CalWORKs investigator showed up at my door asking about my ex - what happens next?

omg this happened to my cousin last year! they think your lying about your household situation. you need to show proof he moved, like lease agreement or something with his new address

This is actually quite common with CalWORKs when they suspect unreported income or household composition changes. Since your benefits are calculated based on who lives in your home, they need to verify your ex actually moved out. The investigator is part of their Income and Eligibility Verification System (IEVS). Here's what you should prepare: 1. Any legal separation paperwork you've started filing 2. A written statement from your ex confirming he no longer lives there (notarized if possible) 3. Any evidence of his new address (mail, utility bills, etc.) 4. Statements from neighbors or your landlord who can confirm he moved out If the investigator schedules a home visit, don't panic - just make sure they can see your ex's belongings are gone (empty closet space, etc.). Be polite but direct with the investigator.

the county always does this!! they are trying to catch u in a lie. they prob got a tip from someone or saw something on social media. be careful what u post online cuz they check that stuff too. my benefits got cut for 6 months when my kids dad was staying w me for just 2 weeks and someone reported it. had to appeal and everything

If you don't provide enough evidence, they could potentially issue an Intentional Program Violation (IPV) which would affect your benefits. They're investigating because something triggered their system - perhaps an address match in another database, reported income from the same household, or even someone reporting you. You need to be completely truthful and cooperative with the investigator. They're more understanding when you work with them rather than against them. During this process, make sure you're still meeting all your Welfare to Work (WTW) requirements and submitting any requested verification on time. Document every conversation you have with the investigator and the county (dates, names, what was discussed). And most importantly - did the investigator give you a specific deadline to call back or provide documentation? Don't miss that deadline!

I had to deal with a fraud investigator last year and it was a nightmare trying to reach them. I kept calling and leaving messages but couldn't get through. When I finally got someone on the phone, they said my case was on hold until I completed the interview. Try using Claimyr (claimyr.com) - it's this service that gets you through to a real CalWORKs worker instead of waiting on hold forever. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE It basically helped me jump the phone queue and I got connected to my investigator in like 5 minutes. Definitely worth it when your benefits are on the line.

Be VERY careful!! These investigators are NOT your friends! They're looking for ANY reason to say you committed fraud. Even if it was an honest mistake or misunderstanding, they can still hit you with an overpayment and make you pay back THOUSANDS!!! They'll ask the same question different ways trying to catch you in a lie. RECORD EVERYTHING and don't sign ANYTHING without reading it carefully first!!! I had a friend who got accused of having her boyfriend living with her when he was just visiting a lot. They ended up making her pay back 6 months of benefits! Almost $6,000!!!

Something people don't realize is that you need to report household composition changes within 10 days on CalWORKs, not just wait until your next SAR7 or recertification. If your ex moved out 6 weeks ago but you only reported it at recertification 2 weeks ago, that could be why they're investigating. For your next steps: 1. Call the investigator back if you haven't already 2. Ask specifically what documentation they need to verify your household change 3. Follow up in writing (email or letter) documenting your conversation 4. Submit whatever proof you can gather as soon as possible The good news is that with your ex gone, your benefit amount might actually increase since there's one less adult in the household (assuming he wasn't contributing income that was helping).

this is why i hate the system. they treat us like criminals!!! my neigbor got cash aid and she had her boyfrend staying with her all the time and they never got caught but then when someone is honest they get investigated!! makes no sense

A quick suggestion based on my experience as a benefits advocate: Gather statements from people who can confirm your situation. This could include: 1. A statement from your children's school showing you as the only parent at that address 2. A statement from your landlord confirming the change in occupancy 3. Utility bills showing decreased usage after he left 4. Any new mailing address you have for your ex Also, be prepared for a possible home visit where they may ask to look around. They typically check bedrooms, bathroom cabinets, and closets for signs of another adult living there. This feels invasive but is standard procedure in these investigations.

I went through something similar when my ex moved out and I didn't report it right away. The investigator was actually pretty reasonable once I provided the documentation they needed. Here's what helped me: 1. Get a notarized letter from your ex stating when he moved out and his current address 2. If he's getting mail somewhere else now, get copies of recent mail with his name and new address 3. Ask your landlord for a written statement about the household change 4. Take photos of his empty closet/dresser space if the investigator wants to do a home visit The whole process took about 3 weeks for me, and my benefits actually increased once they confirmed he wasn't part of my household anymore. Stay calm and just be completely honest with them. Document everything and keep copies of what you submit. You'll get through this!

