Can I use Chime account for CalWORKs Cash Aid deposit? Is it reliable?

I've been using Chime for my CalWORKs payments for about 8 months now with no problems. The money shows up right on time (sometimes even a day early!). Just make sure when you fill out the direct deposit form that you use the correct routing and account numbers from your Chime account. You can find these in your Chime app under Settings > Account Information. The county just treats it like any other bank account - there's nothing special you need to do because it's Chime. I actually prefer it to my old regular bank because Chime doesn't charge me fees when my balance gets low (which happens a lot right before Cash Aid hits).

Chime is HORRIBLE for benefits!!! My sister had her account frozen for 2 weeks when her CalWORKs payment hit and they wanted all kinds of verification. She almost got evicted!!! These online banks aren't real banks and dont have the same protections. Just go with Bank of America or Wells Fargo trust me

I can provide some factual information here. Chime and similar online banks are legitimate financial institutions for receiving CalWORKs benefits. The EDD Bank of America card that was once standard is no longer the only option. A few important points to consider: 1. All CalWORKs recipients have the right to choose their direct deposit destination - including online banks like Chime, traditional banks, or credit unions 2. When you submit your direct deposit form (CW 2225), the county typically takes 1-2 payment cycles to process it, so your first payment might still come as a physical check 3. For Chime specifically, make sure you're providing the banking details from your Checking account (not Savings), as this will process more smoothly 4. Keep a copy of your direct deposit form and confirmation number in case there are any issues 5. If you're concerned about potential delays, you can always call your county office to confirm they received your direct deposit information

i use cashapp for my cashaid no problms for like a year now chime should work 2

I tried calling my CalWORKs office for WEEKS to ask this exact question about Chime and could never get through - kept getting disconnected after waiting forever. Finally I used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got connected to a real person in 20 minutes who confirmed that yes, Chime works fine for Cash Aid. You can see how it works in their video demo: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE - basically they wait on hold for you and call when a worker picks up. Saved me so much frustration because I was about to give up and just take a paper check, which is such a hassle to cash without fees.

Just make sure whatever account u use doesn't already have a negative balance!!!! My first CalWORKs payment went straight to paying off my overdraft at Wells Fargo and I got NOTHING. I was so mad. At least with Chime I don't think they let you overdraft so maybe it's better actually

Has anyone had trouble with CalWORKs payments posting late with Chime? My payment date is supposed to be the 1st but sometimes it doesn't show up until the 3rd or 4th and my landlord doesn't care about excuses. This is why I don't trust these online banks!!!

My sister in law uses chime for her calworks but she said she had to do a bunch of paperwork first. Something about verifying her identity twice? Maybe its different in each county tho. I use the regular EBT card for my CalFresh so idk about cash aid specifically.

Update: I went ahead and submitted the direct deposit form with my Chime account info yesterday. My worker said the first payment might still come as a paper check while they process the direct deposit setup, but after that it should go smoothly. Thanks everyone for the advice! I'll update again once I get my first deposit to let you know if there were any issues.

I've been using Chime for my CalWORKs payments for over a year now and it's been great! The deposits usually hit my account 1-2 days BEFORE the official payment date, which is actually really helpful for budgeting. I switched from a traditional bank because they were charging me monthly fees that were eating into my already tight budget. One thing I'd recommend is downloading the Chime app notifications so you get alerts when your deposit hits. Also, take a screenshot of your direct deposit setup in the app just in case you need to reference it later. The routing number is always the same for Chime (031101279) but your account number is unique to you. Don't stress too much about it - Chime is FDIC insured just like regular banks, and I've never had any issues with government deposits being delayed or frozen. Good luck with everything!

I've been using Chime for my CalWORKs Cash Aid for about 6 months now and it's been solid. The deposits are super reliable - I actually get them a day early most of the time which helps with my budgeting. One tip: when you set up direct deposit, double check that you're using your Chime CHECKING account info, not savings. The routing number is 031101279 for everyone, and your account number is in the app under Settings > Account Info. The only "issue" I had was the first month when I forgot to update my address with the county after moving, and they temporarily held my payment for verification. But that was totally my fault, not Chime's. Once I called and updated everything, it went right through. Way better than dealing with check cashing fees or waiting for paper checks in the mail. Plus Chime doesn't charge overdraft fees which has saved me a few times when I miscalculated my spending before the deposit hit.

