UPDATE: I used that Claimyr service someone recommended to reach a worker, and they confirmed my case was discontinued due to the missing SAR7. Good news though - they received the one I submitted yesterday and said they'll process it as a restoration within 3 business days! They also said they'll add a note to my file to send me text reminders for future SAR7 deadlines since I mentioned missing the notice. So relieved this is getting fixed!

This is such a helpful thread! I'm dealing with something similar right now - my benefits got cut off last month and I had no idea about the 30-day restoration rule. Just wanted to add that if anyone is having trouble downloading forms from BenefitsCal, you can also pick them up at any county office or sometimes at local food banks. My local food pantry actually had copies of the SAR7 form and helped me fill it out correctly. Also, @Geoff Richards glad to hear you got it sorted out! The text reminder option sounds really useful.

Hey Liam! I've been following this thread and wanted to add one more consideration - make sure you understand Nevada's background check requirements if you do get approved as a provider. Some states have stricter requirements than others, and the process can take weeks or even months. Also, since you'd be working for a family member, Nevada might have additional documentation requirements to prove the care relationship is legitimate (to prevent fraud). I'd suggest calling Nevada's Medicaid office directly and asking for their "family caregiver" packet or guidelines. Better to know all the hoops upfront than get surprised later!

I'm dealing with a somewhat similar situation helping my grandmother in Riverside County while living in San Bernardino County, and I've learned a few things that might help. First, definitely get clarity from your aunt about what specific program she's enrolled in - "the state" could mean several different things (Medicaid waiver, state-funded programs, etc.) and each has different rules about out-of-state providers. One thing I wish I'd known earlier: some programs require the care recipient to live within a certain radius of the provider's home address, regardless of state lines. In my case, even though both counties are in California, there were still residency requirements I had to navigate. Also, if you do move forward, keep DETAILED records of everything - dates you're in Nevada vs California, all income received, gas receipts if you're claiming travel expenses on taxes, etc. The documentation requirements get intense when you're working across jurisdictions. I use a simple Google Sheets to track it all because my county worker asked for very specific breakdowns during my last review. Have you considered whether your aunt might qualify for any programs that would allow remote check-ins or telehealth support instead? Sometimes there are alternatives that don't require as much physical presence and could simplify the whole situation.

This whole thread is incredibly helpful! I'm relatively new to navigating the CalFresh system and had no idea about so many of these options. The temporary card same-day pickup is amazing information - I wish they made this more widely known instead of just telling people to wait 7-10 days. It's also really helpful to know about resources like 211 and Claimyr for when you can't get through the regular phone lines. @Astrid Bergström so glad you got it resolved and can have a proper Thanksgiving! This community is such a lifesaver for figuring out how things actually work in the real world.

This is such a perfect example of why community knowledge is so much more valuable than official channels! I've been on CalFresh for about 6 months now and learned more from this one thread than from all my interactions with customer service combined. The fact that same-day emergency cards are available but not widely advertised is honestly infuriating - how many families have gone hungry waiting for replacements when they could have gotten help immediately? @Astrid Bergström I'm so relieved you got sorted out in time for Thanksgiving! And huge thanks to everyone who shared practical solutions like Claimyr and 211. Saving all of this info because you never know when you'll need it. This is exactly why we need spaces like this where people share real experiences and actual working solutions! 🙏

BenefitsCal is back up!! Just got in and was able to upload my documents. It's moving really slow though so be patient when you're uploading. At least it's working now!

Just wanted to share another tip that helped me during system outages - if you have a smartphone, try using the mobile browser instead of the desktop version. Sometimes one works when the other doesn't. Also, I've found that trying to access BenefitsCal very early in the morning (like 5-6am) or late at night often works better because there's less traffic on the servers. It's frustrating that we have to work around their technical issues, but these workarounds have saved me multiple times when I had urgent deadlines!

To update everyone here, I checked with my supervisor (I work at a community resource center) about the 2025 Summer EBT program in California, and there are some important details to know: 1. Children must be enrolled in free/reduced meals during the regular school year 2. For pre-K students, they need to be in a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program 3. Benefits are typically $120 per eligible child for the summer 4. Applications are not required - eligible families get the benefits automatically So @OP, once your son starts pre-school, check if his school participates in the national lunch program, and if so, get him enrolled in free/reduced meals. Then he should automatically receive Summer EBT next summer.

Hey Gael! Just wanted to add that you might also want to look into the P-EBT program if it's still available in your area. It's similar to Summer EBT but was created during COVID to help families when kids couldn't get school meals due to closures or reduced hours. Some districts still offer it for pre-K programs. It's worth asking your son's school about both Summer EBT AND P-EBT when he starts in August. Also, with your income level, you should definitely reapply for WIC like others mentioned - having a 4-year-old makes you eligible and it's a great supplement to CalFresh!