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If I could give 10 stars I would If I could give 10 stars I would Such an amazing service so needed during the times when EDD almost never picks up Claimyr gets me on the phone with EDD every time without fail faster. A much needed service without Claimyr I would have never received the payment I needed to support me during my postpartum recovery. Thank you so much Claimyr!
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Hey Adrian! I just went through the exact same thing last month. Got my P-EBT card with only $31 on it and was so frustrated thinking that was it. But everyone here is right - definitely keep that card! They've been adding money every few weeks. I'm up to $247 total now across 3 separate deposits. The timing seems random but it keeps coming. Also pro tip - sign up for text alerts if your card company offers it. Mine sends me a text whenever new funds are added so I don't have to keep checking the balance manually. The whole system is confusing but the money does keep coming!
That's so reassuring to hear! I was getting really worried that $18 was all we'd get. How do I sign up for text alerts? Is that through the P-EBT website or do I need to call somewhere? Thanks for sharing your experience - it really helps to know others went through the same confusion!
I'm so glad you asked this question! I just got my P-EBT card too and had the exact same panic when I saw only $22 on it. Reading everyone's responses here has been super helpful. It sounds like they really need to do a better job explaining how this program works when they send out the cards. Maybe include a simple flyer that says "This is your first payment, more will be added automatically" or something? Would save so many families from the stress and confusion we're all going through. Definitely keeping my card now and will check the balance every few weeks. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences!
I totally agree! A simple explanation sheet would have saved all of us so much stress and confusion. I was literally googling "P-EBT mistake" thinking something went wrong with my application. It's frustrating that they don't communicate better about how the program actually works. But I'm relieved to see I'm not alone in this experience - this whole thread has been incredibly helpful for understanding what to expect. Definitely going to check my balance regularly now and keep the card safe for future deposits!
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Glad they showed up! Just FYI for the future, make sure you complete your SAR7 (Semi-Annual Report) when they send it to you around the 5th month. A lot of people lose benefits because they forget to turn it in. And you'll need to do recertification at the 12-month mark. They should send you reminders but the system isn't perfect.
Thanks for the heads up! I'll definitely watch for that SAR7 form in a few months. I really don't want to lose my benefits over paperwork!
Malik, I'm so glad your benefits showed up! This is actually a really common concern for new CalFresh recipients. Just wanted to add one more tip - if you ever have questions about your benefit schedule or need to check when your next issuance is due, you can also text your EBT card number to 997-279 and get an instant balance and last transaction info. Super helpful when you're out shopping and want to double-check your available balance without calling the 1-800 number. Welcome to the CalFresh program!
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For anyone who's had their benefits stolen or is worried about it happening, here are some additional prevention tips from my CalFresh worker: 1. Never use your card at gas station pumps - go inside to pay 2. Only use your card at major grocery stores (they have better security) 3. Change your PIN on payday before shopping 4. Check your balance before and after every purchase 5. If possible, use up your benefits within the first week they're available These steps have kept me safe since my theft last year!
These are great tips! I didn't even think about gas station pumps being more risky. Will definitely be more careful about where I use my card from now on. Do you know if using the EBT app to check your balance is secure?
My worker said the app is secure, but recommended changing your password regularly and not saving it on your phone. Also never check your balance on public WiFi!
This is such valuable information, thank you for sharing your timeline! I've been putting off reporting what I think might be fraudulent activity on my account because I was scared about being without benefits for months. Knowing you got yours back in just 15 days is really encouraging. I noticed some transactions at stores I've never been to about 3 weeks ago - should I still report it even though it's been a while? Also, did you have to provide anything besides bank statements to prove you weren't at those locations?
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my benefits used to come on the 8th but now they come on the 10th and nobody can explain why??? anyone else have their day change for no reason??
That's unusual. The issuance date is tied to your case number. If your date changed, it could mean your case was closed and reopened with a new case number (maybe during recertification). I would definitely call your county office to ask about this.
Welcome to CalFresh! The confusion is totally understandable - there's a lot of information to process when you first get approved. Just to echo what others have said, your benefits will be loaded on the 7th of each month since your case number ends in 7. One thing I wish someone had told me when I started: benefits usually post overnight, so if you check your balance late on the 6th (like after 10 PM), they might already be there. Also, grocery stores sometimes have delays processing EBT transactions early in the morning on benefit days, so if your card gets declined around midnight-2 AM, try again a bit later. The approval paperwork can be overwhelming, but definitely keep it all in a safe place - you'll need to reference it for things like your reporting requirements and recertification dates. Good luck with your grocery shopping!
Alfredo Lugo
This is such a nightmare situation and I'm so sorry you're dealing with this! The good news is that everyone here has given you excellent advice and you're taking all the right steps. One thing I wanted to add that I don't think anyone mentioned - if you're having trouble getting through to your county worker or if they seem slow to respond, you can also try contacting your local CalFresh office directly instead of going through the main county number. Sometimes the local offices are more responsive and the workers there are more familiar with benefit theft cases. Also, while you're waiting for everything to get sorted out, check if there are any churches or community organizations near you that do emergency food distribution. Many don't require any paperwork and can help bridge the gap while you're waiting for your benefits to be restored. You're doing everything right by acting quickly and being proactive. With three kids to feed, this has to be so stressful, but it sounds like you have a solid plan now. Keep us posted on how it goes with your county worker - we're all rooting for you to get this resolved fast!
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Connor O'Brien
•Thank you so much for the suggestion about contacting the local CalFresh office directly! I didn't even think about that - I was just planning to call the main county number. That's a great tip that could save me a lot of time and frustration. And you're absolutely right about checking churches and community organizations. There's actually a church down the street from me that I've seen doing food distributions on weekends. I was hesitant to ask for help but you're right that this is exactly what those programs are for. It is incredibly stressful trying to figure out how to feed my kids while dealing with all this bureaucracy, but everyone's advice has been so helpful. I'm feeling much more prepared to navigate this process now. I'll definitely keep everyone updated on how things go with the county worker tomorrow!
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Cedric Chung
I'm so sorry this happened to you! As someone who works at a local food bank, I want to echo what others have said about seeking emergency food assistance while you wait for your benefits to be restored. Most food banks and pantries have specific protocols for families dealing with EBT theft - you don't need to feel embarrassed about asking for help, this is exactly what these services are designed for. When you visit, bring any documentation you have about the theft (your EBT fraud case number, etc.) as it can help expedite the process. Many locations also partner with local schools and can provide kid-friendly foods and snacks that work well for families. Also, if you have WIC benefits, make sure those weren't compromised too - sometimes criminals target multiple benefit programs. You've gotten great advice here about the CalFresh replacement process, so I won't repeat that, but please don't hesitate to use community resources while you wait. That's what they're there for! Wishing you a quick resolution to this nightmare situation.
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