Can't reach California CalFresh? Claimyr connects you to a live DSS agent in minutes.
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
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!
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 :)
Join the conversation
Join the conversation
I'm so glad you found this community! Your situation with your mom sounds very similar to what I went through with my grandmother last year. The combination of IHSS and CalFresh can definitely work - it just requires some careful planning and documentation. One thing I want to emphasize that others have touched on: when you're preparing for the IHSS assessment, don't just focus on the physical care tasks. Memory issues are a huge part of what qualifies someone for IHSS hours. Make sure to document when your mom forgets to take medications, gets confused about meal preparation, or needs reminders for basic safety (like turning off the stove). These cognitive support needs often qualify for significant hours. Also, since you mentioned she's 68 and will be moving in with you, make sure to ask about "protective supervision" hours if her memory issues involve any safety concerns. This can add substantial hours to her approval. The financial transition might feel scary at first, but many families find that the combination of IHSS income plus potentially increased CalFresh benefits (due to larger household size) actually improves their overall stability. You're making a loving choice for your family, and there are programs designed to support exactly this kind of situation. Hang in there - it gets easier once you're in the system!
Thank you so much for mentioning the protective supervision hours! I hadn't thought about that aspect, but my mom definitely has some safety concerns with her memory issues. Just last week she left the stove on after making tea and didn't realize it for hours. She also sometimes forgets whether she's taken her arthritis medication and will either skip doses or take extra. I've been worried about her living alone for exactly these reasons. I'll make sure to document all of these incidents and bring them up during the assessment. It's really encouraging to hear that cognitive support needs can qualify for significant hours - I was mainly thinking about the physical care tasks but you're absolutely right that the memory issues are equally important for her safety and independence. This whole thread has been like a masterclass in navigating these programs together. I feel so much more prepared now than I did when I first posted!
I just want to say how amazing this community is! Reading through all these detailed responses has given me so much hope and practical guidance. When I first posted, I was honestly feeling overwhelmed and scared about how to make this work financially while giving my mom the care she needs. Everyone's real experiences and specific tips have been invaluable - from the care logging advice to understanding the timeline, from knowing about county coordinators to learning about protective supervision hours. I'm feeling much more confident about moving forward now. I'm planning to: 1. Start the IHSS application this week (before mom moves in next weekend) 2. Begin keeping a detailed care log immediately 3. Call my county about IHSS/CalFresh coordinators 4. Report the household change to CalFresh right after she moves in 5. Gather all her medical documentation for the assessment Thank you all for taking the time to share your experiences and advice. It means the world to have this kind of support from people who truly understand what this process is like. I'll update once we get further along in case it helps others in similar situations!
This is such a heartwarming thread to read! As someone new to this community, I'm amazed by how supportive and knowledgeable everyone is here. Your action plan looks really solid, and it's clear you've absorbed all the great advice shared. One small addition I'd suggest - when you're gathering your mom's medical documentation, try to get letters from her doctors that specifically mention her functional limitations and safety concerns, not just diagnoses. IHSS assessors really value medical professional opinions about what daily tasks someone struggles with. Also, don't hesitate to ask questions during every step of the process - both IHSS and CalFresh workers are generally helpful when you show you're trying to do everything properly. You're clearly a devoted son and your mom is lucky to have you advocating for her care. Wishing your family all the best as you navigate this transition together!
Join the conversation
As someone who's new to both CalFresh and this community, reading through this entire thread has been incredibly educational! I'm currently going through the application process myself and had no idea that system maintenance could cause these kinds of delays and panic situations. It's both concerning and comforting to see how this played out - concerning because it shows how vulnerable we can be when the system has issues, but comforting because of how quickly everyone here jumped in to help with practical solutions and emotional support. I'm definitely taking notes on all the preventive measures mentioned here like setting up text alerts, following their Facebook page, saving emergency food bank numbers, and knowing about services like Claimyr for when you need to reach someone urgently. Sebastian, I'm so glad your situation got resolved and your kids got fed! This community seems like such a lifeline for navigating all the challenges that come with these benefits programs.
