Denied for CalWORKs even with all verification - how soon can I reapply?

There's NO waiting period to reapply for CalWORKs! But before you do that, you should definitely request a fair hearing - you only have 90 days from the date on your denial notice. The denial notice should have a form on the back or instructions for requesting a hearing. Based on what you described, I'd want to know WHY you were denied. The most common reasons are: 1. Income exceeding the limit (even with job loss, they might count recent income) 2. Missing verification (sometimes they lose documents we submit) 3. Child support cooperation requirements 4. Immigration status issues 5. Resource limits (like having too much money in bank accounts) Did your denial letter specify ANY reason at all? That would help figure out your next steps.

i got denied twise before my calworks was aproved. they kept sayin i didnt submit stuf but i did. somtimes the papers get lost at ther office or they just dont look at everthing u gave them. i would apply again AND do the hearing. thats what i did and it worked for me

You should definitely request a hearing right away - don't wait! Make sure to check the "continue benefits" box if you were already receiving aid before (doesn't sound like you were though). While waiting for the hearing, you can also reapply immediately. There's technically no waiting period between applications. One important thing: call your county office and request a detailed explanation of why you were denied. Ask them to tell you SPECIFICALLY what verification was missing or what eligibility criteria you didn't meet. Get the worker's name and ID number when you call. Document everything. If your landlord is threatening eviction, also immediately apply for Homeless Assistance through CalWORKs - you might qualify even if your regular CalWORKs application was denied. This can provide temporary shelter payments or money to prevent eviction while you sort out your regular application.

When I couldn't reach my CalWORKs worker for weeks after a denial, I used this service called Claimyr that got me through to a live person in under 5 minutes. Basically they wait on hold for you and call you back when a real person answers. So much better than sitting on hold for hours! Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE that shows how it works. Honestly saved my sanity and got my benefits straightened out in one call when I could finally talk to a real worker.

THEY DO THIS ALL THE TIME!!! I swear the county LOVES denying people just to make them jump through more hoops. I've had 3 denials before finally getting approved. Each time for something different that was never explained properly in the first place. The system is DESIGNED to frustrate people so they'll give up applying. Did you get a denial code? Sometimes there are random numbers/letters on the notice that the eligibility workers understand but make no sense to us. Also check if there was an appointment you missed? Sometimes they schedule phone interviews without clearly telling you and then deny you for missing it.

I looked up those MPP codes you mentioned. MPP 40-107.62 relates to verification requirements, and MPP 40-171.21 is about responsibility to provide evidence of eligibility. This suggests they're claiming you didn't provide some required documentation. Specifically request an "appeal for an administrative hearing" and also ask for a "position statement" from the county explaining exactly what was missing. When you call, use the exact phrase "I need to understand specifically what verification was missing from my CalWORKs application according to MPP 40-107.62." For the homeless assistance I mentioned earlier, you apply for it separately but at the same office. Tell them it's an emergency and you're facing eviction. You might qualify for immediate temporary assistance even while your main case is being appealed.

Have u tryed going in person? Sumtimes thats the only way to get answers frfr. I got denied 2x and when I finaly went in person they found out my address was wrong so I wasnt getting notices about missing paperwork. Also bring COPIES of everything dont give them originals cuz they lose stuff. And def ask 4 a hearing, u only have 90 days I think. Good luck!!

After trying that Claimyr service I mentioned and actually speaking to a worker, I found out that my denial was because they needed additional verification about my living situation. The worker was able to tell me exactly what documents they needed and gave me a fax number to send them directly to her. Much easier than reapplying from scratch. Also make sure you've applied for CalFresh (food stamps) separately! Even if you're dealing with CalWORKs issues, you might still qualify for CalFresh and can get food assistance while sorting out the cash aid.

Just want to add something important - when you do request a hearing, you have rights to examine your case file before the hearing. Request a copy of your entire file so you can see exactly what they claim is missing. The county is required to provide this info. Also, if you discover what verification was missing, you can provide it and ask for a "conditional withdrawal" of your hearing request - basically saying "If you approve me now that I've provided this document, I'll withdraw my hearing request." This often works because counties don't want to go through hearings if they can avoid them. For the Homeless Assistance, ask specifically for "Permanent Homeless Assistance" if you're being evicted from established housing, not "Temporary Homeless Assistance" which is for if you're already homeless.

