Update: I tried using the fruit & veggie benefit today at Walmart! It worked perfectly - bought some apples, frozen broccoli, and canned tomatoes. The cashier didn't need to do anything special, and when I checked my EDGE app after, it showed the purchases came from my $60 incentive balance, not my regular CalFresh amount. Thanks everyone for the helpful info!

This is so helpful! I just checked my EDGE app after reading this and I have $60 too! I had no idea what it was for. Quick question - does anyone know if baby food fruits and vegetables count? I have a 10-month-old and spend a lot on jarred baby food. Would be amazing if those qualified since they're basically just pureed fruits and veggies. Also wondering about things like applesauce or fruit cups - are those considered processed and wouldn't qualify?

I'm also in Contra Costa and experienced the same delays! My benefits were 5 days late but finally loaded on Wednesday. What helped me was going directly to the Martinez office early in the morning (around 7:30 AM) - there was still a line but I was able to speak with someone within 2 hours. They explained that the CalSAWS transition has caused a backlog in their system processing, but they assured me that all January benefits would be issued with the correct amounts, just delayed. The worker also gave me a direct number for their CalSAWS transition hotline: (925) 957-5299. It's supposedly monitored more frequently than the main line during this transition period. Hang in there everyone - it seems like most people are getting their benefits now, just later than usual!

I'm so glad I found this thread! I'm also in Contra Costa (Concord area) and have been dealing with the exact same issue - my January benefits were supposed to load on the 10th but didn't show up until yesterday (the 16th). I was starting to think it was just me! Like others mentioned, I couldn't get through on the phone at all. What finally worked for me was using the online chat feature on the BenefitsCal website - it took about 45 minutes of waiting but I was able to connect with someone who confirmed my benefits were just delayed due to the system transition, not lost. They also mentioned that February benefits should be back to normal timing since the worst of the transition issues are behind them now. For anyone still waiting, definitely try that chat option if calling isn't working - go to benefitscal.com and look for the "Live Chat" button. Sending good thoughts to everyone dealing with this stress!

Hey Kaylee! Congratulations on getting the Target job - that's fantastic news! I can totally understand your anxiety about how it might affect your CalFresh benefits, but you're going to be okay. Just wanted to echo what others have said about it being income-based, not hours-based. At $2,100/month for a household of 3, you'll definitely still qualify for benefits, though the amount will be reduced from what you're getting now while unemployed. One thing I'd suggest is calling your county office BEFORE you start the job to give them a heads up about the upcoming change. That way they can walk you through exactly what documentation they'll need and when. Some counties are more helpful than others, but it's worth trying to get ahead of it. Also, keep in mind that your first few paychecks might be smaller while you're in training or getting up to full hours, so your actual monthly income might ramp up gradually. Make sure they understand your expected ongoing income versus what your first paycheck shows. You're doing an amazing job taking care of your kids and yourself - this new job is going to be a great step forward for your family!

Kaylee, first off congratulations on the new job! That's such great news after 6 months of searching. I totally get your worry about losing benefits - I went through the exact same anxiety when I started working again. The good news is that CalFresh is designed to support working families, not punish them for getting jobs. At $2,100/month for a family of 3, you're still well under the income limits and will continue receiving benefits, just at a reduced amount. A few practical tips from my experience: - Report the change within 10 days like others mentioned, but don't stress if you're a day or two late - If you can, submit your offer letter showing expected hours/pay rate before you even start, then follow up with actual paystubs - Target schedules can vary week to week, so your monthly income might fluctuate - they'll usually average it out over a few months The most important thing is staying in communication with your caseworker. I found that being proactive and honest about changes actually made the whole process smoother. You're doing an amazing job providing for your kids, and this new income combined with continued CalFresh support is going to make things so much more stable for your family. You've got this!

I double-checked my address on BenefitsCal and it's correct. Haven't received anything in the mail at all, not even an EBT card. That's a good point though - maybe I should call and verify my mailing address is correct in their system.

I'm so sorry you're going through this - I had a very similar experience last year where my application seemed to just disappear into the void. What finally helped me was filing a complaint with the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) online at cdss.ca.gov. They have a complaint form specifically for delayed applications and they actually follow up with the county on your behalf. It took about a week after I filed the complaint for someone from my county office to call me directly. Turns out my application had been sitting unassigned for over 6 weeks due to staffing issues. The complaint process really lights a fire under them to get moving. You can also contact your local legal aid organization - many have advocates who specialize in benefits issues and can help push your case forward. Don't give up, you deserve to have your application processed in a timely manner!

To answer your earlier question about updating your utility costs - you should call your eligibility worker right away. This is considered a change that could increase your benefits, so you don't need to wait for your next reporting period. If you can't reach anyone by phone, you can also submit this information through your BenefitsCal account online under 'Report a Change.' Make sure to upload copies of your utility bills as verification.

Just want to add that if you're struggling with rent, also look into the Fresno County Emergency Rental Assistance Program - they might still have funding available. I know someone who got 3 months of back rent covered through them last fall. The application process was pretty quick too, like 2-3 weeks from application to approval. You can apply online through their portal or visit one of their partner organizations. And definitely take everyone's advice about updating your utility expenses with CalFresh - that extra money each month really does help stretch your budget!