Welcome to the community, Zara! Your comment really captures what makes this place so valuable - the combination of real-world experiences and genuine support when things go wrong. As another newcomer who's still figuring everything out, I found this thread both eye-opening and reassuring. It's amazing how Sebastian went from panic mode to relief in just a few hours thanks to everyone's help and advice. I'm also in the early stages with CalFresh and had no clue about system maintenance periods or all these backup resources people mentioned. It's definitely motivated me to be more proactive about setting up those alerts and emergency contacts before I actually need them. Thanks to everyone who shared their knowledge here - this is exactly the kind of community support that makes navigating these programs feel less overwhelming!
Wow, this whole thread has been such a rollercoaster to read! As someone who just got approved for CalFresh last week and is waiting for my first benefits to load, this situation was honestly terrifying to imagine going through - especially with kids depending on you. But I'm so amazed by how this community came together with practical solutions, emotional support, and real-time updates. Sebastian, I'm so relieved everything worked out for you and your family! Reading through everyone's advice about setting up text alerts, following the Facebook page, keeping emergency food bank numbers handy, and knowing about services like Claimyr has been like getting a crash course in CalFresh survival skills. I'm definitely going to implement all of these suggestions before my benefits even start. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and knowledge - this is exactly the kind of community support that makes navigating these systems feel less scary and isolating!
Join the conversation
Hey is anyone still having trouble withdrawing cash from the ATMs or is it just me only?
Hey @Chippale! I haven't had any ATM issues lately, but given all the EBT system problems people have been discussing in this thread, it could definitely be related. Are you getting any specific error messages when you try to withdraw cash, or does it just decline the transaction? The same security flags that cause purchase declines can also block ATM withdrawals. I'd definitely try calling that EBT customer service line at 1-877-328-9677 that's been so helpful for everyone else - they can check if there are any restrictions on your account or if it's a broader system issue. Also worth checking if you've hit any daily withdrawal limits, which are usually pretty low for EBT cash benefits (like $40-60 depending on the ATM). Hope you get it sorted out quickly!
Hey @Chippale! I haven't tried withdrawing cash recently, but based on all the issues people have been having with EBT cards in this thread, it could be related to the same security flag problems. If your card is working for purchases but not ATM withdrawals, that might be a different issue though. Have you tried calling that EBT customer service number (1-877-328-9677) that everyone's been recommending? They should be able to tell you if there are any restrictions on your account or if there's a system-wide issue with ATM withdrawals. Also, some ATMs have daily withdrawal limits for EBT cards that are separate from your balance - usually around $40-60 per day depending on the machine. Let us know what you find out!
Join the conversation
I'm so sorry you're going through this stress with your kids depending on you! I went through something very similar about 8 months ago when $170 was stolen from my EBT card at a gas station 35 miles from my home. The 20-day timeline they give you is terrifying when you're already stretching every dollar. Here's what helped me get my benefits back in 9 days instead of the full 20: **Be strategically persistent:** I called every 2-3 days and always asked "Has my case been assigned to an investigator yet, and is there anything additional you need from me to expedite this?" This keeps your case visible without being annoying. **Use your strong evidence:** The fact that the transaction was 30 miles away while you still have your physical card is excellent evidence. Emphasize this geographic impossibility in every single call - fraud investigators prioritize these cases because they're easier to prove. **Ask for emergency help immediately:** My county provided $55 in emergency replacement benefits when I explained I had children and we were facing food insecurity. Don't wait - call your San Bernardino County CalFresh office tomorrow and ask about emergency assistance while the investigation is pending. **Document everything:** Keep notes of every call and gather your work records showing you were elsewhere when the fraud happened. I sent my timesheet to the fraud department and I think it helped speed up approval. The waiting is absolutely brutal when you're watching your kids eat smaller portions, but based on everyone's experiences here, you should hopefully see resolution in 10-14 days. Also call 211 for immediate food resources while you wait. You're doing everything right - stay strong! 💙
