Hi Alana! I just went through CalWORKs approval a few months ago and wanted to share what helped speed up my process. First, about processing times - mine took exactly 14 days once I submitted everything, but I was really proactive about following up. I called every 2-3 days and always asked to speak to my assigned eligibility worker directly rather than just getting general status updates. For your family of 5, you should expect somewhere around $800-1000 in monthly cash aid with your part-time income. They use that earned income disregard formula others mentioned, but the exact amount also depends on your housing costs and other factors they consider. Here's what I wish someone had told me: 1) Get your worker's direct email if possible - sometimes they respond to emails faster than phone calls 2) Ask for a "pending verification list" in writing so you have documentation of exactly what they need 3) If you submitted documents in person, ask for a receipt or case notes showing what was turned in and when Also, definitely push for that childcare assistance! It took me 3 weeks of asking different people before someone finally gave me the CCP-1 form. Don't let them brush you off on that - it's a huge benefit that can cover most of your childcare costs. You're doing great advocating for your family - keep being persistent! The system rewards the squeaky wheel unfortunately, so don't feel bad about calling frequently to check status. Good luck! 🍀

Hi Alana! I just wanted to add something that really helped me when I was going through the CalWORKs process last year - make sure to ask about the "aid pending" status when you call tomorrow. If your application has been sitting for more than 10 business days without a decision, you might be eligible for temporary aid while they finish processing your case. Also, I noticed you mentioned your partner just lost their job last month. If he qualifies for unemployment benefits but hasn't received them yet, make sure the CalWORKs worker knows about this pending income. Sometimes they can factor in the expected unemployment amount, but other times they'll wait until he actually starts receiving it to recalculate your grant. One more thing - if you haven't already, see if your county has a CalWORKs orientation or "welfare to work" appointment scheduled. This is usually required within 30 days of approval, but sometimes you can attend it early while your application is pending. They go over ALL the available programs (including childcare, job training, transportation assistance) in one session, which can save you from having to track down information about each program separately. The whole system is definitely overwhelming, but everyone here has given you such solid advice. You're going to do great tomorrow! Keep us posted on how it goes! 💪

I feel your pain! I've been dealing with CalWORKs for over a year now and those wait times are absolutely insane. What's worked best for me is calling exactly at 8:00 AM when they open - I literally have my phone ready to dial at 7:59 and hit call right at 8:00. Even then I usually wait 20-30 minutes, but it's way better than calling later in the day. For your SAR7 issue, definitely check your BenefitsCal messages and case alerts section like others mentioned. Also, if you know your caseworker's direct extension or email, try reaching out that way too. Some workers are actually pretty responsive to emails even when the main line is backed up. The fact that your payment is showing as "pending" usually means they're waiting for something specific from you, but their communication about what that is absolutely sucks. Keep us posted on how it goes - dealing with this stuff is stressful enough without having to guess what they need!

I've been on CalWORKs for about 8 months and unfortunately those wait times are totally normal - it's so frustrating! I've had the best luck calling right when they open at 8 AM, but even then you're looking at at least 30-45 minutes on hold. Since your SAR7 shows as submitted but your payment is pending, definitely log into BenefitsCal and check for any messages or alerts in your case details. Sometimes they'll post what documents they need there without actually notifying you directly. Also, if you have your caseworker's direct number or email, try that route too - some are more responsive than the main line. The fact that your rent is due soon makes this extra stressful. If you can't get through by phone today, you might want to consider going to your local office first thing tomorrow morning if that's an option. I know it's a pain to take time off work, but sometimes showing up in person gets faster results than waiting on hold for hours. Hang in there - hopefully you can get this sorted out before your rent is due!

Update: I went to the county office today and applied for General Assistance. The worker was actually really helpful and explained everything. She said based on my situation I'll probably get around $340/month, and they might be able to process it within 7-10 days because of my emergency situation. I also asked about my CalFresh application and it turns out they were missing verification documents! They never contacted me about it. I provided everything they needed while I was there, and the worker said she put a note that I qualify for expedited processing. Hopefully I'll get food benefits in the next 3 days. Thanks everyone for your help! I would have never known about General Assistance without your advice.

