California CalFresh
CommunityGovernment Services
Can't reach California CalFresh? Claimyr calls for you, so you don't have to wait on hold.
Claimyr is a pay-as-you-go service. We do not charge a recurring subscription.
Using Claimyr will:
- Connect you to a human agent at the DSS
- Skip the long phone menu
- Call the correct department
- Redial until on hold
- Forward a call to your phone with reduced hold time
- Give you free callbacks if the DSS drops your call
Ask the community...
- 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 :)
WARNING: EBT card skimming at Bank of America ATMs in Imperial Valley? Has anyone lost CalFresh benefits?
Anyone else getting their CalFresh benefits stolen in Imperial Valley? Someone at the county office just warned me to stop using Bank of America ATMs to withdraw CalFresh/EBT cash benefits. They found some kind of skimming device on several machines that copies your card info! I've been using the same BoA location for 2 years and now I'm freaking out checking my balance. Does anyone know if this is happening all over California or just here? I've got $783 in benefits right now that I CANNOT afford to lose with 3 kids to feed. The lady said most people reporting theft were using BoA. I'm thinking about switching to only using Wells Fargo ATMs since my cousin uses them and hasn't had any problems. Has anyone actually had money stolen? How long did it take to get your benefits back? The EBT customer service is IMPOSSIBLE to reach!
Join the conversation
P-EBT cards mailed November 7 - anyone receive theirs yet? Getting worried
Hi everyone - I received a notice that my kids' P-EBT cards were supposed to be mailed out on November 7 (almost 3 weeks ago now). Still haven't seen anything in the mail and I'm starting to get concerned. The school year is already halfway through the first semester and we could really use the extra food help. Has anyone who was part of the November 7 mailing batch actually received their cards yet? I've tried calling the P-EBT hotline but just get the automated message saying to wait 15 business days... which has passed. Should I be concerned or is everyone else still waiting too?
Join the conversation
Just to clarify one thing - P-EBT is related to but separate from CalFresh. While both provide food assistance, P-EBT is specifically for families with children who would receive free or reduced-price meals at school. For the current distribution, benefits are being loaded retroactively, so when your card arrives, it should have benefits for multiple months already loaded (typically from August 2024 onward). The total benefit amount varies based on your school's learning model this year. If you're experiencing immediate food needs while waiting for your P-EBT card, please consider these options: 1. Contact your local food bank 2. Check if you qualify for emergency CalFresh benefits 3. Reach out to your child's school - many have emergency food programs Don't hesitate to use these resources - that's what they're there for!
Thanks for the clarification and for the suggestions! We do get regular CalFresh already, but the P-EBT is definitely helpful additional support, especially with how much growing kids eat! I'll look into the food bank option as well.
When are the extra CalFresh benefits being loaded in April 2025?
Anyone got their extra CalFresh deposit this month? I usually get my regular benefits on the 11th (based on my case #), but I thought the supplemental amount was supposed to come earlier in the month. It's already April 7th and nothing yet. Last month it came on the 3rd. Did they change the schedule or is it delayed? Really counting on this for my kids spring break groceries!!
Join the conversation
my sister works for the county and she said theres NO extra calfresh in april!!! dont wait for money thats not coming!! if u need food help try calling 211 they can tell u where food banks are in ur area
To clarify for everyone in this thread: The CalFresh program in California for 2025 includes: 1. Regular monthly benefits (issued 1st-10th based on case number) 2. Semi-Annual Reporting (SAR7 every 6 months) 3. Annual Recertification (complete SAWS2 form) There are NO scheduled supplemental or extra payments in April 2025. Any additional amounts received are typically case-specific adjustments. If you believe you should be receiving different benefit amounts, you should: - Check your most recent Notice of Action letter - Review your account on BenefitsCal.com - Contact your county worker with specific questions Misunderstandings about "extra" payments are common, especially since the pandemic emergency allotments ended years ago.
ok but when do they review our benefits for inflation?? everything costs way more now than last year!!!
CalFresh benefit amounts are adjusted for inflation every October 1st based on the USDA's Thrifty Food Plan calculations. This happens automatically - you don't need to do anything. The last adjustment was October 1, 2024, so the next one will be October 1, 2025.
CalFresh EBT card theft by HHSA employees? Anyone else's benefits disappearing?
