Got random CalWORKs $500 cash aid I never applied for - one-time payment or mistake?

when I applied for calfresh last year, they automatically enrolled me in calworks too... they do that sometimes if ur application shows ur eligible for both. u should call ur county worker and ask if u were approved for ongoing cash aid. if u were, itll come monthly on same day. might be less next time tho, first payment sometimes includes backpay.

This actually happens quite often. When you apply for CalFresh, the same application information is used to determine if you might qualify for CalWORKs (Cash Aid). If you're a single parent with a child under 18, have limited income, and meet resource limits, you can qualify for both programs. Based on what you're describing, the county likely determined you were eligible for both programs even though you only intended to apply for food benefits. You should have received an approval notice in the mail explaining your CalWORKs benefits - check any mail you might have overlooked from the county. The cash portion is typically deposited once a month on a specific day based on the last digit of your case number. It's different from the CalFresh issuance schedule. If you didn't receive a cash benefit this month, I'd recommend contacting your county office to verify your status. You won't get in trouble for spending money you were legitimately approved for.

I'd be careful about spending that money until you confirm with the county that it's actually yours to keep. Call your worker ASAP. If it was sent by mistake and you spend it, they CAN make you pay it back through an overpayment claim. The system doesn't just randomly give out $500 to people who didn't apply, so either: 1) You applied for CalWORKs and don't remember, 2) Your CalFresh application was treated as a CalWORKs application too, or 3) There's a mistake in the system that needs fixing.

Try using Claimyr to get through to someone at the county office faster. I was in a similar situation needing to talk to someone about my benefits but couldn't get through. Claimyr held my place in line and called me back when a worker was available. Saved me hours of waiting. You can see how it works at https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE or just go to claimyr.com - it was worth it to actually talk to someone same-day instead of waiting forever.

YOU NEED TO GET THIS FIGURED OUT ASAP!!!! If you weren't approved for CalWORKs and they gave you the money by mistake, they WILL create an overpayment claim against you and take the money back from future benefits or even garnish your tax refunds. I've seen this happen to so many people. The system is completely messed up - they make mistakes, then punish YOU for their errors. Keep all your paperwork and DOCUMENT EVERYTHING!!

Don't panic, but do try to get clarification. Check your BenefitsCal account for any notices about CalWORKs approval. The fact that your account shows both "CalFresh and CalWORKs" under programs is a good indication this was an intentional approval, not an error. If you're eligible for CalWORKs with a child under 2, you would typically qualify for around $500-600 per month depending on your income. The cash aid portion is loaded onto the same EBT card but on a different day than your food benefits. Since you have a toddler, you should also ask about: 1. Childcare assistance through CalWORKs 2. The diaper stipend ($30/month for children under 3) 3. Any Welfare to Work (WTW) requirements or exemptions that might apply to you This isn't necessarily a mistake - you may have been properly approved but just weren't clearly informed about it.

They should mail you a Notice of Action (NOA) for any benefit approval, but they also upload these documents to your BenefitsCal account. Look under the "Documents" or "Notices" section in your account. The NOA would show the exact amount you're entitled to, when payments start, and any special conditions (like Welfare to Work requirements). For a parent with a child under 2, you're typically exempt from WTW requirements until your child turns 2. If you were approved for CalWORKs, your cash benefits should come regularly each month on the same date. Benefits are staggered throughout the month based on the last digit of your case number. The fact that you didn't get a cash payment this month when you did last month is concerning. That's why it's important to speak with your eligibility worker to clarify your status.

Sometimes if your income changed or you didn't submit a required report (like the SAR7 Semi-Annual Report), they might have suspended your cash aid. Or there could just be a system glitch. Keep checking your EBT card balance - sometimes the payments are delayed by a day or two.

Yes! That's almost certainly the issue. The SAR7 is required for BOTH CalFresh and CalWORKs. If you don't return it by the due date, your benefits can be suspended or terminated. Fill it out completely, including any income information, and submit it ASAP through BenefitsCal or in person at your county office. Once they process your SAR7, your cash benefits should resume. If you submit it before the end of the month, you might even get your benefits without interruption. The SAR7 is one of the most important forms - missing it is one of the most common reasons people lose their benefits temporarily.

OMG I LOVE when people find out they're actually eligible for MORE benefits than they thought! Fill out that SAR7 TODAY and get it submitted. Don't wait until the deadline because processing can take a few days. And once your cash aid is back, make sure to ask about the diaper benefit and childcare assistance - those are HUGE helps when you have a toddler. The CalWORKs childcare benefit alone can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars if you're working or in school!

Great job figuring this out! Just wanted to add that when you do start looking for work, make sure to let your CalWORKs worker know - they have programs that can help with job search, training, and even transportation assistance. And the childcare benefit through CalWORKs can cover daycare costs while you're working OR looking for work, which is amazing. Also, with a child under 2, you're in the "young child exemption" category, so you won't have strict work requirements right away. Take advantage of this time to get stable housing, finish any education/training you want to do, and plan for when those requirements kick in after your daughter turns 2. You're doing great advocating for yourself and your little one!