I've been using Chime for CalWORKs deposits for about 3 months and it's been working great! No delays or issues at all. The money typically shows up the night before my official payment date, which is actually really helpful for planning. When I first set it up, my caseworker told me it would take 2 payment cycles to fully switch over, and that's exactly what happened. Got one paper check, then the direct deposits started coming through perfectly. One thing that really helped me was calling Chime customer service (they're available 24/7 through the app) before I submitted my direct deposit form, just to confirm my account was in good standing and ready to receive government deposits. They assured me there wouldn't be any issues and they were right. The no overdraft fees with Chime has been a lifesaver too - my old bank at Wells Fargo would hit me with $35 fees that would eat into my next CalWORKs payment. With Chime, if I don't have enough money for something, it just declines instead of charging me fees. Hope this helps ease your worries! Feel free to ask if you have any other questions about the process.

I've been using Chime for my CalWORKs payments for about 4 months now and it's been fantastic! The deposits are super reliable and I actually get them 1-2 days early, which is a huge help when you're living paycheck to paycheck. A few things that might help you feel more confident: 1. Chime is FDIC insured just like traditional banks, so your money is protected 2. Their customer service is actually really good - you can chat with them 24/7 through the app 3. No monthly fees or minimum balance requirements (which was killing me at my old bank) 4. The early direct deposit feature is a game-changer for budgeting When you fill out the CW 2225 form, just make sure you're using: - Routing: 031101279 (same for all Chime accounts) - Your specific account number from the app (Settings > Account Information) - Select "Checking" not "Savings" The county worker was right about the 1-2 payment cycle wait - that's totally normal and has nothing to do with Chime specifically. My first payment came as a paper check while they processed the switch. Don't let anyone scare you about online banks - Chime has been way more reliable for me than Bank of America ever was. You made a smart choice!

I've been using Chime for my CalWORKs Cash Aid for almost 2 years now and it's been absolutely reliable. Never had a single issue with deposits being delayed or my account being frozen. The money hits my account like clockwork, usually 1-2 days before the official payment date which honestly helps so much with timing my bills and rent. A few practical tips from my experience: - Make sure you submit the CW 2225 form with your correct Chime checking account info (routing 031101279, your unique account number from the app) - Keep a photo of your completed form and any confirmation numbers - The 1-2 payment cycle wait is standard - not specific to Chime - Set up notifications in your Chime app so you know immediately when deposits hit I switched from Wells Fargo specifically because they were charging me monthly fees and overdraft charges that were eating into my already tight budget. Chime doesn't charge overdraft fees - they just decline the transaction if you don't have enough money, which has saved me hundreds of dollars in fees. Don't let anyone scare you about online banks. Chime is FDIC insured and regulated just like traditional banks. Their customer service through the app is actually way better than most big banks I've dealt with. You're making a smart financial choice!

I've been using Chime for my CalWORKs payments for about 7 months now and wanted to add my experience since you're just getting started. Everything everyone else said is spot on - the deposits are super reliable and I consistently get them 1-2 days early, which has been a lifesaver for budgeting. One thing I'd add that helped me feel more secure when I first switched: I kept my old bank account open for the first few months just in case, but honestly I never needed it. Chime handled everything perfectly from day one (well, after that initial 1-2 payment cycle setup period). The CW 2225 form is straightforward - just double-check you're using your Chime CHECKING account details. The routing number is always 031101279 and you'll find your account number in the app under Settings > Account Information. What really sold me on sticking with Chime long-term was their customer service. When I had a question about a deposit timing around a holiday, I was able to chat with someone through the app within minutes at like 9pm. Try getting that kind of service from a traditional bank! The no overdraft fees have probably saved me $200+ compared to my old bank. Instead of charging you $35 when you don't have funds, they just decline the transaction. So much better when you're managing a tight budget. You made the right choice - don't let anyone's horror stories scare you off!

