This is really scary when you're depending on that payment! I'm having the same issue - my payment is supposed to deposit tomorrow (the 1st) and there's absolutely nothing showing as pending in my bank account or BenefitsCal. I submitted my SAR7 early and got confirmation it was processed. What's making me even more anxious is that I have utilities due on the 3rd and was counting on this payment. From reading everyone's responses here, it sounds like this might be a widespread system delay rather than individual account problems, which is somewhat reassuring but still doesn't help with the immediate stress of bills coming due. I'm going to try calling my caseworker directly first thing tomorrow morning if the payment doesn't show up. Has anyone tried checking their EBT balance to see if that updated even if the cash aid didn't?

I'm going through the exact same thing! My payment is supposed to deposit tomorrow and there's nothing showing as pending anywhere. I've been checking my bank app obsessively since yesterday thinking maybe I missed it. What's really getting to me is that my car payment is due on the 4th and I literally have $12 in my account right now. I tried calling the customer service line around noon and sat on hold for 45 minutes before it just disconnected me. Reading through all these comments is actually making me feel a bit better knowing it's not just my account - sounds like there's definitely some kind of system issue happening. I'm going to try that Claimyr thing if my payment doesn't show up by tomorrow afternoon. This whole situation is just so stressful when you're living paycheck to paycheck and have zero buffer money.

I've been using CalWORKs direct deposit for about 18 months now and it's honestly been a lifesaver! I was in the exact same situation as you - checks getting delivered to the wrong address, arriving late, etc. The direct deposit has been incredibly reliable. My payment shows up in my account at the same time every month, usually around 3am on payment day. A few things that helped me during setup: I submitted my CA 183 form about 3 weeks before my next payment date to give plenty of processing time. Also, I made sure to keep a copy of everything for my records (the completed form, my voided check, and later the confirmation letter). The county can be slow to process paperwork sometimes, but once it's in the system it works like clockwork. One thing to be aware of - if you ever need to update your banking information, submit the new form as early as possible. Any changes take time to process and you don't want to be stuck waiting for a paper check if there are delays. Overall though, I'd definitely recommend making the switch. The peace of mind is worth it!

I just wanted to add my perspective as someone who works at a bank - we see CalWORKs direct deposits come through all the time and they're generally very reliable once set up. A couple of banking tips that might help: First, make sure your account is in good standing before switching (no negative balances, overdraft fees paid off, etc.) because any existing fees could eat into your payment. Second, if you're with a smaller community bank or credit union, they often process government payments faster than big national banks. And finally, keep your account active with small transactions even if you don't use it much - some banks will freeze inactive accounts which could cause your direct deposit to bounce back. The CA 183 form is pretty straightforward, and most bank tellers can help you figure out what info you need if you're not sure about routing numbers or account numbers. Good luck with the switch!

Just wanted to add my experience - I successfully set up direct deposit about 6 months ago and it's been working great! A few tips that helped me: 1. When filling out form CW 2208, use black ink and write very clearly - I've heard messy handwriting is a common reason for rejection 2. Double-check your routing and account numbers against your bank's website, not just your checks (sometimes printed checks have errors) 3. If you submit through BenefitsCal, take screenshots of the upload confirmation page in case you need proof later 4. Keep using your EBT card for a few cycles after submitting - don't assume it worked until you see the money in your bank account The whole process took about 3 weeks for me from submission to first direct deposit. Way better than dealing with the EBT card for cash! Good luck getting yours set up.

I went through this exact same process last month and wanted to share what worked for me! After reading all the comments here, I downloaded form CW 2208 from my county's website (didn't even need to call). The key things that made my submission successful: - Used the BenefitsCal upload method mentioned by @Angelica Smith - so much faster than mailing - Got a bank verification letter instead of using a voided check (my bank gave me this for free) - Made sure to sign and date EVERYTHING on the form - Uploaded a crystal clear scan, not a blurry phone photo The whole thing took about 10 days to process and I got a confirmation message through BenefitsCal when it was approved. Now my Cash Aid goes straight to my checking account on the same day it would have hit my EBT card. Still keep the EBT card though since CalFresh benefits stay on there like others mentioned. Hope this helps someone avoid the phone wait times!

Congratulations on taking the job! That's such great news. I went through something similar about 6 months ago when I started working part-time. One thing that really helped me was keeping detailed records of all my paystubs and any communication with my worker about how they calculated my benefits. It made the monthly reporting so much easier. Also, if you haven't already, ask your worker about any work-related expense deductions you might be eligible for - things like uniforms, transportation costs, or even childcare expenses above what they cover. Every little bit helps when you're transitioning to work while still on benefits. Hope the new job goes well for you and your daughter! It sounds like you did your research and made a smart decision.

That's awesome that you took the job! I'm so glad it worked out. For anyone else reading this who might be in a similar situation, I want to add that it's also worth asking your worker about the CalWORKs WTW (Welfare-to-Work) program if you haven't already. They can sometimes provide additional support like help with work clothes, tools, or even gas cards for transportation to work. Also, don't be discouraged if your first few benefit calculations seem confusing or if there are delays in processing your income changes. The system can be slow to adjust, but as long as you report everything on time with your SAR forms, they'll make any necessary corrections and backdate them. One more thing - if you ever get a raise or your hours increase, don't panic about losing benefits immediately. The income disregards mean you can actually earn quite a bit more before you completely phase out of assistance. Good luck with your new job!

I'm so glad I found this thread! I just submitted my SAR7 yesterday and was already starting to worry when I saw it still shows "pending review" this morning. Reading everyone's experiences really helps calm my nerves - especially knowing that 5-10 business days is totally normal and that benefits continue as long as we met the deadline. @cc288379ec13 thanks for sharing your whole journey from worry to resolution, and @dac71e00e811 that specific question about whether it was "received and considered complete" is so helpful. I'm bookmarking this thread in case I need to call later. It's amazing how much clearer things become when you hear from people who've actually been through the process instead of trying to decode the official websites!

Reading through this entire thread has been incredibly educational! As someone who's been on CalWORKs for about 6 months now, I've submitted 3 SAR7s and each time I still get that same anxiety while waiting for processing. What I've learned is that the "pending review" status can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks, but as long as you submitted before the deadline, you're protected. One tip I'd add: if you're really stressed about it, you can also check if your county has online chat support through their website - some counties offer this and it's sometimes faster than calling. Also, keep records of EVERYTHING - confirmation numbers, screenshots, dates you called, who you spoke with. I started doing this after my second SAR7 and it's saved me so much stress. @cc288379ec13 I'm really glad you got confirmation that everything was received! It's such a relief when you can actually talk to someone and get real answers.