Adding to what everyone else has shared - I'm also in San Bernardino County and went through this exact same confusion when I first got CalFresh! The restaurant signs are definitely misleading if you don't know about the special eligibility requirements. One thing that helped me was downloading the USDA's SNAP Retailer Locator app - it shows you exactly which stores near you accept EBT and what types of food you can buy there. Super useful when you're still learning the ropes! Also, if you're looking for hot food options that work with regular CalFresh, some grocery stores like Food 4 Less have hot food bars where you can get things like fried chicken or pizza by the pound - but only if it's sold cold from a refrigerated case. It's a weird rule but once you get used to it, there are actually more options than you'd think. Welcome to the CalFresh community! Don't hesitate to ask questions - we've all been there with the confusion at the beginning.

Hey Oscar! I totally get the confusion - I had the exact same experience when I first got my CalFresh benefits and saw those restaurant signs everywhere. It's honestly kind of frustrating that they post the signs so prominently when most people with regular CalFresh can't actually use them at those places. What helped me was learning about some alternatives that do work with regular benefits. If you have a WinCo or similar grocery store nearby, they often have really good deli sections with things like rotisserie chicken, mac and cheese, and other prepared foods that you can buy cold with EBT. You can heat them up at home and it's still way more convenient than cooking from scratch. Also, don't feel bad about the confusion with the rules - the whole EBT system is honestly pretty complicated and even some store employees don't fully understand what's allowed. I've learned so much just from reading posts like this in the community. Thanks for asking the question because I'm sure other people are wondering the same thing!

Thank you everyone for the advice! I was able to go in person to the county office yesterday (waited 3.5 hours but finally got seen). The worker helped me submit an emergency change report for my housing situation and told me my benefits should be recalculated within 10 days. She also helped me apply for CalWORKs and gave me a list of emergency housing resources. My friend says I can stay with her for another month which helps. Fingers crossed the increased benefits come through quickly!

So glad to hear you got some help at the county office! That 3.5 hour wait sounds brutal but totally worth it. Just wanted to add - when your CalFresh benefits get recalculated, make sure to ask about the Homeless Shelter Deduction if they haven't already applied it. Since you're temporarily staying with your friend without paying rent, you might qualify for this special deduction which can increase your monthly benefits even more. Also, once you get stabilized with housing, don't forget to report that change too so your benefits stay accurate. Wishing you and your little one all the best - you're doing great advocating for yourself!

@profile5 Yes, when I got through, they explained there was a batch processing error that affected households with specific case number ranges, including mine. They fixed it on the spot and told me the corrected amount would show up within 3 business days, which it did. Plus they added the difference from the previous month. Definitely worth making that call!

I'm in the same boat - still getting $23 instead of the $28 minimum that was supposed to start in October. I called my county office three times last week and keep getting told "the system is updating" but no timeline on when it'll be fixed. Meanwhile, I'm missing out on that extra $5 each month which really adds up when you're already struggling. Has anyone had luck getting through to a supervisor or someone who can actually DO something about this? The regular workers just keep giving me the runaround saying it's a "known issue" but won't commit to when it'll be resolved or if we'll get backpay.

You need to report to both programs separately, although they're often administered by the same county office. CalFresh and Medi-Cal have different reporting requirements and separate case systems, even though they may use some of the same information. Be sure to specify which program(s) you're reporting changes for when you contact your county office.

Hope your health issues get better soon! I went through something similar when I had to reduce my hours due to medical reasons. One tip that helped me - when you upload your paystubs to BenefitsCal, make sure they clearly show the reduced hours/dates worked. Some counties are picky about documentation. Also, if your employer can write a brief letter on company letterhead stating your hours were permanently reduced (not just temporarily), that can speed up the verification process. My benefits increased by about $85/month when I reported a similar income drop. Good luck with everything!

Thanks everyone for the great advice. I went ahead and set up my PIN immediately and made it completely random. Also downloaded the BenefitsCal app and found the card lock feature - that's going to give me so much peace of mind! I'm also going to try that Claimyr service tomorrow to ask about the pilot replacement program, since waiting on hold with two kids at home is basically impossible. Will update if I find out anything useful that might help others in the same situation!

Really sorry this happened to you! As someone who's been through EBT fraud twice, here's my experience: definitely set up your PIN right now - waiting doesn't make you any safer, and you'll want to be able to access your benefits as soon as they load tomorrow. One thing I learned the hard way is to avoid using your card at smaller stores or gas stations if possible - stick to major grocery chains that have better security. Also, always run your card as "debit" rather than "credit" when given the choice, and never let anyone else handle your card or "help" you at the terminal. The card lock feature in the BenefitsCal app is a game changer - I lock mine immediately after every shopping trip and only unlock it right before I shop again. Takes 30 seconds but gives me so much peace of mind. Hope your replacement benefits situation works out better than most people's experiences!