my sister works for the school district lunch program and she said they started the new system cuz of budget issues but they didnt have time to update all the computer systems so theyre doing partial payments til they fix everything

Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences! This has been so helpful. I was panicking thinking we lost eligibility somehow. Based on what everyone's saying, it sounds like this is just the new "split deposit" system they're using. I'll keep checking my balance over the next week for the additional deposits. It's frustrating they didn't send clearer communication about these changes - I never got any notice about the new attendance-based calculations or the split payments. For other parents dealing with this, it seems like the key takeaways are: 1) Check your balance multiple times throughout the month, 2) Absences now reduce benefits by about $4.50/day, and 3) The total monthly amount did increase to $135 if your child has perfect attendance. Really appreciate this community for helping figure this out when the official channels are so hard to reach!

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! My case disappeared from BenefitsCal yesterday and my benefits are supposed to reload on the 13th. I was getting really worried until I read through all these comments - it's so helpful to know this is a widespread issue with the online system and not necessarily a problem with our actual cases. I'm going to try calling the EBT customer service line to check my balance instead of relying on the website. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences, especially @Sunny Wang for that update about benefits loading despite the case not showing online. This gives me hope that everything will work out normally!

I'm new to CalFresh and this is my first time experiencing this issue - my case also disappeared from BenefitsCal yesterday and I was absolutely terrified that I did something wrong! Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly reassuring. It's amazing how a simple website glitch can cause so much panic when you're relying on these benefits. I'm supposed to get my benefits on the 16th and was planning to spend the weekend worrying, but now I feel much more confident that it's just a technical issue. Thank you all for creating such a supportive community where newcomers like me can learn from your experiences. I'll check my EBT balance through the phone system instead of stressing about the website!

So glad you got this resolved! This thread is incredibly helpful for anyone dealing with similar issues. Just wanted to add that if anyone else runs into this problem, it's worth knowing that you can also contact your local county supervisor's office if you're getting stonewalled by the regular channels. They often have staff who can help navigate these emergency situations and sometimes have more direct access to county services. I've seen them help cut through red tape when families are facing food insecurity. Also, for future reference, keeping a copy of your case number and worker contact info saved somewhere accessible can really speed things up when these emergencies happen.

This is such valuable information for anyone dealing with EBT issues! I'm really glad to see how this community came together to help. Just wanted to add that if you ever face this situation again, you can also request a "hardship exemption" which allows for same-day card replacement in emergency situations involving minor children. The county is required by state regulations to have a process for this, though they don't always advertise it. Also, if you have elderly household members (60+) or anyone with disabilities, that can also qualify for expedited emergency services. Keep all this info saved somewhere safe - you never know when you might need it again or be able to help someone else going through the same thing!

After this happened to me twice, I started transferring my benefits to a separate account as soon as they hit my EBT card. It's an extra step but worth the peace of mind. You can set up a transfer schedule on the EBT app.

I'm so sorry this happened to you! Unfortunately, EBT skimming is still a huge problem. I had my benefits stolen twice last year - it's devastating when you're already struggling to feed your family. Here's what worked for me when the county office phone lines were jammed: 1. Go to your county office first thing in the morning (like 7:30 AM) and wait in line - sometimes it's faster than calling 2. Bring printed screenshots of the fraudulent transactions and your ID 3. Ask specifically for Form EBT-2259 and emergency replacement benefits under AB-1690 4. If they give you the runaround, mention you'll be filing a complaint with the state office Also, while you're waiting for your claim to be processed, check if your area has any food pantries or churches doing emergency food distribution. Many don't require paperwork and can help same-day. Search "[your city] emergency food assistance" or call 211. The new chip cards ARE supposed to prevent this, but my county still hasn't issued them to everyone. Make sure to request one when you file your claim. Hang in there - you will get your benefits back, but I know that doesn't help when your kids are hungry right now. 💙

I went through something similar when my elderly father moved in with us last year. One thing I learned that might help you - even if you end up being counted as a household of 6, you're actually in a better position than you think! At $4,950 income with $2,400 rent + $650 childcare, your net income after deductions will be WAY below the limit. Also, pro tip: if your MIL receives Social Security, make sure they don't accidentally count her income toward your household if she does end up being considered separate. I had to correct this mistake twice with my worker because they kept adding my dad's SS to our household income even though he was applying separately. Good luck with your recertification - sounds like you should be fine either way the household gets counted!

I'm new to CalFresh but going through a similar situation with my grandmother who moved in with us recently. From what I've been reading online and talking to other families, it seems like the key thing is being really clear about the meal sharing situation when you talk to your worker. One thing I learned that might help - if you're worried about the household size determination, you could ask your eligibility worker to walk through the specific CalFresh household rules with you during your recertification appointment. They're supposed to explain exactly how they're counting your household and why. Also, based on what everyone is saying about your income and deductions, it sounds like you'll be fine either way! With that much in rent and childcare costs, those deductions should really help your case. Good luck with your recertification!