UPDATE: I finally got through to my county office and spoke with a supervisor. She said my application was approved yesterday but is waiting for benefit issuance which could take 2-3 more business days. She said they've been completely overwhelmed with D-CalFresh applications (over 15,000 in our county alone) and are bringing in workers from other departments to help process them all. For anyone still waiting - don't give up! Keep calling and specifically ask to speak with a supervisor or manager who can look up your actual status.

This thread has been so helpful! I applied for D-CalFresh on 2/23 and have been stuck in "processing" status for 18 days now. Reading everyone's experiences gives me hope that it's not lost in the system. I'm definitely going to try calling and asking for a supervisor like Sophia suggested. It's frustrating that processing times vary so much by county - some people get approved in 8 days while others wait a month! Has anyone else noticed if certain counties are faster than others? I'm in San Bernardino County and wondering if I should expect a longer wait based on what I'm seeing here.

I work at a community resource center, and we've been helping families with this exact issue. Here's what you need to know: 1. P-EBT 3.0 benefits are currently being issued, which explains your recent card. 2. Previous P-EBT phases (1.0 and 2.0) had specific issuance windows that have officially closed. 3. However, there IS an exception process for families who can demonstrate they were eligible but never received benefits due to administrative errors (wrong address, school reporting issues, etc.) 4. The best approach is to gather documentation showing your children's eligibility during those periods (free/reduced lunch verification from their school) and contact the P-EBT hotline. 5. Be persistent and specific about requesting the "exception review process" - not all call center workers mention this option unless directly asked. The P-EBT hotline (877-328-9677) is notoriously difficult to reach. Try calling right when they open or in the last hour before they close for slightly better chances of getting through.

Thanks everyone for all this info! I'm going to try calling about the exception process that @Josef Tearle mentioned. I've got all my kids' school paperwork showing they were on free lunch since the beginning of 2024, so hopefully that'll be enough documentation. For anyone else in the same boat - sounds like the key is to specifically ask about "exception review process" and have your school records ready. I'll update this thread if I have any luck getting through to someone who can actually help! Also @Laila Fury - really appreciate the tip about calling right when they open. I was planning to call during lunch but sounds like timing matters a lot with that hotline.

lucky u!!! mine still pending after 2 weeks 😭

I'm in Riverside County too and just got approved for CalFresh last week! This is all really helpful info as a new recipient. I'm in group E and was wondering why my first payment seemed to come later than expected. Good to know it's not just me and that there's an actual reason for the delays. @Isaiah Sanders thank you for mentioning the expedited form - I'll definitely keep that in mind if I run into issues. Hope everyone gets their benefits sorted out soon! 🙏

so many ppl in the same boat these days... my sister had her benefits cut from $620 to $95 last month and shes a single mom with 2 kids working part time. its impossible to feed a family on that. the whole system needs to be fixed honestly

After reading through this thread again, I'm concerned there might be confusion about what you're receiving. In 2025, there shouldn't be anything labeled "emergency allotment" on your EBT account statements since those ended years ago. What you might be seeing is either: 1. California's state supplemental CalFresh benefits (if those exist in 2025) 2. A system labeling error where regular benefits are split into two payments 3. A transitional benefit adjustment 4. A correction payment from a previous underpayment When you call your county office, ask them to explain exactly what each payment represents. Request a copy of your most recent Notice of Action letter that shows your benefit calculation in detail. This letter should break down all the factors that determined your new benefit amount. If you haven't received this letter (or lost it), the county can provide another copy. The NOA is crucial for understanding exactly why your benefits changed so dramatically.

One important clarification I want to add: you mentioned your caseworker talked about "utility allowance calculations." This refers to the Standard Utility Allowance (SUA) I mentioned earlier. Receiving LIHEAP actually HELPS your CalFresh calculation because: 1) It automatically qualifies you for the full SUA ($463) in your benefit calculation 2) This often maximizes your shelter deduction 3) A higher shelter deduction typically means more CalFresh benefits So if anything, LIHEAP might indirectly help your CalFresh benefits, not hurt them. The most important thing is to accurately report your rent and dependent care costs on your application and SAR7 forms, as these have the biggest impact on your benefit amount.

Just wanted to add that you should definitely keep all your LIHEAP paperwork! When you do your next SAR7 or recertification, make sure to bring documentation showing the LIHEAP assistance was for utilities specifically. Sometimes county workers get confused and might try to count it as income if they don't understand what it is. Also, since you're in Oakland, you might want to check out the Alameda County Community Food Bank - they have additional food assistance programs that can help stretch your CalFresh benefits further. They also sometimes have info about other local rental assistance programs that might have shorter wait times than Section 8. Hang in there! It sounds like you're doing everything right by getting all the help you can for your family.