am i the only one who thinks its insane we gotta worry about getting HELP after a FIRE?? like how messed up is that? "oh your house burned down here's help but also we might cut your food money" what a joke

Since you mentioned this was due to a fire, make sure to specify this is DISASTER-related emergency assistance on your paperwork. There are specific exemptions for disaster assistance that might not apply to regular rental assistance programs. Also, request a letter from the non-profit stating this is a one-time vendor payment related to a disaster. Having this documentation ready before you submit your SAR7 can prevent misunderstandings that lead to incorrect benefit reductions.

Just wanted to add that you can also check your balance and transaction history through the ebtEDGE mobile app or by calling the customer service number on the back of your EBT card. The app is super convenient and shows you exactly when your benefits were loaded. Since you're new to the program, I'd recommend downloading it and setting up your account - it's way easier than calling the automated phone line every time you want to check your balance. Also, keep all your paperwork from your approval because it has important dates and case information you might need later!

Welcome to CalFresh! Just to add to all the great info here - since you mentioned you're new to the program, make sure you understand your reporting requirements too. You'll need to submit a SAR 7 (Semi-Annual Report) every 6 months to stay active, and report certain changes within 10 days (like income increases over the limit or moving). Missing these deadlines can cause your benefits to stop, which would mess up that reliable deposit schedule everyone's talking about. Your caseworker should have given you a packet explaining all this, but it's easy to overlook when you're just focused on getting approved. The BenefitsCal website also has reminders and lets you submit reports online, which is way easier than mailing them in!

mine loaded just now!! check your accounts!

I'm so glad this worked out for everyone! This is a perfect example of why this community is so valuable - Dylan was stressed and got real help from people who've been through similar situations. @Ellie Lopez thank you for getting that official update from the supervisor, that made all the difference. And @Paige Cantoni the tip about emergency assistance is gold - I've been on CalFresh for 2 years and never knew that was an option. For anyone reading this later, it's also worth noting that the EBT customer service line (1-877-328-9677) can at least confirm if your benefits are "pending" even if they can't tell you exactly when they'll post. Bookmark this thread - it's a great reference for future delays!

Sometimes if you hit 0 a bunch of times during the automated message it will force you to a representative. Thats what I do with most of these stupid automated systems lol

I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! My son's card should have loaded yesterday too and I keep getting that silent line after the welcome message. So frustrating when you're just trying to make sure your kid can eat lunch at school. I'm going to try that texting option someone mentioned - fingers crossed it works for us too. Thanks for posting about this, at least now I know it's not just me going crazy!

Hey, I work with a nonprofit that helps people navigate these exact situations. A few additional things that might help: 1. Sacramento County has a Rapid Rehousing program through their Continuum of Care - call (916) 874-9277. They can sometimes provide immediate temporary assistance while other applications are processing. 2. If you're willing to consider shared housing temporarily, Sacramento Self-Help Housing (mentioned earlier) also maintains a list of rooms for rent in safe situations - this could buy you time while waiting for rental assistance to come through. 3. Document EVERYTHING - take photos of your 3-day notice, keep records of every call you make (date, time, who you spoke with, reference numbers). This creates a paper trail that can help expedite future assistance. 4. Ask specifically about "diversion funds" when you call housing programs - these are small amounts (usually $500-2000) designed to prevent homelessness and often have faster approval processes than larger assistance programs. The key is applying to multiple programs simultaneously rather than waiting for one to be denied before trying the next. You've got this - the fact that you're already proactively seeking help puts you ahead of many people in similar situations.

One more resource that might help immediately - Sacramento has a Homeless Services Coordination office at (916) 875-HELP that can connect you to emergency shelter if worst comes to worst, but they also maintain a database of all available assistance programs in real-time. When I called them last year during my own housing crisis, they were able to tell me which programs actually had funds available that week versus which ones had waiting lists. Also, since you mentioned being scared - that's completely normal. I was terrified when I got my eviction notice. But what helped me was making a daily action plan: call 3 programs each morning, follow up on 2 applications each afternoon. It kept me focused and moving forward instead of just panicking. You've already gotten so much good advice here - now it's just about working through the list systematically. One last thing: if any program tells you they're out of funds, ask them when their next funding cycle starts. Sometimes it's just a matter of days or weeks, and they can put you on a priority list for when new money comes in.