This thread has been incredibly helpful for someone just starting the CalFresh process! I submitted my application yesterday and was already wondering what to expect in terms of timing. Reading through everyone's experiences - especially the detailed explanation from @Alexis Robinson about the 30-day processing window and @Chloe Green's successful outcome - has really put my mind at ease. It's pretty shocking that county workers aren't better trained to explain the EBT card delivery process, since it seems like this confuses almost everyone who goes through it. The fact that getting a card early is actually a GOOD sign rather than a problem is something I never would have known without this community. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their experiences and timelines - this is exactly the kind of real-world information that's impossible to find in official resources. I'll definitely come back to update on my own experience once I get through the process!

This thread is exactly what I needed to see! I'm about 3 weeks into my CalFresh application and have been checking my mailbox obsessively waiting for some kind of update. The lack of communication from the county office has been so frustrating - they basically just said "wait 30 days" with no explanation of what that process would look like. Reading everyone's experiences here, especially @Chloe Green's full journey from confusion to resolution, has been incredibly reassuring. I had no idea that getting an EBT card before approval was even possible, let alone normal! It's honestly ridiculous that county workers aren't trained to explain this basic part of the process. But I'm so grateful for this community where people actually share what really happens. Now I know not to panic if I get a card with no money on it - and to just keep checking the app patiently. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their timelines and experiences. I'll definitely come back with an update once I get through the process!

I've been on CalFresh for about 3 years and can definitely confirm - benefits load at midnight on your assigned date! I actually prefer doing my grocery shopping late at night because the stores are less crowded and I can take my time comparing prices without feeling rushed. One thing that's really helped me is creating a shopping list ahead of time organized by store sections, so I can get in and out efficiently. Also, since you mentioned you're down to your last $7, you might want to prioritize getting some filling basics like rice, beans, pasta, and peanut butter that can stretch far and keep your kids satisfied. The anxiety of running low on benefits is so real, but it sounds like you've got a solid plan for tonight. Hope everything goes smoothly at Walmart!

I'm pretty new to the CalFresh program and this whole thread has been incredibly eye-opening! I had no idea about the midnight vs 6am thing - I've just been assuming I had to wait until regular business hours to use my benefits. Reading everyone's experiences makes me realize I've probably been making grocery shopping way harder on myself than it needs to be. My benefits load on the 5th and I work weird hours, so knowing I can shop at midnight opens up so many more options for me. Quick question though - has anyone ever had issues with their card not working at midnight even when benefits should be loaded? I'm a bit paranoid about getting to the store and having problems, especially since I don't have a car and would need to take a rideshare to get there. Just want to make sure I'm not setting myself up for disappointment!

I've been doing Uber Eats and DoorDash for about a year while on CalFresh and I went through this exact same stress when I started! You're absolutely right that weekly reporting would be insane - don't worry, that's not what they expect. Here's my system that's kept me out of trouble: I use a simple car notebook to jot down daily earnings and miles right after each shift, then every Sunday I update a Google Sheet with my weekly totals. At the end of each month, I add up ALL my gig income (both apps combined) and only report if it goes over my IRT threshold. The most crucial thing - and I can't stress this enough - is to EMAIL your caseworker requesting your exact IRT amount and reporting requirements in writing. Different workers will tell you completely different things, and having that documentation has saved me from conflicting advice multiple times. For expenses, definitely track your mileage using an app like Stride or MileIQ - the automatic tracking is a game changer and that 58.5 cents per mile adds up fast! Also track gas, car maintenance, phone charges, even cleaning supplies since they're all legitimate business expenses that reduce your countable income. When SAR7 time comes, create a monthly breakdown showing "Month X: $XX total income - $XX expenses = $XX net income" for each month. Makes everything clean and organized for the caseworker. The system definitely wasn't designed for gig workers, but with consistent record keeping it's totally manageable. You've got this!

I've been doing gig work with DoorDash and Uber Eats for about 8 months while on CalFresh and I completely understand your confusion! When I first started, I was panicking about whether to report every single week too - thankfully that's not necessary. Here's what works for me: I keep a simple system where I track daily earnings in a small notebook I keep in my car, then transfer everything to a spreadsheet weekly. The key is only reporting if your COMBINED monthly income from all gig apps exceeds your Income Reporting Threshold (IRT). My biggest tip: Email your caseworker to get your exact IRT amount and reporting requirements IN WRITING. I've had different workers tell me completely different things over the phone, but having that email documentation protects you from conflicting advice later. For expenses, definitely use a mileage tracking app like Stride or Everlance - they automatically log your driving and the 58.5 cents per mile deduction adds up incredibly fast! Also track gas, car maintenance, phone charges, even things like hand sanitizer and thermal bags since they're legitimate business expenses. When you do your SAR7, create a clean monthly summary: "Month 1: $X total income - $Y expenses = $Z net income" for each month. Caseworkers really appreciate organized documentation and it makes the whole process smoother. Don't stress too much - once you establish a consistent tracking routine, it becomes second nature! The system definitely wasn't designed with gig workers in mind, but thousands of us are managing it successfully with good record keeping.

UPDATE: Just wanted to let everyone know that I got a call from the county worker today! They're processing my application and said I can bring in my daughter's school ID and the kids' Medi-Cal cards as proof of identity. I should have benefits loaded in 7-10 days! Thank you all for the help and calming my nerves.

So happy to hear your update! This is exactly why I always tell people not to panic about missing documents - the system is designed to work with you, not against you. The fact that they accepted Medi-Cal cards as proof of identity is a perfect example of how having other benefits can actually help streamline the process. Hope your benefits load smoothly and you get the food assistance your family needs!

Welcome to the group! You're definitely not alone in this confusion - the EBT system can be really confusing when you're new to it. Everyone here has given you excellent advice already. I just wanted to add that when you do call to update your information, make sure to ask them to walk you through exactly how your current benefit was calculated. Sometimes caseworkers miss deductions during the initial application process, especially if the interview was rushed. With $2,200 rent + $1,100 childcare for a family of 3, you should definitely be getting more than $66/month unless your income is quite high. Don't feel bad about not knowing this stuff - the system is complicated and they don't always explain it well during the application process!

Hey LilMama23! Don't worry, this is actually one of the most common questions we see here - you're definitely not alone in the confusion! 😊 The midnight withdrawal posts are referring to CalWORKs cash aid, which is totally separate from CalFresh food benefits. Your $66 CalFresh can only buy food, never cash. But honestly, $66 for a family of 3 sounds way too low! With $2,200 rent and $1,100 childcare, you should probably be getting several hundred dollars more per month. Those childcare costs alone should bump up your benefits significantly. Definitely call and get that updated ASAP - you might be missing out on a lot of grocery money that your family really needs! The Claimyr suggestion is solid too if you're having trouble getting through to your county office. Good luck and keep us posted on how it goes! 💪