Still pending CalWORKs benefits after 45 days - anyone else waiting this long?

Unfortunately long waits are becoming more common, but 45 days is actually the maximum time they're supposed to take to process a CalWORKs application. Since you've hit that deadline, you should definitely try to reach your eligibility worker directly. Did they give you their direct line or email? Also, check if you got any notices in the mail requesting more verification that maybe you missed - sometimes they need additional documents but the notifications get lost.

same thing happen to me last month!! waited 42 days and turns out they were waiting for my ex's child support info even tho i told them we dont have a case open yet!!!! check ur online account or call the main number and ask if theres anything still pending they need from u. sometimes they dont tell u what they need smh

Did you sign up for the child support cooperation requirement during your application? That's probably what's holding it up. They ALWAYS do this! If you didn't fill out the child support forms or request a good cause exemption, your application will just sit there forever without them telling you why. The system is designed to make you give up. Call first thing when they open at 8am and keep calling until you get someone.

I was in the same situation last month with my CalWORKs application stuck in pending status for over 40 days. After spending days trying to reach someone at the county office with no luck, I found a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to a real person in about 15 minutes. They basically call on your behalf and stay on hold, then connect you when they reach a person. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE When I finally got through, I found out they were waiting for verification of my job search efforts that they never told me about! Got it resolved that same day and my benefits were approved within 48 hours. Might be worth trying if you keep hitting dead ends with the regular number.

I've worked with many CalWORKs recipients, and here's what I always advise when applications are stuck: 1. First, check if child support cooperation is the issue. This is the #1 delay for single parents applying for Cash Aid. If you haven't formally agreed to pursue child support or requested a good cause exemption (for DV cases, etc.), they'll hold your case. 2. Verify if your Welfare-to-Work (WTW) plan is clear. If you're working reduced hours, they need documentation of why and your plan to meet participation requirements. 3. Request a case status update in writing - this triggers a mandatory response timeline. 4. You can also file for an Administrative Hearing if they've exceeded the 45-day processing deadline without good cause. The form is called DPA 479. 5. Visit your county office in person with all your documentation if possible. Sometimes face-to-face is the only way to get resolution.

this happened to my cousin and it was because she didn't sign some form about child support they never told her about it just sat there for 2 months!! go to the office in person if u can thats the only way to get anything done with them honestly

Contact ur county board of supervisors office!!! They can help when ur worker isnt responding. I waited 56 days then did this got approved in 2 DAYS after that. They hate when u go above them lol. Google ur county + board of supervisors constituent services.

Just to clarify some misinformation in this thread: the Welfare to Work plan is NOT required for initial CalWORKs eligibility determination. That comes after approval, so it's not holding up your initial application. Based on everything you've shared, I strongly suspect it's related to child support. CalWORKs requires you to either cooperate with child support collection efforts OR file for a good cause exemption if pursuing child support would put you or your children at risk. This is a separate form (CW 2.1) that must be completed for each absent parent. If you didn't receive or complete this form, your application will remain pending indefinitely. I'd recommend trying to reach someone using the service another commenter mentioned, or going in person with ID to check your case status. When you get through, specifically ask about the child support cooperation requirements and whether any forms are missing.

Another thing to consider - did you apply for CalFresh at the same time? Sometimes they process that faster and you'll get food benefits while still waiting on Cash Aid. Check if you got an EBT card in the mail and if there's any money on it for food. At least that would help a little while you're sorting out the CalWORKs mess.

update us when u find out what the holdup is!! i bet its gonna be something they never told u about lol thats how they always do

I'm really sorry you're going through this - 45 days is way too long and you shouldn't have to wait that much longer. From what I've seen with other cases, it's almost always either the child support cooperation form that's missing or they're waiting on some verification they never clearly communicated to you. Since you've already tried calling multiple times without success, I'd suggest two approaches: first, try that Claimyr service someone mentioned to actually get through to a person on the phone, and second, if possible, go to your county office in person with all your documents. Bring everything - your application, interview confirmation, all the verification docs you submitted, and ask specifically about the child support cooperation requirements and whether form CW 2.1 was completed. Don't leave without a clear answer about what's holding up your case. You've waited long enough and your kids need those benefits!

I went through this exact same situation last year and it's so frustrating! In my case, it turned out they were waiting for me to complete an interview with the child support office (DCSS) that no one ever told me about. After my CalWORKs interview, I was supposed to get a separate appointment for child support but the notice got lost somehow. I only found out when I finally got through to someone after 50+ days of waiting. Once I did that interview (which was just over the phone), my benefits were approved within a week. Definitely ask specifically about any child support requirements when you call - they might be waiting for you to complete steps you don't even know about. Also, keep calling right at 8am when they open, that's really the only time you can get through. Good luck and don't give up!