I'm going through something similar right now - my ex moved out about 2 months ago and I'm dealing with questions from my worker too. One thing that helped me was getting a copy of the Change Report Form (CRF) from the county website and filling it out officially to document the household change, even though I already told them verbally. Also, if your ex has started getting any government mail (like unemployment, DMV stuff, etc.) at his new address, that's really good proof he's established residency elsewhere. The investigator told me they cross-reference addresses in different databases, so having his name officially tied to another address helps a lot. Don't let them intimidate you - you're being honest about your situation and that's what matters. Just gather whatever documentation you can and respond promptly to their requests. The stress is awful but it will get resolved!

I just went through this exact same situation about 4 months ago! The stress is absolutely terrible but try not to panic. Here's what worked for me: The investigator is probably following up because there might be some kind of data match in their system - like your ex's name still showing up at your address somewhere, or maybe someone made a report. Don't take it personally, they have to investigate these things. What saved me was being super organized with my documentation. I made copies of EVERYTHING and put together a little folder with: - Bank statements showing only my transactions at the house - A letter from my kids' school confirming I'm the only parent listed at our address - Text messages between me and my ex about him picking up his stuff (screenshots) - Even a statement from my neighbor who helped him move his couch out Also, when you talk to the investigator again, ask them exactly what they need from you and by when. Don't just assume - get it in writing if possible. Some of them are actually pretty helpful once you show you're trying to cooperate. The whole thing took about a month to resolve for me, and like others said, my benefits did go up once they confirmed it was just me and my kids. Hang in there - you're being honest and that's what matters most!

I'm so sorry you're going through this stress! I just wanted to add something that might help - if your ex is receiving any mail at his new address (even if it's just staying with his brother), you can ask the post office for a "mail forwarding verification" document. When someone files a change of address, the postal service keeps records of it, and sometimes they'll provide verification that mail forwarding was requested from your address to his new one. Also, I noticed you mentioned you're filing for legal separation - even if that paperwork isn't finalized yet, having the court filing stamped with a date can help show the timeline of when your separation became official. The investigator will want to see that the dates line up with when you say he moved out. One more thing - make sure you keep your story consistent every time you talk to anyone at the county. They sometimes have different people ask you the same questions to see if your answers change. Write down the key dates and facts so you don't accidentally give conflicting information. You're doing everything right by being honest and gathering documentation. This process is scary but it sounds like you have nothing to hide, so try to stay calm and just focus on getting them what they need. Sending you strength during this stressful time!

I know this is incredibly stressful, but try to remember that investigations like this are actually pretty routine - the county has to follow up on potential household composition changes to make sure benefits are calculated correctly. The fact that they're investigating doesn't mean they think you're lying, it just means something in their system flagged your case for review. One thing I'd suggest is asking the investigator directly what triggered the investigation - sometimes it's something simple like your ex's name showing up on a database match, or even just the timing between when he moved out and when you reported it. Understanding the "why" can help you know exactly what kind of documentation will be most helpful. Also, keep in mind that during this process, your current benefits should continue unless they find evidence of actual fraud. Don't let anyone tell you your benefits are automatically suspended just because there's an investigation - that's not how it works. The most important thing is to stay organized, respond promptly to any requests, and don't be afraid to ask questions if you're not sure what they need from you. You've got this!

I went through this exact situation about 8 months ago when my ex moved out and I had to deal with a fraud investigator. The anxiety is absolutely horrible, but I promise it gets resolved if you're being truthful. Here's what I learned that might help you: 1. The investigation was probably triggered automatically by their computer system - maybe your ex's name matched an address in another database or someone reported seeing him at your place. Don't take it personally. 2. Get everything in writing. When you talk to the investigator, follow up with an email summarizing what was discussed and what documents you agreed to provide. 3. The timeline issue others mentioned is real - you're supposed to report household changes within 10 days, but many people don't know this. Be honest about when you found out about this rule. 4. Your benefits should NOT be cut off during the investigation unless they find evidence of intentional fraud. If anyone tells you otherwise, ask to speak to a supervisor. 5. Once they verify your ex doesn't live there anymore, your benefits will likely increase since it's a smaller household size. The whole process took about 5 weeks for me, and looking back, the investigator was actually pretty fair once I provided the documentation. Stay organized, respond quickly to their requests, and remember - you're telling the truth, so you have nothing to worry about. This too shall pass!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stress! I just wanted to add that you should also keep a written log of every interaction you have with the investigator - date, time, what was discussed, and any requests they made. This can be really helpful if there are any discrepancies later. Also, don't forget to ask about the appeals process if you disagree with any decisions they make. You have rights in this process, and knowing them upfront can give you peace of mind. One thing that helped me when I went through something similar was contacting a local legal aid organization. Many have benefits advocates who can review your documentation before you submit it and make sure you're not missing anything important. They can also sometimes communicate with the investigator on your behalf if needed. You're handling this the right way by being proactive and gathering documentation. The fact that you're being honest and transparent will work in your favor. Hang in there - this investigation phase won't last forever, and it sounds like you have a good chance of coming out with higher benefits once they verify your household composition!

