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This whole thread is so helpful! I've been on CalWORKs for about 4 months and I had the exact same confusion. Last week I desperately needed money for groceries and tried my card around 11:30 PM on my deposit day - nothing. Then I tried again at 12:05 AM and boom, there it was! I thought it was some kind of system glitch or that maybe I had gotten lucky. It's such a relief to know this is actually how it's supposed to work and that I don't need to worry about any overpayment issues. I really wish they would include this kind of practical information in the welcome packet or during the eligibility interview. Knowing that both CalWORKs and CalFresh follow the same midnight schedule is going to make budgeting and bill paying so much easier. Thanks for asking what we were all wondering!
I'm new here but this thread has been incredibly informative! I just got approved for CalWORKs last week and my first payment is supposed to come on the 22nd. I've been so anxious about when exactly it would be available because I have rent due that morning. Knowing that I can access it right at midnight is such a huge relief! It's really disappointing that they don't explain these basic details during the approval process. I spent hours on the phone trying to get through to someone at the county office just to ask about timing, and never got through. This community is already proving more helpful than the official channels. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences - it's making this whole process feel less overwhelming for someone just starting out with the system.
Ethan Moore
Welcome to everyone who's new to CalWORKs! This thread really highlights how much the system could improve in terms of basic communication. I've been receiving benefits for over a year and I still learn new things from this community regularly. One tip I'd add - if you're ever unsure about your specific deposit date or need to verify when your benefits will be available, you can check your balance and transaction history 24/7 by calling the EBT customer service line on the back of your Golden State Advantage card, or by creating an account on the ebtEDGE mobile app. Both are much faster than trying to reach your county worker directly. Also, keep in mind that while the midnight availability is standard, it's always smart to have a small buffer when possible since occasionally there can be system maintenance or technical delays that might push availability to early morning hours instead.
This is such great advice! I'm brand new to CalWORKs (just approved yesterday actually) and already feeling overwhelmed by all the things they don't tell you upfront. I downloaded the ebtEDGE app right after reading your comment - had no idea that even existed! It's crazy how much practical information is missing from the official process. Reading through everyone's experiences here has taught me more about how the system actually works day-to-day than all the paperwork I received. I'm definitely going to bookmark this thread and keep checking this community for tips. It's so reassuring to know there are people willing to share their knowledge and help newcomers navigate this system. Thank you for the app recommendation and the reminder about potential delays - better to be prepared than caught off guard!
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Just wanted to update everyone - I was finally able to report my job change! I couldn't get the BenefitsCal site to work (kept getting errors), so I used that Claimyr service someone mentioned and got through to a worker in about 15 minutes. The worker took all my info over the phone and emailed me a Statement of Employment form for my boss to fill out. She said my cash aid will probably decrease next month but not by as much as I thought, and she's sending me childcare paperwork for my increased hours. Thanks everyone for all your help!!
Jayden Reed
•That's great news! Glad you got it sorted out. Smart move to get the childcare paperwork too - that benefit can be worth more than the cash aid for many families. Don't forget to complete your next SAR7 on time too!
Adriana Cohn
Congrats on getting it resolved, Grace! Your experience really shows how important it is to be persistent when dealing with these systems. For anyone else reading this thread, I'd also recommend keeping copies of everything you submit - take photos of forms before you send them, save confirmation numbers, and keep notes with dates of who you talked to and what they said. One more tip: if your income continues to fluctuate (like if you get overtime or your hours vary), ask your worker about quarterly reporting instead of semi-annual. Some counties allow this for people with unstable income, and it can help prevent overpayments down the road. It's more paperwork but can save you headaches later! Hope the childcare subsidy works out well for you - that extra support can really make a difference when you're transitioning to higher income!
Dananyl Lear
•This is such valuable advice, thank you Adriana! I never thought about quarterly reporting as an option. My hours do vary quite a bit depending on the season at my job, so that might be something worth looking into. And yes, definitely keeping copies of everything now - learned that lesson from reading about other people's overpayment issues! The childcare subsidy application process seems a bit overwhelming but I'm hoping it'll be worth it. Thanks to everyone in this thread for being so helpful to a newcomer like me!
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Update: I successfully submitted my SAR 7 online through BenefitsCal! It was actually pretty easy once I got logged in. The system walked me through each section and I was able to upload photos of my paystubs directly from my phone. The whole thing took about 30 minutes. Thanks everyone for your help! I'll definitely be doing this online from now on instead of going to the office.
That's great news! Just remember to check your Message Center in a few days to make sure there are no issues. And set a calendar reminder for your next SAR 7 in November (since May + 6 months = November).
