Update: I finally got through to someone helpful! Turns out there's a special verification form for independent study students that my kids' program was supposed to send us back in April. Going to the district office tomorrow to fill it out, but they said even with the delay we should still get the full benefit amount once processed. Thanks everyone for the advice!

So glad you figured it out! This is exactly why the system is so confusing - there are all these extra forms and requirements that nobody tells you about upfront. I'm dealing with something similar for my two kids who did independent study this year. Did they tell you if this verification form is something that needs to be done every year, or is it a one-time thing? I want to make sure I don't run into this same issue next time around. Thanks for sharing your update - it gives the rest of us hope that we can get this sorted out!

@profile5 Yes, when I got through, they explained there was a batch processing error that affected households with specific case number ranges, including mine. They fixed it on the spot and told me the corrected amount would show up within 3 business days, which it did. Plus they added the difference from the previous month. Definitely worth making that call!

I'm in the same boat - still getting $23 instead of the $28 minimum that was supposed to start in October. I called my county office three times last week and keep getting told "the system is updating" but no timeline on when it'll be fixed. Meanwhile, I'm missing out on that extra $5 each month which really adds up when you're already struggling. Has anyone had luck getting through to a supervisor or someone who can actually DO something about this? The regular workers just keep giving me the runaround saying it's a "known issue" but won't commit to when it'll be resolved or if we'll get backpay.

You need to report to both programs separately, although they're often administered by the same county office. CalFresh and Medi-Cal have different reporting requirements and separate case systems, even though they may use some of the same information. Be sure to specify which program(s) you're reporting changes for when you contact your county office.

Hope your health issues get better soon! I went through something similar when I had to reduce my hours due to medical reasons. One tip that helped me - when you upload your paystubs to BenefitsCal, make sure they clearly show the reduced hours/dates worked. Some counties are picky about documentation. Also, if your employer can write a brief letter on company letterhead stating your hours were permanently reduced (not just temporarily), that can speed up the verification process. My benefits increased by about $85/month when I reported a similar income drop. Good luck with everything!

Thanks everyone for the great advice. I went ahead and set up my PIN immediately and made it completely random. Also downloaded the BenefitsCal app and found the card lock feature - that's going to give me so much peace of mind! I'm also going to try that Claimyr service tomorrow to ask about the pilot replacement program, since waiting on hold with two kids at home is basically impossible. Will update if I find out anything useful that might help others in the same situation!

Really sorry this happened to you! As someone who's been through EBT fraud twice, here's my experience: definitely set up your PIN right now - waiting doesn't make you any safer, and you'll want to be able to access your benefits as soon as they load tomorrow. One thing I learned the hard way is to avoid using your card at smaller stores or gas stations if possible - stick to major grocery chains that have better security. Also, always run your card as "debit" rather than "credit" when given the choice, and never let anyone else handle your card or "help" you at the terminal. The card lock feature in the BenefitsCal app is a game changer - I lock mine immediately after every shopping trip and only unlock it right before I shop again. Takes 30 seconds but gives me so much peace of mind. Hope your replacement benefits situation works out better than most people's experiences!

Update: I called the number on the CA State Controller's website this morning and after 45 minutes on hold (ugh), they confirmed it's legit! It's from the CalEITC like many of you said. Thanks everyone for your help! Going to treat my kid to new shoes with part of it since his old ones are falling apart.

So happy to hear you got it sorted out! This thread was super helpful for me too - I just checked my mailbox and found a similar check for $298. I was about to panic thinking it was some kind of mistake, but now I know it's probably the CalEITC. I worked at a grocery store part-time last year while on CalFresh, so this makes total sense. Going to call tomorrow to confirm but feeling way less stressed about it now. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!