Update: I finally got this resolved today! After three more calls and asking to speak with a supervisor, they found the original Good Cause paperwork in my case file. The supervisor admitted they're having major issues with the child support cooperation flags in the new system. They're issuing me an emergency supplemental payment for the missing $523 that should be on my EBT card within 3 business days. If anyone else is dealing with this, definitely ask for a supervisor review and use the specific phrase "immediate need payment due to agency error" - that seemed to get things moving faster. Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions!

This is so frustrating but unfortunately not surprising. I went through something similar when my county switched systems last year - had an old overpayment from 2015 suddenly start getting deducted from my monthly grant without any warning. For anyone dealing with this, here's what I learned: Document EVERYTHING. Write down the date and time of every call, the name of whoever you speak with, and exactly what they tell you. Take screenshots of your benefit amounts and any online account information. Also, if you're having trouble getting through by phone, try going to your local office in person early in the morning. Sometimes face-to-face contact gets better results, especially for urgent payment issues. Bring all your paperwork with you. The system conversion has been a nightmare for so many families. It's really unfair that we have to deal with these agency errors affecting our ability to pay rent and buy groceries. Stay strong everyone and keep advocating for yourselves!

One more thing I forgot to mention - if you end up needing to apply for an exemption from cooperation (like if there's domestic violence involved), that process can take longer. But if you're just providing the information they need, it should be relatively quick to lift the penalty. Just make sure when you call that you get confirmation they've received everything they need. The LCSA and CalWORKs don't always communicate well with each other, so you might need to follow up with both offices to make sure the information gets where it needs to go.

Just checking back - were you able to get through to your worker? Did they give you any timeline for fixing this?

I'm new to CalWORKs too and just went through my interview last week. Reading through all these responses has been so educational! I didn't realize there were so many factors that could affect the grant amount. One thing I wanted to add that hasn't been mentioned yet - when I was at my interview, the worker gave me a paper that listed all the documents they still needed from me. She said if I didn't get everything in within 30 days, it could affect my benefit amount. Maybe check if there are any outstanding document requests that could be causing the reduction? Also, I noticed you mentioned having $1,200 in savings. I'm not sure if that affects the cash aid amount, but I know there are resource limits for CalWORKs. You might want to ask about that too when you call. Really hoping you get this figured out soon! The stress of not knowing if you're getting the right amount when you're already struggling financially is just awful. Keep us posted on what you find out - this thread is helping me understand the system better as a new recipient too.

I just want to add my support and say don't give up on getting this resolved! I'm also new to the CalWORKs system and it's been really overwhelming trying to understand everything. Reading through all the advice here has been incredibly helpful. One thing I learned from my own experience is to keep detailed records of everything - dates you called, who you spoke with, what they told you, case numbers, etc. It really helped when I had to follow up multiple times about an issue with my case. Also, if you do end up needing to escalate beyond your worker, each county has a CalWORKs program manager or supervisor who can review your case. Sometimes getting a fresh set of eyes on your file can catch errors that were missed initially. The fact that so many experienced members here think your amount seems low gives me confidence that you're right to question it. Trust your instincts and keep advocating for yourself and your family. The system is complicated but you have the right to receive the correct benefits. Wishing you the best of luck with your call tomorrow! Please do update us - your experience will definitely help other newcomers like me who are still figuring out how everything works.

I'm dealing with a very similar situation right now! Got approved for SDI back in August but still haven't seen a dime (the waiting is so frustrating). After reading through all these responses, I'm convinced I need to call my worker tomorrow and report the approval even though I'm still waiting on payments. What really stands out to me is how everyone who reported proactively had a smoother experience compared to those who waited for actual payments. The overpayment stories are honestly terrifying - I definitely don't want to deal with that headache later. One thing I'm curious about - for those of you who stayed on CalWORKs with $0 cash aid to keep other benefits, did you have to do anything special during your recertification process? I'm worried about accidentally getting dropped from the program entirely when my case comes up for renewal. Also, huge thanks to everyone sharing their experiences here. As someone new to navigating all these different benefit systems, this thread has been incredibly helpful in understanding how disability income actually affects CalWORKs. The community knowledge here is amazing!

I'm new to this community but going through the exact same situation! Got approved for SDI in September but still waiting on my first payment (going on 2 months now). Reading through everyone's experiences here, it's crystal clear that I need to call my CalWORKs worker ASAP to report the approval even before getting paid. What really convinced me was seeing how many people got burned by waiting vs. those who reported proactively. The overpayment stories are honestly scary - definitely don't want to deal with paying back thousands of dollars later! I'm also relieved to learn about keeping other benefits even if cash aid drops to $0. As a single mom, the childcare assistance is honestly more valuable to me than the cash amount anyway. And the tip about asking for disability exemptions from WTW requirements could be huge since my condition makes some activities really difficult. Thanks everyone for sharing your real experiences - this thread has been incredibly helpful for someone new to navigating these systems. Sometimes the official paperwork is so confusing but hearing from people who've actually been through it makes everything much clearer. Definitely calling my worker first thing tomorrow morning with my award letter ready!

I'm in a similar situation right now and this thread has been a lifesaver! I wanted to add something that helped me specifically with the document gathering - when you get your unemployment award letter, make sure it's the most recent one that shows your current benefit amount. I brought an old one from when I first applied and they needed the updated version showing my current weekly benefit. Also, if you're having trouble getting through to your county office by phone, try calling right when they open (usually 8 AM). I've found the wait times are much shorter first thing in the morning compared to later in the day. One thing I learned the hard way - take a photo of every single document you submit, including any forms they have you fill out at the office. When my case worker changed, some of my paperwork got misplaced and having photos on my phone saved me from having to start over. Good luck with your application! The fact that you're being proactive about this while you still have time before the eviction is really smart. That alone puts you ahead of many people who wait until they're already on the street.

I work at a local legal aid office and wanted to jump in with some urgent advice since you mentioned having less than 30 days. First, in California, landlords must give you a 3-day notice to pay or quit for nonpayment, then file an unlawful detainer lawsuit, which gives you additional time to respond. Don't panic if you get court papers - you have 5 days to file a response. Here's what you should do TODAY: 1. Call your landlord immediately and ask if they'll accept a payment plan while you're waiting for assistance. Many will work with you if you're proactive. 2. Apply for CalWORKs online AND visit the office same day as others suggested. 3. Contact your county's emergency rental assistance program - many still have funding. 4. File for the federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program if your county participates. For the CalWORKs application, when you mention "imminent homelessness," also mention you have minor children. This triggers additional protections and faster processing under federal McKinney-Vento Act requirements. Document everything with your landlord in writing (texts/emails count). California has strong tenant protections that can buy you time if you know how to use them. You're not powerless here - there are multiple safety nets designed exactly for your situation!