When does CalWORKs Cash Aid get deposited on EBT card? Different schedule from CalFresh?
Just got approved for CalWORKs and CalFresh last week (single mom with 2 kids). Got my EBT card in the mail yesterday but I'm confused about when the cash part actually shows up on the card. My CalFresh benefits already loaded ($679), but the cash aid isn't there yet. Does CalWORKs cash have different payment dates than food benefits? My rent is due on the 1st and I'm freaking out a little. The worker who helped me wasn't clear about it and just said 'it'll be on your card' but didn't say WHEN. Anyone know the payment schedule for new applicants?
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Luca Romano
CalWORKs Cash Aid and CalFresh do have different issuance dates. For Cash Aid (CalWORKs), benefits are usually issued during the first three days of the month. Which exact day depends on the last digit of your case number: - If your case number ends in 1, 2, or 3: issued on the 1st - If it ends in 4, 5, or 6: issued on the 2nd - If it ends in 7, 8, 9, or 0: issued on the 3rd Since you just got approved, your first payment might be different - sometimes they issue initial payments right away, sometimes they follow the regular schedule. Check your approval letter, it should mention the first payment date somewhere in there.
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Zara Rashid
•omg thank you!!! just checked my case # and it ends in 5 so i guess that means the 2nd? the approval letter just says i was approved for $1,103 monthly but doesnt give a specific date. do u know if first payments ever come earlier? like since i just got approved last week?
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Nia Jackson
They sometimes issue first payments immediately, but I waited 5 days after approval for mine. If it's your first month, you might also get prorated amount based on when in the month you were approved. So if you applied/got approved mid-month, you'll only get half the normal amount for your first payment.
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Mateo Hernandez
•yeah this happened to me too. got approved on the 15th last month and my first cash aid was only half the normal amount. confused me at first, thought they made a mistake lol
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CosmicCruiser
its sooooo stupid how they put the CalFresh on a different day than the cash!!! mine comes on the 11th for food but the 1st for cash its so confuisng why cant they just put it all on the same day???
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Luca Romano
•They stagger CalFresh issuance days over the first 10 days of the month (based on the last digit of your case number) to prevent everyone from shopping on the same day. Cash Aid is different because they want people to be able to pay rent at the beginning of the month. It can be confusing but there's actually a reason for it!
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Aisha Khan
Just to add something important - your Cash Aid might be split into two payments if the total is over $1,000. They do this for security reasons. So you might see part of your cash on the 2nd and the rest on the 17th. Check your approval notice carefully because it should mention if you're getting split payments. This doesn't happen to everyone, just when the monthly amount is above a certain threshold.
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Zara Rashid
•Really?? Nobody told me about split payments! My approval is for $1,103 so that's over $1000. That would be awful if I only get part of it on the 2nd since my rent is due on the 1st :
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Ethan Taylor
Had the exact same issue last month! I called the number on the back of my EBT card but was on hold for 2+ hours and never got through to anyone. I ended up using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to a CalWORKs worker. They got me connected in like 10 mins instead of waiting all day. The worker was able to tell me exactly when my cash would hit my card. You can see how it works in their video: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE - totally worth it when you're stressing about when money will arrive!
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Zara Rashid
•Thank you! I might try that if my money isn't there tomorrow. Been trying to call all morning and just get the 'all representatives are busy' message over and over.
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Yuki Ito
When I was on CalWORKS i had a different caseworker tell me wrong info LITERALLY EVERY TIME i talked to someone. One said cash comes on the 1st no matter what, another said its based on case number, another said it depends on when I was approved. Total mess. Best advice is to just check your card balance daily through the first week of the month.
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CosmicCruiser
•omg yes!!!! there shoudl be like a law that they have to tell u the EXACT date ur money will be there. some of us have bills that CANT WAIT!!!
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Luca Romano
Did you verify that your address is correct in the system? Sometimes they mail the card before the first cash payment processes. If your card arrived yesterday, I'd expect your first payment either today or in the next 1-2 days, especially for a new case. If it doesn't show up by the end of the week, definitely contact your caseworker. Also make sure you set up your PIN correctly - sometimes people think their money isn't there but it's actually because their PIN isn't properly activated.
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Zara Rashid
•My PIN is working because I was able to see my CalFresh balance on the card. Just checked again and still no cash... getting nervous because I told my landlord I'd have the rent on the 2nd. If it doesn't come through tomorrow I'm not sure what I'll do.
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Aisha Khan
•If your cash doesn't arrive in time for rent, ask your worker about the "immediate need" payment option. In some cases, they can issue an emergency payment. You'd need to contact them directly though - this isn't automatic.
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Nia Jackson
Just noticed you mentioned you're a new applicant - did you complete your WTW (Welfare to Work) appointment yet? Sometimes they hold the first cash payment until after you've done that initial WTW orientation meeting. Might be worth checking if that's what's delaying things.
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