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Benefits denied, cut or stopped in California: what to do first, deadlines, documents, and which benefits open

A county notice that denies, cuts or stops CalFresh, CalWORKs or Medi-Cal can be challenged at a state hearing; the request is due within 90 days, and a request made before the cut takes effect keeps benefits at the old level until the decision. This page lists every appeal clock an official page states, for county programs, Medi-Cal plans, unemployment, Social Security and victim compensation.

What happens when a benefit is denied, cut or stopped

The notice starts the clock. For CalFresh and Medi-Cal the agency must mail the notice at least 10 days before a cut or stop takes effect (s_lii_7cfr273_13_10, s_lii_42cfr431_211). A hearing request made inside that window keeps benefits at the old level until the decision (s_lii_7cfr273_15_continue, s_lii_42cfr431_230). After the window, the request is still allowed for 90 days (s_cdss_hearing_90), and for 120 days on a Medi-Cal renewal termination (s_cdss_medi_cal_120). Other agencies run their own clocks: 30 days for unemployment (s_edd_appeal_30), 60 days for Social Security (s_lii_20cfr404_909), 45 days for CalVCB (s_calvcb_appeal).

First actions, in order
JSONFirst actions, in order
4 items
6 keys
"order"1
"action""Find the date the notice was mailed and the date the action takes effect. For CalFresh and Medi-Cal the agency must mail the notice at least 10 days before it cuts or stops benefits."
"program_id""B042"
"deadline""At least 10 days from the date the notice is mailed to the date the action becomes effective."
"source""s_lii_7cfr273_13_10"
"program_slug""california-legal-aid-eviction-benefits"
6 keys
"order"2
"action""Ask for a state hearing before the action takes effect, by phone, online, or on the back of the Notice of Action. A CalFresh request made within the notice period keeps benefits at the old level until the hearing decision unless you waive it; Medi-Cal services continue when the hearing is requested before the date of action."
"program_id""B042"
"deadline""Within the notice period (at least 10 days) to keep benefits unchanged; 90 days to request a hearing at all."
"source""s_lii_7cfr273_15_continue"
"program_slug""california-legal-aid-eviction-benefits"
6 keys
"order"3
"action""If the 10 days have passed, still ask for a state hearing."
"program_id""B042"
"deadline""90 days to request a state hearing (Medi-Cal renewal terminations: see facts.deadlines, s_cdss_medi_cal_120)."
"source""s_cdss_hearing_90"
"program_slug""california-legal-aid-eviction-benefits"
6 keys
"order"4
"action""For a Medi-Cal managed care plan decision, file the appeal with the plan first, then ask for a state hearing."
"program_id""B042"
"deadline""60 calendar days from the notice to appeal to the plan; then 120 calendar days from the plan's Notice of Appeal Resolution."
"source""s_cdss_plan_60"
"program_slug""california-legal-aid-eviction-benefits"

Deadlines that cost money or coverage when missed

Each line is the agency's own rule, with the source id it was read from on 9 October 2026.

ProgramRuleDaysCounted fromSource
B001CalFresh notice of adverse action: at least 10 days from the date the notice is mailed to the date the action becomes effective10the date the notice is maileds_lii_7cfr273_13_10
B001CalFresh benefits continue on the prior basis if the household requests a fair hearing within the notice period, unless it waives continuationnot stated as a numberthe notice of adverse actions_lii_7cfr273_15_continue
B011Medi-Cal: the agency must send notice at least 10 days before the date of action10the date of action (counted back)s_lii_42cfr431_211
B011Medi-Cal services are not cut or stopped until the hearing decision if the hearing is requested before the date of actionnot stated as a numberthe date of actions_lii_42cfr431_230
B04290 days to request a state hearing on a county, DHCS or Covered California action; after 90 days a good reason for asking late must be shown90the actions_cdss_hearing_90
B011Medi-Cal renewal (redetermination) terminations and reductions: 120 days to request a fair hearing, effective April 1, 2023 until further notice120the date the notice of action is maileds_cdss_medi_cal_120
B011Medi-Cal managed care plan: 60 calendar days to appeal to the plan60the date of the notice of actions_cdss_plan_60
B011Medi-Cal managed care plan: 120 calendar days to request a state hearing after the plan's decision120the date of the plan's Notice of Appeal Resolutions_cdss_plan_120
B027Unemployment Insurance: appeal in writing within 30 days of the mailing date on the Notice of Determination or Notice of Overpayment30the mailing date on the notices_edd_appeal_30
B026Social Security: request reconsideration within 60 days after receiving the notice of the initial determination60the date the notice is receiveds_lii_20cfr404_909
B034CalVCB: appeal within 45 days of the date the Board mailed the denial notice45the date the Board mailed the notices_calvcb_appeal

Documents to gather

Only documents an official page names are listed.

