Can I change my CalWORKs address online or do I need to call my worker?

You can technically update your address on BenefitsCal but honestly I wouldn't trust JUST doing it that way. What worked for me was updating it online first, then using Claimyr to get through to a real person at the county to confirm they got the change. It's this service that calls the county for you and then calls you back when they reach someone so you don't wait on hold. Their site is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE. Ever since I started using them I haven't had issues with missed paperwork or verification problems. The peace of mind was totally worth it because address changes can sometimes trigger verification requests.

i changed mine last month and JUST doing it online didnt work for me. my worker never got the update and i almost got discontinued. def call to confirm!!!

To properly update your address for CalWORKs, you should follow these steps: 1. Update your address on BenefitsCal (this is the online system that replaced C4Yourself/MyBenefits) 2. Call your assigned eligibility worker directly to confirm the change 3. Submit verification of your new address (this could be a lease, rental agreement, statement from landlord, utility bill with your name on it) 4. Note that your rent increase from $1450 to $1675 may impact your benefit calculation, especially if you receive the housing assistance portion 5. If your county uses the SAR 3 form for address changes, you'll need to submit that as well Address changes must be reported within 10 days under CalWORKs rules. This is considered a mandatory mid-period report. The increase in your housing costs should also be reported as it could potentially increase your benefit amount. If you can't reach your worker directly, you can also go to your local office in person or send the information by mail with delivery confirmation.

When I moved last year I had the WORST experience with this! Updated online, called and left messages for my worker, and they STILL sent my SAR7 to my old address. Then discontinued me for not turning it in!! Had to file for a hearing to get it fixed. Definitely do it MULTIPLE ways and keep proof of everything you submit.

Yes, you can update your address on BenefitsCal, but you should definitely follow up with a phone call. When I moved, I made the mistake of only updating it online and nearly had my benefits stopped! Make sure to also provide proof of your new address - I used my new lease agreement. Here's what worked for me: 1. Updated address on BenefitsCal 2. Called my worker (took several tries) 3. Submitted my new lease through the BenefitsCal document upload feature 4. Got confirmation in writing of the change Since your rent went up, you should definitely report that too since it might affect your benefit calculation. Good luck with the move!

OMG they make EVERYTHING so hard!! i just updated my address last month and even tho i did it onlien AND called they still send mail to the wrong place sometimes smh

Update: I took everyone's advice and updated my address on BenefitsCal yesterday, then tried calling today. After being on hold for 45 minutes, I gave up and decided to just go to the office in person tomorrow. I'll bring my rental agreement with the new address and rent amount. Will update on how it goes! Thanks everyone for your help!

Just checking back - did you get your address updated? Going in person is definitely the most reliable method for something as important as an address change. When I used Claimyr to call, I actually took a screenshot of my BenefitsCal profile showing the updated address while I was on the phone with the worker, then emailed it to them right then so they could confirm they received it. Having multiple forms of proof saved me later when there was a mix-up.

I'm glad you got it sorted out! That's a relief that everything is updated now. Just a heads up - keep an eye on your mail over the next few weeks to make sure everything is actually going to your new address. Sometimes there can be delays in their system updating completely. Also, if your cash aid does increase because of the higher rent, it might not show up until your next payment cycle. The county workers are usually pretty good about explaining the timeline when you're there in person. Congrats on getting through the bureaucracy!

This thread has been so helpful! I'm actually dealing with a similar situation right now - just moved within the same city but to a different apartment complex. Reading through everyone's experiences, it sounds like the key is doing BOTH the online update AND following up directly with your worker or going in person. The fact that multiple people had issues with just doing it online is really concerning. I'm definitely going to update on BenefitsCal first, then either use that Claimyr service someone mentioned or bite the bullet and go to the office in person. Better to waste a few hours waiting than risk having benefits discontinued! Thanks everyone for sharing your real experiences - this is way more useful than the vague info on the official websites.

So glad this thread exists! I'm actually going through this exact situation right now - moved last week and have been stressed about updating my address. Based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds like the golden rule is: don't trust just the online system. I'm planning to do the BenefitsCal update today, then either try that Claimyr service @Donna Cline mentioned or just bite the bullet and go to the office in person with my lease. One question though - for those who went in person, what time of day did you find was least busy? I'm trying to minimize the wait time if possible, especially since I have to bring my toddler with me. Also, did anyone have issues with month-to-month rental agreements as proof, or do they accept those just fine? My landlord doesn't do formal leases, just a simple rental agreement. Thanks everyone for sharing your real experiences - this is way more helpful than the county website!

This is such valuable information! I'm bookmarking this thread for future reference. What really stands out to me is how many people had issues relying solely on the online system - it seems like BenefitsCal is good for initiating the change but you absolutely need that human confirmation. For anyone still dealing with this, I'd also suggest taking photos/screenshots of your BenefitsCal profile showing the updated address, and if you go in person, ask for some kind of written confirmation or receipt that the change was processed. Documentation is your friend when dealing with any government benefits program. The Claimyr service @Donna Cline mentioned sounds like a game-changer for avoiding those brutal hold times. Has anyone else used it for other CalWORKs issues beyond address changes? I'm curious if it works well for general case questions too. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this kind of real-world advice from people who've actually been through the process is worth its weight in gold!