I feel everyone's frustration here! I've been dealing with EBT issues for months. One thing that's worked for me is calling the main line and immediately pressing 0 multiple times as soon as the recording starts - sometimes it bypasses the menu entirely. Also, try calling on Tuesdays or Wednesdays around 2-3pm, seems to be less busy then. And definitely have your case number, SSN, and PIN ready before calling. Keep trying y'all, we got this! 💪

I've had some luck using a different approach - try calling the county office directly instead of the main state line. Each county has their own EBT customer service number and they're usually way less busy. You can find your county's specific number on the CA EBT website under "contact us." I got through in like 15 minutes last week doing this vs waiting 2+ hours on the main line. Also pro tip: if you have to leave a voicemail, they actually do call back within 24-48 hours (at least in my county). Hope this helps someone!

Mason, I went through this exact same situation a few months ago! Here's what finally worked for me: I called the customer service line at 8 AM sharp (they open at 8) and was persistent but polite. When I got through, I had all my documents ready - recent pay stubs, bank statements, and a written summary of what changed with dates. The key thing is to ask them to put notes in your file about the call and get a case number. Also, if your income went DOWN, definitely mention that upfront - they prioritize those cases. Don't lose hope, it's frustrating but you'll get through it! 💪

I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! Been trying to update my income for weeks. One thing that helped me was going to my local office in person - sometimes they can do updates on the spot that take forever over the phone. Also, if you have to call, try calling different county offices. Some have shorter wait times than others. The whole system is so frustrating but don't give up! We're all in this together 💪

Ugh, I've been there and it's the worst feeling! One thing that helped me was calling the EBT customer service line (1-877-328-9677) instead of the main DPSS line - sometimes it's easier to get through and they can at least tell you the status of your case. Also, if you're completely out of food, look into local food banks while you're sorting this out. Most don't require any paperwork and can help bridge the gap. Hang in there! 💙

I'm so sorry you're going through this! The same thing happened to my neighbor a few months ago. She found out they had flagged her case for "income verification" even though she'd already submitted everything. Turns out there was a glitch in their system that marked her documents as "not received." She had to resubmit everything AND get a case worker to manually review it. Also, try calling right at 8 AM when they open - that's when I've had the most luck getting through. If you're really stuck, some community centers have advocates who can help navigate the DPSS system for free. Don't give up!

I totally feel everyone's frustration here! I've been lurking on this thread because I'm dealing with the exact same nightmare. After trying for literally 2 weeks straight, I finally got through yesterday using a combo of tips from this thread. Here's what worked: I called the lost/stolen card line at exactly 8:00 AM, got transferred to customer service, and waited on hold for about 90 minutes. It was brutal but worth it. Pro tip: download a podcast or audiobook because you'll be there a while! The rep was actually super helpful once I got through - they resolved my issue in like 10 minutes. It's insane that the actual help is good, but getting to it is like climbing Mount Everest. Keep pushing everyone, it's possible! 🤞

This thread is so helpful! I've been banging my head against the wall trying to get through for the past month. Reading all these strategies gives me hope that there might actually be a way through this bureaucratic nightmare. I'm definitely going to try the lost/stolen card number trick first thing Monday morning - that's such a clever workaround that I never would have thought of! It's honestly heartbreaking that we have to become customer service ninjas just to access benefits we're entitled to. The system is clearly overwhelmed and underfunded, but that doesn't make it any less frustrating when you're trying to put food on the table. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences and tips. At least we're all in this together! 💙

Quick question - does anyone know if changing jobs affects the income update process? I just started a new job and I'm not sure if I need to wait for a certain number of paychecks before reporting.

I actually just did this online successfully! I know everyone's saying the online system doesn't work, but I managed to update my income through the C4Yourself portal last week. You have to log in, go to "Report Changes," and upload your pay stubs there. It took about 3 business days to process. Maybe try that first before dealing with the phone maze? Worth a shot at least!