my kids got cards but had no $$ on them lol thanks for nothing california

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! I have 3 kids (ages 9, 7, and 4) and only got one P-EBT card so far for my oldest. I was panicking thinking I messed something up on my application. Reading everyone's responses here is so reassuring - sounds like this is totally normal and the cards just come at different times. The waiting is stressful though when you're counting on those benefits for groceries. I'll keep checking the mailbox and try to be patient. Thanks for asking this question because I was about to make the same post!

I'm a case worker and wanted to add some practical tips for your recertification. When you go in, be upfront about your situation - tell them you're a stay-at-home mom receiving cash support from your boyfriend who doesn't live with you. They'll have you complete a client statement form explaining the arrangement. For the $500 weekly ($2,000/month), this will count as unearned income but likely won't disqualify you - it might just reduce your benefit amount slightly. The key is being honest from the start. If they do request bank statements later and see unexplained deposits, that's when you could face problems. Also, since you mentioned twins, make sure to ask about the dependent care deduction if you ever pay anyone to watch them, even family members. And with that high rent you mentioned in another comment ($1,850), you should definitely qualify for the excess shelter deduction which could help offset the income from your boyfriend's support. Good luck with your recertification!

I just went through my recertification last month with a similar situation! I'm also a single mom receiving regular cash from my ex (not through court-ordered support, just informal help). My caseworker was actually really understanding when I explained everything upfront. What helped me was keeping a simple notebook for about 6 weeks before my appointment where I wrote down every time he gave me money and the amount. Even though it wasn't always exactly the same, having that record showed I was being transparent about reporting it accurately. They had me fill out a client statement form explaining the arrangement, and they also sent a form to my ex to confirm the amounts. The whole process was way less scary than I thought it would be! My benefits did go down a little bit, but not nearly as much as I feared. And honestly, having everything documented properly gave me so much peace of mind. Don't stress too much - just be honest and bring any records you have. The caseworkers deal with situations like this all the time.

I just wanted to chime in as someone who works with families going through county transfers regularly. You've gotten some excellent advice here! One additional resource that might help - San Bernardino County has a dedicated Inter-County Transfer unit that handles these cases. Their direct line is usually less congested than the main CalFresh number. Also, since you mentioned you're moving into a house versus an apartment, make sure you understand how your new housing situation affects your shelter deduction calculation. With Section 8, if you're now responsible for utilities that were previously included in your apartment rent, that could actually INCREASE your CalFresh benefits due to the utility allowance. The key thing everyone has emphasized is absolutely right - start the process early and keep detailed records. I've seen transfers go smoothly when people are proactive, and I've seen nightmares when people wait until after they've already moved. You're clearly being smart about this! One last tip: if you run into any issues during the transfer, don't hesitate to contact your local food bank or community action agency. They often have advocates who can help navigate county system issues and ensure you don't experience a gap in benefits.

I just went through this exact same situation last month! Moved from LA to San Bernardino with Section 8 and was terrified about losing benefits. Here's what actually happened: My CalFresh amount stayed EXACTLY the same - $428/month for me and my daughter. The process took about 2 weeks total, and I didn't miss any benefits because I started the ICT early like everyone is suggesting. The biggest difference I noticed is that San Bernardino really does want more documentation upfront. They asked for: - 3 months of bank statements (LA only wanted 1) - Utility setup confirmations from my new address - Section 8 portability paperwork from both housing authorities - School enrollment verification for my daughter But honestly, once I provided everything, the worker was super helpful and walked me through exactly how my benefits were calculated. The Section 8 definitely helped because now I'm getting the full utility allowance since I pay electric/gas separately. One thing that saved me a lot of headaches - I called the ICT unit directly at (909) 388-0245. Way faster than the main number! Best of luck with your move!

I'm so sorry this happened to you - EBT theft is becoming way too common and it's especially hard when you have kids counting on those benefits. I haven't experienced this personally, but I wanted to share what I've learned from helping others in our community navigate similar situations. The timeline really does seem to vary by county and how quickly they process your paperwork. From what I've seen, most people get their benefits back within 10-14 business days once the EBT-4 form is properly processed (not just submitted). The key thing is getting confirmation from your worker about when exactly your form was received and processed - that's when the official countdown begins. While you're waiting, definitely reach out to local food banks and community organizations. Many have emergency food boxes specifically for families dealing with EBT theft. You can also call 211 to get connected with emergency food resources in San Bernardino County. A few other things that might help: - Document everything (dates, times, who you spoke with) - Ask for your case number if you don't already have it - Don't be afraid to follow up every few days for status updates The waiting is the worst part, especially when you're worried about feeding your family. But from what I've seen in our community, most people do get their benefits restored within the timeframe. Hang in there, and don't hesitate to advocate for yourself if things drag on longer than expected!

I'm so sorry this happened to you and your family - having $475 stolen is devastating, especially when you're relying on those benefits to feed your kids. I went through this exact situation about a year ago in Fresno County, so I wanted to share what I learned. The timeline really does depend on when they actually process your EBT-4 form, not when you first reported it. In my case, it took 11 business days from when my form was processed to get my benefits back. The key is getting confirmation from your worker about the exact date your paperwork was received and processed - that's when the official 10 business day countdown starts. A few things that helped me during the wait: - I called every few days (not daily) to check status and show I was staying on top of it - I kept detailed notes of every conversation including dates and who I spoke with - I reached out to local food banks for emergency assistance - many have special programs for EBT theft victims Also, once you get your benefits back, definitely download the EBT app if you haven't already. Being able to freeze and unfreeze your card between shopping trips has been a game changer for preventing future theft. The waiting is absolutely nerve-wracking when you have kids to feed, but hang in there. Most counties do follow through within their stated timeframes. Don't hesitate to follow up if you don't hear anything after the 10 business days from your form processing date. Wishing you and your family the best - you've got this!

Welcome to the community and congrats on getting approved! Just wanted to add a few tips from someone who's been using CalFresh for about a year now: 1. Download multiple apps to check your balance - I use both the ConnectEBT app and the BenefitsCal app as backups in case one is down 2. Keep your receipt from your last purchase - it shows your remaining balance at the bottom 3. If you shop at farmers markets, many accept EBT and some even match your spending dollar-for-dollar through programs like Market Match 4. Consider meal planning around your benefit deposit date - I find it helps me budget better throughout the month The learning curve can feel overwhelming at first, but you'll get the hang of it quickly. This community is super helpful if you have questions later on!

Welcome to the CalFresh family! This thread has so much great information already. I just wanted to add one more tip that really helped me when I first started - if you're ever unsure about whether something is EBT eligible while shopping, most cashiers are super understanding and will let you split your transaction. You can pay for the EBT-eligible items first with your card, then pay for any non-eligible items separately with cash or another card. It takes away the stress of guessing and avoids any embarrassing moments at checkout. Also, don't feel bad about asking store employees - they deal with EBT transactions all day and are usually happy to help clarify what's covered!