Do you know if this applies to CalWorks benefits too? My sister had money stolen from her cash aid last month and shes still fighting to get it back...

Yes, CalWorks (cash aid) has similar protections, but the process is slightly different. For CalWorks fraud, she should contact her specific county office and ask for the

Just wanted to add another option that's been a lifesaver for me - if you have an iPhone, you can add your EBT balance as a widget to your home screen using the ConnectEBT app. Once you're logged in, go to your widgets and add the ConnectEBT widget. It shows your current balance right on your phone's home screen without even having to open the app! Super convenient when you're at the store and need a quick glance at your balance. Android might have something similar but I'm not sure since I use iPhone. Has anyone tried setting this up on Android?

Another quick tip that's saved me tons of time - most major grocery chains now have their own apps that let you check your EBT balance if you link your card. I use the Safeway app and it shows my balance right in there along with digital coupons and store deals. Target's app does this too if you have a Target nearby. The nice thing about using the store apps is you can check your balance AND browse deals/plan your shopping all in one place. Plus they usually load faster than the dedicated EBT apps since the stores have better servers. Worth checking if your regular grocery store has this feature!

my benefits amount changes all the time i just never know what im getting month to month lol

Just wanted to add some additional context since I see there's still some confusion in the thread. As someone who works in social services, I can confirm that California actually did implement some state-funded supplements after the federal emergency allotments ended in March 2023. However, these were temporary bridge benefits that also ended by late 2023. What you're receiving now is indeed your regular CalFresh benefit calculated under the current federal guidelines with the updated deductions and maximums. The October 2024 COLA increase was substantial (around 12% as others mentioned), which is why many people think they're still getting "extra" benefits. Your $680 for a family of 3 is completely normal given current benefit levels and your household's specific circumstances.

Thank you for the detailed explanation! I think what I overheard must have been about the disaster benefits. We weren't in an evacuation zone so we wouldn't qualify, but that makes sense now.

Just wanted to add that if you're not getting the maximum benefit amount for your household size, it's worth requesting a review of your case. Sometimes income or expense changes don't get properly updated in the system. I had to submit documentation of my rent increase twice before it was reflected in my benefits calculation. Also, make sure you're claiming all allowable deductions - things like medical expenses for elderly/disabled household members, dependent care costs, and excessive shelter costs can significantly increase your monthly benefit amount. The BenefitsCal app sometimes doesn't capture all these details during the initial application.

Almost forgot! If you have kids under 18, check with their schools too. Many Orange County school districts have emergency family resource funds through their McKinney-Vento programs, especially if you're at risk of losing utilities which could make your housing unstable. My daughter's school ended up helping with a $200 emergency utility grant last year when we were struggling.

I've been in a similar situation with high utility bills while on CalFresh. One thing that really helped me was getting a home energy audit through SoCalGas - they do them for free and can identify issues like the heater problem you mentioned. They found that my old water heater was using way more gas than it should have been. Also, if you're renting, your landlord is actually responsible for maintaining appliances in working order, so definitely push them to check that heater ASAP. A malfunctioning heater could be costing you hundreds every month. While you're waiting for LIHEAP approval, you might also try calling your local United Way chapter - they sometimes have small emergency grants that can bridge the gap. Good luck, and don't give up - there really are resources out there to help!