRIBLE!! I had almost the same problem when my cousin moved in with me temporarily. They kept saying we were a "household unit" even tho we had separate everything!!! I kept calling for WEEKS and could never get through to my worker. Left voicemails that never got returned. So frustrating!!!!!

To directly answer your question about what your EBT amount should be: For a household of 2 (you and your daughter) in Butte County with your described income and housing expenses, you'd likely qualify for approximately $350-450 in CalFresh monthly. However, that's assuming: 1. Your roommate is correctly excluded from your case 2. Your daughter's $1,040 benefit is correctly categorized (is this SSI, survivor's benefits, or child support?) 3. All your housing costs are properly documented The drop in December could be because they're counting all three of you as one household or because they're not counting your high housing costs as deductions. Definitely get this clarified ASAP and request retroactive benefits for any months you were underpaid. You have 90 days to request a fair hearing if you disagree with any county decision about your benefits.

Update: I finally got through to someone at the Butte County office today. Turns out there were multiple issues with my case! 1. They were incorrectly counting my roommate as part of my household unit (thinking we were a couple) 2. They didn't process my daughter's eligibility for a child-only CalWORKs case after I moved to SSI 3. They weren't applying the correct utility allowance for our housing situation The worker I spoke with (not Regina) was actually helpful and is correcting everything. She said my daughter's benefits should be restored within 3-5 business days with back payment for December, and my CalFresh should increase to around $380 per month starting in January. Thanks everyone for the help figuring this out! The whole system is so confusing.

so glad u got it fixed!!! make sure u get it ALL in writing tho. i've had verbal promises from workers before that never happened. ask them to mail or email u confirmation of everything they're fixing!!

That's great news that you got it sorted out! Just wanted to add - if you don't receive that Notice of Action within a week, definitely follow up. Sometimes the system glitches and doesn't generate the paperwork even when workers say they've made the changes. Also, since you mentioned Regina wasn't helpful before, you might want to ask if you can be assigned to the worker who actually helped you fix everything. You have the right to request a specific caseworker if one has been more responsive to your needs. The $380 CalFresh amount sounds about right for your situation once they're calculating it correctly. Make sure they're also applying the excess shelter deduction for your high housing costs - that can make a big difference in the monthly amount.