I'm so sorry you're dealing with this - it's incredibly frustrating when you're already stressed about keeping your benefits and then they make it worse by missing their own appointments. I've been through similar situations and here's what helped me: Keep detailed records of every call attempt, including dates, times, and how long you waited on hold. If you have a smartphone, take screenshots of your call log showing the duration. When you do get through, immediately ask them to note in your case file that THEY missed the scheduled appointment, not you. Also, if you haven't already, try calling different county offices if your area has multiple locations - sometimes one office answers faster than others. And don't let them rush you off the phone once you do connect - make sure they reschedule your appointment AND confirm they've documented their mistake in your case notes. You're doing everything right by being proactive. The system is broken, but you have rights and protections. Keep fighting for what you need for your family!

I'm going through something similar right now with my recertification! My worker was supposed to call me last Friday and never did. I've been calling every day since then and can barely get through. When I finally did connect yesterday, they told me my worker was "out sick" but couldn't tell me when she'd be back or who was covering her cases. The stress is unreal - I have two kids and work part-time, so losing CalWORKs would be devastating. What really gets me is how they expect us to drop everything when they call, but then they can just not show up with zero consequences. I've started documenting everything too after reading posts here. Taking photos of my phone showing missed calls, writing down who I talk to and when. One thing that's helped me is calling right when they open at 8am - the wait times are usually shorter then. Also, if anyone knows about this, can you request a specific date/time for your makeup appointment or do they just assign whatever they want? I need to make sure I can arrange childcare if they reschedule during my work hours.

This is such a common issue and it's really frustrating that there's no transparency about when these delays happen! I've been on CalWORKs for about 8 months now and I've learned to never count on the money being available exactly at midnight. What I do now is set aside a small emergency buffer from the previous month if possible, or I let my landlord know a few days ahead of time that there might be a slight delay due to the EBT system. Most understanding landlords will work with you if you communicate proactively. It shouldn't be this way, but unfortunately we have to work around their unreliable system.

This thread is so helpful! I'm new to CalWORKs (just got approved last month) and had no idea this was a common issue. I was planning to rely on getting my cash right at midnight for rent next month, but now I know to plan differently. Does anyone know if there's a pattern to when these delays happen? Like is it more common at the beginning of the month or on certain days of the week? I want to try to predict when I might need to give my landlord extra notice about potential delays.

Same thing happened to me! Usually get mine on the 28th but it didn't come until today around 1pm. I was starting to panic because I have bills due tomorrow. It's so stressful when the timing changes like this - we depend on that consistency to budget and plan payments. At least we all got it eventually but the anxiety is real when you're counting on that money!

I'm new to CalWORKs and this is exactly what I was worried about! Got approved last month and my first payment came on the 28th, so I was expecting the same this time. When it didn't show up this morning I started panicking thinking maybe I did something wrong with my paperwork or missed a deadline. It's really reassuring to read everyone's experiences - sounds like this timing variation is just part of how the system works, even though it's super stressful when you're depending on that money for rent and groceries. Thanks everyone for sharing, makes me feel less alone in this!

This is such a valuable thread for everyone dealing with EBT cash withdrawal issues! As someone who's been on CalWORKs for a while, I wish I had known about the grocery store cash back option earlier - would have saved me so much stress. One thing I'd add is that you can also check if your county has any emergency rental assistance programs that work alongside CalWORKs. In my county, they have a rapid rehousing program that can sometimes help with immediate rent payments while you're waiting to access your benefits. Also, for anyone reading this in the future - if you're consistently having trouble accessing enough cash for rent, consider asking your worker about the CalWORKs Housing Support Program or seeing if you qualify for a housing voucher through your local housing authority. It's frustrating that we have to jump through so many hoops just to pay our basic expenses, but this community really shows how we can help each other navigate the system!

This whole situation really highlights how broken the system is - they give you a replacement card but don't warn you about withdrawal limits that could literally make you homeless! I'm so glad everyone came together with practical solutions. For anyone else dealing with this, I'd also suggest keeping a backup plan ready. You can sometimes get money orders at places like the post office or grocery stores using your EBT card, which your landlord might accept instead of cash. Also, if you're ever in this emergency situation again, try calling 211 - they can sometimes connect you to same-day emergency rental assistance programs in your area. The fact that we have to become experts at navigating all these workarounds just to access our own benefits is ridiculous, but at least we have each other to share the knowledge!

I went through this exact situation 2 years ago and I'm so glad I applied! My daughter has autism and was getting CalWORKs with us (family of 4). When she got approved for SSI at $1,047/month, our CalWORKs dropped by about $200 but we still came out ahead by over $800 monthly. The process was stressful but worth it. A few things that helped me: I kept a daily log for 6 weeks before the interview documenting every meltdown, sleep issue, and daily living challenge. I also got letters from her therapists and teachers. The key is showing how the autism affects her ability to function compared to other kids her age. One thing to watch for - they'll ask about any accommodations or supports she gets at school. Have that IEP or 504 plan ready! And yes, report the SSI approval right away when you get the letter, don't wait for the first check. Good luck mama, you're doing the right thing for your family!

I just want to add that you should also ask about retroactive benefits when you apply! If your son gets approved for SSI, Social Security can pay benefits back to the date of application (up to 6 months prior in some cases). So even though the process takes months, you won't lose out on that money - it'll come as a lump sum with the approval. Also, once he's on SSI, make sure to apply for any state disability programs or assistance your county offers. Some counties have additional support services or even small cash assistance programs for families with disabled children. Your case worker should have info about local resources. The waiting is the hardest part, but from everything I've seen and heard from other families, you'll definitely be better off financially. The SSI payment alone is almost as much as your entire CalWORKs grant right now!