Legal aid benefits advocates are typically free! Most legal aid organizations provide these services at no cost to people who qualify based on income (which you likely do if you're receiving CalWORKs). I used California Rural Legal Assistance when I went through my investigation and they didn't charge me anything. You can search for "legal aid" + your county name to find local organizations. Many also have phone hotlines where you can get quick advice even if you can't meet in person. Also wanted to mention - when you gather all your documentation, make copies of everything before you submit it to the investigator. I learned this the hard way when some of my original documents got lost in their system and I had to scramble to get duplicates. One last tip: if your ex is cooperative, having him write a detailed statement about exactly when he moved out, why he moved out, and where he's living now can be really powerful evidence. The more specific details the better (like "I moved my belongings out on [specific date] and have been staying at my brother John's apartment at [address] since then"). You're doing everything right by being proactive about this. The community here has given you excellent advice, and it really does sound like this will work out in your favor once the investigation is complete!

I've been following your thread and wanted to share something that might help ease your stress a bit. I went through a CalWORKs fraud investigation about a year ago when my situation changed, and while it was nerve-wracking, the process was actually more straightforward than I expected. The key thing that worked for me was being completely upfront with the investigator from the very beginning. When they called, I immediately offered to provide whatever documentation they needed and asked for a clear list of what would be most helpful. This seemed to put them at ease that I wasn't trying to hide anything. One piece of advice I don't think anyone mentioned yet - if you have any written communication with your ex from around the time he moved out (texts, emails, even Facebook messages), screenshot those too. I had text messages where my ex was asking about mail that was still being delivered to my place, which helped establish the timeline of when he actually changed his address. Also, don't be afraid to ask the investigator questions about their process. Most of them will explain what they're looking for and how long things typically take. The unknown is often scarier than the reality. You're handling this really well by gathering documentation and seeking advice. The fact that you're being proactive and transparent will definitely work in your favor. Try not to let this consume too much mental energy - focus on what you can control (providing good documentation) and remember that honest people like yourself usually come through these investigations just fine.

I'm so sorry you're going through this stress! I just went through a similar investigation about 3 months ago when my ex moved out and I didn't report it within the 10-day window either. The anxiety was absolutely terrible, but I wanted to share what helped me get through it. First, don't panic about your benefits being cut during the investigation - mine continued the whole time while they reviewed everything. The investigator explained that they only suspend benefits if they find clear evidence of intentional fraud, not just because there's an investigation. Here's what made the biggest difference for me: - I got a notarized statement from my ex with specific move-out dates and his new address - My landlord wrote a letter confirming he observed the household change - I gathered utility bills showing the usage difference after he left - I took photos of his empty closet space before the home visit The whole process took about 6 weeks for me, and like others have said, my benefits actually increased once they confirmed it was just me and my kids in the household. The investigator was professional and fair once I showed I was being cooperative and honest. One thing that really helped my stress was understanding that these investigations are triggered automatically by their computer systems - it wasn't personal or because someone reported me. It was just a routine follow-up on a household composition change. Stay organized, respond quickly to their requests, and remember you're telling the truth! You've got this and it will be resolved soon. Sending you strength during this difficult time!

I'm really sorry you're dealing with this stress, but please know that you're not alone and this situation can definitely be resolved! Reading through all the responses here, it sounds like you're already on the right track by gathering documentation and being honest about your situation. One thing I wanted to add that I don't think was mentioned - if you have any bank statements or credit card statements from around the time your ex moved out, those can also help establish the timeline. Things like if you stopped buying groceries for two people, or if there were any moving-related expenses, or even just showing that your spending patterns changed when he left. Also, I know this whole process feels overwhelming, but try to remember that the investigator's job isn't to "catch" you doing something wrong - it's to verify that your benefits are calculated correctly based on your actual household situation. Since you're being truthful, this investigation could actually end up benefiting you with increased assistance once they confirm it's just you and your kids. Keep documenting everything, respond promptly to their requests, and don't hesitate to ask questions if you're unclear about anything they need. You've got a whole community here rooting for you, and based on everyone's experiences, this will likely be resolved in your favor within the next few weeks. Hang in there!