my freind told me 2 try the mexican markets around town cuz alot of them take it. if u have a northgate market near u they def take it

Just wanted to add that I've been using my F&V benefits at WinCo Foods too! Not sure if they're in every area but the one near me accepts them. The cashiers there seem pretty familiar with the program which makes checkout way easier. Also discovered that some Sprouts locations take them - called ahead to confirm before making the trip. One tip: I always check my EBT balance before shopping because the fruit/veggie money shows up as a separate balance on the app, so you can see exactly how much you have left to spend.

I'm also nervous about this chip card rollout! I've been on CalFresh for about 6 months now and my family gets $1,050/month for our household of 4. Reading about Oregon's problems is really concerning. I think I'm going to follow everyone's advice here and call my county office to make sure my address is updated, plus maybe start buying a few extra shelf-stable items each shopping trip just in case there are delays. Does anyone know if we'll be able to use both the old and new cards at the same time during the transition period, or do we have to immediately switch over once we activate the new one? I'm in San Bernardino County if that makes a difference for timing.

This whole chip card transition is making me so anxious! I'm a single mom with 3 kids and we get $1,325/month in CalFresh benefits - it's literally what keeps us fed. After reading about Oregon's nightmare rollout, I'm really scared something will go wrong. I'm going to start preparing now by: 1) calling my county office to triple-check my address is correct, 2) signing up for text alerts on BenefitsCal, 3) starting to buy extra canned goods and rice/pasta each shopping trip to build up a small emergency stash, and 4) writing down all the important phone numbers and keeping them handy. It's so stressful that we have to worry about losing access to basic food assistance during what should be a routine security upgrade. Has anyone heard if there will be any kind of hotline or emergency assistance specifically for chip card transition problems? I really hope California learned from other states' mistakes and this goes smoothly for all of us families who depend on these benefits.

I'm really sorry you're going through this stress with your benefits disappearing - having to worry about feeding your kids because of system glitches is absolutely unacceptable. While I understand the frustration that makes paper stamps seem appealing, the EBT system does have some important protections once you know how to navigate it. Based on what others have shared here, it sounds like there might be a known system issue affecting multiple accounts right now. I'd definitely recommend trying that Claimyr service someone mentioned to actually get through to your county worker - sometimes these technical problems can be fixed in minutes once you reach the right person who can see what's flagging your account. In the meantime, if your family is facing immediate food insecurity, don't forget that many local food banks and community organizations can provide emergency assistance while you're waiting for this to get resolved. Your kids shouldn't have to go hungry because of bureaucratic system failures. Keep documenting everything and don't give up - you're entitled to those benefits and there are people here rooting for you to get this fixed!

This is so frustrating and I completely understand your anger about the system! I've been a CalFresh recipient for about a year now and while I haven't had benefits completely disappear like yours, I've definitely experienced the nightmare of trying to reach someone at the county office. One thing that worked for me when I had a different EBT issue was calling the state's CalFresh hotline (1-877-847-3663) instead of just the EBT customer service line. They have access to different systems and can sometimes see things that the regular EBT folks can't. Also, they tend to have shorter wait times than calling your county directly. I know everyone's suggesting different ways to reach your county worker, but if none of those pan out, you can also file a complaint with the California Department of Social Services online. When there's an official complaint filed, counties are required to respond within specific timeframes. Hang in there - this shouldn't be happening to families and you have every right to be upset. Your kids deserve better than this broken system putting their food security at risk!

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!

As a new CalFresh recipient, this entire thread has been incredibly reassuring! I was actually hesitant to even take a weekend camping trip to Oregon because I wasn't sure if my benefits would work there. Learning that EBT cards work nationwide is such a relief - it opens up so many possibilities I didn't think I had. The detailed advice about Florida-specific stores, tourist areas, and practical tips like downloading the SNAP Retailer Locator app shows how knowledgeable this community is. I'm grateful for members like you all who take the time to share real-world experiences rather than just repeating official policy. It makes navigating CalFresh as a newcomer so much less intimidating when you know there are people who genuinely want to help others succeed with the program!

This thread is amazing! As someone who just started receiving CalFresh benefits last month, I had so many of the same concerns about traveling. I was actually planning to cancel a family reunion in Texas this fall because I thought my EBT card wouldn't work there and I couldn't afford to buy all my food out of pocket. Reading everyone's experiences and practical tips has completely changed my perspective. The advice about the SNAP Retailer Locator app, documenting travel with your caseworker, and being prepared for different food costs in other states is invaluable. Thank you Kiara for asking this question and everyone else for sharing such detailed, helpful responses - you've made it possible for newcomers like me to feel confident about traveling while on CalFresh!