Has anyone else had their CalFresh benefits stolen MULTIPLE times in the last few months? I'm convinced it's an inside job at the county HHSA office. I've had my benefits stolen 3 times now, always right after they're loaded. Changed my PIN each time but STILL happening. How would random thieves know exactly when my benefits drop and my PIN unless someone working there is leaking info?? I reported it to the fraud hotline but they acted like I was crazy and said it was probably "skimming" at stores. But I NEVER use my EBT at sketchy places! My cousin who works at the welfare office told me they're trying to keep quiet about a bunch of similar cases because they think it might be employees. They don't want a scandal! Has anyone else experienced this? What did you do? I'm down $1,875 in benefits over 3 months and my family is STRUGGLING. Should we organize and demand an investigation??
Join the conversation
my friend works at the grocery store and she says they find skimmers on their card readers like once a month now!!! the thieves put them on super early in the morning when the store first opens and its hard to notice unless ur looking for it. she said ebt cards r targeted cause they dont have the same protections as regular bank cards
OK so I just got back from the police station and filed a report. The officer said they've had DOZENS of similar cases reported in our county over the last few months! So clearly this is a widespread issue! What's weird is when I asked if they're investigating county employees, he got really awkward and just said "we're looking at all possibilities" but wouldn't give me a straight answer. Feels like they're avoiding pointing fingers at the county! I'm going to call the EBT customer service tomorrow, but based on your experiences it sounds like I'll be fighting for weeks to get my money back. This is so frustrating when my kids are going hungry NOW. At least I know I'm not alone or crazy. Thank you all for the advice and support.
Good job filing that police report! That's actually the most important step for getting your benefits replaced. Make sure to call EBT customer service first thing tomorrow and reference your police report number. While you wait for the replacement benefits (which unfortunately can take 2-3 weeks), contact these emergency resources: 1. Local food banks (find them at cafoodbanks.org) 2. Call 211 for immediate food assistance programs 3. Check if your school district offers emergency meal programs Don't hesitate to use these services - that's exactly what they're there for during situations like this.
EBT card theft - $242.10 stolen from my CalFresh account! What are my options?
I just discovered someone stole $242.10 from my EBT card yesterday!! I haven't even been to San Antonio TX where the transactions happened. I'm FUMING because that's ALL of our food money for the rest of the month for my kids. I've never had this happen before and I'm panicking. I'm planning to file a police report and go to the welfare office first thing tomorrow. Has anyone dealt with EBT theft before? Will CalFresh replace stolen benefits? I'm ready to raise hell about this - my family can't go without food for 2 weeks! What's the fastest way to get this resolved?
Join the conversation
my cousin works for calfresh and she says theyre getting TONS of theft reports lately. some scammers are using skimming devices at stores to steal card info. did u use ur card at any sketchy stores recently? not blaming u at all just wondering how they couldve gotten ur info
I only use my card at the same 2-3 stores near my house. Maybe one of them has a skimmer? I'm going to be so much more careful now. I've heard people say to always wiggle the card reader before using your card to check for skimmers. Too late for me now though 😡
One more thing - if they delay processing your replacement request, ask for an "Expedited State Hearing." You have the right to an expedited hearing when your household is experiencing an emergency. The hearing must be scheduled within 5 working days of your request. Also, if you're really in a bind waiting for benefits to be restored, you can contact 211 (just dial 2-1-1 on your phone) for immediate emergency food assistance. They can connect you with programs that provide same-day food help. Hope this gets resolved quickly for you and your family!
Thank you!! I'm so glad I posted here - I have so much more information now than I did before. I feel more prepared to fight for our benefits tomorrow. Will update once I get some resolution!
Dylan Campbell
does anyone know if the grocery store atms r safer??? i use the one at food 4 less all the time
0 coins
Ava Martinez
In my experience, the inside grocery store ATMs are a little safer, but skimmers can be installed anywhere. I now only use my EBT card for actual purchases where I can swipe it myself and see the terminal, never for ATM withdrawals. The safest thing is to transfer your cash benefits to a regular bank account right away.
0 coins
Sofia Torres
Just to clarify an important point that's causing confusion: This mainly affects EBT cash benefits (like CalWORKs), not your food benefits portion of CalFresh. Food benefits can only be used for food purchases, not ATM withdrawals. If you only receive food benefits through CalFresh (and not cash aid), you're still vulnerable at point-of-sale terminals in stores, but not from ATM skimmers. Be cautious when using your EBT card anywhere, but understand which benefits you have and how they can be accessed.
0 coins
StarStrider
AuthorThank you for explaining this! I have both CalFresh food benefits and CalWORKs cash benefits on my card. I was confused about which ones could be stolen.
0 coins