California CalFresh

Update: I did end up calling the county office (took forever to get through). The worker confirmed it's the May 2025 Food Cost Adjustment Supplement that was approved statewide. She said all CalFresh households are getting approximately 50% of their monthly benefit as a one-time supplement. The notices are being mailed out this week, so we got the money before the explanation. Thanks everyone for your help!

Thanks for posting this update! I was actually wondering about the same thing when I saw an extra deposit on my card yesterday. It's really helpful to know it's the Food Cost Adjustment Supplement and that it's legitimate. I was hesitant to spend it without knowing for sure what it was for. Really appreciate you taking the time to call and confirm, and then sharing the info with everyone here. Now I can use that extra money for groceries without worrying about having to pay it back later!

To officially check if you're eligible for the Restaurant Meals Program in San Bernardino County: 1. Call the TAD (Transitional Assistance Department) at 1-877-410-8829 2. Ask specifically about RMP eligibility 3. If you qualify, request the special RMP application 4. Once approved, your EBT card will be activated for restaurant purchases And to confirm - the March 10th date is likely referring to a temporary disaster waiver, not the permanent RMP program. These waivers sometimes happen after natural disasters to help people who may have lost power or cooking abilities. The regular RMP program for eligible individuals is permanent and has no end date.

Hey Oscar! I'm pretty new to CalFresh too and had the same confusion when I first saw those signs at fast food places. Just wanted to add that even though you can't use the Restaurant Meals Program, there are still some good options for quick meals with regular CalFresh benefits. You can buy stuff like rotisserie chickens from the deli counter at grocery stores (as long as they're cold), pre-made sandwiches and salads from the refrigerated section, and even some prepared foods from places like Costco. Not as convenient as drive-thru, but still saves time on cooking! Also, if you're ever in a declared disaster area, they sometimes do activate temporary hot food waivers for everyone - that might be what the March 10th thing was about.

Update: I was able to register on the website. It's orangecounty.gov/sunbucks if anyone else is looking. Had to enter my EBT card number and some basic info, but it was pretty easy. Thanks everyone for your help clearing this up! I'm actually excited about this program now - $50 extra for fruits and vegetables will make a big difference for my kids.

Just wanted to add that I also got one of these letters in North OC and was totally confused at first! Mine has letter H on it - so there must be even more store groups than just F and G. The website worked fine for me this morning and I was able to register pretty easily. One thing I noticed is that they ask you to verify your phone number during signup, probably so they can send you updates about the program. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences here - it's so much more helpful than trying to get through to the county office!

UPDATE: I want to thank everyone for the advice. I followed the steps and: 1. Called EBT customer service and reported the theft - they deactivated my card 2. Filed a police report online (got a case #) 3. Used that Claimyr service someone suggested and actually got through to my county worker in 20 minutes! The county worker was actually really helpful once I got through. She confirmed that California DOES replace stolen benefits now and helped me submit the CF 303E form. She said I should get emergency replacement benefits in 3-5 business days and a new EBT card in the mail within a week. She also told me how to set up a PIN on the EBT app that's required for each purchase? Apparently that's new and helps prevent theft. I'm still stressed but feeling much better knowing this should get resolved!

So glad you got through and are getting help! This is exactly why I always tell people not to give up on the first try. The system is frustrating but California really has made improvements for EBT theft victims. One tip for everyone reading - also check if your local food banks have emergency food boxes while you're waiting for replacement benefits. Most don't require income verification for emergency situations like this. And definitely enable all the security features on the EBT app once you get your new card! Hope you get your benefits back soon Paolo! 🙏

I just want to say congratulations on getting approved for CalFresh! It was a lifesaver for my family last year. Don't forget you can use your benefits at many farmers markets too, and some even do dollar matching programs where they double your EBT spending up to a certain amount. Great way to get fresh produce!

This is such a helpful thread! I'm new to CalFresh and had no idea about all these quirky rules. The FreshEBT app suggestion is gold - definitely downloading that before my next shopping trip. It's frustrating that the system seems to penalize people trying to make healthier choices, but at least now I know what to expect. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and workarounds!