I had my phone recertification about 3 weeks ago and it took roughly 45 minutes. A few things that really helped me prepare: 1. I called right at 8 AM when they opened - only waited about 15 minutes to get through 2. Had all my documents spread out on my kitchen table so I could grab anything quickly 3. Made sure my phone was fully charged and used a landline as backup 4. Kept a pen and paper handy to write down any important info or reference numbers They asked me pretty much everything that was on the SAWS 2, but also some additional questions about my living situation and whether anyone else contributes to household expenses. One thing that caught me off guard was they wanted to know about any cash I had on hand that day - apparently that counts toward your asset limit. My case was approved the same day and my EBT card was loaded within 3 business days. The worker was actually really nice and explained everything clearly. Just make sure you speak up if you can't hear them well - the phone quality isn't always great. You got this!

I just went through my phone recertification in February and wanted to share a few things that really helped me be prepared. The whole process took about 50 minutes, but that included some time where my worker had to look up something in my file. Here's what I'd recommend having ready: - Last 30 days of pay stubs (they asked for specific dates and amounts) - Current rent receipt or lease agreement - Utility bills from the last month - Childcare provider information and receipts if applicable - Any medical insurance cards or documentation - Your Social Security cards for you and your kids - School enrollment verification for your children One thing that really surprised me was they asked detailed questions about my transportation to work - like how I get there, how much I spend on gas or bus fare, etc. They also wanted to know if I had any savings goals or plans to change jobs in the next 6 months. The worker told me that since my case was straightforward like yours (same job, same housing, same family size), the interview would likely be on the shorter side. She also mentioned that they're required to go through every section of the SAWS 2 even if nothing changed, but it goes much faster when people have their documents organized. My advice is to treat it like you're gathering documents for taxes - be thorough and have everything in one place. Good luck!

I'm new to this community but wanted to share my experience since I went through something similar last year. I applied for CalWORKs and my ex-husband decided he wanted to start paying child support regularly right after I got approved (he had been very inconsistent before). I was terrified about fraud accusations too, but when I called my worker and explained the situation, she was actually really understanding. She said changes in circumstances happen all the time and the important thing is reporting them promptly. I ended up keeping the benefits and just reported his support as income, which reduced my cash aid but I still qualified for some assistance. The key thing that helped me was being completely transparent about the timeline - I told them exactly when the conversation happened and that it was after my approval. Having that documentation really put my mind at ease. Whatever you decide to do (cancel or keep with reported income), just make sure you document everything and be upfront about the timing. You're clearly acting in good faith here, which is what matters most. Good luck!

I'm also new here but wanted to add my perspective as someone who works in social services (not CalWORKs specifically, but similar programs). What you're describing is absolutely NOT fraud - fraud requires intentional deception, and you clearly told the truth during your interview based on what you knew at that time. Changes in family support are incredibly common right after someone applies for benefits. Sometimes it's because family members didn't realize how much the person was struggling, sometimes it's because they have mixed feelings about government assistance. Your caseworker has probably seen this exact scenario dozens of times. A few practical tips from what I've observed: - Document the conversation with your husband (date, time, what was discussed) - If you decide to keep benefits, report the new income within 10 days as required - Be prepared to provide details about the amount and frequency of his support - Keep records of any actual financial help he provides You have two perfectly valid options: cancel the benefits or keep them and report the income change. Either way, you're following the rules. Don't let anxiety make this decision for you - think about what makes the most sense for your family's long-term stability.

UPDATE: I finally got through! For anyone else with this problem - my worker said there was a system glitch during SAR7 processing that affected several diaper allowances. She fixed it and I'll get both February and March's diaper money with my April payment. She apologized for not answering my calls - apparently they're super understaffed right now.

So glad you got it resolved! This is exactly why I always tell people to keep calling even when it seems hopeless. The SAR7 system glitches are becoming way too common - I've heard this same story from at least 5 other parents in my area. It's frustrating that we have to chase them down for benefits we're legally entitled to, but at least you're getting the back pay. Thanks for updating us with the resolution!

I've been dealing with CalWORKs for about a year now and I just want to say how grateful I am for communities like this where we can actually get real, practical help from each other. The official channels are so hard to navigate and half the time the county workers don't even seem to know about policy changes themselves. Reading through everyone's responses here taught me more about how the EBT system actually works than anything I ever got from my caseworker. It's really sad that we have to crowdsource basic information about our own benefits, but at least we have each other. For anyone new to CalWORKs reading this - bookmark this thread! The tips about timing, ATM locations, daily limits, and emergency options are gold. And definitely consider setting up those text alerts someone mentioned - I'm going to do that right now.

This whole thread is exactly why I love this community! I've been on CalWORKs for about 3 years and I'm still learning new things from everyone's experiences. The 24-hour hold thing really caught me off guard when it first started - I remember panicking just like you did thinking my benefits were lost or something was wrong with my account. One thing I'd add is that if you use the EBT Edge mobile app, you can set up push notifications that will tell you not just when your benefits are deposited, but also when they're available for withdrawal. It's been a game changer for me because I used to waste time going to ATMs only to find out the money wasn't accessible yet. Also, for anyone dealing with landlords about rent timing - I've found that showing them this kind of documentation about EBT holds actually helps. Most landlords don't understand how the system works, so when you can explain there's an official 24-hour security hold, they're usually more understanding than if you just say "my benefits aren't working." Knowledge is power! So glad you got your rent money sorted out in time! The stress of not being able to access your own money is unreal.

Just want to add something important that I learned the hard way - if you're approved for CalWORKs, make sure you understand the difference between your "cash aid" and your "food stamps" on the same EBT card. I accidentally used my food stamp balance thinking it was cash and got so confused when I couldn't withdraw money at the ATM! The food portion (CalFresh) can ONLY be used for eligible food items, while the cash portion (CalWORKs) works like a debit card for anything. It shows as two separate balances when you check your card. Also, some stores will ask if you want to use "EBT Cash" or "EBT Food" when you swipe - now I know what that means! Sounds obvious but it wasn't to me at first.

As someone who just went through this process a few months ago, I want to emphasize something really important that hasn't been mentioned yet - when you get approved for CalWORKs, they'll assign you to something called a "Welfare-to-Work" (WTW) program. Since you're a student, your school attendance can usually count toward your WTW hours, BUT you need to make sure your eligibility worker understands this from the beginning. I made the mistake of not clarifying this upfront and almost got sanctioned because my worker didn't realize my college classes counted as my work activity. Also, keep detailed records of everything - every form you submit, every conversation you have with your worker, and especially your school attendance. The system can be really unforgiving if there are any gaps in documentation. One more tip: if you ever have issues with your case, don't hesitate to ask to speak with a supervisor. Sometimes the frontline workers aren't fully familiar with student cases, but supervisors usually have more experience with these situations. You've got this!