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UPDATE: I got through on the phone finally! The Sacramento office is open normal hours today. I uploaded my pay stubs through BenefitsCal as suggested and also called to confirm they got them. The worker said my benefits should continue without interruption as long as my income is within the limits. Thanks everyone for your help!
Im glad u got it figured out! Quick tip for next time - if u ever get those verification notices, respond RIGHT AWAY even if u dont have all the documents yet. U can submit a note saying u need more time to get the documents and they usually will extend the deadline. I learned this from my worker after the 3rd time i almost lost benefits lol. Also i keep a calendar with all my SAR7 and recert deadlines marked so i never miss them. This system makes it so hard to keep benefits sometimes!!
That's such good advice about responding right away even without documents! I never knew that. I'm definitely setting up calendar reminders for all my future deadlines now.
This is such helpful info! I wish they would tell people this stuff upfront instead of making us figure it out through trial and error. The calendar idea is genius - I'm always scrambling at the last minute with these deadlines. Do you use a regular phone calendar or is there a specific app that works better for tracking all the different CalFresh dates?
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I'm so sorry your daughter is dealing with this! As someone who recently went through a similar CalFresh issue, I can tell you that documentation is absolutely key. When I had my benefits incorrectly reduced, I had to provide: 1. Bank statements showing the mortgage payments coming from her account (at least 3 months) 2. Copy of the property deed with both names 3. The actual mortgage statement showing the monthly payment amount 4. Utility bills showing her name (if possible) or a statement explaining the cost-sharing arrangement The advice about requesting a fair hearing immediately is spot-on - you have 90 days but don't wait! Also, definitely ask for "aid continuation" during the hearing process so she gets her full benefits while they review the case. One thing that helped me was writing a simple letter explaining the living arrangement: "I am a co-owner of the property located at [address]. I pay $450 monthly toward the mortgage from my personal account. I am not living rent-free." Sometimes having it in writing helps the caseworker understand faster than trying to explain over the phone. Good luck - this should definitely be fixable once they have the right information!
Thank you so much for this detailed list of documentation! I'm writing that letter idea down right now - having it in simple, clear writing does sound like it would help avoid confusion. We definitely have all the bank statements and property documents, so I feel more confident now about getting this resolved. I really appreciate everyone's advice about requesting the fair hearing immediately and asking for aid continuation. It's such a relief to know this is fixable and that others have successfully gotten through similar situations!
I work for a disability advocacy organization and see this exact scenario way too often. The CalFresh system really struggles with co-ownership situations, especially when one person receives SSI. A few additional things to keep in mind: - Since your daughter is disabled and on SSI, she may qualify for expedited processing of her case review (within 7 days instead of 30) - Make sure to mention she's "elderly or disabled" when you call - this can get you prioritized - If she has any medical expenses over $35/month that aren't covered by insurance, those can be deducted too and increase her benefit amount The timing with the new EBT card is definitely just coincidence - benefit calculations and card replacements are handled by completely different systems. One thing I'd add to the great advice already given: when you submit documents, always keep copies AND get a receipt showing what you submitted and when. County offices sometimes "lose" paperwork, and having that receipt can save you from having to resubmit everything. This should absolutely be resolved in your favor - co-owners paying mortgage costs have every right to that shelter deduction. Don't let them brush you off!
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hav u tried goin to ur county office agen? sometimes thats the only way i can get anythng done w my calfresh. its so annoying but I bring a book and just wait all day if i have too. the online stuff never works right for me either and im tired of the phones.
I wish I could, but I'd have to take a day off work and I can't afford to lose the hours right now. Plus I'd need to find childcare for my youngest who isn't in school yet. It's frustrating that in-person seems to be the only reliable way to get help!
Just wanted to follow up - were you able to confirm they received your SAR7? If your income change was less than $125/month, you technically don't even have to report it on the SAR7 mid-period (though it's always good that you did). The key threshold to worry about is the IRT that was listed on your approval notice. As long as your total household income stays below that, your benefits should continue without interruption.
