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! 💪

I work nights at a gas station and deal with this same frustration! One thing that's helped me is using the EBT card balance check feature (you can call the number on the back or check online) around 5:45AM to confirm the funds are there before I head to the store. That way I don't waste a trip if there's any delay. Also, I've noticed that some 24-hour stores like Safeway will let you start shopping before 6AM and then just wait at self-checkout until exactly 6AM to run your card - the cashiers are usually understanding about it since they see night shift workers all the time. It's not ideal but at least you can get your shopping done efficiently right when the funds become available.

I've been on CalFresh for about 2 years and dealt with this exact same issue when I was working overnight shifts at a hospital. The 6AM restriction is unfortunately set in stone - I learned this the hard way after multiple failed attempts at different stores between midnight and 6AM. What ended up working best for me was a combination of strategies: I started doing grocery pickup orders scheduled for 7AM (most stores let you place the order online the night before), kept a small stockpile of shelf-stable foods at home for emergencies, and on really desperate nights I'd just wait in my car at a 24-hour Walmart until exactly 6AM and then do a quick shop. It's frustrating that the system doesn't accommodate night workers better, but once I adjusted my planning around it, things got much more manageable. Hang in there - the struggle is real but you'll find a routine that works!

This whole thread is exactly why I tell everyone to NEVER trust the online system completely. I've been on CalFresh for 3 years and learned the hard way that you need to protect yourself. Here's what I do now: 1) Submit online and screenshot EVERYTHING including the final confirmation page, 2) Print out the confirmation email/PDF, 3) Drive to the office the same day and hand deliver a paper copy with all the same documents, 4) Get a receipt from them showing they received the paper version. Yes it's a pain, but I've never had my benefits threatened since I started this routine. The peace of mind is worth the extra gas money and time. So glad you got yours resolved but this shouldn't be happening to people trying to meet basic needs!

Wow, reading through all these experiences really highlights how broken the system can be! I just moved to California and am in the process of applying for CalFresh for the first time. This thread is honestly both terrifying and incredibly valuable - I had no idea these technical glitches were so common with the online system. I'm definitely going to follow Emma's four-step approach from day one: submit online, screenshot everything, hand deliver paper copies same day, and get receipts. It seems like overkill but clearly it's necessary protection. Thank you to everyone who shared their stories and practical solutions - this is exactly the kind of real-world advice you can't get from official websites. Kai, I'm so glad you were able to get it resolved by going in person. This community is amazing for looking out for each other!