CalWORKs suddenly discontinued after submitting all verification - can't reach anyone by phone

omg the same thing happened to me last month!!! they said i didn't submit something but i DID and had the proof. the phone system is literally the worst, i got disconnected 17 times before i gave up and just went to the office

This might be what's called an 'administrative discontinuance' - it happens when their system doesn't properly register that you submitted verification, even when you did everything right. A few things to try: 1. Check your BenefitsCal account for any messages about why you were discontinued 2. Look at the discontinuance notice for the specific reason code (there should be one) 3. If you have your confirmation email showing you submitted documents, save it as proof 4. Request a State Hearing immediately - you only have 90 days from the notice date, and requesting a hearing can sometimes get them to review your case faster Don't give up on calling. The best times are right when they open (usually 8am) or between 11-12 when workers return from morning meetings. Try selecting different options in the phone tree sometimes - like reporting a change instead of asking about your case status.

I had thiis happen and checked my benefitscal, turns out they needed my ex's child support info even tho I already gave them the court order. The system is SO BROKEN and I hate that we all gotta deal with this BS. Calworks has saved my life but trying to KEEP it makes me want to pull my hair out sometimes!!!

Try using Claimyr to get through to a real person. I was in the same situation last year - kept getting disconnected and couldn't reach anyone. My friend told me about claimyr.com and it actually worked! They call CalWORKs for you, wait on hold, and then call you when they have a real person on the line. I was skeptical but they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE It saved me so much stress when my benefits got cut off randomly. The county worker told me it was a system error on their end and reinstated my benefits the same day once I finally reached someone.

I work with clients on CalWORKs cases, and unfortunately, this happens far too often. When you finally reach someone, make sure to ask them to check the "document receipt history" in their system. Sometimes documents get received but not properly indexed to your case. Also, if you submitted through BenefitsCal, ask them to check the "task" section of their system - sometimes documents sit there without workers being notified. If you can't get through by phone and can't go to the office, email your worker directly if you have their email. Put "URGENT - BENEFITS DISCONTINUED IN ERROR" in the subject line. Also, contact your county's CalWORKs ombudsperson - every county has one, and they can often resolve issues faster than regular channels.

the phone system is total garbage, i spent 3 days trying 2 get thru last month. they cut my benefits cause they said i didnt turn in my SAR7 but i did. had to go to the office and wait 4 hours but they fixed it same day once someone looked at my case. bring ALL ur proof if u go in person

Regarding your question about benefits continuing during a hearing request - you need to request the hearing within 10 days of the discontinuance notice date (not when you received it) AND specifically request "aid paid pending" on the hearing request form. This is called "conditional aid" and means your benefits continue until the hearing decision. If it's been more than 10 days, you won't get aid paid pending, but still request the hearing. Often just filing for a hearing gets your case reviewed faster and resolved before an actual hearing happens.

The exact same thing happened to me! Turned out they wanted me to verify my WTW hours but never actually sent me the form. When I finally got through to someone (took 3 days), they told me the system had automatically generated a discontinuance because a worker forgot to mark something in the system. They fixed it that day and I got my benefits back the following week. The most frustrating part is they act like WE did something wrong when it's their broken system. Keep trying to get through or go in person if possible. Also, if you need emergency help while this gets sorted, call 211 as they might be able to connect you with rent assistance programs.

After you get this fixed (and you will!), make sure you take screenshots of EVERYTHING you submit through BenefitsCal and keep all confirmation emails. I've learned to document absolutely everything because of situations exactly like yours. Also, did you already get your discontinuance notice in the mail or just saw it online? Sometimes the system shows discontinued before they even send the notice explaining why.