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I'm so sorry this happened to you! This is exactly why I'm nervous about using my benefits online. Just wanted to add that when you're dealing with Walmart, make sure to ask for the "proof of delivery" document - not just them telling you it was delivered. They should be able to provide GPS coordinates, a photo of where it was left, and the signature if someone actually signed. If they can't provide these things, that's evidence that their delivery process failed. Also, keep calling back and getting different customer service reps - sometimes you get someone who's more willing to help. Don't let them brush you off! You paid for those items and deserve to get them or your money back.
This is really good advice about asking for the actual proof of delivery documents! I didn't think to ask for GPS coordinates and photos. I've been calling Walmart back every day and you're right - different reps give totally different answers. One person today actually seemed more helpful and said they're "escalating" my case to their delivery team. Fingers crossed! Thanks for the encouragement, I was starting to feel like I should just give up.
I'm going through something similar right now with an Amazon delivery that never showed up! Reading through all these responses is super helpful. I wanted to add that if you have a smartphone, you might want to download an app like "Timestamp Camera" or similar - I started taking photos with timestamps of my front door/mailbox area right after I place orders, just in case this happens again. That way I have proof that nothing was delivered at the time they claim it was. Also, some credit unions and community organizations offer free legal clinics that might be able to help you write more formal complaint letters to Walmart if the regular customer service keeps giving you the runaround. Don't give up - you deserve to get your money back!
That's such a smart idea about the timestamp camera app! I never would have thought of that but it makes total sense to have proof of what your delivery area looks like before and after. I'm definitely downloading one of those apps right now. And thanks for mentioning the legal clinics - I didn't know those existed. I might look into that if Walmart keeps giving me the runaround. It's really encouraging to know other people are going through this too and fighting back. We shouldn't have to just accept losing our benefits because of delivery companies being sketchy!
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Just to follow up on this thread - address changes must be reported within 10 days, but they are not tied to your Semi-Annual Report (SAR7) timeline. The SAR7 is primarily for reporting income changes and household composition. For county transfers with CalWORKs: 1. Report your move to both counties (old and new) 2. Your case will be transferred to the new county 3. Benefits should continue uninterrupted if done correctly 4. The new county becomes responsible for your case management The BenefitsCal portal sometimes takes time to fully update after a county transfer, which is likely why you're seeing your regular benefit amount still displayed. This doesn't mean you'll receive duplicate benefits.
Update: I finally got through to Sacramento County yesterday. The worker confirmed what most of you said - the website is showing June's normal payment, and my May payment was processed correctly. She also verified my case transfer is in progress and I shouldn't have any gaps in benefits. Thanks everyone for your help!
That's great news that you got it sorted out! County transfers can be really stressful when you're not sure what's happening with your benefits. It's always better to call and confirm rather than worry about potential overpayments. Glad Sacramento County was able to clarify everything for you and that your case transfer is going smoothly. Moving is expensive enough without having to stress about benefit issues on top of it!
So glad everything worked out! I went through something similar when I moved counties and the uncertainty is the worst part. It's really helpful that you updated us with the outcome - I'm sure other people in similar situations will find this thread useful. Moving is stressful enough without worrying about your benefits getting messed up!
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I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago - lost my job and needed help with my two kids. Here's what I learned: definitely apply online at BenefitsCal.com, but also call the county office the same day you submit to let them know you applied and ask about expedited processing since you're facing eviction. They have something called "Immediate Need" that can get you emergency cash within 3 days if you qualify. One thing that really helped me was having all my documents ready BEFORE starting the application - it took me about 45 minutes to complete once I had everything organized. The system does save your progress if you need to take breaks. Also, don't just wait for them to call you for the interview. After 3-4 days, start calling them daily to check on your application status. Be persistent but polite - the squeaky wheel gets the grease with these offices. Keep calling until you get that interview scheduled. Good luck! I know how stressful this is but hang in there - the help is available, you just have to push through the bureaucracy to get it.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! This gives me a lot of hope. I'm definitely going to follow your advice about calling the same day I submit the application. Can I ask - when you called about the Immediate Need, did you have to explain your whole situation again or did they already have your application details? I'm trying to figure out if I should mention the potential eviction in the online application itself or if it's better to explain it over the phone when I call.
I'm so grateful for all this detailed advice everyone! I'm feeling much more confident about starting the application process now. Just to make sure I understand correctly - after I submit on BenefitsCal, I should call the county office that same day to mention I applied AND specifically ask about Immediate Need processing due to my rent situation, right? And I should mention the potential eviction both in the online application AND when I call? Also, for those of you who went through this recently - about how long did your interview take? I'm trying to plan around my kids' schedules since childcare has been tight since losing my job. Really appreciate this community - you all are lifesavers!
Yes, exactly! Call the same day you submit and mention both your application AND the immediate need due to rent/eviction risk. Definitely mention it in both places - the online app and phone call. For interviews, mine was about 30-45 minutes over the phone. They'll ask about your household, income, expenses, and go over the documents you uploaded. If you have young kids during the call, the workers are usually understanding if there are interruptions. You can also request the interview be scheduled during school hours if that works better. The phone interviews are actually easier with kids than in-person visits! Hang in there - you're taking the right steps to get the help you need.
