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CalWORKs recert marked 'incomplete' with no reason why - can't reach worker by phone

I submitted my CalWORKs recertification last week through BenefitsCal and when I checked my account today, it shows 'Incomplete' status but doesn't tell me what's missing! I have 3 kids and rent due in 2 weeks, so I can't afford any delay in my Cash Aid. I've tried calling the county office literally 20+ times over the past 2 days but either get disconnected or stuck on hold forever. Has anyone had this happen with their recert? Did your benefits get cut off? I'm freaking out because there's no message in my inbox explaining what documents they need, and the deadline to fix it is probably coming up fast. What should I do???

Zainab Ismail

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The exact same thing happened to me in January! My recert said incomplete but no message why. Turned out they needed proof of my WTW participation hours even though I had already uploaded everything. My worker finally called me back after TWO WEEKS and by then they had already cut my benefits for the month! Had to pay late fees on rent because of their mistake. The system is so broken.

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Miguel Silva

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TWO WEEKS?? I can't wait that long! Did your benefits get turned back on after they finally reached you? Did they give you the missing month's payment?

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this is why i always do my recert in person, the online system messes up all the time. check ur mail, sometimes they send the reason that way instead of in the system. also make sure u didn't miss any sections in ur SAWS2 or forget to click submit on any screens

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Miguel Silva

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I checked my mail every day this week and nothing from them! I definitely hit submit on all screens and checked all the boxes. Maybe they're just behind on processing? Idk but I'm so stressed.

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Yara Nassar

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When this happens, it usually means one of three things: 1. Your income verification doesn't match what they have on record 2. You need to provide updated information about someone in your household 3. There's a technical glitch where the system shows incomplete but your worker hasn't updated it yet You need to keep trying to contact your worker, but also try these approaches: - Go in person to the office if possible, even without an appointment - Check if you can upload additional documents proactively (pay stubs, rent receipts, school verification for kids) - Send a message through BenefitsCal asking specifically what's missing - Call right when they open (usually 8am) for the best chance of getting through Don't wait until your benefits get cut off to take action. The recertification deadline is very strict.

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Miguel Silva

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Thanks for these tips! I'll definitely try calling right at 8am tomorrow. I'm worried about going in person because I work mornings and can't afford to miss work. Would uploading extra documents help even if I don't know what they need?

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Keisha Robinson

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Have you tried using Claimyr to get through to a CalWORKs worker? I was in a similar situation last month and was getting nowhere with calling. A friend told me about claimyr.com and they got me connected to a real person at the county within 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE For recert issues, you really need to talk to someone ASAP because they only give you 10 days to fix whatever's missing before they discontinue your case. I wouldn't wait anymore since you've already tried calling so many times.

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Miguel Silva

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I've never heard of this! Does it actually work? I'm desperate at this point, so I'll check out the video. 10 days isn't much time and I don't even know when they marked it incomplete since they didn't notify me.

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GalaxyGuardian

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whatever u do DONT resubmit a whole new application!!! that will make things wayyyy worse bc then they might count it as a new application instead of a recert and you'll lose benefits for sure. keep calling and maybe try the main state number not just your county

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Yara Nassar

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This is absolutely correct. Submitting a new application when you're in recertification can cause your case to be discontinued and then you'd have to start all over. The state number might help, but they'll likely just redirect you back to your county office since recertifications are handled at the county level.

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Paolo Ricci

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The county office is so frustrating to deal with, I swear they do this on purpose! My last recert they claimed I didn't turn in my SAR7 even though I had confirmation it was received. Then they cut my benefits with no warning. I had to go down there and throw a fit before anyone would help me. The system is rigged to make us fail I swear.

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Amina Toure

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I feel u... it's like they hope we give up sometimes. but remember the workers r dealing with like hundreds of cases so sometimes it's just them being overwhelmed not trying to hurt us. still sucks tho

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Keisha Robinson

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Update us on what happens! If you're able to get through using any method, please share so others can learn from your experience. The recertification process is one of the most stressful parts of receiving CalWORKs because there are so many ways things can go wrong.

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Miguel Silva

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I managed to get through finally! Used that Claimyr service someone mentioned above and got connected in about 25 minutes. Turns out they needed my 16-year-old's school verification even though I already uploaded it. The worker said the document didn't open correctly on their end. They're fixing it now and said my benefits should continue without interruption. Such a relief but so frustrating that there was no notification about what was missing!

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