Hey Keisha! Congrats on getting approved for CalFresh! 🎉 I see you've gotten tons of great advice here about deposit dates and the ConnectEBT app. One thing I'd add is to keep all your CalFresh paperwork organized in one place - approval letters, case number info, any correspondence from your county office. You'll need to reference these documents pretty regularly, especially when it comes time for recertification. Also, if you're looking to stretch your benefits further, check if your area has any food banks or pantries that complement CalFresh - many people don't realize you can use both resources together. The combination can really help make your food budget work better. Good luck with everything, and don't hesitate to ask questions here - this community is super supportive!

Hey Keisha! Welcome and congrats on your approval! 🎉 I see you've gotten amazing advice here already. Just wanted to add that you can also call the EBT customer service number on the back of your card (1-877-328-9677) to check your balance and transaction history once your benefits load. They have an automated system that's available 24/7, so you don't have to wait for business hours. Also, pro tip: benefits usually load overnight, so if your deposit date is the 7th, check your balance early morning on the 7th rather than staying up late on the 6th waiting for it! The system typically updates between 12-6 AM. You're going to do great - the first month feels overwhelming but it becomes second nature pretty quickly!

i tried doing this with my pin but forgot what i changed it to 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️ had to go to the office in person to reset it and missed work so lost money anyway lol. maybe write it down somewhere safe if ur forgetful like me!!!

This is such valuable advice! I've been working with families affected by EBT theft in my volunteer role, and the PIN timing strategy you've shared is one of the most practical solutions I've heard. One additional tip I'd add: if you shop at the same stores regularly, try to vary your shopping locations and times after changing your PIN. Thieves sometimes target specific store locations where they've successfully installed skimmers. Also, for anyone who has been a victim of EBT theft - document EVERYTHING. Take photos of your transaction history, keep records of when you reported it, and save all correspondence with the county. While California isn't currently replacing stolen CalFresh benefits, there's ongoing litigation and policy pressure that might change this. Having documentation could be crucial if replacement policies change in the future. Stay strong everyone - this shouldn't be something we have to deal with, but sharing strategies like this helps protect our community! 💪

I'm new to CalFresh and dealing with my first really high utility bill since getting benefits. Reading through all these responses is so helpful! I had no idea there were so many different programs that work alongside CalFresh. My caseworker literally just handed me my EBT card and said "this is for food only" - never mentioned CARE discounts, LIHEAP, 211, or any of these other resources. It's kind of overwhelming but also reassuring to know there's help out there. For anyone else reading this who's new to the system like me, it sounds like the key is to specifically ASK about what other programs you might qualify for rather than waiting for them to tell you. Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences and knowledge!

As someone who works in energy assistance, I wanted to add a few more resources that haven't been mentioned yet. First, check if your area has a Community Action Agency - they often have emergency utility funds that can process payments faster than some other organizations. Also, if you're a single parent (which it sounds like you might be with little kids), look into the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) emergency services - they sometimes have one-time utility assistance that's separate from regular TANF benefits. And here's something most people don't know: some utility companies will actually negotiate payment plans AFTER you've received a shutoff notice if you can show proof that you're actively seeking assistance. When you call PG&E, mention that you have appointments scheduled with assistance programs - they might give you an extension until those funds come through. Keep all your documentation from every program you apply to, even if they can't help right away, because some organizations will coordinate together to cover larger bills.

This is such a helpful thread! I'm in my third month of CalFresh and was also confused about the deposit schedule at first. My case number ends in 2, so I get mine on the 3rd of each month now (took me way too long to figure out the pattern lol). One thing I learned the hard way is that if you're planning a big grocery shopping trip, it's worth checking your balance the night before your deposit date just to make sure there weren't any delays or issues with your case. I once went to the store expecting my benefits to be there and they weren't because my recertification paperwork was late. Now I always double-check! The EBT app mentioned earlier is definitely a lifesaver for this.

This thread has been so informative! I'm about to apply for CalFresh next week and had no idea there was a specific schedule for when benefits get deposited. I was expecting it to just be random or maybe the same date for everyone. It's really helpful to know that it's based on your case number - that seems like a fair way to spread out the deposits so the system doesn't get overloaded. I'm definitely going to save this thread for reference once I get approved. Quick question though - does anyone know if the deposit schedule is the same for emergency CalFresh benefits, or is that different? I might need to apply for emergency benefits while waiting for my regular application to process.

I want to share some updated information about benefit theft replacement since there seems to be confusion: 1. As of January 2025, California's updated EBT theft reimbursement program covers up to two months of stolen benefits within a federal fiscal year 2. The process requires: - Filing a police report (online is fine in most counties) - Completing form EBT-2259 (Benefit Theft Report) - Submitting a signed affidavit declaring the theft - Providing transaction records showing the unauthorized purchases 3. For emergency assistance while waiting: - Ask your county worker specifically for "expedited theft replacement" - Visit a local food bank (they have special programs for victims of benefit theft) - Check if you qualify for emergency CalFresh supplemental benefits If you're having trouble reaching someone at the county office to process this faster, you can either escalate to a supervisor by clearly stating it's an emergency food situation affecting children, or visit the office in person where they can't put you on hold.

I'm so sorry you're going through this - having benefits stolen twice is absolutely devastating, especially when you have kids depending on those funds. Beyond what others have mentioned, here are a few additional protective steps: 1. Consider using your EBT card only at larger chain stores with better security monitoring rather than smaller independent markets 2. Always inspect the card reader before inserting - look for anything loose, misaligned, or that seems "off" 3. If possible, use the chip reader instead of swiping when available 4. Keep a record of every transaction with photos of receipts to catch unauthorized use faster For immediate food assistance while waiting for replacement benefits, contact 211 (dial 2-1-1) - they can connect you to local food pantries and emergency food programs specifically for families affected by benefit theft. Many have special expedited services for EBT theft victims. Also, if that 3rd Street Market keeps coming up in theft reports, definitely report it to both local police and the USDA fraud hotline. Sometimes coordinated reporting from multiple victims is what finally gets these compromised terminals shut down. Hang in there - you're not alone in this and there are people working to help you get through this crisis.