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this is why i HATE the calfresh system!!! they keep changing the rules and not telling anyone. first they give extra benefits then they take them away with NO NOTICE!!! how are we supposed to budget???
The emergency allotments actually ended with plenty of notice - counties sent letters to all recipients several months before the program ended in 2023. But I understand your frustration. Changes to benefits can be really disruptive, especially for those on fixed incomes.
Just to add one more thing - if you're seniors on fixed income and your IRT is N/A, you might want to check if you qualify for simplified reporting. Some seniors only need to report changes once a year instead of submitting the SAR7 every six months. Makes the paperwork burden much lighter!
One other critical tip: While waiting for your replacement benefits, make sure to freeze your EBT card through the EBT app or by calling the number on the back. Then request a new physical card with a different card number. Many people get their benefits replaced only to have them stolen again immediately because the thieves still have access to their card information.
I did freeze the card right away, but I wasn't sure about getting a replacement card with a new number. I'll definitely do that - thank you! Do you know if the replacement benefits go onto the new card automatically?
Yes, any replacement benefits will automatically be loaded to your new card once it's activated. When you get the new card, make sure to create a unique PIN that you don't use anywhere else. Also, it's now recommended to change your EBT PIN monthly as an extra security measure. Glad you froze the card already - that was a smart first step.
To follow up on the medical expense deduction we discussed - when you go to your recertification interview, make sure to specifically tell your eligibility worker that you want to claim the medical expense deduction. The standard medical deduction in California for 2025 is $120 if you can verify at least $35 in monthly medical expenses. If your actual expenses exceed $170 monthly, you should itemize everything instead of taking the standard deduction. And don't forget about the Telephone Access Program (California LifeLine) for discounted phone service and the utility allowance for CalFresh if you pay heating/cooling costs separately from rent.
just go to the food bank till u get it fixed thats what i always do when theres problems with my calfresh
I'd like to clarify something important: if your benefits were valid yesterday and disappeared today without any notification, this is almost certainly a system error or administrative issue, not an eligibility problem. Under CalFresh regulations, the county MUST provide you with a Notice of Action (NOA) at least 10 days before reducing or terminating your benefits. The only exceptions are very specific circumstances like confirmed fraud or explicitly requesting case closure. When you call tomorrow, specifically mention that you did not receive the legally required 10-day notice, and that you're requesting immediate benefit restoration while they investigate the issue. Use those exact terms. This often triggers a faster response as it references their legal obligations.
Freya Andersen
my mom got some kinda extra payment last month but it was from social security not calfresh i think theres some confusion abt different programs maybe??
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Sean Flanagan
•That's a good point! Social Security recipients did receive a 3.1% cost-of-living adjustment in January 2025, which might be creating confusion. CalFresh (SNAP) benefits had their own annual adjustment in October 2024, but there are no emergency supplements currently.
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Ravi Choudhury
Thank you everyone for all the helpful information! I'm going to call tomorrow and report both my rent increase and childcare expenses - had no idea those could help increase my benefits! I appreciate all the advice and clarification about the emergency allotments no longer being available. At least now I can budget accurately knowing exactly what to expect.
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Omar Farouk
•Good plan! Those two expenses can make a significant difference in your benefit calculation. Be sure to have documentation ready - a lease showing the rent increase and receipts or a statement from your childcare provider. Good luck!
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