How does CalWORKs direct deposit work? Anyone using it for Cash Aid?

Direct deposit is WAY better than waiting for checks! I switched last year and it's been great. The money shows up in my account 1-2 days earlier than when I used to get the paper check. You need to fill out the "Direct Deposit Authorization" form (it's called the CA 183) and submit it to your eligibility worker along with a voided check or a direct deposit slip from your bank. You can use any regular checking account. The form asks for your bank routing number and account number. Once it's set up, your CalWORKs payment will automatically go to your bank account instead of getting a paper check.

i got dirrect deposit it took like 2 payments before it started working for me. first they aproved it then they sent 1 more paper check then the next month it went to my bank account. u need that form the other person said and a void check my worker helped me fill it out cause i messed it up the first time lol

I've been using direct deposit for my Cash Aid for about 2 years now and it's so much more convenient! One thing to watch out for - if you change banks or close your account, make sure to submit a new form ASAP. I changed banks without updating my info and my payment bounced back, causing a 3-week delay while they issued a paper check. Also, direct deposit is separate from your EBT card. Your CalFresh benefits will still go on your EBT card even if your Cash Aid goes to your bank account.

DONT DO IT!!! The county messed up my direct deposit THREE TIMES! They kept sending it to my old closed account even after I updated the info. Then they take FOREVER to fix it when there's a problem. Stick with the EBT card or paper checks where u can actually get ur money!!!!!

I tried calling my caseworker about direct deposit for like 2 weeks straight and never got through. Then I found this service called Claimyr that got me connected to a real person at the CalWORKs office in less than 30 minutes! They have a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE. Basically you go to claimyr.com and they call the county for you and call you back when they have a worker on the line. I got all my direct deposit questions answered and submitted my form that same day.

To answer your question about checking if direct deposit is working - you can call the customer service line and ask them to verify if your direct deposit is set up correctly. They can tell you if your next payment is scheduled for direct deposit or paper check. You can also check your BenefitsCal account online about a day before your payment date, and it should show the payment as "issued" once it's been sent to your bank.

one more thing nobody said yet when u get direct deposit it shows up as "ca state disburs" or something like that on ur bank statement not as "calworks" so dont get confused when u see that

Something important to note: Some banks will process CalWORKs direct deposits immediately, while others may hold the funds for 1-2 business days. If you're relying on your Cash Aid for immediate expenses, ask your bank about their policy for government direct deposits. Also, if you have any outstanding overdraft fees or negative balances in your account, the bank may use part of your CalWORKs payment to cover those fees. Just something to be aware of when deciding if direct deposit is right for your situation.

I've been using direct deposit for about 6 months now and it's been a game changer! Just wanted to add that if you have a credit union instead of a regular bank, they're usually really good about processing government payments quickly. Mine shows up by 6am on payment day vs my old bank that sometimes took until afternoon. Also make sure you keep a copy of that CA 183 form for your records - I had to resubmit mine once when the county said they "lost" it. Pro tip: take a photo of the completed form with your phone before you turn it in!

Just wanted to add my experience as someone who recently switched from paper checks to direct deposit! I was hesitant at first because I liked being able to cash my check immediately, but the convenience has been worth it. One thing I learned is that you can actually get the CA 183 form online from the CDSS website if you don't want to wait to pick one up at your county office. I filled it out at home and then just brought it in with my voided check. Also, if you don't have checks, most banks can print you a deposit slip with your routing and account numbers for free - that works just as well as a voided check for the form. The peace of mind of not worrying about lost or stolen checks has been huge for me!

I switched to direct deposit about 8 months ago and it's been really reliable for me. One thing I wish someone had told me earlier - if you're worried about the transition period, you can actually submit the CA 183 form right after you get your current month's payment. That way if there are any delays getting it processed, you're not scrambling to pay rent. My county office told me they recommend submitting it at least 3 weeks before your next payment date to be safe. Also, once it's set up, you'll get a confirmation letter in the mail letting you know the direct deposit is active. Keep that letter with your important documents! The automatic deposit has made budgeting so much easier since I know exactly when the money will be there.

I made the switch to direct deposit about a year ago and it's been amazing! One thing that really helped me was calling ahead to make sure my county office had the CA 183 forms available before I made the trip. Some offices run out sometimes. Also, if you're banking with one of the major banks like Wells Fargo or Bank of America, they usually have experience with CalWORKs direct deposits so their customer service can answer questions about timing and holds. I'd definitely recommend making the switch - no more worrying about mail delays or checks getting lost. Just make sure your bank account info is current and you should be good to go!

I switched to direct deposit about 3 months ago and it's been such a relief! The whole process was pretty straightforward - I got the CA 183 form from my county office, filled it out with my bank info, and attached a voided check. Like others mentioned, it took about 2 payment cycles to kick in, but once it did, the money shows up consistently on payment day (usually by early morning). One tip I'd add is to make sure you have enough in your account to keep it open during the transition period - some banks require minimum balances and you don't want your account to get closed right when direct deposit is starting! Also, I keep the confirmation letter they sent me in a folder with all my other CalWORKs paperwork just in case there are ever any questions. The peace of mind of not having to worry about mail delivery or lost checks has been totally worth the small hassle of setting it up.

I've been on the fence about direct deposit for months but reading all these experiences has really helped me decide! My biggest concern was what happens if there's a problem, but it sounds like most people have had smooth experiences once it's set up. I'm particularly glad to hear about the timing tips - submitting the form right after getting my current payment and allowing 3 weeks for processing. That takes away a lot of my anxiety about potentially missing a payment during the transition. I'm going to download the CA 183 form from the CDSS website tonight and get my bank to print me a deposit slip tomorrow. Thanks to everyone who shared their real experiences - it's so much more helpful than trying to figure this out from official websites alone!