How to get verification of CalWORKs benefits? Can't find WIZ report on BenefitsCal site

It's now called a Verification of Benefits (VOB) letter, not a WIZ report anymore. You have a few options to get it: 1. Call your county office and request one to be mailed to you 2. On BenefitsCal, look under "Documents" - you might need to click on your case first 3. If you can't find it there, you can request one through the Message Center on BenefitsCal 4. Yes, you can go in person as a last resort The VOB letter will show all your current benefits including CalWORKs Cash Aid, CalFresh, and Medi-Cal if applicable. Most housing places accept this as official verification.

I just did this last month!!! They dont call it WIZ anymore but i forget the new name lol. Had to get it for my new apartment too. I couldnt find it online either so I just called but was on hold FOREVER and they hung up on me twice. So frustrating!!

The county offices are DESIGNED to make it difficult to get basic paperwork. They want you to give up so they don't have to help you. I've been through this EXACT situation 3 times in the last year. You can request the VOB (verification of benefits) online but half the time they just ignore those requests. The phone system is a JOKE - they'll keep you on hold for 2+ hours then disconnect you "accidentally." Your best bet is to physically go there, but make sure you bring a book and lunch because you'll be waiting ALL DAY. And don't forget your ID or they'll turn you away even after waiting. The system is BROKEN!!!

I work with a lot of families navigating the benefits system. The document is officially called a Verification of Benefits (VOB) letter now, though some workers still informally call it a WIZ report out of habit. The easiest way to get it should be through the BenefitsCal portal, but many counties haven't fully updated their systems to make this function work properly. The most reliable method is calling your county office, but as others have mentioned, the phone lines can be extremely backed up. If you need this document quickly for your housing application, I'd recommend using Claimyr (claimyr.com) - it's a service that will call and wait on hold for you, then connect you when a worker answers. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE Once you get through to a worker, specifically ask for a "Verification of Benefits letter showing my current CalWORKs amount" and they can email or mail it to you same day.

i asked my worker last time i saw her and she printed it out for me right there. took like 2 minutes. do u have ur workers direct number? thats way better than the main line

What county are you in? This makes a BIG difference. Some counties have updated their online systems better than others. In Los Angeles, you can actually download the VOB directly from YourBenefitsNow (not BenefitsCal). Some counties still use separate systems. Also, you can try going to a community partner organization like a family resource center - some of them have direct lines to the county and can help you get verification without the wait.

I forgot to mention - if you're in a real hurry, sometimes the front desk at the county office will print a VOB for you without needing to wait for your worker. Just walk in first thing when they open (like 15 min before opening time) and tell them you just need a quick verification letter for housing. WAY better than waiting all day for your actual worker.

Just checking back - were you able to get your verification letter? If you're still having trouble, you can also ask your housing provider if they'll accept alternative proof. Some will take a bank statement showing the CalWORKs deposit with the EBT transaction description, or a Notice of Action letter that shows your benefit amount. These aren't ideal but can work in a pinch.

my friend needed something similar for her school financial aid and she just took a screenshot of her EBT card balance on the app plus a bank statement showing the deposit. they accepted that instead of the official letter. maybe worth asking your housing people if that would work?

For anyone else dealing with this in the future - another option is to check if your county has a mobile app. San Bernardino County has the "SB County Benefits" app where you can sometimes access documents that don't show up on the main BenefitsCal site. Also, if you have a redetermination coming up soon, your worker might be able to email you the VOB ahead of your appointment when they're already pulling up your case. I've found that timing requests around when they're already working on your file makes them more responsive.