Can't reach California CalFresh? Claimyr connects you to a live DSS agent in minutes.
Claimyr is a pay-as-you-go service. We do not charge a recurring subscription.
Using Claimyr will:
- Connect you to a human agent at the DSS
- Skip the long phone menu
- Call the correct department
- Redial until on hold
- Forward a call to your phone with reduced hold time
- Give you free callbacks if the DSS drops your call
If I could give 10 stars I would
If I could give 10 stars I would If I could give 10 stars I would Such an amazing service so needed during the times when EDD almost never picks up Claimyr gets me on the phone with EDD every time without fail faster. A much needed service without Claimyr I would have never received the payment I needed to support me during my postpartum recovery. Thank you so much Claimyr!
Really made a difference
Really made a difference, save me time and energy from going to a local office for making the call.
Worth not wasting your time calling for hours.
Was a bit nervous or untrusting at first, but my calls went thru. First time the wait was a bit long but their customer chat line on their page was helpful and put me at ease that I would receive my call. Today my call dropped because of EDD and Claimyr heard my concern on the same chat and another call was made within the hour.
An incredibly helpful service
An incredibly helpful service! Got me connected to a CA EDD agent without major hassle (outside of EDD's agents dropping calls – which Claimyr has free protection for). If you need to file a new claim and can't do it online, pay the $ to Claimyr to get the process started. Absolutely worth it!
Consistent,frustration free, quality Service.
Used this service a couple times now. Before I'd call 200 times in less than a weak frustrated as can be. But using claimyr with a couple hours of waiting i was on the line with an representative or on hold. Dropped a couple times but each reconnected not long after and was mission accomplished, thanks to Claimyr.
IT WORKS!! Not a scam!
I tried for weeks to get thru to EDD PFL program with no luck. I gave this a try thinking it may be a scam. OMG! It worked and They got thru within an hour and my claim is going to finally get paid!! I upgraded to the $60 call. Best $60 spent!
Ask the community...
- DO post questions about your issues.
- DO answer questions and support each other.
- DO post tips & tricks to help folks.
- DO NOT post call problems here - there is a support tab at the top for that :)
Join the conversation
Join the conversation
Wow, this thread has been absolutely incredible to read through! I just got approved for CalFresh last month and had no idea the benefit calculation was this complex. My caseworker basically just asked for my pay stubs and rent amount, then told me I'd get $189 per month without any explanation of how they got that number. After reading all these detailed explanations about the utility allowance, I'm pretty sure I'm not getting the full deductions I'm entitled to. I pay electricity and gas separately from my rent (about $95 total per month), but I bet they just used my actual costs instead of that $490 standard utility allowance everyone keeps mentioning. That could be a huge difference! The formula breakdown that several people shared makes so much more sense than the rushed explanation I got during my interview. It's honestly shocking that we have to become experts in their own calculation methods just to make sure we're getting correct benefits. I'm definitely calling tomorrow to request that benefit calculation worksheet and specifically ask about the standard utility allowance. Thank you all for sharing your knowledge and experiences - this kind of community support is exactly what we need when dealing with such a confusing system. This thread should honestly be pinned at the top of this forum because it's more helpful than any official documentation I've seen!
Hi Malik! Your situation sounds exactly like what so many people in this thread have experienced - getting a benefit amount with basically no explanation of how they calculated it. That $95 in actual utility costs versus the $490 standard utility allowance could definitely make a significant difference in your monthly benefits, so you're absolutely right to question it. When you call tomorrow, I'd suggest being really specific about what you're asking for. Say something like "I need to request a benefit calculation worksheet and I want to confirm that you applied the Standard Utility Allowance of $490 rather than my actual utility costs." Don't let them brush you off with vague answers - you have every right to understand exactly how your $189 benefit amount was calculated. It's really frustrating that we all have to become CalFresh calculation experts just to make sure we're getting what we're entitled to, but I'm so glad this thread exists to help people like us figure it out. The knowledge-sharing here has been invaluable! Definitely let us know what you find out when you call - your experience might help other people in similar situations. Good luck getting those deductions sorted out!
I'm brand new to CalFresh and this discussion has been absolutely eye-opening! I applied two weeks ago and have my interview scheduled for next Monday. I had no idea the benefit calculation involved so many different deductions and allowances - the county office basically just told me to bring pay stubs and proof of rent. After reading through everyone's explanations, I now realize there are so many questions I need to ask during my interview. I rent an apartment where I pay my own electricity, gas, and water bills (totaling about $140/month), but based on what everyone's saying about the $490 standard utility allowance, I should definitely make sure they apply that instead of my actual costs. The formula breakdown with the 30% calculation and all the deductions finally makes sense of why this system seems so complicated. It's really unfortunate that we have to educate ourselves like this just to make sure we get the correct benefits, but I'm so grateful for this community sharing their knowledge. I'm definitely going to ask for that benefit calculation worksheet right from the start, and I'll be specific about requesting the Standard Utility Allowance. Thank you all for creating such an informative thread - it's going to make a huge difference in how prepared I am for my interview!
