CalWORKs recertification timeline? Submitted Monday - normal processing time?
I just finished my recertification for CalWORKs on Monday through BenefitsCal (finally got it all uploaded after scanner issues 🙄). I know my cash aid is supposed to continue without interruption if I submitted everything on time, but I'm getting anxious because my worker hasn't contacted me yet. How long does it typically take for them to process recertification paperwork? My rent is due next week and I'm worried my benefits might get delayed. This is only my second time recertifying so I can't remember how long it took last time. Should I call my worker or is it too soon? Anyone know the normal processing times?
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Nathan Kim
it depends on ur county tbh. mine took 2 weeks last time but my sister got approved in like 3 days. if u turned in everything they asked for u should be fine
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Gavin King
•Thanks, that's good to know. I did submit all the verification docs they asked for (pay stubs, rent agreement, childcare receipts). Just nervous because I can't afford to miss a payment.
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Eleanor Foster
The official processing time is 30 days, but most counties try to complete recertifications much faster, especially if all your verification documents were included. Did you get a confirmation number or email after you submitted everything? Also, have you checked your BenefitsCal account to see if there's any status update? Sometimes they update the system before they actually call you.
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Gavin King
•Yes I got a confirmation number and email. My BenefitsCal still shows my case as 'active' but when I click on the 'Documents' tab nothing new is there. That's part of why I'm confused - don't they normally send an approval notice?
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Eleanor Foster
•As long as your case shows 'active', you're still getting benefits. The approval notice sometimes takes a few days to appear in your Documents tab after they've actually processed it. If you submitted everything on Monday and it's still showing active, that's a good sign. They usually only contact you if something is missing.
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Lucas Turner
last month they literally approved mine 2 days before my benefits were supposed to hit my card!!! i was FREAKING OUT thinking they were going to cut me off. never got a call just suddenly the approval letter showed up in benefitscal. so annoying how they leave us hanging
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Kai Rivera
If you're worried, you might want to try calling the county office directly. That's what I always do because waiting is SO stressful especially when you need the money for rent. But be prepared to wait on hold FOREVER. Last time I called about my recertification I waited 2.5 hours and then got disconnected! 😡 The system is so broken.
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Gavin King
•Ugh that's what I'm afraid of. I tried calling yesterday and got stuck in the automated system then it hung up on me after 40 minutes. And my worker never answers direct calls.
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Anna Stewart
I had this same problem last month! Try using Claimyr to get through to an actual person at CalWORKs. It saved me SO much time - their system calls for you and then connects you once someone answers. I used their video demo (https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE) to see how it works first. I got through to my worker in about 20 minutes instead of waiting for hours. My recertification was actually approved but they hadn't uploaded the letter yet, so the call gave me peace of mind. Check out claimyr.com if you're stressed about waiting.
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Layla Sanders
•I second this recommendation. I use Claimyr whenever I need to reach my CalWORKs worker now. The county phone systems are basically designed to make you give up. Last time I used it, I found out my recertification was pending because they needed one more document I didn't know about.
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Morgan Washington
Monday was only 4 days ago so thats pretty recent. They TECHNICALLY have 30 days to process but that doesnt mean your benefits stop during that time. As long as you submitted before your deadline your cash aid should continue automatically while they review. Thats how it suppose to work anyway but we all know the system sucks sometimes lol. Did you check if your next payment is scheduled on the EBT website?
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Gavin King
•Oh I didn't think to check the EBT website! Just did that and it shows my next payment is scheduled for the 1st, same amount as usual. That makes me feel a lot better. Thank you!
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Morgan Washington
•Awesome! Yeah if your payment is already scheduled then youre definitely good. They wouldnt schedule it if your recert wasnt going through. Sounds like they processed it already just havent sent the notice yet 👍
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Eleanor Foster
Just to clarify some information here: For CalWORKs recertifications, as long as you submit by your deadline, your benefits continue uninterrupted while they process your paperwork. Even if they take the full 30 days to review everything, you'll still receive your normal cash aid amounts on schedule. The fact that your payment is already showing as scheduled on the EBT website confirms that your benefits are continuing without issue.
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Gavin King
•Thank you for explaining that! I got confused because my last recertification they sent me the approval letter within 2 days. This makes me feel much better knowing my benefits won't stop while they're processing.
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Kai Rivera
Be careful! I thought mine was fine last year but turns out they needed a verification document and never told me. They approved me temporarily but then discontinued me the next month and I had to reapply all over again! Make SURE you call to confirm everything is complete. Don't trust the system to work properly because they mess up ALL THE TIME.
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Eleanor Foster
•While it's always good to follow up, I just want to reassure the original poster that if their payment is already scheduled in the EBT system and their BenefitsCal account shows 'active' status, their recertification has likely been processed successfully. They would receive a notice if anything was missing or if there were issues with their case.
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Nathan Kim
when ur first payment posts after recert that means ur good. if its on ur ebt website for next month ur approved even without the letter
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Gavin King
Update: I finally got the approval notice in my BenefitsCal account today! It was dated Wednesday but just showed up. Thanks everyone for helping me not panic. I'm going to screenshot my recertification confirmation email next time so I have proof of when I submitted everything.
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Lucas Turner
•congrats!! the system is so slow with those notices its ridiculous. glad it worked out!
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Diego Castillo
That's great news! 🎉 I'm so glad everything worked out for you. It's such a relief when you finally see that approval notice show up. The delay between when they actually process it and when the notice appears in BenefitsCal is really frustrating - they should definitely improve that system. Your tip about screenshotting the confirmation email is smart too. Thanks for updating us with the good news!
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Anastasia Sokolov
•So happy to hear this worked out! I'm new to CalWORKs and this whole thread has been super helpful to read. The whole process seems really stressful when you're waiting to hear back. I'm coming up on my first recertification in a couple months and now I know to check the EBT website for scheduled payments and not just wait around for the approval letter. Thanks for sharing your experience and congrats on getting approved! 🙌
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Maya Diaz
This whole thread is so reassuring! I'm scheduled for my recertification next month and I've been dreading it after hearing horror stories about delays and missing documents. It's good to know that benefits continue while they process everything and that the EBT website showing scheduled payments is a reliable indicator. I'm definitely going to screenshot my confirmation email like you suggested and maybe bookmark that Claimyr service in case I need to call. Thanks for sharing your experience and congrats on getting through the process! 👍
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