CalWORKs recertification notice - do they mail reminders or am I supposed to track my own dates?

Yes, they should send you a recertification packet in the mail about 45 days before your certification period ends. It's the SAWS 2 Plus form with your specific renewal date. If your recert is in July, you should be getting it very soon. That said, the county doesn't have the best track record with mailing these on time. I'd recommend logging into your BenefitsCal account (if you have one set up) where you can see your exact recertification date. You can even complete your recertification online through there, which is usually faster than paper forms.

they always SAY theyll mail it but half the time it never shows up!! my casewrkr told me we HAVE to report even if we dont get the packet smh. i missed mine last year cuz didnt get mail and they cut me off for 2 months!! had to reapply from scratch and it was a NIGHTMRE

The county is required to send your recertification packet at least 30 days before your certification period ends. But as others have mentioned, mail can get lost or delayed. Here's the most reliable approach: 1. Mark your calendar for the recertification deadline (sounds like July 15) 2. If you don't receive your packet by mid-June (30 days before), call your worker 3. You can complete recertification through BenefitsCal as soon as it becomes available (usually 30 days before deadline) 4. Keep proof of submission (screenshot or confirmation number) I always recommend completing recertification at least 2 weeks before the deadline to allow time for processing and fixing any issues. The most common reason people lose benefits is late recertification.

i just did my recert last month! the online way is WAY easier than paper. but heads up they still make u upload a bunch of documents like pay stubs n stuff. also the interview part was weird bc they called from a blocked number so just answer ALL calls around ur appointment time

I see a lot of comments mentioning BenefitsCal, but I just want to add - don't rely 100% on the online system. California counties are notoriously inconsistent with how they implement these systems. I had a client (I'm a benefit counselor) who did everything online but the county claimed they never received it - even though she had confirmation numbers. My advice: do it online, but ALSO call your worker to confirm they received it. Get the name of who you speak with and write down the date/time. If you can't reach anyone (common problem), use Claimyr.com to get through to a real person. They have a service that helps you bypass the phone wait times to reach CalWORKs workers directly. They have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE Better to be annoying and keep your benefits than polite and lose them!

my recert is due nextmonth to!! i always put reminders in my phone bc they county be MESSY with sending stuff. last time my worker said she mailed it but i never got nothing and then blamed ME!!! just go on benefitscal and do it there. waaaaay easier

Just to clarify something important: When you complete your recertification, make sure you're doing it for ALL your benefits if you receive multiple types. Some people don't realize that CalWORKs (Cash Aid) and CalFresh (food stamps) can have different recertification dates. Check your BenefitsCal account to see all your program dates. And a final tip - when uploading verification documents, make sure they're clear and readable. Take photos in good lighting or use a scanning app. I've seen benefits delayed because workers couldn't read blurry document photos.

also dont 4get about reporting income changes!! if u make more money than ur income reporting threshold (IRT) b4 recert time u gotta tell them in 10 days even if its not recert time yet. my cousin got in trouble for not reporting when she got extra shifts at work and they made her pay back $$$

One more thing to add - if you're worried about missing your recert deadline, you can also set up text alerts through your county's system (if they offer it) or just call your worker about 60 days before your deadline to confirm they have your correct mailing address. I learned the hard way that my address got mixed up in their system and packets were going to my old place for months! Also, keep copies of EVERYTHING you submit - whether online or by mail. Take screenshots of your online submissions and keep them in a folder on your phone. If there's ever a dispute about what you submitted or when, having that proof can save you a lot of hassle. The system isn't perfect but being organized and proactive definitely helps!