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Got CalFresh renewal letter but confused about waiting for appointment vs applying online now?
I'm so confused about this CalFresh renewal process! Just got a letter in the mail saying it's time to renew my benefits. In section 2 it says I'll get an appointment letter later in the mail. But I'm wondering if I should go ahead and fill out an application online right now or if I really need to wait for this appointment letter first? My benefits expire in 30 days and I'm getting anxious about losing them. Anyone know the right way to handle this? Can I just renew online through BenefitsCal or do I absolutely have to wait for their appointment? Don't want to mess anything up!
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Do CalFresh recipients get benefit increase for each child or just one per household?
So confused about how CalFresh calculates benefits for kids. Just had my second baby last month (now have a 3yr old and newborn). Currently getting $534/month for me and my first kid. Do I get an increase for the new baby too? Or is it just a one-time increase when you first have a kid? My friend said her benefits didn't change much when she had her 2nd. County office has me on hold forever when I try calling. Need to know if I should expect more EBT $ next month or budget the same amount.
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did u do ur SAR7 report yet?? cuz if ur due for that soon u can just wait and add the baby on that form maybe
Adding a household member is considered a change that must be reported within 10 days, even outside of the SAR7 reporting period. This is especially important for a newborn since it will almost certainly increase benefits. Waiting until the next SAR7 could mean missing out on months of increased benefits.
oh didnt know that! good thing u said something
Congratulations on your new baby! Yes, you should definitely get an increase for your second child. CalFresh benefits are calculated based on household size, so each additional person (including babies) increases your maximum benefit amount. The increase won't be as much as when you first added your 3-year-old because of how the benefit formula works, but you should still see a decent bump - probably around $120-180 more per month based on what others have shared. Make sure to report the change within 10 days of the birth and have your baby's birth certificate ready. You can try calling during off-peak hours (like mid-morning on weekdays) to avoid the longest wait times. Don't give up - that extra money will really help with all the new baby expenses!
CalFresh reporting rules for part-time income vs annual recertification - need urgent clarification
I recently got approved for CalFresh benefits and my annual recertification is scheduled for October 2025 (about 8 months from now). I just got offered a very part-time job working one day per month at a local event center that would pay about $150-180 each time. Do I need to report this income now or can I wait until my recertification appointment? The paperwork they gave me mentions something about a 'reportable income threshold' but I'm confused about what exactly counts as income I need to report right away vs. what can wait for recertification. I don't want to mess up my benefits but also don't want to deal with more paperwork if I don't have to. Anyone know the rules about this?
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be careful!! my cousin got an overpayment notice bcuz she didnt report a side job and now they take money out of her benefits every month to pay it back. its better to just tell them everything even if u dont have to
While it's true that unreported income can lead to overpayments, it's important to follow the actual reporting rules. Under Semi-Annual Reporting in California, you're only required to report income changes mid-period if they exceed your IRT. Reporting when not required can actually create unnecessary work for both you and the county, and could potentially reduce your benefits earlier than necessary. The key is understanding your specific reporting requirements and following them correctly.
I just wanted to add some clarification since I've been through this exact situation recently. The SAR 7 form is super important - don't ignore it when it comes! I almost missed mine because I moved and didn't update my address right away. Also, even though your part-time income is way below your IRT, I'd recommend keeping a simple log of when you work and how much you earn. It makes filling out the SAR 7 so much easier when you have everything organized. I use a basic spreadsheet with date, hours worked, and gross pay. One more tip: if your income from this job varies month to month (like if some events get cancelled), just report what you actually received during the reporting period, not what you expected to earn. The county wants actual income, not projected income.
Where can I use CalFresh EBT? Just got approved and confused about accepted stores
Hey everyone! I'm super excited that I finally got approved for CalFresh benefits after waiting for what felt like forever (about 3 weeks). I received my EBT card in the mail yesterday but realized I have NO IDEA where I can actually use it. Does anyone have a list of grocery stores that accept EBT in California? Are there any surprising places that take it? I'm on a really tight budget this month so I want to make the most of these benefits. Also, do farmers markets accept EBT? I've heard some do but not sure how that works...
