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.

I moved from Orange County to San Diego last year and my experience was similar to James Martinez - it went smoothly because I was super organized about it. One thing I'd add is to ask both counties for the direct phone number of your assigned transfer specialist (not the general intake line). Both counties should assign someone specifically to handle your case during the transfer. Also, if you're worried about your February payment timing, you can ask your current Sacramento worker to issue it a few days early if your move date falls right around your normal payment schedule. They have some flexibility for "good cause" situations like moves. The BenefitsCal app notifications are a lifesaver too - I got alerts when my case status changed in the system before either county even called me about it. Sending good thoughts for your mom's health and hoping your move goes smoothly! County transfers are stressful enough without worrying about benefit interruptions.

I moved from San Francisco to Kern County about 8 months ago and wanted to share what worked for me since I see a lot of mixed experiences here. The key thing that prevented any benefit interruption was getting a "transfer case number" from both counties - this is different from your regular case number and specifically tracks the transfer process. Here's my step-by-step approach: 1. Call Sacramento County and ask for your transfer case number and the exact date they're sending your file to San Bernardino 2. Wait 3 business days, then call San Bernardino and reference that transfer case number to confirm they received it 3. Ask San Bernardino for the name and direct extension of whoever will be reviewing your case 4. Follow up weekly with that specific person until your case is officially transferred The whole process took about 5 weeks for me, but my benefits never stopped because I stayed in constant communication with both sides. Also make sure you have copies of your last few pay stubs and your current SAR7 form ready - San Bernardino might ask for updated documentation even though Sacramento should have sent everything. Your EBT card will definitely work the same throughout the process. The only thing that might change is if San Bernardino has different local WTW program options available to you. Wishing you and your mom all the best with this transition!

I went through a county transfer from Los Angeles to Ventura County about 6 months ago and wanted to add a few more practical tips that really helped me: First, ask Sacramento County for a printed "case summary" before your transfer - this one-page document shows all your current benefit amounts, reporting dates, and case details. When San Bernardino gets your file, having this summary helps them verify everything transferred correctly. Second, if you have any ongoing issues (like a pending overpayment, appeal, or special circumstance), make sure both counties understand these details. Sometimes these "flags" on your case can delay the transfer if they're not communicated properly. Third, update your mailing address with the post office AND in BenefitsCal at the same time. I had notices getting forwarded from my old address while others went directly to the new county system, which created confusion about what I had or hadn't received. The good news is that Sacramento and San Bernardino counties generally have good communication since they handle a lot of transfers. Your February payment should continue normally - the system is designed to prevent benefit gaps during county moves. Hope your mom gets the care she needs in San Bernardino! Moving for family health reasons is never easy, but it sounds like you're being really thoughtful about planning everything out.

I'm currently preparing for a similar move from Contra Costa to San Joaquin County in a few months, and reading through everyone's experiences has been so helpful! It's clear that being proactive and staying organized is absolutely critical. One question I haven't seen addressed yet - if you're receiving CalFresh (food stamps) along with your CalWORKs benefits, do those transfer automatically with your case or is that a separate process? I know they're both administered through the same county offices, but I want to make sure I don't miss anything. Also, @Amara Eze, given all the great advice you've gotten here, it might be worth creating that spreadsheet James Martinez suggested and sharing the template with others in this community who might face county transfers in the future. Your experience could really help the next person going through this! Wishing you the best with your move and hoping your mom gets the care she needs. You're being such a thoughtful advocate for both yourself and your family during this transition.

I moved from Fresno to Imperial County about a year ago and want to echo what others have said about being proactive - it really makes all the difference! One thing I learned that might help is to ask Sacramento County specifically about their "case closure protocol" during transfers. Some counties automatically close cases after 30 days if they don't hear back from the receiving county, which can cause benefit interruptions. Also, when you call San Bernardino County, ask them about their current processing times for transfers. Each county is different - some are faster than others depending on their staffing levels. Imperial County told me upfront they were running 6-8 weeks behind on transfers, so I was able to plan accordingly and follow up more frequently. Your EBT card will definitely work the same, but I'd recommend checking your balance regularly during the transfer period just to make sure deposits are happening as expected. The CalWORKs website also has a county transfer checklist that I found really helpful - it's buried in their FAQ section but worth looking up. Moving for family health reasons is so stressful, but you're handling this really well by planning ahead. Sending positive thoughts for your mom's health and a smooth transition for your whole family!

