CalWORKs missed my phone interview but claims I didn't answer - now threatened with discontinuance

This happens ALL THE TIME with CalWORKs interviews! My worker did this to me twice last year. Here's what you need to do right away: 1. Submit a request for a "good cause" determination through your BenefitsCal account. Click on "Contact My Worker" and specifically state that you were available for the scheduled interview, did not receive any call, and are requesting immediate rescheduling. 2. Document everything - take screenshots of your phone log showing no incoming calls during that time period. 3. If you have another phone, call your own number to verify it's working correctly. 4. Request a supervisor review of your case - they actually have records of all outbound calls from the county system. 5. Check if the number they have on file is correct in your BenefitsCal account. You have 15 days from the missed interview to request good cause before they implement the discontinuance. Don't wait!

omg same EXACT thing happened to me last month!!! they said they called at 10:30 but i had zero missed calls. my friend said maybe they dialed wrong # but how is that my fault??? ended up losing benefits for 2 weeks before they finally fixed it

The county workers are SO overwhelmed right now that this is happening to everyone. When I went through recert last month, my worker told me they're handling 3x the normal caseloads. Not an excuse but might explain why. Make sure to check your junk email folder too - sometimes they send a link for a video interview instead of calling. What worked for me was physically going to the office with my kids and refusing to leave until someone helped me. Took 4 hours but got it resolved same day.

This is unfortunately super common with CalWORKs phone interviews. The system is designed to create these exact failures, and then put the burden on you to fix it. If you can't get through on the main line, try using Claimyr.com - it's a service that gets you through to an actual CalWORKs worker without the wait. I was skeptical, but it saved my benefits when I had the exact same situation. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE Once you get through, immediately request: 1. A "good cause" determination (use those exact words) 2. Expedited rescheduling of your interview 3. That they note in your file that you were available at the scheduled time Since you have kids, mention that this creates an immediate hardship situation.

THEY DO THIS ON PURPOSE!!!! its there way of clearing caselods by making ppl miss interviews that never actually happend. theyll say they "attempted" to call u but the system shows they never even accessed ur file that day!!! i had a supervisor admit this to me after i threatened legal aid involvement. THE SYSTEM IS RIGGED AGAINTS US

this happened 2 me twice!!! what i did was call early in morning like 7:30am when they first open and kept pressing 0 until i got a person. took like 20 tries but i got thru. explain u were waiting for the call and ask 4 "good cause" and reschedule. they will try 2 blame ur phone but dont let them! btw make sure ur phone accepts calls from private/unknown numbers cuz thats how they show up

I work as an advocate at a community resource center, and we're seeing this issue constantly with CalWORKs recertification interviews. Here's what I recommend to our clients: 1. File a formal complaint using the "Customer Service Center Complaint Form" (CSC 103) - this creates a paper trail 2. Request conditional aid continuation while your good cause determination is pending. Under MPP Section 22-072.5, you have the right to continued benefits pending resolution if you assert good cause within 15 days. 3. If you're facing an emergency (rent due, utilities about to be shut off), request an expedited good cause determination based on imminent hardship. 4. Submit your request in writing through BenefitsCal AND in person if possible - document everything. 5. In your good cause request, cite MPP Section 40-126.31(c) which covers county failure to provide the interview opportunity. Feel free to DM me if you need more specific guidance for your situation.

One more thing - be sure to check if they sent you a text message link for the interview! The county is switching to a new system where some workers are sending text message links for video interviews instead of calling. The notification about this change is easy to miss in that pile of paperwork they send. If you don't click the link, it shows as a "no-show" even though you were waiting for a call.

update: i got thru to the office this morning! i asked for a supervisor right away & explained everything. they said they'd review my case & call me back. fingers crossed!

Just to clarify for everyone: Under CalWORKs regulations (MPP 40-126.31), the county is required to document their attempt to contact you. When you submit your good cause request, you have the right to see this documentation. Ask specifically: What number did they call? What time exactly? How many attempts were made? This puts the burden of proof back on them. If they can't provide this documentation, they must reschedule your interview without any break in benefits. Also remember that for phone interviews, they're supposed to attempt contact at the scheduled time, AND make a second attempt within 30 minutes if they don't reach you the first time. Many counties aren't following this procedure.