One thing I learned from my case worker that might help others - if you're consistently running out of benefits before your issuance date, you can request an earlier benefit date when you do your recertification. They assign dates based on your case number, but if you can show that an earlier date would help you budget better (like if you get paid mid-month), they can sometimes adjust it. Not all counties do this, but it's worth asking about. Also, if you're working and your income fluctuates, make sure to report any changes - sometimes a small decrease in hours can actually increase your benefit amount significantly.

As someone new to CalFresh, this whole thread has been incredibly helpful! I just got approved last week and my first benefit date is coming up on the 15th. I was stressing about the timing since I wasn't sure when exactly the benefits would be available. It sounds like checking the BenefitsCal app after midnight is the way to go, and knowing it could take up to 2-6am gives me realistic expectations. Also really appreciate all the tips about food pantries, requesting different benefit dates, and making sure I'm getting all the deductions I'm eligible for. This community is amazing - thank you all for sharing your experiences and helping newcomers like me navigate the system!

I'm so sorry this happened to you and your kids. EBT skimming is absolutely out of control right now and it's heartbreaking that families have to go through this. I had my benefits stolen twice in the past 6 months - first time took 38 days to get reimbursed, second time took 47 days. The "30 day" timeline they quote is basically meaningless at this point. A few things that helped me: 1. Call your county CalFresh office directly (not the EBT customer service) and specifically ask for "emergency food assistance due to EBT theft hardship" 2. Mention you have children - they prioritize cases involving kids 3. Ask about the mobile food pantries in your area - many don't require paperwork during emergencies 4. If you qualify for WIC, apply immediately as backup food assistance 5. Document EVERYTHING - dates, times, who you spoke with, case numbers The virtual EBT card in the app is much more secure but honestly the whole system needs an overhaul. Families shouldn't have to choose between rent and food because of criminals targeting the most vulnerable people. Keep calling every few days to check status - sometimes the squeaky wheel gets faster processing. Hang in there! 💙

I'm dealing with the exact same nightmare right now - had $425 stolen from my EBT card on May 8th at some sketchy convenience store I've never even heard of. Filed everything immediately but they're giving me the runaround about "30 days" while my family is struggling to eat. Reading through everyone's experiences here is both helpful and terrifying - sounds like we're all looking at 45-60 days minimum based on what people are actually experiencing. I'm definitely going to try calling my county office directly tomorrow instead of the useless EBT customer service line, and ask specifically about that hardship replacement for 60% of benefits that @Zara Shah mentioned. Also switching to the virtual card ASAP because clearly these physical cards are just targets for thieves. It's absolutely insane that families with kids are expected to just wait months without food assistance because criminals are exploiting a broken system. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences and tips - at least we're not going through this alone. Going to start documenting every call and visit from now on too.

Just went through this same situation two months ago when I moved from San Diego to Sacramento! Here's what worked for me: I called the P-EBT hotline multiple times (like others mentioned, avoid Monday mornings), and when I finally got through, the rep told me something important that wasn't mentioned here yet - they can put a "temporary hold" on your card mailing if you call within 2 weeks of when your county's cards are supposed to be issued. This gives you extra time to sort out the address situation without losing the card to your old address. For LA County since you're in the November-December window, I'd call ASAP and ask about this hold option. Also, definitely set up informed delivery with USPS so you can track when government mail is coming to your address - it's been a lifesaver for knowing when benefit cards are actually being delivered.

One more thing that might help - if you're having trouble getting through to the P-EBT hotline, you can also try contacting your local county social services office directly. They often have a dedicated P-EBT coordinator who can help with address changes. In LA County, you can call 866-613-3777 and ask to speak with someone about P-EBT address updates. Sometimes the county offices have better availability than the state hotline, and they can make the same updates in the system. Also, keep a record of when you called and who you spoke with - if there are any issues later, having that documentation can really help with getting things resolved faster.

One additional piece of advice: When you contact Nevada SNAP, request an official closure letter stating when your benefits end. This document can be helpful if California asks about your previous benefits. Also, track exactly when you use your Nevada EBT for the last time, just in case questions arise later. CalFresh applications in California are typically processed within 30 days, though they may expedite it if you meet certain criteria (very low income/resources). Make sure to answer the expedited screening questions accurately during your application.

I went through a similar interstate move situation about 6 months ago (Florida to California) and wanted to share a few things that really helped me: First, definitely keep detailed records of all your communications with both states - dates you called, who you spoke with, confirmation numbers if they give you any. This saved me when there was confusion about my move date later. Second, when you apply for CalFresh, there's actually a question on the application about whether you're receiving benefits in another state. Be completely honest about your Nevada benefits - they'll appreciate the transparency and it helps them coordinate properly. Third, if you're worried about the gap between programs, check if you qualify for emergency/expedited CalFresh. Since you mentioned you won't get paid until next month, you might meet the criteria for faster processing (usually within 3 days instead of 30). Also, pro tip: Screenshot your Nevada EBT balance regularly so you have proof of what you had and when you used it up, just in case there are any questions down the road. Sounds like you're handling this really well though! The fact that you're being proactive and asking questions puts you way ahead of where I was when I moved.