I went through a county transfer from San Diego to Riverside last year and wanted to add one more tip that saved me a lot of stress - ask both counties for their emergency contact procedures during the transfer period. What I mean is: if something goes wrong with your benefits during the transfer (like they don't load on your expected date), you need to know exactly who to call and what information they'll need from you. Sacramento County gave me a special "transfer emergency line" that bypassed their usual phone tree, and Riverside County had a specific supervisor who handled transfer issues. I never had to use these contacts, but just knowing I had them made me feel so much more secure during the process. The regular customer service lines can be really slow when you're dealing with transfer-related problems because the representatives often have to research your case across two different county systems. Also, I second what others said about keeping the same EBT card - mine worked perfectly throughout the entire 6-week transfer process. The only thing that changed was which county's name appeared on my benefit statements in BenefitsCal. Hoping everything goes smoothly for you and your mom gets the care she needs! You're asking all the right questions and being really proactive about this.

I moved from Kern to Tulare County about 8 months ago and want to add something that really helped me that I haven't seen mentioned yet - ask Sacramento County to send you a confirmation email or letter showing the exact date they transferred your case file to San Bernardino. This isn't automatic, but they can generate one if you request it. Having that written confirmation was a lifesaver when San Bernardino initially said they had never received my paperwork. I was able to forward them the email from Kern County showing exactly when the transfer was sent, and suddenly my case was "found" in their system within 24 hours. Also, if you're currently receiving any utility assistance or other CalWORKs-related services beyond just cash aid, make sure to ask specifically about those transferring too. Sometimes the main case transfers fine but ancillary services get overlooked. Your benefits should definitely continue on the same EBT card - mine did throughout the entire process. The most stressful part is just the uncertainty, but based on your questions here, you're being way more prepared than most people are for county transfers. You've got this! Hope your mom's health improves with the move to San Bernardino.

I went through a county transfer from Orange to Los Angeles County about 2 years ago and wanted to share one more important detail - make sure you understand how your monthly reporting schedule might be affected during the transfer. Even though your SAR7 dates should stay the same, I found that the new county sometimes wants you to submit a "transfer verification form" that's separate from your regular reporting requirements. San Bernardino County might have their own version of this form that asks for updated information about your household, income, and living situation. The key thing is to ask both counties: "Do I need to submit any additional forms beyond my regular SAR7 during this transfer?" Some counties require this extra paperwork within 10 days of your case being accepted, and missing that deadline can cause benefit delays even if everything else transfers smoothly. Also, since you mentioned your mom's health situation, make sure both counties have updated information about any medical expenses or caregiver responsibilities that might affect your work requirements. Sometimes these details get lost in transfers and you could end up with a WTW plan that doesn't account for your current family circumstances. Your EBT card will absolutely work the same throughout the process - that's one thing the state has standardized really well. Sending good thoughts for your mom and hoping your February payment comes through right on schedule!

I went through a transfer from Alameda to San Bernardino County about 18 months ago and wanted to add a few practical tips that really helped me navigate the process smoothly. First, when you call San Bernardino County, ask specifically about their "Transfer Unit" - they have a dedicated team that handles incoming cases from other counties, and they're much more knowledgeable about the process than general intake workers. Getting connected directly to that unit saved me hours of explaining my situation to different people. Second, I'd recommend setting up a simple email account just for this transfer process if you don't already have one you check regularly. Both counties were able to email me updates and confirmations when I gave them an email address, which was much faster than waiting for mail forwarding during my move. Third, since you mentioned your February payment timing with your move date, you might want to ask Sacramento about temporarily switching to a different payment schedule if possible. Some counties can adjust payment dates by a few days for "good cause" situations like moves, which could help avoid any timing conflicts. Your EBT card will definitely continue working - that's one of the most reliable parts of the whole process. The transfer itself usually takes 4-6 weeks, but your benefits should continue uninterrupted as long as you stay on top of the communication with both counties. Best of luck with your move and I hope your mom gets the care she needs in San Bernardino! You're being really smart by researching all this ahead of time.

I'm going through a county transfer from Riverside to Orange County right now and wanted to share a few additional tips that have helped me so far: Make sure to ask Sacramento County for the name and direct phone number of your specific case transfer worker - not just the general transfer unit. Having one person who knows your case details makes such a difference when you need to follow up. Also, if you have any automated deposits set up for rent or other bills using your EBT card, you might want to give your landlord a heads up about the transfer process just in case there are any temporary delays. Most of the time everything works smoothly, but it's better to communicate proactively. One thing that really helped me was creating a simple timeline with key dates: when I submitted my transfer request, when Sacramento said they'd send my file, my expected move date, and when I should follow up with San Bernardino if I don't hear anything. Having it all written down made me feel much more in control of the process. Your situation sounds very similar to what others have shared here, and it seems like Sacramento to San Bernardino is a pretty common transfer route, so hopefully that works in your favor. The fact that you're planning ahead and asking all the right questions suggests you'll navigate this successfully. Sending positive thoughts for your mom's health and hoping your move goes smoothly! This community is such a great resource for real-world advice that goes beyond what the workers typically explain.