< Back to California EBT

Aaron Boston

How to update income for CalFresh (SNAP) - Need advice on fastest method

Hey everyone, I'm trying to update my income for my food stamps application. Has anyone gone through this process recently? I'm not sure if I need to call or if there's an easier way to do it online. Any advice would be really appreciated!

I just went through this last month. You definitely need to call. The online system is a joke and never works right for income updates. Be prepared to wait on hold for hours tho 🙄

0 coins

Hours?! Last time I called I was on hold for like 3 days straight. This system is so broken 😤

0 coins

Ugh, I hate how true this is. Why can't they just make a functional website already? It's 2023 for crying out loud!

0 coins

I know right? It's like they're stuck in the stone age or something. But yeah, calling is still the best bet unfortunately.

0 coins

I found a way to get someone on the phone without waiting for hours. I used this site's (claimyr.com) calling tool that dials the phone menu, stays on hold, waits for a live agent to pick up, then sends the call to my phone. It does cost $20, but it works. Here's a video explaining it: https://youtu.be/iYFSA6RTlOI

0 coins

Sounds too good to be true. Has anyone else tried this?

0 coins

$20 just to make a phone call? That's ridiculous. The system is so messed up that we have to pay just to talk to someone 🤦‍♂️

0 coins

I get the skepticism, but it honestly saved me so much time and frustration. Worth every penny imho.

0 coins

Can you give more details about how it works? Do they just keep calling until someone picks up?

0 coins

Yeah, basically they have a system that navigates the phone menu and waits on hold. When a real person answers, it calls your phone and connects you. Saves hours of hold time.

0 coins

Pro tip: if you're updating your income, make sure you have ALL your documents ready before you call. They'll ask for pay stubs, any changes in household size, rent/utility bills, the works. Makes the process go way smoother.

0 coins

Has anyone had luck going to the local office in person? I'm thinking about trying that instead of dealing with the phone nightmare.

0 coins

I tried that last year. Ended up waiting in line for 4 hours only to be told I needed to make an appointment... which I could only do by phone 🤡

0 coins

Oof, thanks for the heads up. Guess I'll stick to the phone then. This whole system is a joke 😫

0 coins

Here's a comprehensive guide to updating your income for food stamps: 1. Gather all necessary documents: - Recent pay stubs (last 30 days) - Proof of any other income sources - Updated rent/mortgage statement - Recent utility bills 2. Call the EBT customer service line: - Be prepared for a long wait - Have your case number ready 3. During the call: - Clearly explain you need to update your income - Provide all the details they ask for - Ask about any potential changes to your benefits 4. Follow-up: - Request a confirmation number for your call - Ask when the changes will be processed - Inquire about any additional steps you need to take Remember, patience is key. The system can be frustrating, but stay calm and persistent. Good luck!

0 coins

This is super helpful, thanks for taking the time to write it all out!

0 coins

Saving this for later. You're a lifesaver 🙏

0 coins

Am I the only one who thinks its ridiculous that we have to jump through so many hoops just to update our income? Like, they already have access to our tax info, why cant they just use that?

0 coins

Preach! 🙌 The whole system needs an overhaul. It's like they're trying to make it as difficult as possible.

0 coins

I heard they're working on a new online system, but who knows when that'll actually happen. Probably in 2050 at this rate 🙄

0 coins

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.

0 coins

From my experience, they usually want at least one full month of pay stubs from the new job. But def call and ask to be sure!

0 coins

Thanks for the info! Guess I'll be joining the endless hold music club soon 😅

0 coins

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!

0 coins

Wait, really?! That's awesome that it actually worked for you! I've heard so many horror stories about the online portal being broken. Did you have to do anything special to get it to work, or was it pretty straightforward? I'm definitely going to try this before calling - anything to avoid that hold time nightmare everyone's talking about! 🤞

0 coins

California EBT AI

Expert Assistant
Secure

Powered by Claimyr AI

T
I
+
20,087 users helped today