Have you looked into Walmart+ as an alternative? They accept EBT for grocery pickup and delivery, and their delivery fees are usually lower than Instacart. With Walmart+, you get free delivery on orders over $35, and they don't mark up prices as much as other services. Also, some areas have local mutual aid groups or community organizations that help with grocery shopping for people facing transportation barriers. You might try searching Facebook for "[your town/county] mutual aid" or "community support" groups. Sometimes neighbors are willing to help coordinate regular grocery runs for multiple people in similar situations, which could work better than relying on one person. If you do end up using Instacart, definitely go with Walmart or ALDI as your store choice - they tend to have the smallest markups and accept EBT. And like others mentioned, bigger orders less frequently will help minimize the fee impact on your budget.

I've been in a similar situation and wanted to share what worked for me. Besides the delivery services others mentioned, check if your area has any senior/disability transportation services that might help with grocery runs - sometimes they're available to CalFresh recipients facing transportation barriers even if you don't meet age/disability requirements. Also, if you have a smartphone, download the Flashfood app. It's not delivery, but many grocery stores use it to sell discounted items that are close to expiration. If you can occasionally catch a ride or use rideshare for a quick pickup, you can stretch your CalFresh benefits much further. I've gotten $50+ worth of groceries for $15-20 through Flashfood. One more tip: some churches and community centers organize monthly grocery shopping trips for people without transportation. It might be worth calling around to see if anything like that exists near you. Even if it's just once a month, it could help supplement the delivery services.

my favorite thing is seeing when people try to steal my card info at those card skimmers!! the app shows every transaction so i can see if someones trying to use my card somewhere i wasnt at!

I just wanted to add that if you have any issues with the app not working or if you need to reset your PIN, you can also visit your local county office and they can help you with that. Sometimes the app might not work if your card has been temporarily suspended for security reasons (like if you entered your PIN wrong too many times at a store). The county workers are usually pretty helpful with tech issues like this. Also, make sure your phone has enough storage space - I had a friend who couldn't get the app to work properly because her phone was almost full!

Thanks everyone for all the advice!! Im going to apply online today through BenefitsCal and use Claimyr if I need to call with questions. Really appreciate knowing about the different rules for disability households, I was about to not apply thinking we made too much. Will update on what happens with our application!

Good luck with your application! One more tip - when you upload documents to BenefitsCal, make sure all pages are clear and readable. I had to resubmit my rent lease twice because the photos were blurry. Also keep copies of everything you submit in case they ask for something again. With a baby that young and your housing costs being so high, you should definitely qualify for a decent benefit amount. The whole process took about 3 weeks for me from application to getting my EBT card in the mail. Hang in there, you're doing the right thing applying!

Just a tip - I recommend creating a separate PIN for the card than what they initially assign. Sometimes the default PINs can be easy for others to guess if they know your child's information. You can change the PIN by calling the number on the back of the card. I also put a little sticker on mine to differentiate it from my regular EBT card since they look similar!

Just wanted to add that if you're having trouble figuring out what you can buy with P-EBT, the USDA has a great app called "SNAP Retailer Locator" that not only shows you which stores accept EBT but also has a guide for eligible food items. Since P-EBT follows the same rules as regular SNAP/CalFresh, anything you can buy with regular food stamps you can buy with P-EBT. This includes fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, bread, cereals, and even seeds/plants that produce food! Just remember no hot/prepared foods, alcohol, tobacco, vitamins, or non-food items. The app has been super helpful for me when I'm shopping and not sure about something.

I'm so sorry this happened to you! I went through something similar a few months ago. One thing that really helped me was documenting everything - I kept a log of every phone call, visit, and piece of paperwork. Also, if you have any community organizations or social workers in your area, they can sometimes advocate for you or help navigate the system. Don't be afraid to ask for help from local nonprofits too - many have people who know the CalFresh system inside and out. Hang in there, it's frustrating but you can get through this!

I've been through this exact situation and it's incredibly stressful - you're not alone! One thing that helped me was immediately requesting a "continuation of benefits pending hearing" if you're within the 10-day window that @Omar Farouk mentioned. Even if you think you might not qualify, it's worth requesting because it keeps your benefits going while they review your case. Also, when you do get through to someone, ask them to explain EXACTLY why you were discontinued and what documentation they need to reinstate you. Sometimes it's something simple like a missing form or outdated income info. Stay strong and keep advocating for yourself!