Great to hear you got through and they're processing your emergency increase! That's exactly what should happen. Just a heads up - make sure to keep documenting everything during your job search. Save all your job applications, rejection letters, interview confirmations, etc. If your benefits ever get reviewed, having that paper trail showing you're actively looking for work can be really helpful. Also, once you do find a new job, report your start date and expected income right away to avoid any overpayment issues. Good luck with the job hunt!

Also wanted to mention - if you're in a county that has CalFresh Restaurant Meals Program (RMP), you might be eligible for that too once your benefits increase. It lets you use your EBT card at participating restaurants like Subway, Papa Murphy's, and some local places. Really helpful when you're stressed about job hunting and don't have energy to cook. Not all counties have it, but worth checking if yours does. You qualify if you're homeless, elderly, or disabled, but some counties have expanded eligibility. Check with your worker when you talk to them next!

I'm new to this community and just went through the General Affidavit process myself a couple weeks ago! Reading through everyone's advice here is bringing back so many memories of how stressed I was when I first got that form. One thing I wanted to add that really helped me was creating a simple timeline document before writing the actual affidavit. I wrote down key dates like: when my previous housing ended, when I moved in with my brother, when I started contributing to expenses, etc. Having that timeline in front of me made it so much easier to write the affidavit chronologically and include all the specific dates they seem to care so much about. Also, I made the mistake of trying to cram everything into one giant paragraph at first. Breaking it into clear sections like others suggested here made such a difference - the worker even commented that my affidavit was "well-organized and easy to follow" when she called to verify some details. Don't forget that they might call your sister to confirm the information, so make sure you both have the same understanding of dates, amounts, and living arrangements. I gave my brother a heads up about what I'd written so we were on the same page if they contacted him. You're asking all the right questions and clearly putting thought into this - that tells me you're going to handle it successfully. The fact that you reached out for help instead of just guessing shows you're taking it seriously, which is exactly the right approach!

I'm new to this community and just submitted my General Affidavit last week - got approved yesterday! Reading through all these responses brings back how overwhelming that form felt at first, but everyone's advice here is spot-on. One thing that really helped me was actually drafting my affidavit in a simple text document first before writing it on the official form. This let me reorganize sections, check my word count, and make sure I wasn't being too wordy or missing key details. I also had my roommate read through it to make sure everything made sense from an outside perspective. Another tip - if you're submitting online through your county portal, try to do it during business hours on a weekday if possible. I submitted mine on a Tuesday morning and got an email confirmation within an hour. When my friend submitted hers on a Sunday evening, she didn't get confirmation until the next business day, which added to her stress about whether it went through. Also, don't be afraid to include "extra" documentation that supports your story. I included a screenshot of my Zillow search history showing I was actively looking for apartments (to explain why this was temporary housing), and copies of grocery receipts showing regular household purchases. The worker told me later that having multiple pieces of supporting evidence made her job much easier. You're being so thorough about this - that level of care definitely shows in the final result. Best of luck with your application!

I'm a new community member and just wanted to say how helpful this thread has been! I'm not in the exact same situation, but I'm also a new mom trying to navigate the benefits system and feeling pretty overwhelmed by all the rules and requirements. Reading everyone's experiences and advice has really opened my eyes to how many options there actually are - I had no idea about things like benefits navigators at community centers, the Standard Utility Allowance, or programs like TEFAP. Anastasia, it sounds like you've gotten some really solid advice here about trying the application first before making any major living changes. The documentation approach that several people mentioned (keeping receipts for baby expenses, tracking food purchases separately) seems like a smart way to prepare for the eligibility interview. And with your high rent costs, you might be surprised at how much the shelter deduction helps even if you apply as a combined household. I'm definitely going to look into some of these resources for my own situation. It's so reassuring to see a community where people share real, practical advice based on their actual experiences. Thank you all for being so generous with your knowledge - it makes such a difference for those of us just starting to figure out how to get the support our babies need!

