California CalFresh

Can't reach California CalFresh? Claimyr connects you to a live DSS agent in minutes.

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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

If I could give 10 stars I would

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!


Really made a difference

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.


IT WORKS!! Not a scam!

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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Ask the community...

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  • 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 :)

The whole system is DESIGNED to confuse you so you don't get what you're entitled to!!! They train those workers to deny whatever they can and hope you don't know your rights. I went through FOUR different workers before finding one who actually knew how to apply all the deductions correctly. The first ones kept 'forgetting' to include my housing costs!!! DEMAND to speak to a supervisor if they don't help you correctly. Don't let them bully you!!!

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idk i think most of the workers actually try to help but their just overwhelmed with so many cases. my worker actually called me last month to make sure i knew about the child care deduction cuz she noticed i had young kids and was working. not all of them r bad.

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Since several people have mentioned the childcare deduction - here's how it specifically works for CalFresh: - 100% of childcare costs are deductible (no cap) - This includes afterschool care, summer programs, babysitters, daycare - You need proof of payment (receipts, canceled checks, provider statement) - The deduction is applied BEFORE calculating your net income With $1,250/month in childcare, that could realistically bring your CalFresh up from $100 to possibly $300-400 for a family of 3, depending on your total household income. Call your county office, specifically ask for an 'income recalculation with childcare expenses.' Be persistent. If you get a worker who doesn't seem knowledgeable, politely ask to speak with a senior eligibility worker who can review these calculations.

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Thank you so much for this specific information. I definitely have all the receipts since we pay through an app that tracks everything. I'm going to call first thing tomorrow morning and ask specifically for an income recalculation with childcare expenses as you suggested. I'm feeling much more hopeful now that we might be able to get a more reasonable benefit amount.

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To summarize the actual EBT card security best practices for everyone:\n\n1. Change your PIN occasionally (every 3-6 months)\n2. Check your balance after benefits post to confirm the correct amount\n3. Report any unauthorized transactions immediately (within 10 days gives you the best protection)\n4. Use your EBT card at major retailers when possible\n5. Cover the keypad when entering your PIN\n6. Never share your PIN with anyone\n7. Keep your EBT card in a safe place\n\nAnd most importantly, if you notice any unauthorized transactions, call the EBT Customer Service number on the back of your card right away to report it.

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thx for this!! saving this comment for reference

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UPDATE: My benefits came through this morning! Exactly on the 10th like usual. I was just confused about the schedule changes. Thanks everyone for the help and reassurance!

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👍 glad u got it!

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Still nothing on my card. Going to try that Claimyr thing someone mentioned. I can't believe we have to PAY to talk to workers OUR TAX DOLLARS already pay for. This system is so broken.

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If your benefits are delayed, make sure to ask about emergency replacement benefits when you get through. If it's been more than 3 days past your regular issuance date and you have no violations or unreported changes, you might qualify. They can sometimes expedite a replacement within 24-48 hours if you explain that your household has no food. Be sure to mention if you have children or elderly/disabled household members as that can help prioritize your case.

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Update us on what happens! I've seen these database errors get resolved but it takes persistence. One tip from my experience - when you go to your hearing (if it gets that far), bring a complete written timeline of events including all your attempts to contact them. Makes a huge difference to the hearing officer when they see you've been diligently trying to resolve it.

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I'm keeping a detailed log now of every call, the times, who I spoke with if I get through. I tried that Claimyr service another commenter suggested and finally got through to someone! They've put a 'urgent research request' on my case and are supposed to call me back in 48 hours. The worker admitted their system has been having problems with employment verification lately!

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Sounds exactly like what happened to my neighbor! It was so stressful for her family. The county had mixed up her records with someone who had a similar name. It took weeks of phone calls and paperwork to sort out. In the meantime, she applied for emergency food assistance through local food banks which helped a bit. Don't give up!

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Thanks for the support. Just curious - did your neighbor end up getting retroactive benefits for the time she was wrongly cut off? I'm trying to figure out how to budget for potentially months without our CalFresh benefits.

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Yes, they did give her all the back benefits once it was resolved! They loaded it all at once on her EBT card. It was a huge relief for her family. Just make sure you keep detailed records of everything.

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Anyone else noticed how EBT fraud is getting worse and worse? I see posts like this almost every week now. The whole system needs better security! My friend works at a store and says they never even check IDs when people use EBT cards. There should be a photo on the card or something!

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You're right that fraud is increasing. The state is actually implementing enhanced security measures for EBT cards in 2025, including optional PINs for specific stores and transaction limits. Until then, I recommend checking your balance regularly through the EBT app and requesting a new card every few months as a precaution.

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UPDATE: I went to the county office this morning (had to wait 3 hours!) and filed all the paperwork. They issued me a new EBT card on the spot and gave me $250 in emergency replacement benefits while they investigate the fraud claim! The worker said I should get an answer about the rest of my stolen benefits within 10 business days. Thanks everyone for your help - especially the tip about asking specifically for the expedited replacement. They didn't offer it until I mentioned it!

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So glad you got emergency benefits! Make sure to call and follow up after 10 days if you don't hear anything. Sometimes these cases get "lost" in their system and you have to be persistent.

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