Update: I called the number on the CA State Controller's website this morning and after 45 minutes on hold (ugh), they confirmed it's legit! It's from the CalEITC like many of you said. Thanks everyone for your help! Going to treat my kid to new shoes with part of it since his old ones are falling apart.

So happy to hear you got it sorted out! This thread was super helpful for me too - I just checked my mailbox and found a similar check for $298. I was about to panic thinking it was some kind of mistake, but now I know it's probably the CalEITC. I worked at a grocery store part-time last year while on CalFresh, so this makes total sense. Going to call tomorrow to confirm but feeling way less stressed about it now. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!

Hey Luca! I know this is overwhelming when you're first getting started with benefits. Just wanted to add that if you're in a really tight spot right now, many food banks also have clothing programs or can point you to local resources. You can find your nearest food bank through the California Association of Food Banks website. Also, don't give up on calling your county office - try calling right when they open in the morning, that's usually when wait times are shortest. You've got this, and congrats on getting approved for CalFresh - that's a huge help for your family!

Welcome to the community! I've been navigating the California benefits system for a few years now and wanted to share a few more resources that might help. Many counties have "211" services - you can dial 2-1-1 from any phone and they'll connect you with local assistance programs including clothing help. Also, if you're near any community colleges, many have student resource centers that help families in the community even if you're not enrolled. They often have emergency assistance funds or know about local clothing drives. And don't forget about Facebook community groups for your area - people are always posting about clothing swaps and giveaways for kids. You're doing great advocating for your family!

I'm also new to this community and just wanted to say how helpful this entire thread has been! I'm dealing with the same delayed benefits issue - mine usually come on the 13th and still nothing. Reading everyone's experiences and solutions has been such a relief because I was starting to panic that something was wrong with my case specifically. I had no idea about resources like Claimyr or that you could request emergency issuance at the county office. It's really unfortunate that we have to rely on community knowledge to navigate these system failures, but I'm so grateful for everyone who took the time to share their experiences and advice. This is exactly the kind of mutual support that makes these difficult situations more manageable. I'll definitely be trying some of the suggestions mentioned here and keeping the emergency resources bookmarked for future reference. Thank you all for creating such a supportive space where people can get real help when the official channels fail us!

I turned in my sar7 and it's still being reviewed!?!? I was supposed to get my food stamps today ..I called the 800 number to my county and it's saying EBT is active but won't get my food stamps til November...is anyone else dealing with such chaos ? Yop it off I never got a notice of action

Another option if the phone system keeps failing you - try going to your new county office first thing when they open. I know it's not ideal, but sometimes in-person requests get processed faster than phone requests. When I moved from Ventura to San Bernardino County, the phone transfer kept getting "lost in the system" but when I showed up in person with both cards and my paperwork, they were able to submit the transfer request directly and I got a receipt with a reference number. It took about 4 days to process but at least I had documentation that the request was made. Bring your ID, both EBT cards, and any case documentation you have from both counties. The workers there deal with this situation regularly so they know exactly what forms to fill out.

I work at a county eligibility office and see this situation all the time. Here's the official process: When you move counties and close/open cases, the EBT balance does NOT automatically transfer. You have three options: 1. Call EBT customer service (1-877-328-9677) - they can transfer balances between cards tied to the same SSN 2. Visit your new county office with both cards and request a manual transfer 3. Continue using your old card until the balance is depleted (but the old card WILL eventually be deactivated when the system updates, usually 30-90 days after case closure) Pro tip: If you go the phone route, call right at 7 AM when the lines open - much shorter wait times. Always ask for a confirmation/reference number for any transfer request. For anyone reading this - this is also why we always recommend using up old benefits before moving counties if you know a move is coming. The inter-county system coordination isn't perfect and sometimes transfers get stuck in processing limbo. @StarStrider definitely try the early morning call first, but don't hesitate to go in person if the phone system fails you. County workers deal with this daily and know exactly how to process these requests.

Just wanted to add another perspective - I moved to Long Beach from San Diego in late 2024 and had a completely different experience than some others here. My Section 8 transfer took exactly 45 days, which was right in line with what they told me to expect. The key things that helped me: 1) I called Long Beach HA BEFORE submitting my portability request to ask about their current processing times and any special requirements, 2) I made sure my annual recertification was completely up to date before requesting the transfer, and 3) I found a landlord who was experienced with Section 8 and willing to wait for the housing authority payments. For CalFresh, the transfer was seamless - I reported my move online and LA County picked up my case within a week. My benefit amount actually increased slightly due to higher cost of living adjustments in LA County. The most important thing is to start early and keep detailed records of every interaction. Don't let anyone discourage you - Long Beach IS accepting transfers, they're just slow about it. You've got this Omar!

Hey Omar! I just went through this exact same move from Sacramento to Long Beach in December 2024, so I can give you some very recent info. For Section 8 - YES, Long Beach HA is accepting portability transfers, but you're looking at about 60-75 days processing time right now. The trick is to get your Sacramento PHA to mark your request as "emergency" if you have any qualifying circumstances (job relocation, unsafe housing, medical needs, etc.). I got mine expedited to 42 days by emphasizing my job start date. For CalFresh, it was actually super smooth! I reported my address change through the online portal 2 weeks before moving, and LA County had my case transferred within 5 business days. My benefits actually went UP by about $40/month due to LA County's higher cost adjustments. Pro tip: Start calling Long Beach HA landlord services NOW to get a list of current Section 8 accepting properties. The market is tight but there are definitely options. Also, join "Long Beach Section 8 Housing" and "LA County Section 8 Rentals" Facebook groups - that's where I found my current place. Most importantly - start your portability paperwork THIS WEEK, not when you're ready to move. The earlier you start, the better chance you have of avoiding any gap in coverage. You got this! Feel free to ask if you need specific contact numbers or anything else!