I went through a similar situation last year with my CalWORKs denial. One thing that really helped me was documenting EVERYTHING - I started keeping a log of every phone call, every document I submitted, and every interaction with workers. When I finally got through to someone, having all those details made it much easier to explain my situation. Also, don't forget about other emergency resources while you're dealing with this. Many counties have emergency rental assistance programs that are separate from CalWORKs. You can also call 211 for local resources - they often know about programs that can help with rent or utilities while you're waiting for your benefits to get sorted out. One more tip: if you do go in person, try to get there right when they open. The lines are usually shorter first thing in the morning, and the workers tend to be less overwhelmed early in the day. Bring a folder with copies of everything organized by date - it shows you're serious and prepared. Hang in there - the system is frustrating but don't give up! You have kids depending on you and you deserve these benefits if you qualify.

I'm going through something similar right now - got denied last month and still fighting it. One thing that helped me was requesting a "desk review" before filing for a hearing. Sometimes they'll reconsider your case if you can point out specific errors or missing documentation that got overlooked. When you call (and I know it's a nightmare getting through), ask to speak to an eligibility supervisor, not just your regular worker. Supervisors often have more authority to look at your case differently and can sometimes overturn denials on the spot if there was an obvious mistake. Also check if your county has a CalWORKs advocate program - some counties have community organizations that help navigate the system for free. They know all the ins and outs and can help you understand those confusing MPP codes. For immediate help with rent, definitely look into your county's Emergency Rental Assistance program. Most counties still have COVID relief funds available that are separate from CalWORKs. The application process is usually faster and they focus specifically on preventing evictions. Don't let them wear you down - you know you submitted everything they asked for. The squeaky wheel gets the grease with this system, so keep pushing!

I'm so sorry you're going through this - the CalWORKs system can be incredibly frustrating and confusing. From reading your situation, it sounds like you've done everything right by submitting all the required documents. Since your CalFresh got approved but CalWORKs was denied, that's actually a good sign that your basic eligibility info (income, household size, etc.) is probably fine. CalWORKs has some additional requirements that CalFresh doesn't have, like child support cooperation and stricter asset limits. Here's what I'd recommend doing immediately: 1. File for the fair hearing ASAP - you have 90 days from your denial date 2. Request your complete case file so you can see exactly what they think is missing 3. Apply for emergency rental assistance through your county (completely separate from CalWORKs) 4. Go in person to the office if possible - bring organized copies of everything The MPP codes others mentioned suggest they think you didn't provide some verification, but since you submitted everything, it's likely either lost paperwork or a processing error. Don't give up - with two kids depending on you, you have every right to fight this denial and get the assistance your family needs. The fact that you're staying organized and advocating for yourself shows you're a good parent doing everything you can. Keep pushing - you've got this!

I've been following your situation and I'm really glad to see you're getting so much helpful advice here! One thing I wanted to add that I haven't seen mentioned yet - when you do get through to someone at the county office, ask them to put notes in your case file about your conversation. Say something like "Can you please document in my case notes that we discussed [whatever you talked about] today?" This is important because different workers access your file, and having detailed notes helps ensure information doesn't get lost between conversations. I learned this the hard way when I had to keep explaining the same situation to different workers who had no record of previous calls. Also, if you end up going the hearing route, you can request an "expedited hearing" if you're facing imminent homelessness. The standard hearing process can take 60-90 days, but expedited hearings happen much faster when there's an emergency situation like eviction. You're doing everything right by not giving up and exploring all your options. The system is designed to be confusing, but you're clearly a dedicated parent who's willing to fight for what your family needs. Keep us updated on how things go!

I just wanted to chime in as someone who works with CalWORKs cases regularly - those MPP codes you mentioned (40-107.62 and 40-171.21) are really frustrating because they're so vague. What they basically mean is "we think you didn't give us something we asked for" but they don't specify what. Here's a pro tip that might help: when you call or go in, ask specifically for a "notice of action explanation" or "NOA explanation." This forces them to tell you in plain English what verification they claim is missing. Sometimes it's something tiny like they need a different date range on a bank statement or they want rent receipts instead of just a lease agreement. Also, I noticed you mentioned your termination letter - make sure it includes your last day worked AND your final pay date. Sometimes they need both pieces of info and if the letter only has one, they consider it "incomplete verification." The most important thing right now is getting that hearing requested within your 90-day window. Even if you end up resolving this another way, having that safety net in place protects your rights. You can always withdraw the hearing request later if your case gets approved. Hang in there - the system is broken in a lot of ways, but you clearly know how to advocate for yourself and your kids. That persistence will pay off!