This is such great news! I'm really happy you were able to get help today. It's frustrating that they never contacted you about the missing documents for CalFresh - this happens way too often and people end up waiting unnecessarily. For anyone else reading this thread who might be in a similar situation, Alexis's experience shows how important it is to go to the office in person when possible. Phone systems are overwhelmed, but caseworkers can often help resolve multiple issues at once when you're there face-to-face. Also want to emphasize what Samantha mentioned about keeping track of reporting requirements once you start receiving GA. The job search activities they require aren't too burdensome - usually just documenting that you applied to a certain number of jobs per week or attended job training. But they do check, so keep good records. Hope your CalFresh comes through quickly with the expedited processing!

I'm so sorry you're going through this stress! I just wanted to add one more piece of advice that really helped me when I went through a similar investigation last year. Make sure you keep a timeline written down with specific dates - when you separated, when he physically moved his belongings out, when you first contacted CalWORKs about the change, when your recertification was, etc. The investigator asked me about these dates multiple times during different conversations, and having them written down helped me stay consistent and confident in my responses. Also, if your ex is willing to cooperate, ask him to provide any documentation he has of establishing residency elsewhere - even something like a gym membership change, voter registration update, or medical appointments at his new address can help show he really did relocate. The waiting and uncertainty is the worst part, but based on everything you've shared, it sounds like you have nothing to worry about. You were honest about your situation and you're being proactive about providing documentation. That's exactly what they want to see. This investigation will likely result in increased benefits for you and your kids once they verify the household change. Stay strong - you've got this!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this investigation stress - it's absolutely nerve-wracking when your family's benefits are on the line! Reading through all these responses, it sounds like you're already doing everything right by being honest and gathering documentation. One thing I wanted to add that helped me when I went through something similar - if you have any photos from when your ex was moving out (like boxes by the door, his stuff loaded in a truck, empty rooms afterward), those can be really powerful visual evidence of the timeline. I know it sounds weird to think about taking pictures during such a stressful time, but even casual photos from that period can help verify your story. Also, don't forget to document any changes in your household expenses after he left - things like lower grocery bills, reduced utility usage, or even just buying less toilet paper! These everyday details can actually be really convincing proof that you're telling the truth about the household change. From everything I'm reading here, it sounds like this investigation will likely work out in your favor and result in increased benefits once they verify it's just you and your kids. The fact that you're being so proactive and transparent shows you have nothing to hide. Keep staying organized and responding promptly - you've got this!

This entire thread is such a perfect example of why this community is so essential! I've been on CalWORKs for about two years now and I still learn new strategies from reading everyone's experiences. What strikes me most about Lena's situation is how it highlights the fundamental disconnect between what BenefitsCal promises (streamlined digital processing) and what it actually delivers (a fancy document upload system that still requires constant phone follow-ups). I've developed a similar tracking system to what Nathan and others described, but I also want to add one tip that's saved me multiple times: when you do get through to a worker and they confirm they're processing your documents, ask them for a "ticket number" or "case note reference" for that conversation. Many counties use internal tracking systems, and having that reference number can be incredibly helpful if you have to call back about the same issue. It shows that you already spoke to someone and helps the next worker locate the previous conversation in their system. Also, for anyone dealing with this kind of situation, remember that you can request expedited CalFresh processing if you're experiencing food insecurity due to county delays. Don't suffer in silence while waiting for them to fix their processing backlogs - advocate for yourself and ask about emergency assistance options. Thanks again to Lena for sharing this experience and updating us with the positive resolution. These real-world examples are invaluable for helping everyone navigate this complex system!

This thread is incredibly helpful! I'm about 4 months into CalWORKs and just realized I've been making the same mistake - trusting that "received" status on BenefitsCal means everything is being handled. I actually submitted some verification documents about 10 days ago and have just been waiting patiently, thinking they were processing them. After reading everyone's experiences, I'm calling tomorrow morning to check on the status. The tracking systems everyone has shared are amazing - taking screenshots, setting 5-day follow-up reminders, keeping notes of every conversation, and asking for ticket numbers. I'm going to implement all of these strategies going forward. It's honestly shocking that we need such elaborate systems just to ensure the county processes our paperwork, but clearly it's necessary. Lena, I'm so glad you got your CalFresh sorted out and that you'll receive the full month's benefits! Your experience (and everyone's advice) is going to save so many people from this same stressful situation. This community is truly invaluable for learning how the system actually works versus how it's supposed to work.