Will my CalWORKs stimulus payment come on EBT card if previous stimulus came as check?
So I'm really confused about how I'll get this new stimulus payment. For background, I'm a single mom with 2 kids receiving CalWORKs cash aid and CalFresh. When the government sent out the first stimulus, it went directly onto my EBT card with my regular benefits (which was super convenient). But for some weird reason, the second stimulus came as a paper check in the mail that took forever to arrive. My case worker isn't answering my calls, and I really need to know how I'll get the new stimulus payment this time around. Will it go back to my EBT card like the first one or should I expect another check? My rent is coming up and I'm trying to plan accordingly. Has anyone else had their stimulus payment methods change between payments?
20 comments

Dylan Mitchell
The CalWORKs stimulus payments are separate from the federal stimulus checks. For federal stimulus payments, the method depends on how you filed taxes, not how you receive your CalWORKs benefits. If you used H&R Block and got your tax refund on an Emerald Card, but then received the second stimulus as a check, it's likely the upcoming stimulus will also come as a check. The IRS determines delivery method based on your most recent tax filing or payment information they have on file. You might want to check the IRS Get My Payment tool to confirm how it will be sent.
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Fatima Al-Hashemi
Authoromg thank you! I thought the stimulus was part of CalWORKs since the first payment came right when my benefits did. I'll check that IRS tool to see what it says. Really hope it comes soon cuz my landlord is NOT patient lol
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Sofia Martinez
i had the same thing!! got first on my emerld card but second was mailed check. talked to my sister who works at a bank and she sed its because h&r block had issues with the first round so irs stopped sending to the cards for alot of ppl. mine took like 3 weeks to come in mail so keep checking ur mailbox
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Fatima Al-Hashemi
Author3 weeks?? That's so long to wait especially when bills are due. Did you have to sign for it or did they just leave it in your mailbox?
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Dmitry Volkov
This is actually not related to your CalWORKs benefits. The federal stimulus payments are distributed by the IRS based on your tax filing information. Since you filed with H&R Block and got your tax refund on an Emerald Card but your second stimulus as a check, it's likely the IRS switched your payment method in their system. I recommend checking the "Get My Payment" tool on the IRS website (irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment) which will tell you exactly how and when your payment will be sent. If it shows it will be mailed, you can also sign up for Informed Delivery through USPS to track when it arrives in your mailbox. Just to clarify - these stimulus payments are completely separate from your regular CalWORKs benefits, so your EBT card schedule won't be affected.
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Ava Thompson
this is right answer OP. my brother works at h&r block and they had big mess with the emerald cards during first stimulus. lots of delays and problems so IRS started mailing checks instead for second one. most people who had this happen will get checks this time too.
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CyberSiren
I went through something similar and it's super frustrating! For me it was because H&R Block had some issues with the Emerald Cards during the first stimulus rollout. The payment method change was on the IRS end, not related to your CalWORKs benefits. Have you been trying to reach the CalWORKs office about this? Because they won't have any control over your stimulus payment - that's completely handled by the IRS. I spent DAYS trying to get through to my county office before I realized I was calling the wrong people! If you need to contact the IRS directly, you'll probably run into the same endless phone tree nightmare. I finally got through to a real person using Claimyr.com - they hold your place in the phone queue and call you back when a representative is available. Check out how it works here: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE. Saved me hours of holding time!
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Fatima Al-Hashemi
AuthorYou're right, I was definitely confused about who handles what! I've been calling CalWORKs thinking they would know about the stimulus. Good to know they're separate systems. I'll check out that Claimyr thing if I need to call IRS directly. Thank you!
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Miguel Alvarez
I've used Claimyr before too! It really does work when you can't get through those impossible government phone lines. But for this specific issue, just use the Get My Payment tool on the IRS website first - you probably won't even need to call if it shows your payment status.
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Zainab Yusuf
THEY ARE TOTALLY DIFFERENT THINGS!!! CalWORKs is your state benefits and stimulus is federal thing from IRS!!! Trust me i had same confusion. The reason your 1st stimulus might have seemed like it came with CalWORKs is just coincidence in timing. If IRS sent you a check for 2nd one, they'll most likely send check for this one too. CALWORKS WORKER CANT HELP WITH THIS AT ALL, don't waste time calling them. Even if you get through they have ZERO info on IRS stimulus payments. Literally different government systems that don't talk to each other.
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Fatima Al-Hashemi
AuthorThanks for clearing that up! I guess it was just confusing because the timing of the first one made it seem like it was all one payment. Good to know I shouldn't bother my caseworker about this.
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Miguel Alvarez
I work with tax preparation, and this confusion is very common. The IRS generally sends stimulus payments the same way you received your tax refund. However, for the second round of payments, there were technical issues with some prepaid cards including H&R Block's Emerald Card. As a result, many payments that originally went to those cards were redirected to paper checks instead. For this round, the IRS is likely to use the same method as your second payment (check), but it's best to confirm through the IRS Get My Payment tool. This has nothing to do with your CalWORKs benefits or EBT card - those are completely separate systems. One important note: if you've filed your 2025 taxes already, the payment method you selected for that refund might be used instead.
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Sofia Martinez
wait i already filed my 2025 taxes and got refund direct deposit to my bank not emerald card this year. does that mean stimulus will go to my bank instead of check in mail?
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Miguel Alvarez
Yes, that's correct! If you've already filed your 2025 taxes and provided direct deposit information to the IRS, they'll likely use that method instead of sending a check. The IRS typically uses your most recent filing information.
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Ava Thompson
My cousin had same thing happen. First one on card, second in mail. She said third came in mail too. They just sending em all different ways lol. government is so messed up
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Zainab Yusuf
THIS IS NOT A GOVERNMENT MISTAKE!!! It's because H&R Block and other tax prep companies messed up the first time. They were taking people's stimulus money and charging fees before giving it to customers! IRS stopped letting them do this for second payment. THATS why method changed.
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Fatima Al-Hashemi
Thank you everyone for the helpful responses! I definitely was confused thinking my CalWORKs worker could help with this. I checked the IRS Get My Payment tool like many of you suggested, and it shows my payment will be mailed as a paper check next week. At least now I know what to expect and when. Really appreciate all the clarification about how the different systems work!
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Dylan Mitchell
Glad you got it sorted out! Just make sure to keep an eye on your mail. If you haven't already, you might want to sign up for USPS Informed Delivery so you can see what's coming in your mail each day. That way you'll know exactly when to expect your check.
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Edwin jonathan Escobar
Never got any stomulus check welfare did collect thecmoney on a vargain colection
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Ravi Malhotra
Hey Edwin, that sounds really frustrating. If you didn't receive your stimulus payments but welfare/CalWORKs collected money, you might want to contact the IRS directly about missing payments. You can check if you're owed any stimulus money by using the IRS "Get My Payment" tool online or calling their helpline. Sometimes there are issues with payments being intercepted or redirected. Don't give up - you might still be entitled to those payments!
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