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I'm so glad you got this sorted out! Your experience really highlights how important it is to get the right information directly from your worker. For anyone else reading this thread who might be in a similar situation, here are the key takeaways: 1. Tax refunds (including EIC) are NOT counted as income for CalWORKs or CalFresh 2. EIC specifically doesn't count as a resource for 12 months after receiving it 3. Always report tax refunds on your SAR7 for transparency, but label them clearly as "TAX REFUND" 4. Keep documentation (bank statements + actual tax return) in case of future questions 5. The resource limit for a family of 3 is $10,211 It's frustrating how confusing the system can be, but threads like this really help other families navigate these situations. Thanks for sharing your resolution - it'll definitely help someone else who's panicking about the same thing!
This is exactly the kind of helpful breakdown I wish I had when I first started receiving benefits! I'm new to CalWORKs and the whole system feels overwhelming with all the different rules and reporting requirements. Seeing real examples like Yara's situation and how she resolved it makes me feel less anxious about making mistakes on my own paperwork. I'm bookmarking this thread for future reference - thank you everyone for taking the time to explain things so clearly!
As someone who just went through my first SAR7 process last month, I can totally relate to the panic about reporting things correctly! The advice here is spot-on - I also had a tax refund (smaller than yours, but still nerve-wracking) and my worker told me the same thing about labeling it clearly. One thing that helped me was calling the day before my SAR7 was due to double-check I filled it out right. Even though it took forever to get through, having that confirmation gave me so much peace of mind. The system is really confusing for newcomers, but this community has been a lifesaver for understanding the rules. Glad you got it sorted out!
Jamal Carter
Charlotte, I wanted to add something that hasn't been mentioned yet - since your son has a spinal cord injury requiring round-the-clock care, you should also look into getting him evaluated for Regional Center services if you haven't already. Regional Center can provide additional support services, equipment, and resources that complement what you get through CalWORKs and SSI. Also, regarding your small business - while you're navigating all these benefit applications, make sure to keep detailed records of your business expenses vs. income. Sometimes having even a small income source can actually help your case by showing you're trying to be self-sufficient despite the challenges. One more thing - when you go to your appointment next week, ask specifically about "child-only" CalWORKs if for some reason they try to deny you the caretaker exemption. Even if they initially say no to your exemption request, your son can still qualify for benefits on his own while you continue to advocate for the full family grant with exemption. You're being such a strong advocate for your son. The fact that you're researching all these options while managing his complex care needs shows incredible dedication. These programs exist for families exactly like yours!
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Chloe Martin
•This is excellent advice about Regional Center! I wasn't familiar with that program but it sounds like another crucial resource. The "child-only" CalWORKs option is also something I hadn't heard mentioned before - that could be a good backup plan if there are any issues with the caretaker exemption initially. I'm really impressed by how supportive this community has been. Charlotte, you've gotten such comprehensive advice here about navigating multiple programs simultaneously. It shows that even though these systems are complex and sometimes frustrating, there really are people who understand them and want to help families like yours access the support you need. Best of luck with your appointment next week! It sounds like you're going in well-prepared with a clear list of what to ask for. Please do update us on how it goes - I'm sure your experience could help other parents in similar situations who might be reading this thread.
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Aaliyah Reed
I'm so sorry you're dealing with such a challenging situation, but you're doing everything right by seeking help and asking these questions! As a parent who went through something similar when my daughter was diagnosed with a developmental disability, I want to echo what others have said about applying for CalWORKs immediately. One thing I don't think anyone has mentioned yet - when you're at your appointment next week, also ask about the Transportation Allowance if your son has frequent medical appointments. CalWORKs can provide additional money for gas/mileage to get to his therapy sessions and doctor visits, which can really add up with a child who has complex medical needs. Also, regarding the SSI wait - I know 6 weeks feels like forever when you're struggling financially, but that's actually still early in the process. Most initial applications take 3-6 months, so don't lose hope! And definitely keep detailed records of all his medical care during this waiting period, as it can help strengthen your case. You mentioned you're behind on rent - make sure to ask about emergency assistance programs too. Some counties have one-time rental assistance that can help prevent eviction while you're getting these longer-term benefits set up. Hang in there - it gets easier once you get plugged into these support systems!
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Mia Roberts
•Thank you for mentioning the Transportation Allowance! That's something I definitely wouldn't have thought to ask about, but with all his therapy appointments and specialist visits, those costs really do add up quickly. I've been spending so much on gas lately just getting him to all his appointments. The emergency rental assistance sounds like exactly what I need right now too. I'm about two months behind and really worried about getting an eviction notice. It's such a relief to know there might be help available while I'm waiting for the longer-term benefits to get sorted out. I appreciate you sharing your experience with your daughter's diagnosis too. It helps to hear from other parents who have been through this process. Sometimes I feel so overwhelmed trying to navigate all these different systems while also caring for him 24/7, but hearing success stories gives me hope that it will get better once everything is in place.
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Jamal Anderson
•The Transportation Allowance is such an underutilized benefit! I work at a local disability advocacy organization and I'm always surprised by how many families don't know about it. For children with complex medical needs like spinal cord injuries, those medical transport costs can easily be $200-300+ per month. Also wanted to mention - if you're having trouble getting to appointments due to transportation issues, some counties also have medical transportation services specifically for CalWORKs recipients. It's worth asking about both options to see which works better for your situation. For the emergency rental assistance, act quickly once you apply for CalWORKs. Some counties require you to be an active recipient before you can access the emergency funds, while others can help while your application is pending. The sooner you get that process started, the better chance you have of avoiding eviction. You're doing an amazing job advocating for your son, Charlotte. The fact that you're researching all these resources while managing his round-the-clock care shows incredible strength. These systems can feel overwhelming, but once you get connected, there's a whole network of support available for families like yours.
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