This is exactly the kind of detailed, practical advice I needed to hear! Nine days is so much more hopeful than that intimidating 20-day number they throw at you initially. I love your strategic approach of calling every 2-3 days with that specific question about investigator assignment and asking what additional documentation they need - it shows you're being helpful and proactive rather than just complaining about the wait. The point about geographic impossibility being prioritized because it's easier to prove gives me a lot of confidence in my case, since that 30-mile distance while I still have my physical card should be pretty clear-cut evidence. I'm definitely going to call San Bernardino County first thing tomorrow morning and ask specifically about emergency replacement benefits while the investigation is pending. Hearing that your county provided $55 gives me hope they'll have similar assistance available. I'm also going to gather my work timesheet records showing I was clocked in when the fraudulent transaction happened and send those to the fraud department like you suggested. It's such a relief to read all these success stories with 9-14 day resolution times instead of the full 20 days - gives me hope we can get through this waiting period without my kids having to go hungry. Thank you for the encouragement and for calling 211 for additional resources. This community has been absolutely amazing during such a scary and stressful time! 💙
I'm so sorry you're dealing with this - EBT fraud is incredibly stressful, especially when you have children depending on you. Reading through all these responses gives me hope that you'll get your benefits back much sooner than that scary 20-day timeline they initially quoted you. Based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds like San Bernardino County typically processes these disputes in 10-14 days, with some people getting resolution as quickly as 6-9 days. The fact that the fraudulent transaction happened 30 miles away while you still have your physical card is really strong evidence in your favor - several people mentioned that geographic impossibility cases get prioritized because they're easier to prove. A few things that seem to consistently help speed up the process: - Call every 2-3 days asking specifically "Has my case been assigned to an investigator yet?" - Emphasize you have children and are facing food insecurity during every call - Document your work schedule showing you were elsewhere when the fraud occurred - Ask about emergency replacement benefits while the investigation is pending Don't hesitate to advocate strongly for emergency food assistance tomorrow when you call. Multiple people here got $50-80 in emergency benefits from their counties while waiting for dispute resolution. Also definitely call 211 for immediate food resources and check with your kids' school about weekend backpack programs. You're doing everything right by staying on top of this and advocating for your family. The waiting is the worst part, but based on all these success stories, you should hopefully have resolution soon. Hang in there! 💙
This is such a comprehensive and encouraging summary of all the advice shared in this thread - thank you for pulling together all the key strategies! It's really reassuring to see the pattern that San Bernardino County typically processes these disputes in 10-14 days, and knowing that some people got resolution in just 6-9 days gives me so much hope. The point about geographic impossibility cases being prioritized because they're easier to prove is especially encouraging given that fraudulent transaction 30 miles away from where I live. I'm going to call tomorrow morning armed with all this great advice - asking specifically about investigator assignment, emphasizing the food insecurity with children, and definitely advocating for emergency replacement benefits. The range of $50-80 that others received gives me a realistic expectation for what to ask for. I also love that you mentioned calling 211 and checking about school weekend programs - I hadn't thought about the school angle but that could really help bridge the gap. Reading everyone's experiences and success stories has transformed this from feeling hopeless to feeling manageable. This community support during such a stressful time has been absolutely incredible - I feel so much more confident about navigating this process now! 💙
QuantumQuasar
So glad you got it sorted out! This is exactly why I love this community - people actually help each other figure things out. I'm definitely bookmarking that Claimyr service for future reference. These system outages are so stressful when you're trying to feed your family and have no idea what's going on. Really wish CalFresh would send out notifications when there are known issues like this!
0 coins
Jamal Anderson
•Totally agree! This community is amazing - everyone jumped in to help and share their experiences. I'm new here but already impressed by how supportive everyone is. The Claimyr tip was a game-changer! And you're so right about notifications - it would save so much stress and confusion if they just sent a quick text saying "hey, ATMs might not work today but card purchases should be fine." Simple communication could prevent so much panic when you're already dealing with food insecurity.
0 coins
Aliyah Debovski
This whole thread is so helpful! I'm dealing with the same issue right now - tried to use my EBT card at an ATM this morning and it kept saying "transaction cannot be completed." Was starting to panic thinking my benefits got cut off or something. Reading through everyone's experiences here really helped me understand it's just a system issue. Going to try using it directly at the store checkout like @ea5bda5990dd suggested. It's crazy how these technical problems can cause so much stress when you're already struggling to put food on the table. Really appreciate everyone sharing their solutions!
0 coins