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!

Update: I just spent 30 minutes searching my apartment one more time and FOUND MY CARD! It was inside a jacket pocket I hadn't worn in a week. Thank you all for the advice - I'm so relieved I don't have to go through the replacement process!

So glad you found it! I was literally about to suggest checking jacket pockets - that's where mine always ends up too. For next time, I've started keeping my EBT card in the same spot in my wallet every single time I use it. Makes it way less stressful when you need groceries and can't remember where you put it!

Have you looked into Walmart+ as an alternative? They accept EBT for grocery pickup and delivery, and their delivery fees are usually lower than Instacart. With Walmart+, you get free delivery on orders over $35, and they don't mark up prices as much as other services. Also, some areas have local mutual aid groups or community organizations that help with grocery shopping for people facing transportation barriers. You might try searching Facebook for "[your town/county] mutual aid" or "community support" groups. Sometimes neighbors are willing to help coordinate regular grocery runs for multiple people in similar situations, which could work better than relying on one person. If you do end up using Instacart, definitely go with Walmart or ALDI as your store choice - they tend to have the smallest markups and accept EBT. And like others mentioned, bigger orders less frequently will help minimize the fee impact on your budget.

I've been in a similar situation and wanted to share what worked for me. Besides the delivery services others mentioned, check if your area has any senior/disability transportation services that might help with grocery runs - sometimes they're available to CalFresh recipients facing transportation barriers even if you don't meet age/disability requirements. Also, if you have a smartphone, download the Flashfood app. It's not delivery, but many grocery stores use it to sell discounted items that are close to expiration. If you can occasionally catch a ride or use rideshare for a quick pickup, you can stretch your CalFresh benefits much further. I've gotten $50+ worth of groceries for $15-20 through Flashfood. One more tip: some churches and community centers organize monthly grocery shopping trips for people without transportation. It might be worth calling around to see if anything like that exists near you. Even if it's just once a month, it could help supplement the delivery services.

Thanks everyone for all the advice!! Im going to apply online today through BenefitsCal and use Claimyr if I need to call with questions. Really appreciate knowing about the different rules for disability households, I was about to not apply thinking we made too much. Will update on what happens with our application!

Good luck with your application! One more tip - when you upload documents to BenefitsCal, make sure all pages are clear and readable. I had to resubmit my rent lease twice because the photos were blurry. Also keep copies of everything you submit in case they ask for something again. With a baby that young and your housing costs being so high, you should definitely qualify for a decent benefit amount. The whole process took about 3 weeks for me from application to getting my EBT card in the mail. Hang in there, you're doing the right thing applying!

I'm so sorry this happened to you! I went through something similar a few months ago. One thing that really helped me was documenting everything - I kept a log of every phone call, visit, and piece of paperwork. Also, if you have any community organizations or social workers in your area, they can sometimes advocate for you or help navigate the system. Don't be afraid to ask for help from local nonprofits too - many have people who know the CalFresh system inside and out. Hang in there, it's frustrating but you can get through this!

I've been through this exact situation and it's incredibly stressful - you're not alone! One thing that helped me was immediately requesting a "continuation of benefits pending hearing" if you're within the 10-day window that @Omar Farouk mentioned. Even if you think you might not qualify, it's worth requesting because it keeps your benefits going while they review your case. Also, when you do get through to someone, ask them to explain EXACTLY why you were discontinued and what documentation they need to reinstate you. Sometimes it's something simple like a missing form or outdated income info. Stay strong and keep advocating for yourself!