UPDATE: My supplement just posted this morning! Exactly as people here explained - it comes a few days after regular benefits depending on your case number. Thanks everyone for preventing my panic attack lol. For anyone else wondering, check your balance again in a few days before getting worried.

i just called my county and they said i AM getting this but i never knew about it! they said money from march and april will come as back payments soon! thanks for posting this or i would never known about the extra $95 im supposed to get!!!

One important thing to know - when you get CalFresh, make sure you complete your Semi-Annual Report (SAR7) every 6 months and recertification every year. If you miss these deadlines, your benefits stop and you have to reapply all over again. They should send you these forms in the mail about a month before they're due. I learned this the hard way and lost benefits for almost two months while reapplying!

They mostly send paper notices in the mail, but many counties now offer text or email alerts if you opt in. When you complete your application, there should be a section where you can provide your phone number for text notifications and email for electronic notifications. I highly recommend signing up for both! Also, the BenefitsCal website/app will show your upcoming deadlines once your account is set up.

quick update - i just saw your reply about income for HUD programs. if you qualify for calfresh you 100% meet the income requirements for emergency housing assistance!! most counties use 200% federal poverty level for crisis housing and calfresh is 130% FPL. so dont worry about that part!!

I wanted to follow up on something important - make sure you're still submitting your SAR7 reports for CalFresh even during this housing crisis. I've seen people lose their food benefits in the middle of a housing emergency because they missed reporting deadlines, which then creates a second crisis. If your SAR7 is due soon, you can list the hotel as your temporary address or write "currently homeless" - but don't skip submitting it. Housing instability is actually a good reason to request expedited processing on any benefit recertifications or updates. Also, ask the county about the "Housing and Disability Advocacy Program" (HDAP) if anyone in your household has a disability, even a temporary one. They have additional resources beyond the standard housing programs that others have mentioned.

I think they're running behind schedule again. My nephew was supposed to get his in January (last name A) and he just got it last week. So don't worry yet!

Update: I called my daughter's school today and they confirmed she's on the eligible list for P-EBT! The secretary told me the cards for A names started going out recently but it could take a few more weeks. She also said the envelope is really plain looking so I need to check my mail carefully. Thanks everyone for the helpful information! I feel much better now knowing we didn't miss out.

This is not how EBT or CalFresh works at all. Your benefits are valid at any SNAP-authorized retailer nationwide. The federal SNAP program (which CalFresh is California's version of) requires that all authorized retailers accept valid EBT cards regardless of which state issued them. Some key facts: - EBT cards work across state lines - All counties in California must accept CalFresh EBT - Safeway is a USDA-authorized SNAP retailer chain-wide - Store managers cannot decide to reject EBT at their discretion - What happened to you is considered discrimination As for your Medicare/United Healthcare card, those benefits are separate from SNAP/EBT and have their own acceptance policies. However, if the store has accepted it previously, there's no reason they should suddenly refuse it. Definitely report this to Safeway corporate and to your county CalFresh office. The store can actually lose their authorization to accept EBT altogether if they're found to be violating program rules.

UPDATE: I wanted to thank everyone for their advice! I called Safeway corporate and they were actually really responsive. They apologized profusely and said they would address this with the store director and the manager involved. They confirmed that ALL Safeway stores are required to accept EBT cards regardless of which county or state issued them. I also filed a complaint with CDSS using the link someone provided. Still waiting to hear back from them, but I feel better knowing I've reported it officially. Finally, I used that Claimyr service someone mentioned and got through to my county worker, who was super helpful and said they'd reach out to the store as well. I went to a different store yesterday (Foods Etc in Clearlake) and had no problems using both my EBT and my United Healthcare card. Just wanted to post this in case anyone else in Lake County experiences something similar - don't let them tell you your benefits aren't accepted!