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!

This is such an important update and I'm so glad you took action! Your experience will definitely help others who might face similar discrimination. It's encouraging to hear that Safeway corporate took it seriously - that manager clearly needed education about federal EBT regulations. For anyone else reading this who might experience EBT discrimination: document everything (date, time, employee names if possible), don't let them make you feel embarrassed (you're using benefits you're entitled to!), and definitely report it through multiple channels like Dmitry did. These stores can actually lose their SNAP authorization if they continue violating program rules. Thanks for sharing your follow-up - it gives me hope that the system can work when we advocate for ourselves!

Quick update on the legal resources available to you: 1. Bay Area Legal Aid in Richmond: (510) 233-9954 2. Legal Services of Northern California: (510) 250-6354 Both offer free legal help to low-income individuals with public benefits issues. They can help you prepare for the state hearing and potentially represent you. To request a state hearing, call 1-800-743-8525 or complete the form on the back of your denial notice. You only have 90 days from the date of the denial to request this hearing, so don't delay. In the meantime, as others have suggested, call 211 for emergency food assistance and apply for emergency replacement benefits through your county office.

I'm so sorry this happened to you! As someone who works with CalFresh recipients, I want to emphasize that you have strong rights here. The fact that your benefits were used out-of-state is actually a huge red flag that should trigger automatic fraud protections. A few important points that haven't been mentioned yet: 1. Document EVERYTHING - save screenshots of your EBT transaction history showing the Texas purchases, keep copies of your police report, and document every conversation with county staff (names, dates, what was said). 2. The county is required to provide you with written notice of their denial with specific reasons. If you only got a verbal denial, request this in writing immediately. 3. While you're fighting this, you can also apply for emergency CalFresh if you qualify - this is separate from the stolen benefits issue and could provide immediate help. 4. Contact your local supervisor's office and your state assembly member's office. Elected officials often have constituent services that can help navigate county bureaucracy when residents are getting the runaround. You should not have to go hungry while fighting this! The system has protections in place specifically for situations like yours - don't let them discourage you from using them.

Thanks everyone for the helpful responses! I feel so much better about applying now. I'm going to submit my application this weekend and make sure to only include our necessary expenses. Really appreciate all the information and personal experiences shared here.

Good luck with your application! Just wanted to add one more helpful tip - if you run into any issues during the application process or have questions about specific documents needed, most counties also have community-based organizations that can help with CalFresh applications for free. They're often more knowledgeable about immigration-related concerns than the regular county staff. You can usually find them by searching "[your county name] CalFresh application assistance" or calling 211. It's great to see you taking this step to help feed your family!

Thanks everyone for the input! Sounds like it's definitely a retailer system issue rather than an actual CalFresh rule. I'll stick to placing orders after 6am from now on. Really appreciate all the helpful responses!

This is such a helpful thread! I had no idea this was a common issue. I've been having the same problem with Target's online grocery pickup when I try to place orders super early in the morning with my EBT card. It's frustrating because that's often the only quiet time I have to get shopping done before my kids wake up. At least now I know it's not my card having issues - just need to wait until after 6am to place the order. Thanks for asking this question and everyone for the explanations!

hey just wonderin - do u get paid differently for community hours vs home hours? cuz thats what would affect calfresh not where u clock in

As someone who's been through CalFresh recertification multiple times while working in caregiving, I can confirm what others have said - you're overthinking this! CalFresh only cares about your total gross income, not the specifics of how your employer tracks your time. The key things for your upcoming recertification: 1) Report your actual gross income from paystubs accurately, 2) Keep all paystubs for at least 30 days before your recert appointment, and 3) If your monthly income varies a lot, check your IRT on your approval notice like Mohammed mentioned. Your employer's clocking procedures are completely separate from CalFresh reporting. Get clarity from your supervisor for your own peace of mind and to follow company policy, but don't stress about it affecting your benefits. You've got this!