Hey Connor! Just wanted to chime in as someone who's been on CalWORKs for a while now. I think what might be happening is people are mixing up different programs or maybe hearing about county-specific pilot programs that don't apply everywhere. I've learned the hard way to always double-check any rumors about extra money - last year I heard about some "emergency payment" that turned out to be only for people affected by wildfires in specific counties. One thing that might help with your budget planning though - have you looked into the local food banks and WIC if your kids qualify? I know it's not cash, but it can free up some of your grocery budget for other necessities like those school supplies and winter clothes you mentioned. Also, some school districts have programs that help with supplies and clothing - worth asking at your kids' schools. Good luck with getting the real info from your county office!

I'm new to this community but I've been on CalWORKs for about 8 months now with my 3-year-old daughter. Reading through all these responses has been really eye-opening! I had no idea about some of these additional benefits like the diaper allowance - definitely going to ask about that at my next appointment. It's frustrating how much confusing information gets passed around, but I really appreciate everyone taking the time to clarify things. I've been struggling to reach my caseworker too (the phone system is awful), so I'm going to check out that Claimyr service someone mentioned. Connor, I hope your visit to the county office goes well! Let us know what you find out about the childcare assistance - I'm working part-time too and childcare costs are eating up most of my paycheck. Thanks to everyone for being so helpful and sharing real information instead of just rumors.

I'm also pretty new to the program and this thread has been super educational! One thing I wanted to add - if you're ever unsure whether it's maintenance or a real issue with your card, you can also try using your EBT card at a grocery store to test if it's working. Sometimes ATMs have issues but the card still works for purchases. Also learned from my caseworker that if you're having persistent issues with your card (like it gets demagnetized or damaged), most county offices can issue emergency replacement cards same-day if you go in person. Really glad everyone got their access back though!

Just want to add for anyone reading this later - if you're working night shifts like me and need access to your benefits during these late hours, consider keeping a small emergency cash buffer if possible. I know that's easier said than done on a tight budget, but even $20-30 set aside can cover things like gas or urgent expenses when the system goes down unexpectedly. Also, many 24-hour stores like some Walmarts and grocery chains allow cashback with EBT purchases, so you can sometimes get cash that way even when ATMs are down for maintenance. The produce section is usually your cheapest option - grab some bananas or apples and get cashback. Hope this helps other night shift workers avoid the panic I felt tonight!

Marcus, I'm sending you and your daughter so much support right now. Being homeless with a child is incredibly difficult, and dealing with confusing government systems on top of that is exhausting. I wanted to mention something that might help - many counties have walk-in advocacy services or legal aid organizations that can go with you to your CalWORKs appointment or help you navigate the appeals process. Look up "[your county name] legal aid society" or "homeless services coalition" - they often have advocates who know exactly which questions to ask and can make sure the workers follow proper procedures. Also, while you're gathering all this great advice for tomorrow's visit, don't forget to take care of yourself and your daughter's immediate needs. Some local churches, community centers, or food banks might be able to provide emergency assistance while you're getting the CalWORKs situation sorted out. You're being such a strong advocate for your family, and it's clear how much you love your daughter. The system is broken in so many ways, but you're doing everything right by not giving up and seeking help. Tomorrow is going to go better - you're going in prepared this time with all the right questions to ask.

Maria, I'm so glad you found the legal aid resources! Having an advocate with you can really change the whole dynamic of these appointments. They know exactly what questions to ask and won't let the workers brush you off or deny services you're entitled to. One more thing I wanted to add - if the legal aid office can't send someone with you immediately, ask them for a "know your rights" sheet or checklist specific to CalWORKs homeless assistance. Sometimes just having that paperwork in your hand shows the county workers that you're informed about your rights and they tend to be more thorough in their explanations. Also, when you're at the food pantry tomorrow morning, ask if they have any social workers or case managers on site. Many food pantries now have staff who can help connect people to housing resources and benefits. They might know about local programs that the county office doesn't always mention. You're doing an amazing job advocating for your daughter under incredibly difficult circumstances. The fact that you've taken all this advice, done your research, and are going in tomorrow with a plan shows what a strong parent you are. I have a really good feeling that tomorrow is going to be different - you're prepared now and you know what to ask for. Keep us posted on how it goes!

Just wanted to add that you should also keep track of the dates and times of all your interactions with the investigator. Write down what they asked, what you told them, and any deadlines they gave you. If this drags on or if they make any decisions you disagree with, having a detailed timeline will be super helpful if you need to file an appeal or fair hearing request. Also, don't let them pressure you into admitting to anything you didn't do. Using your EBT card for legitimate grocery shopping while caring for your kids is exactly what the program is for. You're working AND taking care of your children - that's what CalWORKs is supposed to support. Stay strong and don't let them intimidate you into thinking you did something wrong when you clearly didn't.

I went through almost the exact same thing last year! The investigator made me feel like a criminal just for grocery shopping near my mom's house where I drop off my daughter for babysitting. It's so frustrating because you're literally doing everything right - working, arranging childcare, using your benefits for food - but they make you feel guilty about it. The investigation took about 6 weeks for me, but they cleared me completely once I provided documentation showing my living situation and childcare arrangement. Like others said, gather everything you can: lease agreement, utility bills, your work schedule, and definitely get something in writing from your sister about the childcare. One thing that really helped me was creating a simple calendar showing my work days and when I needed to use my sister's childcare, then matching it to my EBT usage dates. It clearly showed the pattern and proved I wasn't living somewhere else. Don't let them make you feel bad for being a responsible parent who's trying to work and take care of your kids. You're doing nothing wrong!

Just wanted to add that if you're having trouble reaching your county office during the transition, you can also visit in person if possible. I know it's not convenient, but when my county switched last fall, the phone lines were completely overwhelmed for about 2 weeks. Walking into the office was actually faster than trying to call. Also, if you have kids getting school meals through the National School Lunch Program, make sure your school knows about any temporary benefit disruptions during the switch - sometimes there can be a day or two delay in the data sync between systems, and you don't want your kids to lose their free lunch eligibility even briefly. One more tip: Screenshot your current benefit amount and payment schedule from CalWIN before the switch. I've heard of a few cases where benefit amounts got miscalculated during the data transfer, and having that proof made it much easier to get it corrected quickly.

I went through this transition about 6 months ago and wanted to share a few things that might help. First, don't panic - your benefits won't just disappear overnight. The counties are required to give at least 30 days notice before the switch. Here's what I wish someone had told me: 1. Your case worker should give you a specific date when CalWIN will stop working for your county 2. You can actually create your BenefitsCal account early (even before the official switch) to get familiar with it 3. Your case number might change slightly - mine went from starting with "04" to starting with "C4" but all my history was still there The BenefitsCal system is honestly much better once you get used to it. You can upload documents right from your phone, and it shows your benefit history going back years. The mobile app actually works properly unlike the old CalWIN mobile site that never loaded right. One warning though - during the first few weeks after your county switches, expect the customer service lines to be extra busy. Everyone's calling with questions about the new system. If you can, try to get any urgent business handled before the switch happens. Good luck with your redetermination! The transition might seem scary but once it's done, the new system is actually easier to use.