Can't reach California CalFresh? Claimyr connects you to a live DSS agent in minutes.
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If I could give 10 stars I would If I could give 10 stars I would Such an amazing service so needed during the times when EDD almost never picks up Claimyr gets me on the phone with EDD every time without fail faster. A much needed service without Claimyr I would have never received the payment I needed to support me during my postpartum recovery. Thank you so much Claimyr!
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Really made a difference, save me time and energy from going to a local office for making the call.
Worth not wasting your time calling for hours.
Was a bit nervous or untrusting at first, but my calls went thru. First time the wait was a bit long but their customer chat line on their page was helpful and put me at ease that I would receive my call. Today my call dropped because of EDD and Claimyr heard my concern on the same chat and another call was made within the hour.
An incredibly helpful service
An incredibly helpful service! Got me connected to a CA EDD agent without major hassle (outside of EDD's agents dropping calls – which Claimyr has free protection for). If you need to file a new claim and can't do it online, pay the $ to Claimyr to get the process started. Absolutely worth it!
Consistent,frustration free, quality Service.
Used this service a couple times now. Before I'd call 200 times in less than a weak frustrated as can be. But using claimyr with a couple hours of waiting i was on the line with an representative or on hold. Dropped a couple times but each reconnected not long after and was mission accomplished, thanks to Claimyr.
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I tried for weeks to get thru to EDD PFL program with no luck. I gave this a try thinking it may be a scam. OMG! It worked and They got thru within an hour and my claim is going to finally get paid!! I upgraded to the $60 call. Best $60 spent!
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- DO post questions about your issues.
- DO answer questions and support each other.
- DO post tips & tricks to help folks.
- DO NOT post call problems here - there is a support tab at the top for that :)
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Daniel White
UPDATE: Finally got through to EBT customer service! They're sending me a new card that should arrive in 3-5 business days and put a note on my account about the skimmer situation. The rep said if any benefits do get stolen before my new card arrives, I'll need to submit a 'Stolen Benefits Request Form' through my county office. Thanks everyone for your help!
That's great! Just make sure to check your balance daily until the new card arrives, and if anything does get stolen, report it immediately. The sooner you report it, the easier the replacement process will be. Glad you got it sorted out!
Owen Devar
So glad you got through to EBT customer service and got this handled quickly! For anyone else reading this - I wanted to add that you can also check your EBT balance online at www.ebtedge.com or by calling the number on the back of your card to monitor for any suspicious activity. And if you're worried about food while waiting for your replacement card, don't forget about local food pantries and churches that can help bridge the gap. The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank has a location finder at lafoodbank.org that can help you find emergency food assistance in the Palmdale area. Stay safe everyone and always trust your instincts when something feels off about a card reader!
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Ava Harris
anybody know if this affects cash benefits too or just calfresh?? i get both
Jacob Lee
•Based on what I've heard, this appears to affect both CalFresh food benefits and CalWORKs cash benefits on EBT cards. The policies for both programs regarding electronic theft are generally aligned. I recommend taking extra precautions with your cash benefits - perhaps withdrawing them as soon as they're deposited rather than keeping them on the card.
I'm so sorry this happened to you! As someone new to CalFresh, this is terrifying to hear. I just started receiving benefits last month and had no idea this could happen. Question for everyone - are there any warning signs to look for when using your EBT card? Like how do you spot a skimmer? I'm really paranoid now about using my card anywhere. Also, does anyone know if certain stores are safer than others? I usually shop at smaller grocery stores in my neighborhood but now I'm wondering if I should stick to big chains like Walmart or Safeway. This policy change seems so unfair - how can they just leave families without food? Sending you strength while you figure this out! 💙
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One more thing that might help: when you apply, you can request expedited services if you meet certain criteria (very low income/resources or high housing costs compared to income). If eligible for expedited services, they must process your application within 3 calendar days instead of the standard 30. Might be worth asking about if your situation is urgent.
That's super helpful information! My rent is more than half my income right now, so I'll definitely ask about expedited services. Thank you!
