Just to follow up on the excellent advice above - when you appeal, make sure you specifically mention "medical expense deduction" in your appeal letter. Also, gather these documents to strengthen your case: 1. Diagnosis documentation for both children 2. All medical/therapy receipts from the last 3 months 3. A list of ongoing monthly medical expenses 4. Documentation of any special dietary needs (if applicable) 5. Mileage log for medical appointments CalFresh regulations require them to consider these expenses, but you need to be proactive about presenting them. When properly documented, medical expense deductions can make a significant difference in your eligibility determination and benefit amount. The income limit is effectively raised when these deductions are applied correctly.

I went through this exact same situation with my daughter who has cerebral palsy! The key thing that helped us was requesting a "disability determination" for CalFresh purposes, even though she doesn't receive SSI. You can ask your county worker to evaluate whether your children meet the disability criteria based on their medical conditions and functional limitations. Also, don't forget about these often-overlooked medical expenses that count toward your deduction: - Special foods/supplements if medically necessary - Assistive technology or adaptive equipment - Physical/occupational therapy copays - Behavioral therapy sessions - Special transportation costs (like wheelchair-accessible vehicles) When I appealed, I submitted a detailed monthly budget showing ALL disability-related expenses, and it made the difference between denial and approval. The appeal process took about 6 weeks for us, but we received retroactive benefits back to our original application date. Definitely worth fighting for!

Congratulations Aisha! This is such wonderful news and I'm so relieved everything worked out for you and your son. As someone who's new to this community, I've been following your story and learning so much from everyone's responses about SSI and CalFresh rules. It's really encouraging to see how the community came together to provide accurate information when you were stressed and confused. $425/month will definitely help with groceries for you and your teenager! Thank you for taking the time to update us with your positive outcome - these success stories are so valuable for other families who might be going through the same uncertainty about how their child's SSI affects their CalFresh eligibility.

This is such fantastic news, Aisha! As a newcomer to this community, I've been following your journey from start to finish and it's incredible to see how everything worked out. Your story really highlights how confusing the system can be initially - I would have been just as stressed about whether SSI counts toward CalFresh eligibility. It's so reassuring to see that when you get the right information (thanks to everyone who clarified the SSI exclusion rules!), the program really does work as intended. $425/month will make such a meaningful difference for your family's grocery budget. Thank you for taking the time to update us with your success - these positive outcomes give hope to other families navigating similar situations and show newcomers like me that this community truly helps people get the support they need!

One more important tip: If you used your EBT card at an ATM recently or at a store with a suspicious card reader, mention that specifically in your report. In 2025, California has been cracking down on EBT skimming fraud, and cases where skimming is suspected are being processed more quickly. Make sure to get a case number from both EBT customer service and the police report - you'll need both for follow-up.

I'm so sorry this happened to you! As someone who's been through this nightmare, I want to emphasize that you should also document EVERYTHING - take screenshots of your transaction history from the EBT app or website, write down the exact times you discovered the theft, and keep records of all your phone calls (case numbers, who you spoke with, etc.). Also, don't panic about feeding your kids while you wait - many food banks don't even require paperwork for emergency situations, just show up and explain what happened. Churches and community centers often have immediate food assistance too. You're doing all the right steps, and California has gotten much better about replacing stolen benefits in 2025. Hang in there!

UPDATE: IT WORKED! I tried using my youngest child's DOB when calling the number, and I was able to verify and set a new PIN! Then I made sure to select \

That's amazing news, Mateo! So glad you got it working. Your experience is going to help so many other families who are dealing with the same frustrating issue. It's ridiculous that they changed the verification process without clearly communicating it to cardholders. Thanks for sharing the update - I'm sure other parents in this group will find your solution really helpful!

Your $2400 income is well within the CalFresh limits for a 2-person household! I'm a case worker in a neighboring county and can confirm that with your high rent costs, you'll likely receive substantial benefits. One thing I'd add that others haven't mentioned - when you apply, make sure to include any utilities you pay separately from rent (electric, gas, phone, internet) as these count toward your shelter deduction too. Also, since your son is in college, ask about the Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents (ABAWD) work requirements - students are usually exempt from the 3-month time limit. The online application really is your best bet - I've seen it cut processing time in half compared to paper applications.

I'm in a similar situation in Kern County and just wanted to add that you should also ask about expedited processing when you apply! If your household has less than $150 in cash/checking and your monthly rent/utilities are more than your income, you might qualify for emergency CalFresh within 3 days. With your $1850 rent versus $2400 income, you're pretty close to that threshold. Even if you don't qualify for expedited service, mentioning that you're struggling with food costs can sometimes help prioritize your case. Also, don't forget to ask about other programs like WIC if anyone in your household qualifies - sometimes the offices can help you apply for multiple benefits at once.