Is CalWORKs redetermination interview the same as the initial application interview?

The redetermination interview is similar to your initial interview but usually not as intensive. They still need to verify your continued eligibility, but since you're already in the system, it's more about confirming what's changed since your last review. You'll need to provide current income verification, any changes to your household, rent/utilities, etc. You can absolutely request a phone interview! Just call your worker and explain your transportation situation. Make sure to have your case number ready when you call. They should accommodate you, especially if you're working now (which is great progress with your Welfare to Work requirements!).

they r NOT the same!! redetermination is way easier. first time they made me wait 4 hours at the office but redetermination I did over phone in like 20 min. just have ur pay stubs and rent receipt ready

The redetermination interview focuses on changes since your last review. Here's what you'll typically need: 1. Pay stubs from the last 30 days 2. Current rent/mortgage receipt 3. Updated utility bills 4. Any changes to who lives with you 5. Child care expenses if applicable 6. Bank statements (they will check assets) 7. Proof of school attendance for children It's less paperwork than the initial application, but they still need to verify your continued eligibility for Cash Aid. Phone interviews are standard these days - I'd recommend calling ahead to confirm your appointment and specifically request phone option.

I've been through this multiple times. For redetermination, they mostly care about income changes and household composition changes. If you're working now, definitely have ALL your pay stubs ready - missing even one can delay your benefits or cause a reduction! Also be prepared to discuss your Welfare to Work participation - if you're not meeting your required hours they'll want to know why. And yes, ALWAYS request phone interview - it's your right! Just make sure your phone number in their system is current. If you're struggling to reach your worker, try Claimyr.com - I used it last month when I couldn't get through about my SAR7 issue. It got me through to a live person in under 5 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE. Saved me hours of frustration and redial attempts!

The county told me my redetermination would be simple then they asked for documents I already gave them for my INITIAL interview!!! THEN they discontinued my benefits claiming I didn't provide everything even though I DID!!! Had to request a STATE HEARING to get my cash aid back. The system is BROKEN!!!!!

my redetermination was last week and i forgot to bring my kids' school attendance forms. they gave me 10 days to submit them or my benefits get cut. no one told me i needed those! make sure u ask for a list of all required documents before ur interview.

I want to clarify something important about assets since you mentioned a savings account. For CalWORKs, the asset limit is $10,000 per household (or $15,000 if someone in the household is disabled or over 60). So your $342 savings is well under the limit and won't affect your eligibility at all. In fact, I'd encourage you to keep saving when possible - building that emergency fund is important and CalWORKs rules are designed to allow for some reasonable savings. Just make sure to report it accurately on your redetermination paperwork.

has anyone had a redetermination since benefitscal replaced the old system? i heard the questions are different now and they require more verification documents than before... wondering what to expect for mine next month

I just went through my redetermination last month and can share my experience! The interview was definitely easier than my initial application - took about 15 minutes by phone vs. the 2+ hours I spent at the office originally. A few tips that helped me: - Call your county office first thing in the morning (8-9am) to request phone interview - that's when I had the best luck reaching someone - Have your documents organized in advance: recent pay stubs, rent receipt, utility bills, and bank statements - Write down any changes since your last review (new job, moved, household changes, etc.) - Keep notes during the interview about what they tell you The caseworker mostly asked about my current income and if anything had changed with my living situation. Since you're working part-time now, make sure to emphasize that you're meeting your Welfare to Work requirements - they love to hear about employment progress! Don't stress too much about the savings account - as others mentioned, you're way under the asset limit. Good luck with your interview!

I'm going through my first redetermination next month too and this thread has been SO helpful! Reading everyone's experiences makes me feel less anxious about it. One thing I wanted to add - I called my county office yesterday using that early morning tip someone mentioned and actually got through to a real person! They confirmed I can do the phone interview and even let me schedule it for a time that works with my work schedule. The caseworker I spoke with said to have my last 4 pay stubs ready, current rent receipt, and any bank statements from the past 3 months. She also mentioned something that might help others - if you're having trouble gathering all the documents, they can sometimes give you a 10-day extension to submit missing paperwork after the interview. Obviously it's better to have everything ready, but it's good to know there's some flexibility if needed. Thanks again to everyone who shared their experiences - this community is amazing for getting real advice from people who actually know what it's like to navigate this system!