This is absolutely unacceptable! I've been locked out for 6 days now and it's causing so much stress for my family. We depend on CalFresh to help with our grocery budget and not being able to check my balance or access my account is terrifying. I tried the mobile app suggestion from @CosmicCaptain and it finally worked! Thank you so much for sharing that tip - you literally saved my sanity. It's infuriating that they would roll out a broken system that prevents people from accessing their basic food assistance. The automated phone line (1-877-328-9677) has been helpful for balance checks when nothing else worked. This whole situation just shows how little they care about the people who actually depend on these services. We shouldn't have to become tech experts just to check our own benefit balance! Thank you to everyone in this community for sharing workarounds - you've all been more helpful than any official support.

This is such a frustrating situation that so many families are dealing with! I've been following this thread and it's clear the BenefitsCal system rollout has been a complete disaster. What really stands out to me is how this community has stepped up to help each other when the official support has failed. @CosmicCaptain, your suggestions about the mobile app and phone number have literally helped dozens of families access their benefits - you've done more to solve this crisis than the entire state IT department! It's heartbreaking that people are losing sleep and worrying about feeding their children because of poor system planning. The fact that we have software testers and IT professionals in this thread confirming this was completely preventable just makes it more infuriating. For anyone still struggling: try the mobile app first, then the automated phone line at 1-877-328-9677. And remember - the 15-day extension for recertifications means you won't lose benefits if you're still locked out. We shouldn't have to be each other's tech support, but I'm grateful we're all here looking out for one another!

I'm so sorry you're going through this - the stress of not being able to provide for your kids while dealing with bureaucratic delays is just heartbreaking. I went through something similar about 6 months ago and it took almost 5 weeks total from when I submitted my renewal docs. What finally worked for me was a combination of things: I kept a detailed log of every call attempt (dates, times, who I spoke with), contacted my local food bank through 211 for immediate help, and most importantly - I filed a complaint with the California Department of Social Services. You can do this online and they're required to investigate processing delays that exceed 30 days. Also, when they say "processing" they should be able to give you a more specific timeline. Ask them directly: "What specific step in the processing is my case currently at, and what is the expected completion date?" Don't let them give you vague answers. In the meantime, definitely look into local food pantries and ask your kids' school counselor about emergency food resources. Many schools have weekend backpack programs or emergency pantries specifically for situations like this. You shouldn't have to choose between feeding your children and paying rent. Keep advocating for yourself - you deserve better service than this!

I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now and it's so frustrating! My renewal has been "processing" for over a month now and my worker keeps giving me the runaround every time I call. What really bothers me is that they act like this delay is normal when families are literally going hungry waiting for their benefits. I tried going to the office in person last week and they told me the same thing - "it's processing" - with no actual timeline or explanation of what that even means. The lack of transparency in this system is unacceptable. Reading through all these responses has been both validating and maddening. It's clear this isn't an isolated issue but a systemic problem with how CalFresh renewals are handled. No family should have to stress about feeding their children because of administrative delays that could be easily prevented with proper staffing and systems. I'm definitely going to try some of the suggestions here - especially contacting my state representative and filing a complaint with the state. We shouldn't have to jump through all these hoops, but if that's what it takes to get our cases moving then so be it. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences and advice!

Hey Leslie! Just wanted to add my voice to all the great advice you've already gotten here. I'm a newer member who went through this same process in San Diego County about 4 months ago, and I totally get that overwhelming feeling! One thing that really helped me was creating a simple folder (physical or digital) to keep all my CalFresh documents together - approval letter, case number, important phone numbers, etc. It made me feel more organized and in control during the waiting period. Also, since you mentioned being disconnected after 45 minutes on hold, I'd suggest trying to call the county office early in the morning (right when they open) if you do need to reach them - the wait times are usually shorter then. But honestly, based on everyone's experiences here, you probably won't need to call since the card should arrive automatically. San Diego County has been pretty good about this! You've already made it through the hardest part with that 2-month approval process. This community has been such a lifesaver for navigating all the little details they don't tell you upfront. Welcome, and don't hesitate to ask more questions as you get familiar with everything!