Just wanted to add - if you're having trouble with the mobile version of BenefitsCal, try using a desktop computer instead. I had issues uploading documents on my phone but it worked perfectly on my laptop. Also, make sure your browser allows pop-ups because the confirmation page sometimes opens in a new window. And if you're still getting paper SAR 7 forms in the mail after doing it online, that's normal - they keep sending them until you complete a few online submissions successfully. The system takes time to "learn" your preference.
Thanks for the tip about using desktop vs mobile! I was wondering about still getting the paper forms - good to know that's normal. Quick question though - when you say the system "learns" your preference, does that mean I won't get paper forms anymore after a few online submissions? Or will they always send both? I'm trying to go paperless as much as possible to reduce clutter.
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I had a similar transfer experience from LA to Orange County about 6 months ago. The "deregistered" status from WTW is actually normal during transfers - it means LA has closed their portion while Riverside picks up your case. Here's what I learned: Go to Riverside DPSS immediately with your case number, recent CalWORKs notices, and proof of address. Ask specifically for the "ICT unit" (Inter-County Transfer). They should be able to see your LA case history in their system even if it shows as closed. For WTW, bring documentation of your certification program - Riverside honored my training hours and let me continue the same program through a local provider. The key is getting there before your next payment cycle starts. Also, call the CalWORKs customer service line at 1-877-847-3663 to document that you're proactively addressing the transfer - this creates a paper trail that can help if there are any delays. Most transfers complete within 10 business days if you stay on top of it.
This is really helpful information! I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - just moved from LA to Riverside and saw the "deregistered" status too. It's good to know that's normal during transfers. Quick question - when you called that customer service number, were you able to actually get through to someone? I've tried calling CalWORKs customer service before and the wait times were insane. Also, did you have any issues with your EBT card still working during the transfer period? I'm worried about grocery money for my kids while this gets sorted out.
I just went through this exact situation 3 months ago moving from LA to Riverside with my 3 kids! The "deregistered" WTW status is scary but normal during transfers. Here's what saved me: I went to the Corona DPSS office (since you mentioned you're near Corona) at 7:30 AM before they opened and was first in line. Brought copies of EVERYTHING - old case paperwork, new lease, kids' school enrollment, ID, birth certificates. Asked specifically for the ICT (Inter-County Transfer) unit and they had my case transferred same day. For your certification program, Riverside has partnerships with many LA providers so there's a good chance you can continue. Bring your enrollment papers and progress reports. My cash aid continued without interruption because I acted fast. One tip: download the BenefitsCal app if you haven't already - it helped me track my case status during the transfer. Don't wait for them to contact you, go tomorrow morning! Also keep calling LA County to make sure they've properly closed your case on their end.
Mateo Martinez
This has been such an informative discussion! I've been on CalWORKs for about 4 months now and had no idea about any of this travel stuff. My mom lives in New Mexico and I've been wanting to visit her but was scared my benefits would get messed up somehow. Reading through everyone's experiences - especially the confirmation that cards work nationwide and the 30-day rule - makes me feel so much more confident about planning a trip. The ATM fee advice is really smart too, I definitely would have just used whatever machine was closest without thinking about the extra charges. It's crazy how much practical stuff like this isn't explained when you first get benefits. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories, and @Nathaniel Stewart I'm really glad everything worked out for you and hope your mom is feeling better!
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Jason Brewer
•This whole conversation has been such a lifesaver! I just got approved for CalWORKs last week and I'm still figuring out all the ins and outs. My cousin lives in Oregon (funny coincidence!) and I was already stressing about whether I'd be able to visit her for her wedding next month. Seeing @Nathaniel Stewart s'actual experience there and everyone else s'helpful advice makes me feel so much better about the whole thing. The bank ATM tip is definitely something I ll'remember - every dollar counts when you re'on benefits! It s'really nice to see a community where people actually come back to share how things turned out instead of just disappearing after getting help.
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CyberNinja
This thread has been incredibly helpful! I've been on CalWORKs for about 2 months and my sister just had a baby in Utah. I was worried about traveling there to meet my new nephew because I wasn't sure how the EBT system worked out of state. Reading everyone's experiences here - especially @Nathaniel Stewart's detailed update about Oregon working perfectly - gives me so much peace of mind. The tip about using bank ATMs instead of convenience store ones is really valuable too, since those fees can definitely add up when you're already on a tight budget. It's frustrating that this kind of practical information isn't covered during the application process, but I'm so grateful for communities like this where people share real experiences. Thanks everyone for being so helpful, and @Nathaniel Stewart I hope your mom is doing much better now!
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