6-month wait for CalFresh appointment in Kern County - is this normal?

omg that is INSANE!!!! i'm in kern county too and waited like 3 weeks back in december... something is seriously wrong if they're telling you 6 months!!! have you tried calling the state office instead of just the county? maybe they can put pressure on kern?

This isn't normal or acceptable, even with county offices being understaffed. California regulations require that CalFresh applications be processed within 30 days (or 3 days for expedited service if you qualify). A 6-month wait violates these timeframes. I recommend taking these steps: 1. Ask specifically about expedited service if your income is very low compared to your housing costs 2. Request to speak with a supervisor when you call or visit 3. File a formal complaint with the Civil Rights Division at CDSS 4. Contact your county Board of Supervisors member If you're eligible for expedited service, they must interview you within 3 calendar days of your application and provide benefits within 3 days of the interview if you qualify.

My sister had the same issue in Kern last year but she kept calling different workers until she found someone who could fit her in sooner. The waiting times are crazy different depending on who u talk to. Just keep trying different days and times.

Sounds like you ran into some real @#$! at that office. I was on CalFresh in Kern for 2 years and never had to wait more than a couple weeks for anything. This isn't just "backed up" - someone's feeding you BS. Call the state complaint line: 1-800-952-5253. They'll light a fire under the county real quick. Don't let them push you around - they know they're breaking the rules with a 6-month wait.

Have you tried getting help from the local food bank while you wait? The one on 1807 Haley Street has emergency food boxes that can help. Not the same as CalFresh but it's something at least.

I had a similar nightmare with Kern County last year trying to recertify my CalFresh. After two weeks of calling and never getting through, I found this service called Claimyr that got me connected to a real person at the county office in minutes. It basically calls repeatedly for you and then connects you when someone answers. I was skeptical but it actually worked! Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 Once I got connected to a real person (not just the front desk), they were able to schedule me for an interview within the week. Worth trying instead of waiting 6 months!

As someone who worked in a CalFresh office (not Kern County), I can tell you with certainty that a 6-month wait for an interview violates California Department of Social Services regulations. The maximum processing time allowed by law is 30 days from the date of application (7 CFR 273.2(g)(1)). If you qualify for expedited service (very low income/resources compared to housing costs), they must provide an interview within 3 days and issue benefits within 3 days of that interview if you qualify. If I were in your situation, I would: 1. Specifically mention "expedited service" when you call or visit 2. Ask to speak to a supervisor immediately 3. Contact the state CDSS office and file a formal complaint 4. Document everything - names, dates, what was said The county cannot legally make you wait 6 months, regardless of how backed up they are. This is a serious compliance issue.

did u try the online chat through benefitscal.com? sometimes u can get help faster that way than on the phone

I wanted to check back - were you able to get this resolved? If you mentioned expedited service and the 30-day processing requirement, you should have received a much quicker appointment. If not, please consider contacting your local legal aid office as well, as this is a clear violation of CalFresh regulations.