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As someone who just started navigating the CalFresh system a few months ago, I'm shocked to learn from this thread that sanctions can be removed from Cash Aid but not CalFresh automatically! This seems like such a basic system flaw - why wouldn't they be connected? Reading everyone's advice here has been incredibly helpful though. It sounds like the key is being very persistent and using specific language when you call. I'm taking notes on phrases like "expedited resolution of sanction removal" and "restoration of benefits due to administrative error" in case I ever need them. Mei, I really hope you get this resolved soon - it's awful that you and your kids are going without full food benefits when the sanction has already been lifted. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and specific advice. This community is so valuable for helping people understand these confusing systems!
You're absolutely right about it being a basic system flaw! I'm pretty new to this whole process too and was shocked to discover through this thread that CalFresh and Cash Aid don't automatically communicate with each other. It seems like such an obvious thing that should be connected. I've been taking notes on all the helpful phrases everyone mentioned as well - this community really is amazing for breaking down these complicated systems in ways that actually make sense. Reading everyone's experiences here has given me so much more confidence about how to navigate potential issues. It's really heartwarming to see how people who have been through these struggles are willing to share specific, actionable advice to help others. Mei, I'm rooting for you to get this resolved quickly! And thank you to everyone else who has shared their knowledge - you're making such a difference for people trying to figure out these systems.
Ethan Davis
I'm also new to the CalFresh system and had no idea that sanctions could be removed from one program but not the other! This thread has been incredibly eye-opening. The fact that this seems to be such a common issue really highlights how broken the communication is between these programs. Mei, I'm so sorry you're dealing with this - having to worry about feeding your kids while bureaucratic systems fail to talk to each other is inexcusable. I'm bookmarking all the specific advice here (especially the phrases about "expedited resolution" and calling the CalFresh unit directly) just in case I ever need them. It's amazing how this community comes together to share real, actionable knowledge that you just can't get from official websites. I really hope you get this sorted out quickly and receive all the back benefits you're owed. Keep us posted on how it goes!
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That's awesome that it worked out so well for you! $47 reduction is totally manageable for the extra income you'll be getting. Just wanted to add - when you report the job ending in January, make sure to include your final pay stub showing the last date worked. Sometimes they need that proof to process the change quickly. Also keep copies of everything for your records in case there are any questions later. Good luck with the seasonal job!
This is such helpful advice! I'm new to CalFresh and had no idea about keeping the final pay stub as proof. Question - if my seasonal job happens to extend a bit longer than expected (like maybe into February), should I report that change too? Or just wait until it actually ends? I want to make sure I stay on top of all the reporting requirements after seeing what happened to @AstroAdventurer with the overpayment situation.
@Sophie Hernandez Yes, definitely report if your seasonal job gets extended! Any change in expected duration should be reported within 10 days. It s'much better to over-communicate with CalFresh than to risk an overpayment later. Since you re'already in their system with the seasonal job, updating the end date should be pretty straightforward through BenefitsCal. The key is being proactive - if you know in December that they want to keep you through February, report it then rather than waiting until the original January end date passes.
Great thread! As someone who's been navigating CalFresh for a while, I just wanted to emphasize something that might not be obvious to newcomers - even though reporting income changes can feel scary (like your benefits might get cut), it's actually protecting you in the long run. The overpayment situations people mentioned are real and they can be financially devastating when they catch up with you later. One thing I learned the hard way is to always take screenshots or print confirmations when you submit reports through BenefitsCal. Sometimes their system glitches and you want proof you submitted on time. Also, if you're ever unsure about whether something needs to be reported, err on the side of caution and report it. I've never heard of anyone getting in trouble for reporting too much information, but I've definitely seen people get burned for not reporting enough. @Aisha Khan - sounds like you handled this perfectly! The fact that you asked the question here first shows you're being responsible about it.
Sean Murphy
•This is such valuable advice, especially about taking screenshots! I'm totally new to all this and honestly feeling pretty overwhelmed by all the reporting requirements. It's reassuring to hear from someone with experience that it's better to over-report than under-report - that takes away some of the anxiety about making mistakes. Quick newbie question though - when you say "print confirmations," are you talking about the confirmation page that shows up after submitting through BenefitsCal? And do you keep physical copies or just save them digitally? I want to make sure I'm documenting everything properly from the start so I don't run into issues later like some people mentioned here. Thanks for sharing your experience - it really helps those of us just starting to navigate this system!
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This thread has been such an incredible resource! I'm fairly new to CalFresh (started receiving benefits about 4 months ago) and I'm honestly shocked that I had to learn about these travel restrictions through a community forum instead of official channels. It's really concerning how many critical details aren't communicated upfront. I actually have a trip planned to visit my sister in Arizona next month, so this discussion literally saved me from what could have been a nightmare scenario. I'm going to call my county office tomorrow to: 1. Set up direct deposit for my cash benefits 2. Request pre-authorization for out-of-state use 3. Ask what other important restrictions or features I might not know about The Claimyr service recommendation is gold - I'm definitely saving that link for future reference since getting through to county offices seems to be universally terrible. @Ava Thompson - I'm so glad you were able to get everything resolved and that your mom is getting the care she needs! Thank you for taking the time to update everyone with the solution. This whole thread is going to help so many people avoid similar stress and confusion. This community really demonstrates how we have to rely on each other to navigate these systems properly. It shouldn't be this way, but I'm grateful we have places like this to share knowledge and experiences!