  • The Notice of Action itself; its back page carries the Request for State Hearing form (B042; s_cdss_back_of_noa)

Programs this event opens

procedure· 1,034 words
Legal aid: eviction defense and benefits advocacy (free lawyers for tenants and people denied benefits): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens next
Free legal aid in California defends tenants in eviction cases and represents people whose public benefits were denied or cut. Programs funded by the Legal Services Corporation serve households up to 125% of the poverty line, and up to 200% in listed cases; county programs such as Stay Housed LA set their own rules. The court deadlines are short: an Answer to an eviction case is due in 10 court days.
program id
B042
fiscal year
Calendar year 2026 (LSC income guidelines)
apply at
https://www.lawhelpca.org
related program ids
["B040","B079","B035","B036","B001","B011"]
procedure· 1,651 words
CalFresh (California food benefits): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens next
CalFresh is California's name for SNAP, the federal food benefit: money on an EBT card each month, for households whose income is under a limit. This page carries the current limits and benefit amounts with their official sources, the application step by step, the interview and renewal rules that lose people their benefits, and the other programs the same facts open. Text the number on this page or open the chat, and a model that has read this exact page helps you check your eligibility and find everything else you may qualify for.
program id
B001
fiscal year
FY2027
apply at
https://benefitscal.com
related program ids
["B011","B003","B021","B043","B044","B045","B009","B010","B002","B049","B060","B047"]
procedure· 1,181 words
Medi-Cal (California Medicaid health coverage): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens next
Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid program: free or low-cost health coverage, with dental and vision care, for people whose income is under the limit for their group. This page carries the current income limits, the asset and immigration rules, the dated changes coming in 2027 with their official sources, and the application and renewal steps. Apply at BenefitsCal, through Covered California, or at the county office.
program id
B011
fiscal year
Calendar year 2026 (Medi-Cal income limits)
apply at
https://benefitscal.com
related program ids
["B001","B012","B065","B070","B080","B073","B016","B013","B015","B018","B019","B021","B023"]

Official addresses

Related pages
References (13)
  1. 7 CFR 273.13 Notice of adverse action — Legal Information Institute (Cornell Law School), text of the Code of Federal Regulations“provided that the period includes at least 10 days from the date the notice is mailed to the date upon which the action becomes effective”
  2. 7 CFR 273.15(k) Continuation of benefits — Legal Information Institute (Cornell Law School), text of the Code of Federal Regulations“shall be continued on the basis authorized immediately prior to the notice of adverse action, unless the household specifically waives continuation of benefits”
  3. 42 CFR 431.211 Advance notice — Legal Information Institute (Cornell Law School), text of the Code of Federal Regulations“must send a notice at least 10 days before the date of action”
  4. 42 CFR 431.230 Maintaining services — Legal Information Institute (Cornell Law School), text of the Code of Federal Regulations“the agency may not terminate or reduce services until a decision is rendered after the hearing”
  5. State Hearing Requests — California Department of Social Services, State Hearings Division“you have 90 days to request a state hearing”
  6. State Hearing Requests: Medi-Cal redetermination hearings — California Department of Social Services, State Hearings Division“to request a redetermination eligibility-related fair hearing to 120 days from the date the notice of action is mailed”
  7. State Hearing Requests: Medi-Cal managed care plans — California Department of Social Services, State Hearings Division“You have 60 calendar days from the date of the notice of action to file an appeal with the managed care plan.”
  8. State Hearing Requests: after the plan appeal — California Department of Social Services, State Hearings Division“you have 120 calendar days from the date of the plan”
  9. State Hearing Requests: why request a hearing — California Department of Social Services, State Hearings Division“or you turned in an application or other information and the county or Covered California did not act on it, you can ask for a State Hearing.”
  10. State Hearing Requests: how to request in writing — California Department of Social Services, State Hearings Division“on the back of the Notice of Action or put your request on a separate piece of paper”
  11. Unemployment Insurance appeals — California Employment Development Department“You must submit your appeal in writing within 30 days of the mailing date on your Notice of Determination and/or Ruling”
  12. 20 CFR 404.909 How to request reconsideration — Legal Information Institute (Cornell Law School), text of the Code of Federal Regulations“Within 60 days after the date you receive notice of the initial determination”
  13. CalVCB frequently asked questions: appeals — California Victim Compensation Board“You must file the appeal within 45 days of the date the Board mailed the notice to deny the application or expense.”