Will my CalWORKs benefits transfer when moving counties or do I need a new EBT card?

I transferred from Alameda to Fresno County last year and can tell you exactly how it works. Your benefits WILL continue on your same EBT card during the transfer - the old county is responsible for your benefits until the new county officially accepts your case. You don't need a new card unless you request one. Make sure you do these things though: 1. Report your address change to BOTH counties 2. Keep using BenefitsCal with your same login info 3. Check that both counties have your correct phone number 4. Ask for a "transfer confirmation number" if they didn't give you one The transfer usually takes 30-45 days to complete, but your benefits should continue uninterrupted as long as you're still eligible. Just make sure your Semi-Annual Report (SAR7) isn't due during this time - if it is, submit it to whichever county currently has your case.

when i moved from LA to riverside they stopped my benefits for 2 months said it was "pending transfer" and i had to reapply!!! make SURE u call both counties every week to check status

I work with CalWORKs recipients, and county transfers can definitely be confusing. Here's what should happen: - Your benefits continue on the same EBT card during the transfer process - The old county manages your case until the new county accepts it - Your WTW plan stays in place, but you'll need to connect with a new WTW worker in the new county - Your reporting period and redetermination dates remain the same However, what SHOULD happen and what DOES happen can be different. County transfer delays are unfortunately common. I strongly recommend calling both counties weekly to confirm they're processing your transfer correctly. Document every call (date, time, who you spoke with). For February's payment specifically - it will be issued by whichever county has your case at that time, but it will go to your same EBT card regardless.

I DID THIS EXACT MOVE last year (Sac to SB county) and it was a DISASTER!!!! They lost my paperwork THREE TIMES and I went almost 3 months with no cash aid!!! My worker in Sac said everything was fine but SB never got ANY of my documents and kept saying I needed to reapply!!! I had to borrow money from everyone I knew just to pay rent!!! THE SYSTEM IS BROKEN!!!

Went through this last year. Benefits stay on same card but HERE'S THE PROBLEM - trying to reach anyone by phone to check status is nearly impossible. I spent 3+ hours on hold every time I called either county, and half the time got disconnected. Then my benefits stopped because they said I missed an appointment I was never notified about. I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to a real person. They have this service where they wait on hold for you and call when someone picks up. Saved me hours of frustration. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE Just make sure you have a list of questions ready about your transfer status, exactly what documents they need, and get confirmation numbers for everything.

i moved countrys last yr and kept same ebt card but make sure u call ur current county worker and tell them ur moving date cause they might try to discontinue u if they think ur not in that county anymore without telling the new county

To follow up on the WTW question you asked me - your Welfare to Work requirements technically stay the same during the transfer, but the new county might have different available programs and resources. Once your case transfers, you'll meet with a new WTW counselor who might modify your plan. One important thing: make sure you're still documenting your job search or whatever activity you're currently assigned, even during the transfer period. If there's a gap in your WTW participation documentation, it could cause problems later. Also, if you haven't already, update your address in BenefitsCal as soon as you move. The system sometimes sends notices through there even when counties are being slow with the transfer process.

I want to add one more important detail about county transfers that many workers don't mention: If your IRT (Income Reporting Threshold) changes in the new county, they must send you a notice with the new amount. Some counties have different IRT levels, and this is critical because if you earn income over your IRT, you must report it within 10 days even outside your regular SAR7 reporting period. If the new county doesn't send you an updated IRT notice, ask for one specifically. Also, make sure your childcare benefits transfer correctly if you're receiving them. Sometimes the CalWORKs case transfers but the childcare authorization gets delayed. If you have an Alternative Payment Program provider for childcare, contact them directly about your move as well.

I just went through a Sacramento to Riverside county transfer 6 months ago and wanted to share some specific tips that helped me avoid the horror stories others have mentioned: 1. Get EVERYTHING in writing - I asked both counties to email me confirmation of every conversation we had about my transfer 2. Take photos of all documents you submit to both counties with timestamps 3. Set up alerts in BenefitsCal so you know immediately if anything changes with your case status 4. Create a simple spreadsheet tracking every call you make (date, county, person's name, what they told you) The key thing that saved me was being proactive rather than waiting. I called San Bernardino county myself before Sacramento even sent my paperwork and introduced myself as an incoming transfer. They actually expedited my case because I was so organized with my documentation. My benefits never stopped and the transfer completed in 28 days. It CAN work smoothly if you stay on top of it! Good luck with your move - I hope your mom's health improves too.