Is CalWORKs/CalFresh extra allotment dropping on the 18th in CalSAWS/CalWIN counties?
Hey everyone! I'm freaking out about my budget this month. I heard there's supposed to be an extra allotment for CalFresh/CalWORKs that's hitting accounts on the 18th, but I'm in a CalSAWS/CalWIN county and haven't seen ANY information about a different date for us. Has anyone received notice about when we'll get it? Will it come the same day as the rest of the state? My caseworker never picks up and I'm trying to figure out if I can pay my electric bill now or need to wait. Thanks!!
18 comments


Millie Long
I just talked to my worker yesterday about this! The extra allotment is ONLY for CalFresh, not CalWORKs. They're calling it a 'nutrition adjustment' or something. And yes, the 18th is the date for ALL counties regardless of whether you're in CalSAWS or CalWIN system. The worker told me it's going out as a one-time payment to help with rising food costs.
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Santiago Diaz
•OMG thank you so much! I was getting so confused between my benefits. So to be clear, this is just extra CalFresh (food stamps) not extra Cash Aid? I get both so sometimes I mix them up.
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KaiEsmeralda
my cousin got hers early on the 15th last time but we're in a diff county. system dont matter its when ur county processes it
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Debra Bai
•This is incorrect information. The state-wide supplemental CalFresh allocation is distributed on a set schedule determined by the California Department of Social Services, not by individual counties. The date announced (the 18th) applies to all counties regardless of which system they use (CalSAWS or CalWIN). The only variation might be if the 18th falls on a weekend or holiday, which it doesn't this month.
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Gabriel Freeman
its crazy how they never tell us this stuff!!! i had no idea about any extra allotment until i saw your post. typical that they dont bother to inform us. anyone know how much its supposed to be???
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Millie Long
•The amount varies based on your household size. For a single person it's around $95, and goes up from there. A family of 4 gets about $340 extra. They should have sent a notice, but sometimes they come after the money already hits your account lol.
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Laura Lopez
I work for a community org that partners with CalWORKs, and I can confirm the extra CalFresh allotment is scheduled for the 18th across all counties, regardless of which system (CalSAWS/CalWIN) your county uses. This is specifically for CalFresh (food benefits), not for CalWORKs Cash Aid. The reason for the confusion might be because during the pandemic, there were emergency allotments that came on different days, but this current supplement follows a standardized distribution date. If you need to confirm your specific situation, I'd recommend trying to reach your caseworker again.
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Santiago Diaz
•Thanks so much for confirming! Yeah I've been trying to reach my worker for 3 days but just get voicemail. I'll keep trying though since I need to ask about some other stuff too.
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Victoria Brown
I was having the EXACT same problem trying to reach my worker about this! Called like 20 times and kept getting disconnected. Finally used Claimyr.com to get through to a real person at the CalWORKs office. They have this service where they wait on hold for you and call you back when they reach a person. Saved me hours of frustration. There's a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE Anyway, they confirmed the extra CalFresh benefit is coming on the 18th for everyone. Hope this helps!
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Santiago Diaz
•Never heard of this service before but might try it! Did they actually get you through to your specific worker or just the general helpline? I need to talk to MY worker specifically about my Welfare to Work hours too.
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Victoria Brown
•They got me through to the office, then I asked for my specific worker and got transferred. Worked way better than trying on my own where I kept getting hung up on by the automated system!
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Samuel Robinson
I think ur mixing up programs. CalWORKs is Cash Aid. CalFresh is food stamps. They're separate programs even though u might get both. The extra allotment is just for CalFresh, not Cash Aid. And it's coming on the 18th no matter which county system u got. Just make sure ur EBT card is active and not expired!
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Santiago Diaz
•You're right, I was definitely confused! Need that extra food money but was hoping for extra cash too lol. Thanks for clearing that up. And good point about the EBT card - mine's good till 2028 so I should be fine.
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Camila Castillo
My SAR7 was due this month and I haven't turned it in yet will I still get the extra amount???
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Debra Bai
•You need to submit your SAR7 immediately! The extra allotment will only be issued to households with active CalFresh benefits. If your benefits are discontinued due to not submitting your semi-annual report, you won't receive the supplement. If you submit your SAR7 now and they process it before the 18th, you should still get it.
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Santiago Diaz
Update: I finally got through to my worker! The extra CalFresh benefits are DEFINITELY coming on the 18th for everyone regardless of which system your county uses. And like many of you said, it's ONLY for CalFresh (food), not for CalWORKs Cash Aid. Thanks everyone for your help! She also reminded me my next SAR7 is due next month, so glad I checked in.
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Gabriel Freeman
•good to hear! how long did u have to wait on hold? every time i call the dss i wait like 2 hours and then get disconnected 😡
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Santiago Diaz
•Honestly it was brutal. Called 6 different times, finally got through after waiting 1hr 45min. But at least I got answers!
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