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i just use mine at winco and walmart cuz there cheapest by me. but one weird thing is some restaurants can take ebt if ur homeless or elderly or disabled. its called the restaurant meals program. my uncle uses his at subway sometimes.
That's correct about the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP)! It's available for CalFresh households with members who are elderly (60+), disabled, or homeless. Participating restaurants have signs posted, and they include some fast food places like Subway, Domino's, Jack in the Box, and certain other restaurants. It's county-specific though - not all California counties participate in RMP.
One more tip I haven't seen mentioned - if you're near any ethnic grocery stores (like 99 Ranch Market, Northgate Market, or Indian/Middle Eastern stores), they usually accept EBT too and often have WAY better prices on produce, rice, beans, and spices than regular supermarkets. I get huge bags of rice and lentils for like half the price of Safeway. Also, many Vietnamese and Mexican markets have amazing deals on fresh vegetables. Just make sure to bring cash for any non-EBT items since some smaller stores are cash-only for those purchases.
CalFresh benefits drastically reduced after adding new household member - need urgent help!
I recently added my sister to my CalFresh household after she moved in with me and my two kids (she lost her job). I reported the change through BenefitsCal and uploaded her ID and income verification documents. Our benefits just came through and they dropped from $650/month to only $175!! How can this be right? We're a household of 4 now with even LESS total income than before (she's only getting unemployment). I called the county office repeatedly but get disconnected every time. My sister has dietary restrictions too (celiac) so our food costs have actually gone UP. Do I need to file an appeal? Is there a calculation error? We literally cannot feed everyone on $175/month.
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One other thing to check - make sure they didn't accidentally count your sister's previous income from before she lost her job. I've seen cases where they mistakenly used old income information rather than the current unemployment. Also, did you report her as "mandatory" or "non-mandatory" when adding her? Everyone who lives together and purchases/prepares food together should be mandatory.
I'm pretty sure I listed her as mandatory since we definitely shop and cook together. But maybe they did use old income info... she was making a lot more at her previous job than she gets on unemployment. I'll specifically ask about that when I call tomorrow. Thanks for the tip!
hey did u ever get this resolved?? my friend just had her benefits drop after adding her mom to the case too so wondering what happened with yours
Yes! Finally got through yesterday. Turns out they had accidentally counted my sister's previous income FROM HER JOB along with her unemployment! So they had us at like $5,500 household income instead of $3,900. They fixed it and our benefits are going up to $780 next month, plus they're giving us back pay for this month's shortage. Tell your friend to check if they did something similar!
That's amazing Emma! So glad you got it sorted out. My friend is dealing with the exact same thing - they added her mom who's on social security and their benefits dropped way more than they should have. I'll tell her to specifically ask them to check if they're double-counting income sources. Thanks for the update!
Oliver Weber
To clarify for everyone in this thread: when you receive a CalFresh renewal notice, the most efficient process is: 1. Complete your recertification application online through BenefitsCal immediately 2. Upload your verification documents (last 30 days of income proof, rent/mortgage, utilities if they've changed) 3. Wait for your interview appointment (either from the letter that's coming or they'll call to schedule after seeing your online application) 4. Complete the interview when scheduled Doing steps 1-2 early gives you the best chance of uninterrupted benefits. If you wait until the last minute and there are any issues, you risk a gap in benefits.
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Keisha Jackson
AuthorThank you so much for these clear steps! I'm going to start my online application tonight and gather all my documents. Really appreciate everyone's help with this!
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Maria Gonzalez
Just wanted to add that if you're worried about the 30-day deadline, you can also check your current certification period end date by logging into your BenefitsCal account - it should show exactly when your benefits expire. That way you know exactly how much time you have to work with. Also, if for some reason there IS a gap in benefits while your renewal is processing, you can ask about expedited processing if you meet the criteria (like having less than $150 in monthly income and resources). Don't panic though - most renewals go through smoothly if you submit everything on time!
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