This is exactly why I always keep a written record of my balance after each grocery trip! I learned this trick from my mom who's been on benefits for years. I write down the remaining balance on the receipt or in my phone notes so I have a rough idea even when the system goes down. Obviously it's not perfect since pending transactions can affect it, but it's helped me avoid those embarrassing moments at checkout. Also, pro tip: some smaller independent grocery stores are more flexible about letting you know if your card gets declined before running the full transaction - they'll often let you remove items if needed.

Just went through this same nightmare yesterday! The system was down for almost 6 hours in my area (San Bernardino County). What helped me was going to a smaller grocery store where the cashier was really understanding - she let me try my card first with just a few items to test if it would go through before I loaded up my whole cart. Turns out the actual payment processing was working fine even though I couldn't check my balance. Also learned that some 7-Elevens have EBT balance check on their ATMs that sometimes work even when the main system is having issues. Definitely keeping a written log of my balance from now on after reading Hannah's advice - such a simple but brilliant solution!

One important thing to add: Document everything while you're trying to get this fixed. Note the date and time of your calls, take screenshots of your EBT account balance, and keep all your paperwork organized. If you need to request a state hearing later (hopefully it won't come to that), having detailed records will help your case. Also, while the minimum benefit is $20.01 currently, remember that your actual eligibility is recalculated yearly at recertification and can change if your income or household size changes. Make sure you're submitting your SAR7 (Semi-Annual Report) on time to avoid any benefit interruptions.

So glad you got it sorted out! That's exactly what I was hoping to hear. It's frustrating how these processing errors happen, but at least the system worked once you got through to an actual person. Definitely keep that notebook going - it's saved me so many headaches with various benefit programs over the years. And hey, even though $20.01 might seem small, every bit helps with grocery costs these days. Hope your monthly benefits start loading smoothly from here on out!

This whole thread is so helpful! I'm new to both CalFresh and CalWORKs and honestly had no idea they were separate programs on the same card. Reading about everyone's experiences with missed forms and documentation is eye-opening - it sounds like the system really doesn't make it easy to stay on top of everything. I'm going to start opening ALL my mail from the county now, even if it looks like junk. Connor, I hope your benefits get sorted out quickly! It's really stressful when you're counting on that money and it just doesn't show up. Thanks to everyone sharing their tips about keeping copies and getting receipts - I'm definitely going to remember that for when I need to submit my next round of paperwork.

This is such a valuable thread for anyone dealing with benefit issues! I'm glad you figured out what happened, Connor. Your experience really highlights how important it is to carefully review ALL mail from the county - I know it can feel overwhelming when they send so many different notices, but missing even one form can have such big consequences. For anyone reading this who might be in a similar situation, I'd also suggest setting up a simple filing system at home for benefit-related paperwork. I use just two folders - one for "action needed" and one for "completed/filed" - and it's helped me stay more organized. It's frustrating that we have to jump through so many hoops, but sharing experiences like this really helps the community navigate the system better. Hope your reinstatement goes smoothly!

To summarize for anyone else confused: 1. There is NO universal December 'bonus' for all CalFresh recipients 2. The School Holiday Nutrition Program (SHNP) provides supplemental benefits to families with children who receive BOTH CalWORKs AND CalFresh 3. The amount varies by county (typically between $40-$80 per child) 4. Distribution dates vary by county, usually between December 1-15 5. This is NOT the same as the pandemic emergency allotments which ended in March 2023 If you only receive CalFresh and not CalWORKs, you would not be eligible for this supplement. The best way to verify your specific case is to contact your county CalFresh office or check your BenefitsCal account for notices.

If you're looking for extra food assistance during the holidays even without the CalWORKs supplement, there are other resources that might help! Many food banks do special holiday distributions in December with extra items like turkeys or holiday meal fixings. Also check if your local churches or community centers are doing holiday food drives. Some counties also have special senior food programs if you're over 60, or WIC supplemental foods if you have young kids. I know it's not the same as extra EBT benefits, but it might help stretch your December budget for holiday meals. You can search for local food banks at feedingamerica.org or call 211 for other local resources.

btw if u ever need emergency food before ur benefits come the food banks dont ask questions. saved me last month when my car broke down and i had to use grocery $$ for repairs

Welcome to CalFresh! 🎉 Just want to add that you can also check your balance anytime by calling the number on the back of your EBT card or going to www.ebt.ca.gov - super helpful when you're at the store and not sure how much you have left. Also, don't stress if your first deposit seems to take forever - I remember checking my card like 50 times on my first deposit day lol. The anticipation is real! You've got this! 💪