Hey Leslie! I just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this exact same process in San Diego County about 6 months ago. Reading through all these responses brought back memories of how stressed I was during that waiting period! Everyone has given you such solid advice about the card coming automatically in the mail. One small thing I'd add that helped me feel more in control was tracking my case status through the BenefitsCal website - you can actually see when your case moves to "card issued" status, which happens a day or two before it actually ships. It's a tiny detail but it gave me that extra peace of mind during the anxious waiting period. Also, just want to echo what others have said about San Diego County being pretty reliable - my card came in exactly 6 days, right in that typical window everyone mentioned. The hardest part is definitely behind you now that you're approved. This community has been such a lifesaver for me over the months, and it's so heartwarming to see everyone jumping in to help a newcomer navigate this confusing system. You're going to do great, and don't hesitate to come back with more questions as you get familiar with everything!

Hey Ravi! I'm so happy to see how this thread has evolved - it's amazing to watch someone go from confusion to confidence with the help of this community! I wanted to add one more resource that's been a game-changer for me: CalFresh Healthy Living (formerly SNAP-Ed) has a free app called "Fresh EBT" that not only tracks your balance but also shows you which stores near you accept EBT and even has digital coupons you can use WITH your CalFresh benefits to save even more money. Also, since you mentioned budgeting, I've found that planning meals around sales and seasonal produce really helps stretch those benefits. Like right now, winter squash and root vegetables are usually cheaper and last longer in storage. One last thing - if you ever have issues with your card or need to report it lost/stolen, save the customer service number (1-877-328-9677) in your phone. I had to use it once when my card got demagnetized and they were super helpful. You're going to do amazing! This community has your back, and don't hesitate to come back with any other questions. We've all been where you are now! 💪

Hey Ravi! What an incredible thread this has become - it's so heartwarming to see how this community has rallied around you with such detailed, practical advice! I wanted to add one more tip that I wish someone had told me when I first got CalFresh: consider shopping with a calculator (or using your phone's calculator) for your first few trips. It really helps you stay within budget and avoid any awkward moments at checkout. I used to add up my total as I shopped and it made me feel so much more confident. Also, if you have a Dollar Tree near you, they accept EBT and have surprisingly good deals on things like canned goods, pasta, and frozen vegetables. Just make sure to check expiration dates since items sometimes sit on shelves longer at discount stores. One thing I noticed from reading through all these responses - this community is absolutely amazing! The way everyone has shared their experiences and tips shows what mutual aid looks like in action. You're not just getting CalFresh benefits, you're joining a network of people who genuinely care about each other's success. Enjoy your first shopping trip tomorrow, and remember that every expert was once a beginner. You've got this! 🌟

This thread has been incredibly helpful and I'm so sorry you're going through this nightmare! I went through something similar a few months ago and what finally worked was calling the CalFresh hotline and asking to speak with a "case expediter" - which is different from a regular supervisor. When I explained that my case had exceeded 30 days with children in the household, they were able to see that my application had been marked as "pending verification" even though I'd submitted everything through BenefitsCal weeks earlier. Apparently there was a system glitch that prevented my documents from being properly linked to my case file. The case expediter was able to manually attach my documents and push my application through for approval the same day. Also, make sure when you call to specifically mention that you have children and that your income was reduced - both of these factors should qualify you for expedited processing. The whole experience taught me that the regular caseworker system is completely broken, but there are people higher up who actually have the authority and tools to fix these situations quickly. Don't let anyone make you feel like you're being pushy - 7+ weeks with kids at home is completely unacceptable and you have every right to demand immediate action!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this - it's absolutely infuriating how broken the system is! I went through almost the exact same thing earlier this year and it's heartbreaking when you're doing everything right but still can't get help for your family. Based on all the great advice in this thread, here's what I'd recommend doing immediately: Call 1-877-847-3663 first thing tomorrow morning and ask specifically for a "quality assurance supervisor" or "case expediter" - not just a regular supervisor. Tell them you need to "file a formal complaint for failure to process within the federally required timeframe" and that you're requesting expedited processing due to having children and reduced income. Also ask them to verify if your original caseworker is still active - so many people are discovering their workers quit or got reassigned without any notification! It's possible your case is just sitting in limbo because of a staffing change. The fact that you've been waiting 7+ weeks with kids at home is completely unacceptable and violates federal requirements. Don't let anyone make you feel like you're being unreasonable - you have every right to demand immediate action. And yes, when you do get approved, you'll receive backdated benefits to your original application date so you won't lose anything. Keep fighting - your persistence will pay off and your family deserves these benefits!