I'm a new member here but wanted to add something that might be helpful based on my experience working with CalFresh applications. One thing I've noticed is that many people don't realize you can actually request a phone interview instead of going into the county office, which can be much easier with a baby. Also, if you do get approved for CalFresh, make sure to ask about the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) if it's available in your county - it allows certain CalFresh recipients to use benefits at participating restaurants, which can be a lifesaver when you're exhausted from caring for a newborn and don't have energy to cook. Another tip - if you're breastfeeding, make sure to mention any additional food needs during your interview. Breastfeeding mothers can sometimes qualify for higher benefit amounts. And definitely keep track of any formula costs even if WIC covers some of it - any out-of-pocket baby food expenses can potentially be factored into your case. From everything I've read in this thread, it sounds like you have a really strong case for getting some level of benefits given your high shelter costs and the fact that you're handling baby food expenses separately. Don't get discouraged if the first person you talk to doesn't seem helpful - sometimes it takes talking to a different caseworker to get someone who really understands your situation. You're being such a good advocate for your baby!

Just wanted to add that some counties also partner with community colleges for the E&T program! I'm in San Diego County and they connected me with Mesa College for a free certificate program in healthcare administration. The program covered tuition, books, AND gave me $25/month for transportation. It took 6 months but I got my certificate and landed a job at a medical clinic. Also wanted to mention - if you're already working part-time but want better skills for advancement, you can still participate in E&T. It's not just for unemployed people. They have evening and weekend options in some areas too.

This thread has been super helpful! I'm a CalFresh recipient and had no idea about the E&T program until reading this. I've been struggling to find affordable training to get out of retail work. The fact that it covers books, transportation, and even childcare in some counties is amazing. One thing I want to add - I called my county office yesterday after reading these comments and the worker told me they also have partnerships with local unions for apprenticeship programs! Things like electrical, plumbing, and construction trades. She said these are really popular because they lead to good-paying jobs and the apprenticeships actually pay you while you learn. For anyone hesitant to call because of the wait times - I used that Claimyr service someone mentioned and it really worked. Got connected to a real person in about 15 minutes instead of the usual hours-long nightmare. Definitely worth the small fee to save your sanity! Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences. It's so helpful to hear from people who actually went through the program instead of just getting the official government website info.

I'm a newcomer here but I've been reading through this entire thread and wow, the level of detailed advice is incredible! I'm actually in a somewhat similar situation - not currently on CalFresh but considering applying while I'm between jobs, and I was worried about how selling some of my stuff might complicate the application process. Reading everyone's experiences has been so educational. The documentation strategies you all have shared (spreadsheets, screenshots, cover letters, even serial numbers!) are way more thorough than I would have thought to do on my own. It's clear that being proactive and organized is really the key to avoiding any confusion or problems. @Brandon Parker - your professional perspective was especially valuable! It's reassuring to know that this situation is common and that there are clear legal distinctions between asset conversion and income generation. That really helps me understand how to frame this properly if questions come up. For everyone who shared their success stories - thank you for taking the time to write out such detailed accounts. It's made this whole thread an amazing resource for anyone dealing with this situation. William, I hope your new job works out great and that these next three weeks go smoothly!

I just wanted to jump in as someone who's navigating a similar financial tight spot right now. Reading through everyone's detailed experiences has been incredibly reassuring - it's clear that with proper documentation, selling personal items while on CalFresh is totally manageable. What really stands out to me is how consistent everyone's advice has been about the importance of thorough record-keeping. The spreadsheet approach, saving marketplace conversations, taking photos before listing, and even noting serial numbers - these aren't just random suggestions, they're proven strategies from people who've successfully gone through this exact situation. @Brandon Parker's professional explanation about asset conversion vs. income generation was especially enlightening. It really helps to understand the legal framework behind why these sales shouldn't affect CalFresh eligibility when properly documented. For anyone else in this situation: this thread has basically created a complete playbook for handling asset sales while on benefits. The fact that so many people have navigated this successfully with the right preparation should give all of us confidence that we can do the same. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - you've turned what could be a stressful situation into something totally manageable with the right approach!