Reading through all these responses has been so educational - I had no idea there were so many options and strategies for dealing with CalWORKs denials! As someone who's been lurking in this community for a while but never posted, your situation really motivated me to finally speak up. I went through a very similar denial situation about 6 months ago. Like you, I submitted everything they asked for and still got denied with those same frustrating vague codes. What finally worked for me was a combination of several things people have mentioned here: 1. I used that Claimyr service to actually get through to a human (seriously, it was a game changer after weeks of busy signals) 2. When I finally talked to someone, I asked for both the "NOA explanation" AND requested my complete case file 3. Turned out they had lost one page of my bank statements and needed me to resubmit just that one page The whole thing was resolved within a week once I knew exactly what was missing. But here's the key - I also filed for the hearing right away as backup, which I think put some pressure on them to resolve it quickly. For your immediate housing situation, definitely pursue that emergency rental assistance ASAP. In my county it was through a different department entirely and I got approved within 3 days. It bought me time to get the CalWORKs sorted out without losing my apartment. You're being an amazing advocate for your kids - don't let this broken system make you feel otherwise. The fact that so many people here have similar stories shows it's not you, it's definitely them!

I'm so sorry you're going through this stressful situation with your CalWORKs denial. As someone who's helped many families navigate these issues, I want to emphasize a few key points that others have touched on: First, definitely request that fair hearing within 90 days - this is your most important safety net. But also know that you can pursue multiple approaches simultaneously. You can reapply immediately (no waiting period), request a desk review, AND file for the hearing all at the same time. Given that your CalFresh was approved, this is likely a documentation issue rather than a true eligibility problem. Those MPP codes suggest they think something is missing from your verification packet. When you call, specifically ask for a "deficiency notice" that explains exactly what they need. For immediate relief while sorting this out: - Apply for Emergency Rental Assistance through your county (separate from CalWORKs) - Request CalWORKs Homeless Assistance since you're facing eviction - Contact 211 for additional local emergency resources One strategy that often works: if you can identify what verification they claim is missing, submit it along with a cover letter referencing your original application date and asking them to "reconsider the denial based on now having complete verification." This sometimes gets cases reopened faster than starting completely over. Document every interaction, get worker names and ID numbers, and don't give up. The system is frustrating but you absolutely deserve these benefits if you're eligible. Your kids are lucky to have such a determined advocate fighting for them!

I've been reading through all these responses and I'm really impressed by how supportive and knowledgeable this community is! As someone new here who's also dealt with CalWORKs issues, I wanted to add one more resource that helped me. If you're in California, the CalWORKs program has something called a "State Hearing" which is different from the county fair hearing. If your county hearing doesn't go your way, you can appeal to the state level. It's an extra layer of protection that not everyone knows about. Also, when you're dealing with potential eviction, make sure to know your tenant rights. In California, landlords have to follow specific procedures for eviction and there are often legal aid organizations that can help with housing issues separate from your benefits case. Sometimes buying even a few extra weeks can make all the difference while you get your CalWORKs sorted out. Your persistence is really inspiring - it's clear you're doing everything possible for your family. The system shouldn't be this hard to navigate, but you're handling it like a pro. Keep us posted on how things work out!

I'm new to this community but I've been following your situation closely, and I'm really glad to see how much support and practical advice you've received here! It gives me hope for when I might need help navigating these systems myself. One thing I wanted to add that I haven't seen mentioned yet - if you do end up going in person to the county office, try to bring a friend or family member with you if possible. Having a witness to conversations can be really helpful, especially if there are any disputes later about what was said or promised. Plus, having moral support during what can be a really stressful interaction makes a huge difference. Also, I've heard that some counties have "client advocates" or ombudsman programs specifically for CalWORKs cases. These are usually free services that can help navigate appeals and communicate with the county on your behalf. It might be worth asking if your county has anything like this when you call. You're clearly an incredibly dedicated parent who's doing everything right in a frustrating situation. The fact that you're exploring every option and not giving up shows your kids how to advocate for themselves when they face challenges in life. That's a valuable lesson even beyond getting these benefits sorted out. Keep fighting - you've got an entire community rooting for you!

I'm so sorry you're going through this frustrating situation! Reading through all the amazing advice everyone has shared, I wanted to add one more thing that helped me when I was dealing with a similar CalWORKs denial. When you do get through to someone (whether through that Claimyr service or by going in person), ask them to email you a summary of what was discussed. Many workers can send a quick email with the key points - what documents they need, what the next steps are, etc. Having it in writing prevents miscommunication and gives you something to reference later. Also, I noticed you mentioned your kids - make sure to emphasize to the workers that you have minor children in the household when you're discussing your case. Sometimes this helps prioritize your case or qualifies you for expedited processing, especially if you're facing homelessness. The fact that your CalFresh got approved really is a good sign that your basic eligibility is solid. CalWORKs just has those additional hoops to jump through. You're doing everything right by not giving up and exploring all these options. One last thought - if you do end up needing to reapply while also pursuing the hearing, make sure to mention on the new application that you have a pending appeal for a previous denial. This helps them understand the timeline and might prevent duplicate processing issues. You've got this! Your determination and all the knowledge you've gained from this thread puts you in a much stronger position than when you started. Keep us updated on your progress!