I'm in a similar situation - single parent with 2 kids and my income recently dropped due to reduced hours. Based on what everyone's saying here, it sounds like you'll definitely qualify! I'm planning to apply too. One thing I learned from a friend who works at the county office is to make copies of EVERYTHING you submit. She said they lose paperwork more often than they'd like to admit. Also, if you have direct deposit info ready when you apply, they can load benefits directly to your EBT card faster once it arrives. Good luck with your application!
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Avery Saint
Hi Harper! Welcome to the community! I'm also pretty new here and this thread has been such an amazing resource. For Asian restaurants beyond Panda Express, I haven't seen any Vietnamese or Thai places specifically mentioned in this thread yet, but with 37 locations in that app, there might be some hidden gems! I'd definitely recommend checking the "Kern County EBT Restaurants" app thoroughly - sometimes smaller ethnic restaurants participate but aren't as well-known for it. Also, keep an eye out for those yellow RMP stickers when you're driving around with your aunt. I've discovered a few participating places just by staying alert to the signage. You might also try calling some of the Vietnamese and Thai restaurants directly to ask if they participate - the program has expanded so much in 2025 that some newer participants might not be widely known yet. If you do find any pho or Thai places that accept EBT, please come back and share! I'm sure there are others in the community who would love those options too. Hope your aunt's move goes smoothly and that she enjoys exploring all these dining possibilities!
@Harper Thompson @Avery Saint Welcome to both of you! I m also'brand new to this community and have been amazed by how helpful everyone has been. For Vietnamese and Thai restaurants, I d suggest'also checking with the local senior centers - they sometimes keep informal lists of ethnic restaurants that participate in RMP but aren t widely'publicized. The Vietnamese community in Bakersfield is pretty tight-knit, so word-of-mouth might help you find pho places that accept EBT. Also, don t forget'that you can always ask restaurant owners directly if they d be'interested in joining the program - sometimes they just don t know'it exists! If you find any good Asian options, please definitely share them here. This thread has become such a valuable resource for all of us helping elderly family members navigate these programs.
StarSurfer
Hi everyone! I'm completely new to this community and just joined after discovering this incredibly informative thread while searching for Restaurant Meals Program information. My 78-year-old mother is moving to Bakersfield with me in two weeks and will be applying for CalFresh benefits soon. I had absolutely no idea that the RMP existed or had expanded so much until reading through all your amazing experiences! I've already downloaded the "Kern County EBT Restaurants" app that Anna mentioned - having 37 locations with GPS mapping is going to be a game-changer for my mom's independence. Based on all the wonderful advice shared here, I'm planning to start with Golden Corral (the senior discount combination sounds perfect!) and Denny's during off-peak hours. The practical tips you've all shared are invaluable - especially Mohammad's advice about franchise locations having better-trained staff and going during quieter hours. My mom has been worried about feeling self-conscious using benefits, but reading Sara's positive experience at Panda Express and seeing how supportive the staff was really gives us both confidence. One question: has anyone tried any of the participating locations for special dietary needs? My mom is diabetic and needs to watch her carb intake, so I'm wondering if places like Golden Corral's buffet make it easy to find suitable options. Thank you all for creating such a welcoming and knowledgeable community. This thread has given me so much hope and practical information for helping my mom navigate these benefits while maintaining her dignity and independence!
Jessica Nolan
I found the official P-EBT 3.0 schedule on the CDSS website (it was buried pretty deep). Here's the link: [https://www.cdss.ca.gov/pebt-program-updates](https://www.cdss.ca.gov/pebt-program-updates) It confirms what others have said - Fresno County is scheduled for April 10-25, and they're issuing in batches based on case numbers, not alphabetically. Also, there's a note that some cards may take 1-3 business days to show the new balance after issuance, so keep checking even if it's not there immediately.
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Leo McDonald
•Thank you for finding this! Bookmarking that page now. Will keep checking my card daily - fingers crossed it comes through soon.
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Miranda Singer
Just wanted to add that I received my P-EBT payment yesterday here in Fresno! $437 for my 3-year-old. I had been checking daily like everyone else and it finally showed up. For those still waiting - I called that P-EBT helpline number someone mentioned (877-328-9677) and they confirmed my child was eligible and that payments are still processing through April 25th. The representative said if you don't see anything by April 26th, then call back to check on your case status. Don't give up hope if yours hasn't come through yet!
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