I'm so sorry you're going through this - the system really is broken when it comes to phone interviews! I had a similar experience last year where they scheduled me THREE times and never called. Here's what finally got me through: 1. Turn off ALL call blocking features temporarily - including "Silence Unknown Callers" on iPhone or similar Android features 2. Contact your cell carrier and ask them to disable spam protection for a few days around your interview 3. Make sure you have strong cell signal where you'll be waiting - I discovered my apartment had poor reception in certain rooms 4. Try the "supervisor trick" others mentioned - call the main county number and ask for the CalWORKs supervisor on duty What really helped me was sending a message through BenefitsCal explaining the missed interviews and requesting they call from a regular county number (not blocked/restricted). Some workers are willing to do this if you explain the technical issues. Also, if you do end up going in person, try to go on a Tuesday or Wednesday morning - Mondays and Fridays are usually the busiest days. And yes, bring snacks and activities for your little one because the wait can be brutal. Don't give up! Your benefits are important and you shouldn't have to jump through hoops just because their phone system doesn't work properly. Keep documenting everything in case you need to file a complaint later.

I've been having the exact same issue with missed phone interviews! What finally worked for me was calling the county's main number early in the morning (around 7:45 AM before they get busy) and asking to speak with a CalWORKs eligibility supervisor about scheduling issues. When I explained that I had two missed interviews and my benefits were at risk, the supervisor was able to see in their system that the calls were never actually made from their end - apparently there had been some kind of technical issue with their phone system that week. She scheduled me for an in-person interview the next day and made a note in my file about the phone system problems so it wouldn't count against me. The whole thing was resolved within 48 hours once I got to the right person. Also, I noticed you mentioned your worker doesn't respond to emails - you might want to ask for a new worker if possible. Some counties allow you to request a transfer if there are ongoing communication issues. Document all your attempts to contact them because that can help your case. Good luck! Don't let them make you feel like this is your fault when their system clearly isn't working properly.

I work as a benefits eligibility worker and can confirm that this is becoming more common with the integrated application system. When you apply for CalFresh, we're required to screen for all potential benefits including CalWORKs, and if you meet the eligibility criteria, we can approve you for both programs during the same process. The $134 is likely your monthly CalWORKs grant amount based on your family size and income. You should have received (or will receive) a Notice of Action letter explaining this approval - check your mail carefully as these sometimes get mixed in with other documents. Before using the cash benefits, I'd still recommend calling to confirm, but if you were auto-enrolled during your CalFresh interview, the money is legitimately yours. Just remember that accepting CalWORKs comes with additional requirements like Welfare to Work participation (though your part-time job likely counts toward this) and different reporting rules than CalFresh alone. The good news is this means you're getting all the support you're entitled to for your family!

This happened to me too about 6 months ago! I was so confused when cash benefits suddenly appeared on my EBT card after only applying for CalFresh. Turns out during my phone interview, the worker did screen me for CalWORKs but didn't really explain that they were approving me for both programs at the same time. I was terrified to use the money at first because I thought it was an error, but after calling (which took forever to get through), they confirmed it was legitimate. The worker explained that they automatically enroll eligible families now instead of making you apply separately for each program. One thing I wish someone had told me earlier - make sure you understand the WTW requirements if this turns out to be real CalWORKs benefits. The rules are definitely more complex than just CalFresh, but it sounds like your part-time job should help with the work participation hours. Definitely call to confirm before spending it though! Better to be safe and know exactly what's going on with your benefits.

Update: I finally got through on the phone today after using that Claimyr service someone mentioned. My worker confirmed the system is down until Monday morning. She said I can email my documents directly to her as an alternative (didn't even know that was possible!). For anyone else panicking about deadlines, definitely try to reach your worker directly instead of relying on the app right now.

I've been dealing with the same issue all week! What's really frustrating is that they don't send any notifications about these maintenance windows. I found out from a neighbor that if you have a smartphone, you can sometimes access the mobile version of the BenefitsCal website directly through your browser instead of the app - it might work even when the app is down. Also, if anyone needs to submit documents urgently, most county offices have drop boxes outside where you can leave sealed envelopes with your case number clearly marked. Just make sure to keep copies of everything you submit!

What an incredible resource this thread has become! As a newcomer to both this community and the CalWORKs system, I'm blown away by the level of detailed, practical advice shared here. @Chloe Martin, your transformation from initial frustration to systematic documentation and ultimate success is truly inspiring. Your approach of calculating exact percentages and using specific "good cause" language demonstrates how important it is to speak the system's language rather than just explaining your situation emotionally. The fact that you documented everything - gas prices, repair estimates, commute times, job applications - created an undeniable paper trail. For someone like me who's just beginning to understand how complex these requirements can be, this thread is pure gold. The collective wisdom about keeping copies, using precise terminology, and providing quantifiable evidence rather than subjective explanations could save newcomers months of back-and-forth with caseworkers. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences and creating such a supportive environment for people navigating these challenging systems. This is exactly the kind of community resource that makes a real difference in people's lives!

What an amazing success story and such valuable documentation for anyone facing similar challenges! @Chloe Martin, your systematic approach really shows how important it is to present evidence in terms the system can understand and verify. That 42% calculation was brilliant - turning what could be seen as a subjective complaint into undeniable mathematical proof. As someone new to this community, I'm incredibly grateful for threads like this that break down the actual process step-by-step. The advice about using specific "good cause" language, keeping detailed records, and calculating costs as percentages of income transforms what feels like an overwhelming bureaucratic maze into a manageable checklist. Your willingness to share not just your success but the exact documentation that led to approval is so generous and will undoubtedly help countless others who find themselves in similar situations. Thank you for turning your frustrating experience into a roadmap for the rest of us!

I'm really sorry to hear about your dad's situation - this is unfortunately such a common problem that many families face during the annual Social Security COLA adjustments. Reading through all these responses, it's clear that what happened to your dad is part of a systemic issue where the "cost of living increase" actually leaves people worse off financially. From everything shared here, it sounds like you have a solid plan of action: getting that Action Letter, requesting the benefit calculation breakdown, and looking into whether medical expenses are being properly deducted. The suggestion about finding a senior advocate through your Area Agency on Aging seems especially valuable - having someone who knows the system advocate for your dad could make all the difference. It's also worth noting that while this reduction might be "correct" according to their formulas, it doesn't make it any less frustrating or unfair. The fact that seniors end up with less total income after a supposed cost-of-living increase really highlights how broken these systems can be. Hang in there and don't give up - it sounds like you're being a great advocate for your dad, and hopefully you can get some clarity and maybe even find additional programs he's eligible for that could help offset this loss.

I'm new to this community but dealing with a similar situation with my elderly neighbor who asked me to help figure out what happened to her benefits. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly educational - I had no idea how the Social Security COLA adjustments could actually leave people worse off financially. What strikes me most is how many people are experiencing the exact same issue but struggling to get clear answers from the county systems. The phone system sounds absolutely broken, and it's concerning that so many elderly folks are left confused and frustrated trying to understand changes to their only source of income. The advice here about requesting Action Letters, getting benefit calculation breakdowns, and connecting with senior advocacy organizations through the Area Agency on Aging seems really solid. I'm definitely going to help my neighbor pursue these options. It's also eye-opening to learn about programs like LIHEAP and the Medicare Savings Program that might provide additional support. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and practical advice - this thread should honestly be bookmarked as a resource for anyone dealing with these benefit calculation issues. The community support here is amazing!