Hi Michael! You're going into your interview so much better prepared than most of us were, thanks to all the knowledge shared in this thread. Since you pay electricity, gas, AND water separately from rent, you should definitely qualify for that full $490 Standard Utility Allowance - that's a huge difference from your actual $140 costs! During your interview on Monday, I'd recommend being very direct about it. When they ask about utilities, say something like "I pay electricity, gas, and water separately from my rent, and I'd like you to apply the Standard Utility Allowance rather than my actual costs." Don't assume they'll automatically choose the option that gives you the most benefits - you need to advocate for yourself. Also bring those utility bills as documentation even though they'll likely use the standard amount instead. Having proof that you pay these costs separately is what qualifies you for the full allowance. And definitely ask for that benefit calculation worksheet right away so you can review everything before you leave the interview. It's great that you're going in prepared with all these questions! The fact that you understand the formula and know what deductions to ask about puts you way ahead. Good luck with your interview - I hope you get all the benefits you're entitled to from the start instead of having to fight for corrections later like so many of us have had to do!
Join the conversation
This thread is incredibly helpful! I'm new to CalFresh and had no idea about online EBT shopping until I read through all these experiences. The FreshEBT app recommendation is great - I didn't know there was a way to check for pending transactions that might interfere with online orders. It's really eye-opening to learn that stores like Target and Safeway don't accept EBT online even though they take it in-person. That seems like such a basic thing that should be consistent! I'm definitely going to start with Walmart for my first online order based on everyone's recommendations. Thanks to everyone who shared their workarounds and tips - this community support makes such a difference when trying to navigate these confusing systems for the first time!
Welcome to the CalFresh community! You're being really smart by researching this stuff ahead of time - I wish I had done that instead of just diving in and hitting all these confusing roadblocks. The FreshEBT app really is a game changer for staying on top of your account status. And yeah, the inconsistency between in-store and online EBT acceptance is mind-boggling! You'd think in 2025 this would all be standardized, but apparently we're still in this weird patchwork phase. Walmart is definitely your safest bet to start with - their system seems the most reliable and their item labeling is actually helpful. Once you get the hang of it with one store, the others become easier to navigate. Good luck with your first order, and don't hesitate to ask if you run into any weird issues - this community is great at crowdsourcing solutions!
This thread has been a lifesaver! I've been putting off trying online grocery shopping with my EBT card because I was intimidated by all the potential issues, but reading through everyone's experiences has given me the confidence to try it. The breakdown of which stores actually work (Walmart, Amazon Fresh) versus which ones don't (Sprouts, Target, Safeway) is exactly what I needed to know. I especially appreciate the tip about doing a small test order first - that's such smart advice that I never would have thought of. It's frustrating that we need a whole community guide just to figure out how to buy groceries online with our benefits, but I'm so grateful for everyone who took the time to share their troubleshooting experiences. This is definitely going in my bookmarks for future reference!
Join the conversation
This thread has been absolutely amazing! As someone who's been on CalFresh for about 6 months, I was planning a trip to visit my brother in Montana next month and had the exact same concerns as Christian. Reading through everyone's experiences has been so reassuring - I had no idea the EBT system worked nationwide! The fraud hold warning is definitely something I need to prepare for, so I'm saving that customer service number (1-877-328-9677) right now. I'm also going to double-check my card expiration date and download the BenefitsCal app before I leave. Paolo's tip about mapping out regular supermarkets instead of tourist-area stores is genius - I would have just gone to whatever was closest without thinking about price differences. It's incredible how supportive this community is in sharing practical advice to help each other succeed. Thanks everyone for making me feel so much more confident about traveling with my benefits! Christian, hope you have an amazing time with your family!
This entire thread has been such a goldmine of information! I'm also pretty new to CalFresh (about 4 months now) and was actually stressing about this exact same situation. I'm planning to visit my college roommate in North Carolina for about 2 weeks this summer and had no clue whether my EBT card would work there or what I needed to do beforehand. Reading everyone's experiences - especially about the potential fraud holds and that customer service number (1-877-328-9677) - has been incredibly eye-opening. I'm definitely going to save that number, check my card expiration, and download the BenefitsCal app before I travel. Paolo's advice about vacation rentals with kitchens and mapping out regular supermarkets is so smart too. It's amazing how this community comes together to share real-world knowledge that you just can't find in the official paperwork. Christian, sounds like you're all set for your trip now - hope you have a wonderful time with your family in Arizona and Nevada!
