Update: Just wanted to let everyone know that I got through to someone at the county office yesterday and they confirmed what you all said - my regular deposit date is the 7th based on my case number. The worker explained that the first deposit often comes at odd times because they're processing initial approvals throughout the month. Thanks everyone for your help!

For anyone else who finds this thread with a similar question: It's important to note that there are three key dates with CalFresh you should be aware of: 1. Your issuance date (1st-10th of month based on case number) 2. Your SAR7 due date (typically 5th of your reporting month) 3. Your recertification month (every 12 months) Keep track of all three to avoid any benefit interruptions. And remember, your EBT balance carries over from month to month - you don't lose unspent benefits when the new month starts.

I went through this exact situation last year! My 17-year-old started working at Target and I was so worried about reporting it. Here's what I learned: yes, you absolutely have to report it, but it's not as scary as it seems. Since you said your IRT is $4,050 and she's only making around $400-500/month, you can wait until your next SAR7 to report it - no need to stress about the 10-day rule. When you do report, make sure you emphasize that she's a full-time student and include her school enrollment verification along with her paystubs. Also, don't forget about the earned income deduction! They automatically deduct 20% of her gross earnings before calculating your new benefit amount. So if she makes $500, only $400 counts toward your household income, and then they only reduce your benefits by about 30% of that amount. In our case, my son was making about $600/month and our benefits went down by roughly $180. It hurt at first, but honestly, having him contribute to his own school supplies and clothes actually freed up some of our food budget. Plus he felt so proud being able to help out! Just make sure to keep good records of everything for when you submit your SAR7.

I just wanted to add something that might help ease your worries a bit - I work for a nonprofit that helps families navigate CalFresh, and teenage employment is actually pretty common. The key thing to remember is that the system is designed to gradually reduce benefits as income increases, not cut you off entirely unless you're way over the limits. Since your daughter is only working 15-20 hours at minimum wage, we're talking about maybe $400-600 per month gross income. After the 20% earned income deduction, that's more like $320-480 counting toward your household income. Your benefits will probably drop by around $100-150 per month, which I know still feels like a lot when every dollar counts. But here's what I tell families: encourage your daughter to take over some of her own expenses that you're currently covering with your food budget or other money. Things like her school lunch, snacks, maybe some basic toiletries. This can actually help balance out the benefit reduction. Plus, it's great preparation for when she's an adult and has to manage her own budget. The most important thing is to report it honestly and on time. Keep copies of everything you submit, and don't hesitate to ask the eligibility worker to explain the calculation if the reduction seems wrong. Good luck!

Just wanted to thank everyone for all this amazing advice! I went to Walmart yesterday and successfully bought seeds for tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, and some lettuce with my EBT card - no questions asked! I also got some mint and basil seeds since fresh herbs are so expensive at the store. The cashier didn't even blink when I paid with EBT. This is going to help stretch my food budget so much once things start growing. I'll update later in the season with how my garden turns out!

This is such a helpful thread! I'm also on CalFresh and had no idea about the seed/plant benefit. One thing I'd add for anyone starting out - check if your local library has gardening books or even seed libraries where you can borrow seeds for free! My library has a "seed swap" program every spring. Also, if you're worried about space, don't overlook container gardening. I grow cherry tomatoes, lettuce, and herbs in old yogurt containers and buckets on my apartment balcony. Even a small windowsill can produce enough fresh herbs to save you $20+ per month at the grocery store. The initial investment with your EBT benefits really does pay off!

just fyi ive been on calfresh for 6 yrs and sometimes the letter comes a week AFTER the money hits your ebt... makes no sense but thats how they do it lol

Glad to hear you got your benefits Jessica! This whole thread has been super helpful. I'm new to CalFresh and had no idea about these summer benefits. My kids just finished their first year at a new school and I wasn't sure if we'd qualify since we moved to Kern County in February. Should I be expecting Sunbucks too if we're already getting regular CalFresh? And does it matter that my youngest is only 4 and in pre-K? Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it's so much better getting info from real people who actually go through this stuff!

UPDATE: Finally got it fixed! The Claimyr service connected me with a worker after about 50 minutes. The worker confirmed it was a security freeze from the app crash. She asked a few verification questions and unfroze my account right away. My EBT card is working again! For anyone else dealing with this - definitely try Claimyr or go to the office in person. The regular EBT customer service line can't help with this specific issue. Thanks everyone for your help!

I'm so glad you got this resolved! This thread is really helpful - I had no idea about the Claimyr service or that you could set up PIN reset authorization questions. I've been dreading using the BenefitsCal app because I keep hearing about these crashes, but now I know what to do if it happens to me. It's frustrating that we have to rely on workarounds for what should be basic functionality, but at least there are solutions. Thanks for updating us with what worked!