Just FYI - once they recalculate your benefits with the correct expenses, they should give you retroactive benefits back to when you applied if you're owed more. So make sure to ask about that when you call!

Hey there! I went through something similar when I first applied. The whole process is really overwhelming, especially when you're counting on those benefits to feed your family. From reading through all the comments here, it sounds like you have several expenses that might not have been properly counted - the after-school program alone could make a big difference in your benefit amount since childcare costs are a major deduction. When you call (and definitely try that Claimyr service someone mentioned if you keep getting disconnected), make sure you have all your documentation ready. I learned the hard way that they need proof of everything. Also, don't be afraid to ask them to walk you through exactly how they calculated your benefits - they're supposed to explain it if you ask. You've got this, and it sounds like you could potentially get a higher benefit amount once they have all the correct information!

This is such a great example of how persistent you have to be with these systems! I'm dealing with something similar right now - got approved for emergency CalFresh but haven't seen any benefits loaded yet. It's really frustrating when you're counting on that help to feed your family. Your story gives me hope that if I keep calling, I'll eventually get someone who can actually fix the problem. Thanks for sharing the update and glad your kids won't be going hungry anymore!

Wow, this whole thread is such a perfect example of how broken the communication is between different parts of the county system! @Bruno Simmons I'm so glad you finally got this resolved - it must have been incredibly stressful waiting weeks for benefits that were already approved. For anyone else dealing with similar TCF issues, it sounds like the key lessons are: 1) Don't assume the approval letter means benefits will automatically start, 2) Be prepared to call multiple times and be very specific about "Transitional CalFresh" when you get through, and 3) Ask specifically if your TCF case was properly "activated" in their system. It's ridiculous that families have to become experts in navigating these system glitches just to get the food assistance they're entitled to. The county really needs to fix these communication issues between their departments so people don't have to go through this stress when they're already dealing with job loss and other challenges.

Just want to add another reassuring voice here - I work at a food bank and we see this situation fairly often. Hospital stays, family emergencies, and other life crises can definitely derail people from their normal benefit routines, but CalFresh is designed with these realities in mind. The 274-day benefit expiration window gives people plenty of time to recover and get back on their feet. I'm really glad to see how helpful this community has been in sharing practical advice like using Claimyr and knowing the right phrases to use with county workers. For anyone reading this thread in the future who might be in a similar situation, don't hesitate to reach out to local food banks too - we can often provide emergency food assistance while you're working through benefit issues, and many of us have staff who are familiar with navigating CalFresh problems. Wishing everyone here good health and food security!

As someone who went through a similar experience when I had surgery last year, I just want to echo what others have said about not panicking. The system really is designed to handle these kinds of life disruptions. One thing I learned that might help others - if you're going to be in the hospital for an extended period, you can actually designate an authorized representative (like a family member or trusted friend) to handle your CalFresh paperwork on your behalf. They just need to fill out a form and provide ID. This could prevent missing deadlines in the first place. Also, many hospitals have patient advocates or social workers who are familiar with benefit programs and can help coordinate with county offices if needed. I'm so glad you got everything sorted out and that this thread turned into such a helpful resource for others who might face similar situations!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stress! I went through something similar about 3 months ago and it's awful when you have kids depending on those benefits. In my case, I called every morning around 8:30am when the county office first opened and finally got through on the third day. The worker was actually really helpful once I reached her - she expedited my replacement and I got it in 4 days instead of the usual week. One thing that helped me was asking specifically about "emergency food assistance" while waiting for the new card. They don't always offer it automatically but some counties can provide temporary vouchers or direct you to emergency food programs that work with EBT families. Also, if you have any family or friends who can spot you groceries, the replacement process really does work - my new card came with all my remaining benefits intact. Hang in there, and definitely try calling first thing in the morning when their phone lines are less busy!

This is so frustrating and unfortunately becoming way too common! I had my card locked twice last year for "suspicious activity" even though I'm super careful too. The first time took almost 8 days to get the replacement and I was panicking with two kids at home. What really helped me was calling the EBT customer service line (the number on the back of your old card) and asking them to put a rush on the replacement. They can sometimes expedite it to 3-5 days instead of the full week. Also, while you're waiting, check if your county has any emergency food pantries that work specifically with CalFresh families - some can help bridge the gap. The chip cards are actually pretty good from what I've heard from friends who got them early. Same process as using a regular credit card with a chip. Just remember to bring your ID when you first use the new card since some stores require it for the initial transaction after a replacement. Hope your new card comes quickly! This system really needs to do better about notifying people BEFORE they lock accounts.

I'm also new to this community and experiencing the exact same issue! My two kids qualify for free lunch and we received eligibility letters in May, but still no Sun Bucks cards. Our last name starts with C, so definitely confirms it's not alphabetical like I initially thought. Reading through everyone's experiences has been so incredibly helpful! I had absolutely no clue that the cards come in plain white envelopes that could easily be mistaken for junk mail - that's such crucial information. I'm definitely going to carefully go through all our mail from the past month tonight. Also really grateful to learn about the separate P-EBT helpline at 877-328-9677 - I've been calling the regular CalFresh office for weeks getting absolutely nowhere. It's such a relief knowing so many other families are still waiting and that this is completely normal. The uncertainty has been really stressful when you're trying to budget for summer groceries and counting on these benefits. But learning that the final batch should be mailed by July 31st gives me hope that we just need to be patient a bit longer. I'm planning to call both my kids' schools tomorrow to verify they submitted all the information correctly on their end. Thank you everyone for sharing your situations - this community support has been amazing when navigating this confusing process!

I'm also new to this community and dealing with the exact same frustrating situation! My son qualifies for free lunch and we received the eligibility letter in May, but still no Sun Bucks card. Our last name starts with V, so like everyone else has confirmed, it's definitely not alphabetical. This thread has been incredibly valuable - I had no idea that the cards come in plain white envelopes that could easily be mistaken for junk mail! I'm going to thoroughly check through all our mail from recent weeks tonight. Also really helpful to learn about the separate P-EBT helpline at 877-328-9677 - I've been calling the regular CalFresh office and getting nowhere just like everyone else. It's so reassuring to read that so many other families are still waiting and that this is completely normal. The stress of budgeting for summer groceries without knowing when these benefits will arrive has been overwhelming. But knowing that the final batch should be mailed by July 31st gives me hope that we just need to hang in there a bit longer. I'm planning to call my son's school tomorrow to verify they submitted his information correctly. Thank you all for sharing your experiences - this community support means everything when you're feeling lost navigating this system!