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!

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.

Just to clarify some confusion I'm seeing in this thread: 1. Yes, the minimum CalFresh benefit for 1-2 person households increased from $23 to $28 effective October 1, 2025 2. If you didn't receive the increase, it's most likely due to one of these reasons: - System implementation delay (they'll backdate payments) - The statewide CalFresh Management Information System update mentioned above - A change in your eligibility (though you would have received a Notice of Action) 3. You are entitled to the correct benefit amount even if there's a delay. Any underpayment should be corrected once the system issues are resolved. I recommend contacting your county office to confirm your specific situation. Ask them specifically about the "COLA implementation for FFY 2026" and whether your case is affected by any known system issues. Be sure to request retroactive benefits for any underpayment.

@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!

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!

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!