Join the conversation
This entire thread has been such an incredible resource! I'm also pretty new to CalFresh and had no idea that moving between counties was so much more complex than just updating your address. Reading through everyone's experiences and advice has been like getting a masterclass in how the system actually works. Anastasia, you're being so smart by asking these questions upfront instead of just assuming you could wait for your SAR7. The checklist that Sean shared is absolutely golden - I'm saving that for future reference even though I'm not moving anytime soon. And all the practical tips about callback systems, text updates, and having backup food resources lined up are exactly the kind of real-world advice you can't find in the official documentation. As someone who's still learning to navigate government benefits, it's so reassuring to see how supportive this community is and how many people have successfully made it through county transfers. The fact that your EBT card continues to work throughout the process and that benefits usually continue uninterrupted when you follow the proper steps makes this feel much less scary than it initially sounds. Good luck with your transfer tomorrow, and thank you for asking the question that prompted such an informative discussion! This thread is definitely going to help a lot of future newcomers who find themselves in the same situation.
I completely agree Oliver! As someone who's also pretty new to navigating CalFresh, this thread has been incredibly eye-opening. I had absolutely no clue that county transfers were this involved - like many others here, I would have assumed it was just a simple address update. The wealth of practical advice from people who've actually been through this process is invaluable. Sean's checklist is definitely something I'm bookmarking, and all the tips about callback systems, documentation, and backup resources are the kind of insider knowledge that makes all the difference. It's amazing how this one question from Anastasia turned into such a comprehensive guide that will help so many other people in similar situations. This community really shows how much easier these complex government processes become when people share their real experiences and look out for each other!
This thread has been absolutely incredible to read through! As someone who just moved to California a few months ago and is still figuring out how everything works here, I had no idea that county transfers were this complex. I honestly would have made the same mistake of thinking I could just update my address online and wait for my next reporting period. The step-by-step guidance everyone has shared here is amazing - from the practical tips about calling right at 8 AM and asking for callback options, to Sean's comprehensive checklist, to the advice about documenting everything and having backup food resources ready. This is exactly the kind of real-world knowledge that you can't find in official guides but makes all the difference when you're actually navigating the system. Anastasia, you're handling this so well by being proactive and asking questions before there's a problem. That's definitely the approach I'm going to take if I ever need to make changes to my benefits. And congratulations on the new job in LA! This community is truly amazing - the way everyone jumped in with detailed advice and personal experiences shows how supportive and knowledgeable this group is. I'm definitely bookmarking this entire thread as a reference. Thank you for asking the question that led to such an informative discussion!
Giovanni Colombo
Congratulations on your approval, Amina! I'm in Orange County and just went through this exact same situation last month. My benefits were loaded within 2 business days of approval (which seems to be the standard timeline everyone's mentioning), but my card took 6 days to arrive. The waiting is definitely nerve-wracking when you're low on groceries! One thing I did that really helped was calling the EBT customer service line at 1-877-328-9677 on day 3 to confirm my benefits were loaded - they can give you your balance over the phone with your case number. Also, since you're in LA County, if you really can't wait for the mail, you can go to your local office with ID and your approval paperwork to get an emergency card issued same day. You've already gotten through the hardest part of this whole process! That $487/month is going to make such a difference. Your card should arrive by early next week, and the money will likely already be on it when it does. Hang in there!
0 coins
Andre Laurent
•Thank you Giovanni! It's so helpful to hear from Orange County with that same timeline - the consistency across counties is really reassuring. I think I'll definitely call that EBT number tomorrow (day 3) to check if my benefits have been loaded. It's amazing how much this thread has helped calm my nerves about the whole process. Knowing that pretty much everyone has had their benefits loaded within 2 business days, and that I have the emergency card option if needed, makes the wait feel much more manageable. Really appreciate you sharing your recent experience - it helps so much to hear from people who just went through this exact same situation!
0 coins
Gabriel Graham
Congratulations on getting approved, Amina! That 5-week wait sounds absolutely exhausting, but you made it through! I'm in Kern County and had a very similar experience recently. My benefits were loaded within 2 business days of approval, which matches what everyone else is saying here. My EBT card took about a week to arrive in the mail, but when I finally got it, all the money was already there waiting. Since you were approved yesterday, there's a really good chance your $487 in benefits might already be loaded or will be by tomorrow. That EBT customer service number everyone's mentioned (1-877-328-9677) is super helpful - you can call with your case number to check your balance even before your physical card arrives. Also, if you're really struggling with groceries right now, don't hesitate to visit your LA County office with your ID and approval notice to request an emergency card. They can usually issue one the same day for people in urgent food situations. You've overcome the biggest hurdle in this whole process! Just a few more days and you'll be able to shop for groceries again. That benefit amount is going to make such a difference in your food security. Hang in there - you're so close to the finish line!
0 coins
Malik Johnson
•Thanks Gabriel! It's so encouraging to hear from Kern County with that same 2-day timeline - it really seems like that's the standard across California. I'm definitely feeling much more optimistic now after reading everyone's experiences. I think I'll call that EBT customer service number tomorrow to check if my benefits have been loaded. It's incredible how much this community has helped ease my anxiety about the waiting process. Knowing that the money is likely already there or will be very soon, and having backup options like the emergency card, makes this so much more manageable. Really appreciate you and everyone else taking the time to share your experiences - it means more than you know when you're going through this for the first time!
0 coins