Confused about CalWORKs IEVS report asking for 2022 pay stubs I no longer have

IEVS stands for Income and Eligibility Verification System. Basically, the county does regular computer matches with tax records, employment records, and other databases to see if what you reported matches official records. If there's a discrepancy, they send you that notice requesting verification. For those missing pay stubs, you have a few options: 1. Contact your previous employer's HR department and ask for copies of your pay records from 2022 2. If you filed taxes for 2022, you can submit your tax return showing that income 3. You can submit a signed statement explaining your situation Make sure to respond within that 10-day timeframe, even if it's just to tell them you're trying to get the documents. Otherwise, they might reduce or discontinue your benefits.

I went through this last year. IEVS reports are super annoying but basically the state and feds share tax info and if they find income you didn't report, they flag your case. Even if it was from before you were on CalWORKs, they still want to verify it didn't continue. Contact your worker right away (don't wait until day 10!) and explain you don't have the stubs. In my case, I was able to download my W2 from that year online and that was enough. You can also request a "wage history" from EDD that shows all reported wages - your worker can actually help you get this.

Omg IEVS is the WORST! I got hit with one of those last year and ended up with a $3,200 overpayment because they found income from a temp job I had for like 3 weeks that I forgot to report. They go back YEARS sometimes. the system is designed to trap us i swear

I had to deal with this exact situation last month! I couldn't reach my caseworker for days, but I finally got through using Claimyr (claimyr.com). They connect you directly to a real person at the county instead of waiting on hold forever. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE that shows how it works. For the IEVS report, I ended up contacting my old employer through LinkedIn and asking their payroll department for records. They emailed me copies within 2 days. The county also accepted my bank statements as supporting evidence. The most important thing is to respond before the deadline even if you don't have everything yet.

Their systems r so broken! I had an IEVS report once that showed I was working in FLORIDA when I've never even been there lol. Turns out someone with same name and birthday. Took 3 months to fix and they cut my benefits the whole time. Fight it hard and document EVERYTHING. If u can't get the paystubs ask for a hearing right away on the paperwork they sent you, that buys u more time to fix it.

can u get ur w2 from that year from the irs website? that might work instead of paystubs. also sometimes they do this ievs thing when someone else used ur ssn for work. happened to my cousin.

After reading more of your responses, I wanted to add something important: if this income was from before you started receiving CalWORKs, you should make that very clear to your worker. IEVS reports can flag income from before you were even in the program, but that shouldn't affect your current benefits as long as you weren't receiving aid during that time. If you were receiving benefits when you had this job and didn't report it, you might face an overpayment. But if this was before you applied, make sure to point that out clearly in your response to the IEVS report.

i got one of these 2 and my worker told me if i couldnt get the paystubs i could write a statement explaining the situation and what happened with the job and why i dont have the paperwork anymore. it worked for me but my worker was cool, some r stricter.

Just want to add that if you're having trouble reaching your caseworker, you can also try contacting the county's CalWORKs office directly and ask to speak with a supervisor. Sometimes they can help expedite things when there's a tight deadline like this. Also, if you end up writing a statement explaining why you don't have the paystubs, make sure to be specific about the dates you worked, why you no longer have the documents (moving, etc.), and emphasize that this was before you received CalWORKs if that's the case. Keep copies of everything you submit! The system can be really frustrating but don't give up - there are usually solutions even when it seems impossible at first.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stress! I went through something similar last year and it was terrifying at first. The good news is that since your job was in 2022 and you didn't apply for CalWORKs until late 2023, this shouldn't result in an overpayment - they can't penalize you for income you earned before you were even in the program. Here's what helped me get through it: - Contact your old employer's HR/payroll department ASAP - many keep records for years and can email you copies - Try to get your 2022 W-2 from the IRS website (irs.gov) or your tax preparation software - Bank statements showing deposits from that employer can work as supporting evidence - If all else fails, write a detailed statement explaining the situation and timeline Don't wait until day 10 to respond - even if you just send a letter saying you're working on getting the documents, it shows you're cooperating. Also try calling first thing in the morning or right after lunch - those seem to be the best times to actually get through to someone. You've got this! 💪

Hey Dylan! I just went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago and I totally understand the panic you're feeling right now. IEVS reports can be really overwhelming but you have more options than you think. Since your job was in 2022 and you didn't start CalWORKs until late 2023, you should be in the clear for overpayments - they literally cannot penalize you for income earned before you were even receiving benefits. Make sure to emphasize this timeline in any documentation you submit. For getting those old pay records, here's what worked for me: 1. Call your old employer's main number and ask for HR/payroll - explain it's for government benefit verification and they usually help pretty quickly 2. Check if you can access your 2022 W-2 through the IRS website or whatever tax software you used that year 3. Your bank statements from 2022 showing those paychecks can work as backup evidence The most important thing is to respond before that 10-day deadline, even if you don't have everything perfect. A letter saying "I'm working on obtaining these documents" shows good faith cooperation. Don't let them intimidate you - this is a routine process and there are solutions! You've got this! 💪

I just wanted to jump in and say that everyone here has given you really solid advice! One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned yet - if you're still having trouble getting through to your caseworker after trying all the usual methods, you can also file a complaint with the county's CalWORKs program manager. Sometimes that lights a fire under them to respond more quickly. Also, when you do get those documents together, I'd recommend submitting them in multiple ways if possible - email AND mail AND drop off in person if you can. The county offices can be notorious for "losing" paperwork, especially when deadlines are tight. The fact that this income was from 2022 and you didn't apply until late 2023 is your ace in the hole here. Make sure that's the FIRST thing you mention in any communication - put it right at the top so they can't miss it. You're going to get through this! The system is designed to be intimidating but you know your rights now thanks to everyone here sharing their experiences.

Hey Dylan! I'm so sorry you're going through this stress - IEVS reports are honestly one of the most anxiety-inducing things about being on CalWORKs. I went through something similar about a year ago and felt like I was going to have a panic attack when I got that letter! The good news is that everyone here has given you excellent advice, and since your job was in 2022 but you didn't apply for benefits until late 2023, you should definitely be in the clear for any overpayment issues. That timeline is crucial - make sure you lead with that information in ALL your communications with the county. A couple additional tips from my experience: - When you call your old employer, mention it's for "government benefit verification" - that usually gets you transferred to the right department faster - If you used any tax prep software like TurboTax or H&R Block in 2022, you might still be able to log in and download your documents from there - Consider sending a brief email or letter TODAY just acknowledging you received the notice and are working to gather the requested documents - it shows good faith effort The 10-day deadline feels impossible but it's really just meant to get you to respond, not necessarily have everything perfect. You've got a whole community here rooting for you! Keep us posted on how it goes! 💪