Has CalWORKs pandemic emergency cash assistance ended? February payment missing

The pandemic emergency cash assistance through CalWORKs actually ended back in September 2024. They sent notices out about 60 days before it ended, but a lot of people didn't receive them or didn't understand what they meant. You should have gotten the last payment in September. If you were still receiving something in January that was labeled as pandemic assistance, you might want to check what it actually was - could have been a different benefit that's now ended too.

ya they stoped it my worker told me its over for good now. alot of ppl still getting the money in janiary but february is first month with NO covid money at all. my worker says its cuz the emergancy declaration ended

SAME EXACT PROBLEM HERE!!!! I called and called and NOBODY picks up at my county office. I've called 23 times this week already!!!! How are we supposed to feed our kids when they just cut benefits without even properly telling us?? I'm beyond frustrated with this whole system. Did anyone actually receive proper WRITTEN NOTICE about this ending? Because I sure didn't!!!!!

To clarify for everyone: the CalWORKs Pandemic Emergency Assistance officially ended on September 30, 2024. The state sent notices in August, but many people missed them. What's important to understand is that this wasn't permanent - it was always temporary emergency funding. For families struggling with this change, there are a few options: 1) Ask your worker about the CalWORKs Housing Support Program if you're at risk of homelessness 2) Check if you qualify for the Maximum Aid Payment (MAP) increase that went into effect in October 2024 3) If you have children under 36 months, make sure you're receiving the Diaper Benefit ($50/month per eligible child) 4) Request a Special Needs allowance if applicable This sudden loss of income is difficult, but there are still some supports available. Make sure all your current expenses and needs are documented with your caseworker.

This happened to my sister too! She went to the office in person and they told her the emergency money ended but there was a small increase to the regular CalWORKs amount that started in October. Not enough to make up for what we lost tho. Check your October payment and see if it went up a little bit compared to before.

My worker explained this whole thing to me last year. The pandemic money was from special federal funds that expired. It wasn't actually part of regular CalWORKs. The regular CalWORKs did get a MAP increase though - for a family of 3 it went up by like $57/month in October. Not as much as the pandemic money but at least something. Did you check if you're getting the non-assistance CalFresh too? Sometimes people only apply for CalWORKs and don't realize they can get extra food benefits.

my friend said she got a letter about this but i didnt get nothing at all. alot of people didnt get the notice bc they had wrong address or somethin. this totally messed up my budget

Another thing to check - make sure your Semi-Annual Report (SAR 7) and annual recertification are up to date. Sometimes benefits stop because of missing paperwork, and people think it's related to program changes when it's actually just a reporting issue. If you haven't submitted a SAR 7 recently, that could be why your benefits changed. Just something else to consider.

I've been speaking with several families about this issue. What many don't realize is the pandemic money was part of the American Rescue Plan Act funding that had a specific end date. The state did make a permanent adjustment to the Maximum Aid Payment (MAP) rates to partially offset this, but it's much less than the pandemic supplement was. If you're experiencing hardship because of this change, ask your worker specifically about: 1. The CalWORKs Housing Support Program 2. Special Needs supplements 3. The Homeless Assistance Program if you're at risk of losing housing 4. WTW supportive services if you're participating in Welfare to Work Also check if you're receiving the full CalFresh amount you're eligible for, as many CalWORKs families don't receive their maximum food benefits.