UPDATE: I just checked my EBT card and my benefits were finally loaded! Looks like they're starting to fix the issue. Check your balances, everyone!

Mine just came through too! I was getting really worried since I'm a single mom and needed to do grocery shopping today. This whole situation was so stressful - I wish they had sent out better notifications about the delay instead of leaving everyone in the dark. At least now I know to check this community when weird stuff happens with benefits. Thanks to everyone who shared info and resources!

Just wanted to update my earlier comment - since your rent would be $1200 and your income is $1416, you're actually at about 85% of your income, which is slightly above the 80% threshold. However, don't give up! There are two approaches: 1. Ask your eligibility worker if there are any exemptions available based on your local housing market 2. See if you qualify for any additional income that could be counted (child support, earned income, etc.) to raise the threshold Also, once you're stably housed, make sure to apply for Section 8/Housing Choice Voucher if you haven't already. The waitlist is long but getting on it now means eventually you'll have more affordable housing.

I work at a nonprofit that helps families navigate housing assistance in LA County. A few additional things to know about the CalWORKs Permanent Homeless Assistance: 1. The payment typically goes directly to the landlord, not to you - this protects both parties 2. You'll need to provide a rental agreement or statement from the landlord showing the deposit amount 3. The 80% rule can sometimes have flexibility if you can demonstrate this is the most affordable suitable housing available in your area 4. Make sure to mention you have children when applying - families with kids often get priority processing Also, don't overlook the CalWORKs Diversion program if you haven't used it yet - it can provide up to $1,000 in emergency assistance that might help bridge any gap between what Permanent Homeless Assistance covers and what you need. One more tip: if your worker seems unfamiliar with these programs, ask to speak with a supervisor. Not all eligibility workers are equally knowledgeable about all available benefits, and you shouldn't miss out on assistance because of that. You're doing everything right by seeking help and planning ahead. Your kids are lucky to have a parent who's fighting so hard for their stability.

also FYI the benefit amount changes based on inflation every october. last year most households saw like a 3% increase. so ur $400 might go up a little bit in october automatically

Welcome to the community! Congrats on getting approved for CalFresh - that's a huge relief! Just to clarify what others have mentioned, the "extra" benefits your neighbor might be referring to could be several things: 1. **CalWORKs** - This is cash assistance (not food stamps) that you apply for separately. It's totally different from CalFresh but you can get both if you qualify. 2. **Summer EBT** - Since your kids are 7 and 10, if they get free school meals, they should automatically get extra food benefits during summer break. This usually shows up on a separate card. 3. **WIC** - If you have kids under 5 or are pregnant/breastfeeding, this provides additional food benefits for specific items like milk, eggs, cereal. Definitely report those after-school care costs someone mentioned - that could bump up your CalFresh amount! And don't forget to check if you're eligible for CalWORKs too since you have two kids. The application process is more intensive but the cash benefits can really help with rent and other expenses. Good luck and feel free to ask more questions - this community is super helpful!

One time I froze my card and completely forgot about it. Went to the grocery store, loaded up $200 worth of food, and then couldn't figure out why my card kept getting declined. The cashier was giving me THE LOOK while the line grew behind me. Had to abandon my cart and call from the parking lot to unfreeze it. So embarrassing! Now I set a reminder in my phone whenever I freeze it lol.

To clarify about benefit replacement since there's some confusion in this thread: California has the EBT Theft Reimbursement program that CAN replace stolen benefits in many cases. Requirements: 1) Report within 10 days of discovering the theft, 2) File a police report, 3) Complete the specific theft report form from your county, 4) You can be reimbursed up to twice in a federal fiscal year. This is for electronic theft OR physical card theft. The law was expanded in 2025 to cover more situations. Don't let anyone tell you it's not possible!

While $120 per child isn't as much as we'd hope, it's important to note this is a supplement to your regular CalFresh benefits, not a replacement. Combined with the Summer Food Service Program sites and potentially increased regular benefits (if you report rent increases), families should be able to piece together enough resources. It's definitely challenging though.

I'm also a working parent struggling with summer food costs! For the Summer Food Service Program, I've found that some sites partner with local organizations to offer delivery or extended pickup windows. Also, if you qualify for WIC, they sometimes have summer produce vouchers that can help stretch your food budget. It's worth calling 211 (dial 2-1-1) to ask about all available summer food programs in your specific area - they maintain a comprehensive database of local resources that might not be widely advertised.