CalWORKs direct deposit form taking forever - 2 months and still no bank transfers?

Mine took about 3 weeks to kick in after I submitted the form last year. Two months sounds way too long. Did you make sure you submitted the form directly to your eligibility worker and not just at the general drop box? Sometimes those forms get lost in the shuffle if not given directly to your worker. Also, double check that your bank account info was correct on the form - one wrong digit can cause endless delays.

omg same thing happened 2 me!!! took like 3 months for mine to finally work and nobody would tell me why it was taking so long!! the county office is such a mess sometimes

In my experience working with families on CalWORKs, direct deposit forms sometimes get caught in processing backlogs, especially after major holidays. Two things to try: 1) Submit a new form and write "RESUBMISSION - ORIGINAL FILED 12/2024" at the top in bold letters 2) Ask specifically for the "Fiscal Processing Unit" or "EBT/Direct Deposit Coordinator" when you call - the regular eligibility workers often don't handle these forms directly. Also, if your worker doesn't respond on BenefitsCal after 3 business days, you can ask to speak with a supervisor. They're required to respond to inquiries within a reasonable timeframe.

my direct deposit started the very next month after i submitted it!!! maybe ur bank is rejecting it?? did u try calling ur bank to c if they have any blocked deposits or something? sometimes they block govt payments for fraud protection i heard

Hey, I had EXACTLY this problem last year. Turned out my form was sitting on someone's desk for weeks. I couldn't reach anyone by phone until I tried Claimyr.com - it got me through to an actual human at CalWORKs in about 10 minutes. The person I reached found my form and processed it right away. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE. Honestly the best $12 I've spent dealing with these benefits issues.

When I called bout my direct deposit it took 4 MONTHS to get it fixed!!!! The caseworker told me they had a huge backlog of forms and were prioritizing new applications over changes to existing cases. The whole system is broken if u ask me. I hate how they make everything so difficult for people who just need help.

Something else to check - did you get a SAR7 or recertification form around the same time you submitted your direct deposit form? Sometimes when those are pending, they put a hold on processing any account changes until your eligibility is confirmed. That could explain the delay.

btw those ATM fees are the WORST!!!! have u tried getting cash back at the grocery store instead? u can avoid the fees that way when u buy something small

one time I filled out my direct deposit form and they STILL sent it to my old closed account!!! took forever to fix. make sure u call and confirm they have the right account number on file!!!

I work with CalWORKs recipients regularly, and I've noticed direct deposit forms submitted in December often face delays due to year-end processing and holiday staffing shortages. Since we're now in February, I'd recommend taking these steps: 1. Submit a formal written complaint to the county's Civil Rights Office about lack of response (this creates accountability) 2. Resubmit your form WITH a cover letter explaining this is your second submission and referencing the date of your first submission 3. Request explicit confirmation in writing of when you can expect the direct deposit to begin If your worker continues to be unresponsive, you can contact your county's CalWORKs ombudsperson. Their job is specifically to resolve these types of administrative issues.

I'm dealing with a similar issue right now! I submitted my direct deposit form in early January and it's been over a month with no progress. Reading through everyone's experiences here, it sounds like 2-3 months is unfortunately pretty normal, which is crazy. I'm definitely going to try some of the suggestions here - especially asking for the Fiscal Processing Unit when I call and checking with my bank to make sure they're not blocking anything. It's so frustrating that something this basic takes so long to process. The ATM fees really add up too! Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and tips.

I'm going through the exact same thing! I submitted my direct deposit form in late November and here we are in late February with still no bank transfers. It's honestly ridiculous how broken this system is. I've tried calling multiple times and can never get through to a real person - just endless automated menus. My caseworker hasn't responded to any of my messages on BenefitsCal either. At this point I'm spending more on ATM fees than I would on gas driving to the office! Reading everyone's suggestions here is really helpful though. I'm definitely going to try asking specifically for the Fiscal Processing Unit next time I call, and I'll check with my bank too. The idea about submitting a formal complaint to the Civil Rights Office sounds promising - maybe that will actually get someone's attention. This whole situation makes me so frustrated because we shouldn't have to jump through all these hoops just to get our benefits deposited properly. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - at least now I know I'm not the only one dealing with this mess!