I'm going through something similar right now - applied 6 weeks ago and still pending! After reading through all these comments, I'm pretty sure it's the child support thing that's holding up both our cases. I didn't know about the CW 2.1 form or the separate DCSS interview either. It's crazy how they don't tell you about these requirements upfront. I'm going to try calling tomorrow morning too and ask specifically about child support cooperation status. Hopefully we both get some answers soon! Let me know how it goes with Claimyr if you try it - I might give that a shot too if the regular number doesn't work.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this frustrating situation! 45 days is definitely too long and you have every right to be concerned. Based on all the helpful comments here, it really sounds like the child support cooperation requirements are likely the culprit. I went through something similar a few years ago and it turned out I was missing a crucial step that nobody had explained clearly during my initial application process. Here's what I'd recommend based on my experience: definitely try that Claimyr service that multiple people have mentioned - it seems like the most reliable way to actually reach a human being. When you do get through, ask specifically about: 1) your child support cooperation status, 2) whether form CW 2.1 was properly completed, and 3) if you need any separate DCSS interview. Also ask them to check if there are ANY pending requirements or missing documents in your case file. If the phone route doesn't work, absolutely go to the county office in person with all your paperwork. Don't let them brush you off - you've waited the full 45 days and deserve answers. You might also want to look into filing that administrative hearing form (DPA 479) that someone mentioned, since they've exceeded their processing deadline. Hang in there and keep advocating for yourself and your kids!

I'm a CalWORKs case worker and I can tell you that 45 days is unfortunately becoming more common due to staffing shortages, but it's still the legal maximum processing time. Based on your situation, I'm almost certain this is a child support cooperation issue. When you applied with children and indicated an absent parent, you should have received form CW 2.1 (Child Support Cooperation) to complete. If this wasn't properly submitted or if there are questions about your cooperation status, your case will sit in pending status indefinitely without notification. Here's what likely happened: during your interview, basic eligibility was established, but the child support cooperation requirement wasn't fully processed. This is separate from your main application and often gets overlooked. You need to either agree to cooperate with child support collection efforts OR request a good cause exemption if pursuing support would endanger you or your children. Call tomorrow and ask specifically: "What is the status of my child support cooperation requirement? Do I need to complete form CW 2.1 or schedule a DCSS interview?" Don't accept vague answers. If they can't give you specifics, ask to speak with a supervisor. You have the right to know exactly what's holding up your case after 45 days.

I'm so sorry you're going through this - 45 days is absolutely unacceptable and you shouldn't have to wait any longer. Based on all the excellent advice in this thread, it really sounds like the child support cooperation requirement is what's holding up your case. I went through something very similar a couple years ago and it was exactly that - I had filled out some paperwork about my ex during the interview but somehow the CW 2.1 form wasn't properly completed or processed. The advice from the case worker here is spot-on. When you call tomorrow, use those exact questions about your child support cooperation status and whether you need the CW 2.1 form or DCSS interview. Don't let them give you runaround answers - you've waited the full legal maximum time and deserve specific information about what's missing. If the phone doesn't work, definitely try that Claimyr service multiple people recommended, or go in person to the office. Bring all your documents and don't leave without concrete answers. You and your kids need these benefits and you've been more than patient. Keep us updated on what you find out - I'm rooting for you to get this resolved quickly!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this - 45 days is way too long and completely unacceptable! Reading through all these responses, I'm convinced it's the child support cooperation issue that's holding up your case. I had almost the exact same experience last year where my application sat pending for 6 weeks because I never received or completed some child support form properly. The case worker's advice here is gold - definitely call tomorrow morning right at 8am and ask specifically about your child support cooperation status and whether you need form CW 2.1 or a DCSS interview. If you can't get through on the regular number, that Claimyr service sounds promising based on multiple people's recommendations. Also, I'd suggest documenting everything - write down dates of your calls, who you speak with, what they tell you. If this keeps dragging on, you'll need that info for the administrative hearing process. You and your kids deserve better than this bureaucratic runaround. Stay strong and keep pushing - you've got a whole community here rooting for you to get this resolved!

I'm really sorry to hear about your frustrating experience with the CalWORKs application process - 45 days is definitely too long and you have every right to be concerned! Based on all the helpful responses in this thread, it really does sound like the child support cooperation requirement is most likely what's holding up your case. As a newcomer to this community, I'm amazed by how knowledgeable and supportive everyone has been in helping you figure out what's probably going wrong. The case worker's advice about asking specifically about form CW 2.1 and your child support cooperation status seems spot-on, and multiple people have had success with that Claimyr service for actually getting through to someone. I hope you're able to get through tomorrow morning and finally get some concrete answers about what's been causing the delay. It's so frustrating that these crucial requirements aren't clearly communicated upfront during the application process. You shouldn't have to guess what forms might be missing or what interviews might be required. Please keep us updated on what you find out - I'm sure your experience will help other people who find themselves in similar situations. Wishing you the best of luck getting this resolved quickly so you and your kids can get the support you need!