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wait this is completely different from the Market Match program right? because i use that at farmers markets where they match like $10 of my ebt...
Yes, Market Match is a completely separate program! You can actually use BOTH programs together at participating farmers markets for maximum benefits. Market Match doubles your regular CalFresh dollars (usually up to $10), while California Fresh gives you a separate $50 specifically for produce. If your farmers market accepts both, you essentially get triple benefits!
This thread has been so informative! I'm a single mom in Fresno County with a 7-year-old, and I had NO idea this California Fresh program existed. We get about $280 in CalFresh monthly, so it sounds like we might qualify. The extra $50 for produce would be a huge help - fresh fruits and vegetables are so expensive! I'm definitely going to call tomorrow and ask specifically for the "California Fresh Supplemental Benefit." Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences and tips!
You should definitely qualify in Fresno County! Just wanted to add that when you call, if they seem confused about the program, you can also mention it might be listed in their system as the "CalFresh Healthy Fruits and Vegetables Supplemental Benefit" - some offices still use the old name. Also, don't be discouraged if the first person you talk to doesn't know about it - ask to speak with a supervisor or someone who handles special programs. Good luck!
UPDATE: I followed the advice here and it's starting to work! Called EBT customer service with the right terminology and they immediately knew what to do about the theft claim. Then I used that Claimyr service someone mentioned to actually get through to a supervisor at my county office. The supervisor confirmed there was an error in my income reporting - apparently during my last recertification, they accidentally entered my previous employer's QUARTERLY tax reporting as my MONTHLY income! No wonder it was showing $3,700! She said she's correcting it right away and will process an underpayment claim since I've been receiving reduced benefits due to their error. Thank you everyone for the help!
Great news! Make sure to get something in writing about the correction. They should send you a Notice of Action confirming the income change. Also ask specifically when you can expect to receive any underpayment benefits, as those are typically issued separately from your regular benefits. Glad to hear it's getting resolved!
So glad to see your update! This is exactly why I always tell people to escalate to supervisors - frontline workers often don't have the full picture or authority to make corrections. The quarterly vs monthly income mix-up is unfortunately super common, especially after recertifications. For anyone else reading this thread with similar issues: Dylan's experience shows why it's crucial to 1) use the specific terminology mentioned by QuantumQuasar, 2) escalate to supervisors when needed, and 3) don't give up! The system has problems but there are people who can and will help when you reach the right person. Dylan - definitely follow up on that underpayment claim timeline. In my experience, those can take 30-45 days to process, so don't panic if it doesn't show up immediately. Keep checking your EBT balance and BenefitsCal for updates!
Thanks everyone for all the helpful information! I'll definitely keep my kids' old P-EBT cards just in case, but now I know to watch for new P-EBT 4.0 cards coming hopefully this spring/summer. I'm going to double-check with the school that they have our current address too. This has been really helpful!
You're welcome! That's a good plan. Also, if you don't receive the P-EBT 4.0 cards by late summer 2025 and you believe your children qualify, there will likely be a way to request replacement cards through the P-EBT website. They usually set up a portal for families who didn't receive their cards or who need replacements. But checking your address with the school now is definitely the best first step to avoid any issues.
This thread has been super helpful! I'm in a similar situation - got P-EBT 3.0 cards for my two kids last year but wasn't sure what to expect with 4.0. One thing I wanted to add for anyone reading this: if you moved during the school year, make sure to update your address with BOTH your old school district AND your new one. I learned this the hard way when we moved mid-year and almost missed out on benefits because there was confusion about which district was responsible for issuing our cards. Also, keep all your P-EBT cards even if they're at zero balance - I've heard of people getting surprise deposits months later for missed benefits. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences here!
That's such a good point about updating addresses with both school districts when you move! I hadn't thought about that complication. It makes sense that there could be confusion about which district handles the card issuance. Thanks for sharing that tip - it could save a lot of headaches for families who relocate during the school year. I'm also glad to hear I'm not the only one keeping the old cards just in case. Better safe than sorry with these benefits!
I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stress! As a newcomer to this community, I'm learning a lot from reading everyone's experiences. It sounds like you got great advice and I'm relieved to see your update that it's getting resolved. I'm keeping this thread saved for reference since I'm still pretty new to navigating CalFresh myself. The tip about Claimyr seems really useful - I had no idea services like that existed. Thanks to everyone who shared their knowledge here, it's so helpful for those of us who are still learning the system!
Welcome to the community! I'm relatively new here too and this thread has been so educational. It's amazing how supportive everyone is with sharing their experiences and practical solutions. The Claimyr service recommendation was a game-changer - I never would have known about tools like that without this community. It really shows how much we can help each other navigate these complicated systems. Definitely saving this thread as well for future reference!
I'm so glad you were able to get this resolved, Clarissa! As someone who's been through similar CalFresh issues, I can totally relate to that panic when your card suddenly stops working and you have a family to feed. It's really frustrating how these system glitches happen during routine updates, but at least now you know what to do if it ever happens again. The Claimyr service sounds like a lifesaver - I'm definitely bookmarking that for future reference. Thanks for sharing your experience and the solution, it's going to help so many other families who might face this same issue. Hope everything goes smoothly when you pick up your emergency card tomorrow!
LunarLegend
Update for everyone: I just called the CalFresh policy line to confirm this. Raw turkeys are 100% eligible for CalFresh/EBT purchase at ANY retailer that accepts EBT. This includes all varieties (frozen, fresh, with seasoning packets, brand name or store brand). The only exceptions would be: 1. Pre-cooked/hot prepared turkeys 2. Turkey meals that are ready-to-eat If your EBT is denied for a raw turkey, ask for a manager immediately and have them check the item's classification in their system. Some stores mistakenly code seasonal items incorrectly. If the manager can't resolve it, you can file a report with your county office and they can reach out to the retailer to correct their system.
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Javier Hernandez
•Thank you so much for taking the time to confirm this! I'm heading to a different store tomorrow with this information. Really appreciate everyone's help!
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TechNinja
I work at a grocery store and see this happen sometimes - it's usually because the turkey got scanned wrong in our system or the cashier hit the wrong button. Raw turkeys are definitely EBT eligible! Next time this happens, ask them to manually enter the PLU code or scan it again. If that doesn't work, ask for customer service - they can override it if needed. Don't let one bad experience ruin your Thanksgiving! Most stores will work with you to fix these kinds of mistakes.
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