Missed my CalWORKs recertification interview - how quickly can I reapply and restore benefits?

This happened to me back in December! You can definitely reapply through BenefitsCal - that's what I did. I was told at the office that reapplications after discontinuance for missed recert interviews are supposed to be expedited if you apply within 30 days of being cut off. My benefits were restored in about 2 weeks after I submitted everything. Make sure to request an expedited interview when you apply and explain your situation. The good news is they shouldn't need all your verification documents again if it's within that 30-day window.

THEY ALWAYS DO THIS!!! i swear the county deliberately 'forgets' to send interview notices so they can kick people off. happened to me 3x now. the system is designed to make us fail.

Just to clarify some information here - when you reapply after a discontinuance due to a missed interview, you'll need to submit a full new application through BenefitsCal. However, if you apply within 30 days of discontinuance, it's considered a "restoration" case rather than a brand new application. This means: 1. You'll still need an interview, but it should be scheduled faster 2. You may not need to resubmit all verification documents if they're still considered current 3. Benefits are typically not backdated to cover the gap month in missed interview situations 4. The process usually takes 15-30 days, not the full 45 days of a new application Be sure to upload any verification documents they might need right away with your application, as this speeds up the process considerably. Also request an expedited interview due to financial hardship when you apply.

i had the same problem in january! what helped me was using Claimyr to get a callback from a worker instead of waiting on hold. you can schedule a call at claimyr.com - they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE i was able to explain my situation with the missed interview and the worker helped expedite my reapplication. got my benefits back in like 10 days. definitely worth it cuz otherwise i would've been on hold forever tryna reach someone who could help.

hey this happened to me to. they said i missed interview but i was home all day waiting for call that never came!!! when i reapplied at benefits cal, make sure u check the box for 'immediate need' and click cash aid hardship. thats what i did n got interview in 3 days

Regarding your question about homeless assistance during this gap period - if your Cash Aid case is currently discontinued, you wouldn't be eligible for homeless assistance until your CalWORKs benefits are restored. However, you should ask about the "Immediate Need" payment option when you reapply, which can provide emergency funds (up to $200) while your application is being processed if you qualify. Also, your county might have an Emergency Rental Assistance Program separate from CalWORKs that could help in the interim. I'd recommend asking specifically about this when you speak with your worker during your new interview.

Have you checked your BenefitsCal Message Center? Sometimes interview notices go there and not through mail. I learned this after missing my SAR7 deadline. Also when you reapply make sure you select "phone interview" and provide multiple contact numbers. I now take screenshots of everything I submit online just in case they claim they never received something. It's exhausting how much documentation we need just to prove we need help...

To answer your question about redoing paperwork - yes, unfortunately you'll need to submit a complete new application with current information. The good news is that the BenefitsCal system should have a lot of your information saved, so it won't be like starting completely from scratch. When this happened to me, I made sure to call my worker directly the day after submitting my new application to explain the situation. Having that personal connection seemed to help speed things up. If you can't reach your assigned worker, keep calling until you speak to anyone who can look at your case and prioritize it due to financial hardship.

@profile7 Yes Claimyr definitely works! I thought it sounded fishy at first too but it literally just holds your place in line and calls you when it's your turn. I've used it twice now and both times I actually got to talk to a real person instead of the automated system just hanging up on me after waiting forever.

when u get ur interview ask them about the diaper money to! If ur kids r under 3 u can get extra $30 per kid for diapers each month now with calworks. my worker didnt tell me this i found out from a friend

Just to follow up on your question about calling - I would recommend calling the general number tomorrow rather than waiting to be assigned a worker. The sooner you make contact and explain your situation (missed interview, financial hardship, rent due soon), the better chance you have of getting expedited processing. When you call, specifically ask about: 1. Expedited application processing for discontinued cases 2. The timeline for your interview appointment 3. Immediate Need payment options 4. Whether you qualify for expedited CalFresh benefits while waiting for CalWORKs Keep documentation of all calls (date, time, who you spoke with) and follow up consistently but politely every 2-3 days until your case is resolved.