I've been using Chime for my CalWORKs Cash Aid for about 10 months now and wanted to share my experience since I see you're just starting out. It's been absolutely solid - no delays, no account freezes, nothing like the horror stories some people share. Here's what I wish someone had told me when I was in your shoes: 1. The deposits almost always come 1-2 days EARLY, which is amazing for planning rent and bills 2. Chime's customer service through the app is available 24/7 and actually helpful (way better than trying to call the county office!) 3. No overdraft fees have saved me probably $150+ compared to my old Wells Fargo account 4. The CW 2225 direct deposit form is simple - just use routing 031101279 and your account number from the Chime app The 1-2 payment cycle wait your worker mentioned is totally normal and not specific to Chime. I got one paper check while they processed the switch, then smooth sailing after that. One tip: take a screenshot of your direct deposit setup in the Chime app after you submit your form, just for your records. And definitely turn on deposit notifications so you know the second your money hits. Don't let anyone scare you off online banks - Chime is FDIC insured and honestly more reliable than the traditional banks I've used. You're making a smart choice, especially as a single mom where every dollar and day matters. Good luck!

I've been using Chime for my CalWORKs Cash Aid for about 5 months now and it's been fantastic! As a single mom of 3, I was really nervous about switching from a traditional bank, but it was honestly one of the best decisions I've made. The deposits are incredibly reliable - I get them 1-2 days EARLY every single time, which has been a lifesaver for budgeting and making sure rent gets paid on time. No delays, no account freezes, nothing scary like some people worry about. A few things that helped me when I was starting out: - Use your Chime CHECKING account info on the CW 2225 form (routing: 031101279, account number from your app) - Take screenshots of everything for your records - Set up notifications so you know immediately when deposits hit - The 1-2 payment cycle wait is totally normal - not a Chime issue The no overdraft fees have probably saved me $300+ compared to my old Bank of America account. Instead of charging $35 every time I miscalculate, Chime just declines the transaction. Such a relief when you're managing a tight budget! Their customer service through the app is amazing too - available 24/7 and actually helpful, unlike trying to reach your county worker. You made a great choice with Chime! Don't let anyone's random horror stories scare you - it's FDIC insured and way more reliable than traditional banks in my experience. Good luck with everything!

I've been using Chime for my CalWORKs Cash Aid for about 3 months now and wanted to add my perspective as someone who was really hesitant at first. I kept my old Chase account "just in case" for the first month, but honestly Chime has been flawless. The deposits hit 1-2 days early like everyone mentioned, which has been amazing for my budgeting. What really impressed me was during the recent holiday weekend when I was worried about delays - my payment actually came through even earlier than usual while my friend with Wells Fargo had to wait an extra day. One thing I haven't seen mentioned much: if you're worried about legitimacy, you can verify Chime's FDIC insurance status on the FDIC website (search for "The Bancorp Bank" which is Chime's partner bank). That gave me a lot of peace of mind when I was first considering the switch. The CW 2225 form is straightforward - routing 031101279 and your account number from Settings in the app. Just make sure it's your checking account, not savings. My county processed it exactly like they said (took 2 payment cycles), and I've had zero issues since. The no overdraft fees alone have saved me probably $100+ so far. When you're stretching every dollar, those fees can really hurt. Chime just declines instead of charging you - so much better! You made the right choice, Paolo! Don't stress about it.

I've been using Chime for my CalWORKs Cash Aid for about 8 months now and it's been absolutely reliable! Like others have mentioned, the deposits consistently come 1-2 days early which has been such a blessing for timing bills and rent. When I first switched, I was terrified because I'd heard horror stories online, but honestly those seem to be rare exceptions rather than the norm. The setup process was straightforward - just filled out the CW 2225 form with my Chime checking account info (routing 031101279 and my account number from the app). My caseworker said it would take 1-2 payment cycles to process, and that's exactly what happened. The best part has been avoiding all those overdraft fees! My old credit union was charging me $30+ every time I miscalculated before my deposit hit. With Chime, transactions just get declined if there's not enough money - no fees. That alone has probably saved me $200+ this year. One tip: download the Chime app notifications so you get an alert the moment your deposit hits. Also keep screenshots of your direct deposit setup just in case you ever need to reference it. Chime is FDIC insured through The Bancorp Bank, so your money is just as protected as with traditional banks. Their customer service through the app is actually way better than most big banks too - available 24/7 and actually helpful! You made a smart choice, especially as a single mom where every dollar and day matters. Don't let anyone's scare stories make you second-guess this decision!