I've been using EBT on DoorDash for about 4 months now and it's honestly been a lifesaver when I can't get to the store. Here's what I've learned that might help with your situation: The fees are definitely the biggest downside - expect around $12-20 total depending on your location and order size. But since your car's in the shop for 2 weeks, it might be worth it for at least a couple essential grocery runs. A few tips to make it work better: - Start with a smaller test order first to get familiar with how the payment splitting works - Stick to obvious SNAP-eligible items for your first order (bread, milk, canned goods, etc.) - Make sure your backup payment method has MORE than you think you'll need for fees - I got burned once when my card was declined for $2 short on fees - The Walmart and Albertsons options tend to have the most reasonable markup compared to in-store prices The app does a good job showing you the payment breakdown before you confirm, so you won't have any surprises. Just know that once you hit "place order," you can't go back and change payment methods if something goes wrong. Given that you're stuck without transportation for 2 weeks, I'd say it's worth trying at least once to see if it works for your situation. The convenience factor is huge when you have no other options!

I've been using EBT on DoorDash for grocery delivery for about 2 months now and it's been really helpful since I don't have reliable transportation. Here's what I've learned that might help you: The payment system works pretty smoothly - you add your EBT card info to the app, then when you checkout it automatically separates SNAP-eligible items (charged to EBT) from fees and non-eligible items (charged to your backup card). You'll see the exact breakdown before confirming. Fees typically run $8-16 total depending on distance, store, and tip. I usually budget an extra $20 on my backup card just to be safe. The convenience is worth it when you're stuck without a car, but definitely more expensive than shopping in person. A few things that caught me off guard: - Some stores have limited delivery windows when using EBT - Hot/prepared foods won't work even if they're from the grocery section - App prices are sometimes higher than in-store prices - You need both payment methods working or the whole order fails For your 2-week situation, I'd say try a small test order first from Walmart or Safeway to get familiar with the process. The pickup option someone mentioned is genius if you can find someone to grab your order - saves all the delivery fees!

wait wait I just thought of something else! If u have ANY kind of home health aide or even if family helps you with daily activities, that can sometimes count as proof too. My mom was helping me with grocery shopping and driving to appointments and we included that in my paperwork. CalFresh accepted that as evidence I couldn't work cuz I needed help with basic stuff. worth mentioning if thats ur situation too

I went through something very similar with undiagnosed chronic pain issues. One thing that helped me was getting documentation from my physical therapist instead of just my doctor. PTs often see the functional limitations more clearly since they work with you on movement and activities. My PT was willing to write a letter describing exactly what I couldn't do physically, and CalFresh accepted that along with my doctor's more general medical statement. Also, if you're prescribed any assistive devices (even just a cane or compression socks), make sure to mention those in your paperwork - it shows medical professionals are acknowledging your limitations even without a specific diagnosis name. Don't give up - there are people in the system who understand that real medical issues don't always come with neat diagnostic labels!

Hey! I work as a benefits counselor and just wanted to add a few things that might help. First, definitely apply even though your combined gross income is over the initial threshold - with Oakland rent prices, you'll almost certainly qualify after deductions are applied. One thing I don't see mentioned yet is that you should also ask about the Standard Utility Allowance (SUA) when you apply. Since you mentioned paying $180 for utilities, you can claim either your actual utility costs OR the SUA (whichever is higher). The SUA for 2025 is usually around $400+ for heating/cooling, so that alone could save you a significant amount in the income calculation. Also, if either of you has any medical expenses (prescriptions, copays, etc.), make sure to include those too - they're deductible for everyone, not just elderly/disabled applicants. Even small medical costs can add up and help lower your countable income. The reduced hours situation Justin mentioned is super important - make sure to emphasize that this is a recent change when you apply. Sometimes they can even backdate benefits if your income dropped significantly in recent months.

Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through a similar situation with my brother last year in SF. We were also over the gross income limit initially, but ended up qualifying after all the deductions. A few things that really helped us: - Make sure you bring documentation for EVERYTHING when you apply (pay stubs from both jobs, lease agreement, utility bills, any medical receipts) - Ask specifically about the "excess shelter costs" deduction - with your $2300 rent in Oakland, this will probably be your biggest deduction - If you get denied initially, don't give up! You can request a hearing and sometimes they missed deductions the first time around Also, even if you only end up qualifying for a small amount (like $50-100/month), it's still worth it because you'll also get access to other programs and discounts. We only get about $80/month but it helps, especially with prices being so crazy right now. The whole process is honestly confusing and the rules seem to change constantly, but stick with it. Having that financial cushion for groceries has been a huge relief for us, especially during months when work is slow.

I work at a county eligibility office and can confirm what others have said - the automated phone system often doesn't display pending deposits until 3-5 days before issuance. Your benefits should continue automatically between quarterly reviews as long as you haven't received a Notice of Action about discontinuation. The fact that you only received an appointment notice (not a discontinuation notice) is actually a good sign. Your April verification is routine and shouldn't affect your monthly deposits. Keep checking around the 4th-5th if your case number ends in 7!

I've been on CalFresh for about 2 years now and this exact same thing has happened to me multiple times, especially around quarterly reviews. The phone system is honestly pretty unreliable for showing future deposits - sometimes it shows them, sometimes it doesn't. What I've learned is that as long as you haven't gotten any official notices about your benefits being discontinued, they usually deposit on schedule regardless of what the automated system says. Since you mentioned your case number ends in 7, definitely check your account on the 7th. In my experience, the benefits almost always show up even when the system acts weird like this. Try not to stress too much about it!

Hi Paloma! Welcome to San Bernardino County! I just moved here from Nevada last year and went through the CalFresh application process, so I totally understand the stress of navigating a new state's system. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that San Bernardino County has mobile CalFresh application assistance that comes to different community locations throughout the month. They set up at libraries, community centers, and even some grocery stores to help people apply in person. This was a game-changer for me because I could get help with the application AND submit all my documents right there with someone checking to make sure everything was complete. You can find their mobile schedule on the San Bernardino County Human Services website - just search for "mobile CalFresh enrollment." They also speak Spanish and have interpreters available if needed. Also, since you're coming from out of state, make sure you have proof of your new California address ready (utility bill, lease agreement, etc.) as they'll need to verify residency. A PO Box won't work - it has to be a physical address in the county. Your income situation sounds really promising for qualification, especially with two kids and that rent amount. The shelter deduction will definitely help bring your net income down. Good luck with your application - you've got this! 🙂

Hi Paloma! Welcome to San Bernardino County! I just wanted to add something that might be helpful since you mentioned your husband just got a new job - make sure you keep documentation of any gap in employment he might have had between Arizona and California. Sometimes caseworkers ask about employment history, especially if there was any period of unemployment during your move. Also, I noticed several people mentioned the BenefitsCal website - one tip I learned the hard way is to clear your browser cache before starting your application. The site can be glitchy with saved data from previous sessions, and starting fresh helps avoid technical issues that could delay your application. Since you're coming from Arizona, you might also want to know that California allows households to have slightly higher vehicle values without it affecting CalFresh eligibility compared to some other states. One reliable vehicle per adult household member doesn't count toward resource limits regardless of value. With your income at $3,100 gross for a family of 4, you should definitely qualify. The shelter deduction with your $1,800 rent will help a lot. Just make sure to report your Arizona SNAP case closure date on your California application - this can sometimes help with processing timing. Good luck with your application! San Bernardino County can be slow, but being well-prepared with documents seems to make a big difference in processing time.