Yes! I finally got through to someone yesterday using that Claimyr service another commenter suggested. They confirmed my SAR7 was received and being processed. The worker even checked over the info to make sure everything was in order. Turns out I was stressing for nothing since it was all in the system properly. Benefits should load as normal next month. Such a relief!
That's such great news! I'm so glad you were able to get confirmation and peace of mind. It's ridiculous that we have to jump through so many hoops just to talk to someone, but at least you know everything is on track now. Thanks for updating us - it gives me hope for my own CalFresh issues!
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my friend got backpay too and bought a bunch of meat to freeze right away cuz she was worried theyd take it back lol. but they dont take it back its urs
This is correct - once benefits are issued to your EBT card, they're yours to use. Back payments won't be taken away or reduce future benefits. However, benefits do expire if not used within 9 months, so it's good to use them, though you don't need to rush to spend them all immediately.
I went through something similar last year! The backpay confusion is totally understandable - I thought the same thing when I got approved after a 2-month delay. But like others have said, those back payments are completely separate from your ongoing monthly calculations. Each month is calculated fresh based on your current income and expenses at that time. With your rent at $980 plus utilities and part-time income around $1,190, you should still get a decent benefit amount for April. The high housing costs actually work in your favor for the calculation. Don't stress about the backpay affecting anything - just make sure to report any significant income changes if you go over your reporting threshold. Congrats on finally getting approved!
Mateo Silva
Just wanted to add that if you're working part-time and your hours fluctuate, make sure to report your AVERAGE monthly income when you apply. Don't just use one paycheck - look at your last few months to get a realistic picture. Also, if you get tips or any cash income, you need to report that too even if it's small amounts. The county workers are pretty understanding about irregular income from part-time work, but being honest upfront will save you headaches later. Good luck with your application!
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Hunter Brighton
•That's really helpful advice about averaging income! I'm new to this whole process and my hours do vary quite a bit week to week. Some weeks I get 25 hours, other weeks only 15. Should I calculate the average over the last 3 months or just the most recent month? And when you say "cash income" - does that include like the $20 my neighbor pays me to walk her dog occasionally? I don't want to mess anything up on my application.
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Nia Thompson
•For averaging income, I'd recommend looking at the last 3 months if your hours vary that much - it gives a more accurate picture than just one month. And yes, you should report that $20 from dog walking! Any regular income counts, even small amounts. The good news is that occasional income like that usually doesn't make a huge difference in your benefit calculation, but it's better to be upfront about it. CalFresh workers have seen it all and they'd rather you report everything than have to deal with discrepancies later. You're being smart to ask these questions before applying!
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Javier Torres
Just applied for CalFresh last month and wanted to share my experience! I was making about $1,200/month part-time and was approved for $215/month in benefits. The application process was way easier than I expected - I did everything online through BenefitsCal.com and got approved within 2 weeks. One thing that really helped was having all my documents ready before I started: recent pay stubs, rent receipt, utility bills, and bank statements. The online portal lets you upload everything as PDFs which saved me from having to mail or fax anything. Also, don't stress too much about getting the "maximum" benefit - even getting $200+ per month makes a HUGE difference when you're struggling with groceries. That covers most of my fresh produce and protein for the month, which frees up my cash for rent and other bills. Apply as soon as you can because benefits start from the date you submit your application!
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Giovanni Ricci
•This is such encouraging info! I was getting overwhelmed thinking I needed to qualify for the absolute maximum to make it worthwhile, but you're right - even $200+ would be life-changing for my grocery budget right now. Thanks for mentioning BenefitsCal.com too, I didn't know I could do everything online. Did you have to do a phone interview after submitting, or was it all handled through the website? I'm hoping to avoid the whole "calling and being on hold forever" situation that others mentioned.
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