I'm so glad to see this got resolved! As someone who works in social services, I can confirm that the confusion between programs is unfortunately very common. The intake process can be overwhelming and caseworkers sometimes don't have time to fully explain how different programs work together. Just want to add a few more resources that might help you and others in similar situations: - Many counties also have Coordinated Entry Systems for housing - this is a centralized way to access multiple housing programs at once - If you're working, look into In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) housing programs if you qualify - Some utility companies offer low-income discounts that can free up money for rent (CARE/FERA programs) The key thing to remember is that while CalFresh, Medi-Cal, and housing assistance are separate programs, qualifying for one often means you'll qualify for others due to similar income guidelines. Don't give up if the first agency can't help - keep trying different resources! Wishing you the best with your appointments next week. The fact that you got referred to two agencies through 211 is a really good sign that help is available in your area.

I've been following this thread and wanted to add one more resource that helped me when I was in a similar situation last year. Many food banks also have emergency financial assistance programs for rent - not just food! Places like Second Harvest Food Bank sometimes have small emergency grants (usually $200-500) that can help bridge the gap while you're waiting for larger assistance programs to process your application. Also, if you're a student or have been recently, check if your local community college has emergency assistance funds. Even if you're not currently enrolled, some schools help community members who are alumni or considering enrollment. One tip for your appointments next week: ask each agency about OTHER programs they might know about, even if they can't help you directly. Sometimes smaller local churches or community organizations have emergency funds that aren't widely advertised. The people working in social services often know about these "hidden" resources. Really hoping one of those 211 referrals works out for you! The fact that you were able to get actual appointments so quickly is promising.

I'm dealing with something similar right now - been waiting since February for my recertification to go through. One thing that helped me was calling the CalFresh hotline at 1-877-847-3663 instead of my county office directly. They can sometimes see what's happening with your case and even contact the county on your behalf. Also, if you're really desperate for food assistance while waiting, check if your area has any emergency food programs through 211 (just dial 2-1-1). Some churches and community centers also have food pantries that don't require applications. Hang in there - the system is frustrating but you're not alone in this struggle!

I'm so sorry you're going through this - the 3+ month wait is absolutely unacceptable when families are struggling to put food on the table. Based on all the helpful suggestions here, it sounds like you've identified some key issues to address. I went through a similar nightmare last year and what finally worked was a combination approach: I used that Claimyr service to actually get through to a real person, AND I filed a complaint with my county supervisor's office at the same time. The supervisor's office seemed to light a fire under someone because my case got resolved within a week after months of delays. Also, definitely check if your county has a "Client Advocate" or "Ombudsman" - some counties have these positions specifically to help with cases that are stuck in the system. You can usually find this info on your county's social services website. Don't give up! You deserve these benefits and the system failing you is not your fault. Keep us posted on your progress!

One important thing to add: Document everything while you're trying to get this fixed. Note the date and time of your calls, take screenshots of your EBT account balance, and keep all your paperwork organized. If you need to request a state hearing later (hopefully it won't come to that), having detailed records will help your case. Also, while the minimum benefit is $20.01 currently, remember that your actual eligibility is recalculated yearly at recertification and can change if your income or household size changes. Make sure you're submitting your SAR7 (Semi-Annual Report) on time to avoid any benefit interruptions.

So glad you got it sorted out! That's exactly what I was hoping to hear. It's frustrating how these processing errors happen, but at least the system worked once you got through to an actual person. Definitely keep that notebook going - it's saved me so many headaches with various benefit programs over the years. And hey, even though $20.01 might seem small, every bit helps with grocery costs these days. Hope your monthly benefits start loading smoothly from here on out!

Make sure when you call or visit the county office you use the EXACT right terminology. If you just ask about "housing help" they'll say no because technically CalFresh doesn't offer housing. You need to specifically ask for "Homelessness Prevention Programs" or "Emergency Housing Assistance" or "Housing Support Program" depending on your county. And BRING DOCUMENTATION of everything - income, rent, eviction notice, all of it. The system is designed to make it difficult unfortunately.

I went through something similar a few months ago and want to add a couple things that really helped me. First, if your county has a "One-Stop" or "Integrated Service Center," that's your best bet - they handle CalFresh, housing assistance, and other programs all in one place. Second, ask about the Coordinated Entry System (CES) for housing - it's how they prioritize people for housing assistance and you can get on the list even before you're actually homeless. Also, some food banks partner with housing organizations and might have emergency rental assistance or know about local programs that aren't well advertised. The Salvation Army and Catholic Charities often have emergency funds too. Time is critical with eviction threats, so hit multiple resources at once rather than waiting to hear back from one. Good luck!

This is exactly why I always keep a written record of my balance after each grocery trip! I learned this trick from my mom who's been on benefits for years. I write down the remaining balance on the receipt or in my phone notes so I have a rough idea even when the system goes down. Obviously it's not perfect since pending transactions can affect it, but it's helped me avoid those embarrassing moments at checkout. Also, pro tip: some smaller independent grocery stores are more flexible about letting you know if your card gets declined before running the full transaction - they'll often let you remove items if needed.

Just went through this same nightmare yesterday! The system was down for almost 6 hours in my area (San Bernardino County). What helped me was going to a smaller grocery store where the cashier was really understanding - she let me try my card first with just a few items to test if it would go through before I loaded up my whole cart. Turns out the actual payment processing was working fine even though I couldn't check my balance. Also learned that some 7-Elevens have EBT balance check on their ATMs that sometimes work even when the main system is having issues. Definitely keeping a written log of my balance from now on after reading Hannah's advice - such a simple but brilliant solution!