What to bring to CalWORKs interview after uploading documents on BenefitsCal?
I just submitted my CalWORKs and CalFresh application through BenefitsCal last week. They scheduled me for an in-person interview tomorrow at my county office. I already uploaded everything they asked for (paystubs, rent receipt, kids' birth certificates, ID, and utility bills). My status still says 'pending' on BenefitsCal. Should I bring physical copies of everything again tomorrow even though I already uploaded them? Has anyone had their in-person interview recently? I'm stressing about forgetting something important and having my application delayed. I'm a single mom with 2 kids and really need this assistance to start ASAP.
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Luca Russo
alwys bring extra copies! my workerr told me they cant see half the stuff we upload on benefitscal sumtimes. I went to my interview last month & had to resubmit everything even tho I uploaded it all. System is broken!!
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Zara Mirza
•Seriously?? I spent like 2 hours scanning everything... That's so frustrating. I'll print everything out again just to be safe. Thanks for the heads up!
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Nia Harris
Definitely bring ALL original documents with you - especially your ID, children's birth certificates, Social Security cards, income verification, and rent/utility bills. Even though you uploaded them, the workers often need to see originals to verify them. Also bring any termination letters from jobs if you recently lost employment. Make sure you arrive at least 15 minutes early since there's usually a check-in process. During your interview, they'll review your eligibility for both programs and explain your Welfare to Work (WTW) requirements for CalWORKs. If approved, they should give you an EBT card that day or mail it shortly after. Bring a list of questions you have about reporting requirements (SAR7), Income Reporting Threshold (IRT), and childcare assistance options if you need them.
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Zara Mirza
•Thank you so much! I didn't know about bringing original birth certificates - I only have copies at home. The originals are at my mom's house in another city. Will that be a problem? And what's IRT?
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Nia Harris
The Income Reporting Threshold (IRT) is the income limit they give you - if your income ever goes above that amount before your next regular report (SAR7), you must report it within 10 days. If you don't have original birth certificates, bring the copies but explain the situation. They might accept them temporarily but give you time to provide originals later. Some counties are stricter than others about this.
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Zara Mirza
•Got it - thank you! I'll explain about the birth certificates and see if I can get the originals from my mom next weekend if they need them.
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GalaxyGazer
I had my interview last month and they literally didn't look at ANY of my uploaded documents! Waste of time. Then they put me on hold for like an hour when I called to check my status after. DMV is better organized lol
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Mateo Sanchez
•I had the exact same experience trying to reach someone at my county office last month. Kept getting transferred between departments and put on hold forever. I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get a callback from a worker and skipped the whole phone tree nightmare. There's a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE. Saved me HOURS of frustration and I actually got to speak with someone who could help with my CalWORKs questions.
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Aisha Mahmood
bring EVERYTHING!! i went to my intrview last week with only sum of my docs and got denied!!!!! had to start all over again. they said i had 10 days to submit everything but the worker processed a denial the NEXT DAY. now i'm waiting for a hearing. system is rigged against us!!!!!
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Ethan Moore
•That sounds wrong. You're supposed to get 10 days. Did you talk to a supervisor? They can't just deny you without giving you the time they promised.
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Aisha Mahmood
yeah i tried callng the sup but kept getting the stupid automated system and nobody ever called back!! now i gotta wait for the hearing in like 6 weeks. kids are hungry NOW tho smh
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Yuki Kobayashi
•While you're waiting for your hearing, you should apply for emergency CalFresh. You can get expedited benefits in 3 days if you qualify (very low income/resources). Also check with local food banks - 211 can direct you to emergency food assistance in your area.
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Luca Russo
the most important thing they look at is ur income and rent. make sure u got paystubs for last 3 months and ur lease. also they gonna ask bout child support so bring anything u got about that if babydaddy pays or court ordered it.
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Zara Mirza
•Thanks for the tip about child support. My ex doesn't pay anything right now but there's a court order. Should I bring that document too?
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Nia Harris
Yes, definitely bring the court order for child support. They'll want to see it, and they'll ask if you're cooperating with child support enforcement. CalWORKs requires you to work with the child support agency unless you have good cause not to (like domestic violence concerns). Also, don't forget to ask about the diaper benefit if your children are under 3 years old - it's an extra $30 per month per eligible child on CalWORKs.
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Zara Mirza
•Wow, I didn't know about the diaper benefit! My youngest is 2 so that would help a lot. I'll definitely ask about that tomorrow. Thank you!
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Ethan Moore
Good luck tomorrow! Remember to ask about childcare assistance if you need it for work or school. And get the name and direct phone number of your worker before you leave - will save you tons of headaches later!
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Zara Mirza
•That's a great idea about getting their direct number. I'll definitely do that! I'll update here tomorrow about how it went in case it helps anyone else.
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