Emma Taylor
•This is such an amazing thread! I just joined this community and I'm blown away by how helpful everyone is. I've been on CalFresh for about 2 months now and honestly had no clue about ANY of these travel restrictions. Reading through all these experiences is like getting a crash course in how the system actually works versus what they tell you when you first sign up. I don't have any immediate travel plans, but after reading this I'm definitely going to be proactive and call my county office to ask about direct deposit and what other important details I might be missing. It's pretty alarming that so many people - even those who've been on benefits for months or years - are just finding out about these basic operational rules. The fact that @Ava Thompson had to deal with this stress while caring for her mom really highlights how these communication gaps can create real hardship for people who are already dealing with difficult situations. Thank you so much for sharing your experience and the solution - this thread is going to help so many people! Also bookmarking that Claimyr service because it sounds like getting through to county offices is a universal nightmare. This community is honestly more informative than any official documentation I ve'received!
This thread has been absolutely invaluable! I've been on CalFresh for about 6 months and had absolutely no idea about these out-of-state restrictions. It's really frustrating that such critical information isn't included in the initial orientation or welcome materials - this is exactly the kind of thing that can create a crisis situation when you least expect it. Reading everyone's experiences here makes me realize I need to be much more proactive about understanding how my benefits actually work. I'm planning to call my county office next week to ask about setting up direct deposit and getting pre-authorized for travel, even though I don't have immediate plans. Better to be prepared than caught off guard like so many people here have been. The Claimyr service sounds like a game-changer for actually reaching county workers - definitely saving that information for future reference since the phone wait times seem universally terrible across all counties. @Ava Thompson - so glad you got everything sorted out and that your mom is receiving the care she needs! Thank you for taking the time to update us with how you resolved it. This whole discussion is going to prevent so many people from experiencing the same panic and frustration. This community really fills in the gaps where official information falls short - it's incredible how much practical knowledge gets shared here that we never receive through official channels!
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jazmin gomez
Im in san fernando valley and im having problems take out my ebt cash at wells fargo i went to 3 different bank atms and nothing my money says its there but i cant seem to take it out ! I went to the office and they gave me a new card but still can't cash out my money! Is anyone else having this problem ?
Ethan Moore
@jazmin gomez I'm in the Valley too and had similar issues a few months back! Since you already got a new card from the office and it's still not working, this sounds like it might be a system issue with your specific account rather than the card itself. A few things to try: 1) Call the EBT customer service line and ask them to check if there's a hold or freeze on your cash benefits specifically, 2) Try using your card at a grocery store to get cash back with a small purchase (sometimes this works when ATMs don't), 3) Go back to the county office and specifically ask them to verify that your cash benefits are active and there are no blocks on withdrawals. Since your balance shows the money is there but you can't access it, there might be an administrative hold that the new card didn't fix. Don't give up - keep pushing the county office to investigate further since a new card didn't resolve it!
Alicia Stern
This thread has been so helpful! I'm new to using CalFresh and had the exact same panic when I saw "SNAP amount due" on my receipt last month. I actually went back to customer service thinking they charged me twice! 😅 The cashier was super nice and explained it, but I wish they would just print a little explanation on the receipt or change the wording. For anyone else who's new like me - I've found that keeping track of my EBT balance on my phone helps me plan better. You can check it by calling the number on the back of your card or sometimes through your state's EBT app. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences here!
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LunarLegend
•You're not alone in that panic! I did the same thing when I first started using CalFresh - I actually called the customer service line thinking there was an error with my account. It's so reassuring to see that this confusion is super common and we're all figuring it out together. The EBT balance tracking tip is great! I've started checking mine before I shop so I know exactly how much I can spend on eligible items. Maybe we should all suggest to our stores that they add a simple explanation line on receipts like "This shows total SNAP-eligible items in your purchase" - would save so many people from unnecessary worry!
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Natalie Khan
This is such a great thread! I'm fairly new to the community and CalFresh, and I actually had this exact same confusion just two weeks ago. I was at Target and my receipt showed "SNAP amount due: $75" when I thought I had paid everything. I spent the whole drive home worried that I had somehow been double-charged or that there was an issue with my benefits. Reading everyone's explanations here really clarifies things - it's just showing how much of my purchase was SNAP-eligible, not that I owe anything additional. The terminology really is misleading! I wish stores would use clearer language like "SNAP-eligible items total" or something similar. It would save so many people from unnecessary stress and confusion. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it's really comforting to know this is a common issue and not just me being confused!
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