I was on GR for 9 months last year and it SUCKED. they make u do these stupid job search forms every week and if u miss ONE appointment they cut u off for like 30 days as "penalty" 🙄 calfresh is way less drama just fill out the SAR7 every 6 months and recert once a year

Just wanted to add that you should definitely apply for CalFresh through BenefitsCal online if possible - it's way faster than going to the office in person. You can upload all your documents right there and track your application status. Since you have no income and only $300 in savings, you'll almost certainly qualify for expedited service (benefits within 3 days). Also, that $400 you're paying your sister absolutely counts as a shelter expense! Make sure to mention it because it increases your benefit amount. The county worker should help you figure out what documentation you need for that. Don't let the system overwhelm you - you're asking all the right questions and it sounds like you'll qualify for both programs. Good luck with your applications!

the whole system is designed to wear you down so you give up. they make it impossible to reach anyone and when you finally do they tell you that you filled out the wrong form or are missing some obscure document. i waited 11 WEEKS to get approved for emergency assistance and by then i'd already had to sleep in my car with my kid for a month. hate to be negative but prepare yourself for a battle

UPDATE: I wanted to let everyone know what's happened. I tried calling the county office all morning yesterday with no luck. Finally used that Claimyr service someone mentioned, and they got me through to an Emergency Response worker! The worker took all our info and said we qualify for temporary housing assistance while our full CalWORKs application is processed. They're sending us paperwork today and said we might be able to get help with the hotel for up to 16 days while we look for something permanent. They're also connecting us with a housing navigator who can help us find an apartment that will work with our budget. I'm still stressed but at least feel like we have some options now. Thank you all for your advice!

UPDATE: I finally logged into BenefitsCal and found a notice from January that I somehow missed. Turns out it IS that new California Supplemental Nutrition Benefit because I have a child under 6! It said this is ongoing as long as I remain eligible and my son is still under 6. Thanks everyone for your help! Sometimes the system actually works lol

So glad you figured it out! This is exactly why I always tell people to check their BenefitsCal messages regularly - they send important notices there that are easy to miss. The California Supplemental Nutrition Benefit is a great program but they really need to do better at explaining it upfront. For anyone else reading this - if you have kids under 6, are over 60, or have a disability in your household, you might be eligible for this extra benefit too. It's not temporary like the old emergency allotments were, it's an ongoing program as long as you meet the criteria.

Just wanted to add another option that's been a lifesaver for me - if you have an iPhone, you can add your EBT balance as a widget to your home screen using the ConnectEBT app. Once you're logged in, go to your widgets and add the ConnectEBT widget. It shows your current balance right on your phone's home screen without even having to open the app! Super convenient when you're at the store and need a quick glance at your balance. Android might have something similar but I'm not sure since I use iPhone. Has anyone tried setting this up on Android?

Another quick tip that's saved me tons of time - most major grocery chains now have their own apps that let you check your EBT balance if you link your card. I use the Safeway app and it shows my balance right in there along with digital coupons and store deals. Target's app does this too if you have a Target nearby. The nice thing about using the store apps is you can check your balance AND browse deals/plan your shopping all in one place. Plus they usually load faster than the dedicated EBT apps since the stores have better servers. Worth checking if your regular grocery store has this feature!

I called them back today and went through the verification process. The worker was super nice and explained they need the card number to access my account but also verified my identity using my case number, DOB, and address. My benefits were delayed because there was a system issue with the auto-loading this month, but she fixed it and said they'll be available tomorrow. Thanks everyone for the reassurance and tips!

So glad everything worked out for you! Your experience is a perfect example of why it's smart to be cautious but also important to verify legitimate procedures. The fact that they used multiple forms of verification (card number, case number, DOB, address) shows they were following proper protocol. For anyone else reading this thread who might have similar concerns - it's totally normal to feel anxious about sharing personal info over the phone given all the scams going around. Just remember: legitimate CalFresh reps will NEVER ask for your PIN, and they should always be able to verify your identity using multiple pieces of information, not just your card number alone. Trust your instincts, but also don't let fear prevent you from accessing the help you need!