This thread has been such a lifesaver! I'm a new CalFresh recipient (just got approved last month) and I've been absolutely terrified about the reporting requirements. I kept seeing references to "10-day reporting" but had no idea what that actually meant or when it applied. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been more educational than any of the official materials they gave me at enrollment. @Hunter Brighton I'm so glad you got this resolved! Your approach of self-reporting through BenefitsCal once you realized the mistake was exactly right. It's really reassuring to see how understanding the system can be when people make honest errors and take responsibility for fixing them. The explanations about IRT vs SAR reporting have been incredibly helpful. I had no idea that most income changes don't need immediate reporting as long as you stay under your threshold. I've been keeping my approval letter in a folder by my computer so I can quickly check my IRT if anything changes with my job. Thanks to everyone who shared their real experiences and practical tips - especially about using BenefitsCal instead of the phone system and documenting everything. This community makes navigating CalFresh so much less intimidating for newcomers like me!

This thread is absolutely incredible - thank you all for sharing such detailed and helpful experiences! As someone who's been on CalFresh for about 2 years, I thought I understood the reporting requirements but clearly I was missing some key details about the IRT system. I've always been paranoid about reporting every tiny income change immediately, which has led to so many unnecessary calls to the county office. Learning that the 10-day rule only applies when you exceed your Income Reporting Threshold is honestly life-changing information for me. I do freelance work on top of my regular job, so my monthly income varies quite a bit, and I've been stressing myself out constantly thinking I needed to report every fluctuation. @Hunter Brighton you absolutely did the right thing by self-reporting through BenefitsCal! The fact that you took responsibility once you realized the oversight shows good faith, which really matters to the county workers. And everyone's advice about documenting calls, taking screenshots of online submissions, and keeping your approval letter accessible is so practical and smart. What really stands out to me is how much more educational this community discussion has been compared to any official CalFresh materials. The county really needs to do a better job explaining these nuances during the application process. Until then, we're lucky to have communities like this where people share real knowledge that actually helps! Thanks everyone for making the CalFresh system feel so much more manageable.

I'm in a similar situation with my 12-year-old who has autism. We've been receiving IHSS for about 18 months now, and I can confirm that you can definitely have both programs! What I learned through the process is that it's really important to understand the timing. When you first get approved for IHSS, there's usually a delay before you receive your first payment, but you need to report the IHSS income to CalFresh as soon as you're approved, not when you actually get paid. I made the mistake of waiting until I got my first check, and it caused some confusion with my case. Also, keep in mind that IHSS payments can vary month to month depending on your child's assessed hours and any changes in their needs. I've found it helpful to report an average monthly amount to CalFresh and then do adjustments on my SAR7 forms. One last tip - if your daughter qualifies for Regional Center services too, those don't count as income for CalFresh purposes, which is different from IHSS. Just something to keep in mind if you're working with multiple support systems. The whole process can feel overwhelming at first, but having both programs has made such a difference for our family's stability. You're doing the right thing by looking into all available resources!

I'm a parent provider for my 14-year-old son who has Down syndrome, and we've been successfully receiving both IHSS and CalFresh for over two years now. One thing that really helped me was keeping a simple spreadsheet to track my IHSS hours and payments each month - it makes filling out the SAR7 forms so much easier and helps avoid any reporting errors. Something I wish someone had told me earlier is that you can also deduct any work-related expenses from your IHSS income when calculating CalFresh eligibility. Things like mileage for taking your child to medical appointments, special equipment you need to purchase for their care, or even uniforms if required. These deductions can help reduce the countable income and keep your CalFresh benefits higher. Also, don't be discouraged if your first few interactions with the county workers are confusing - many of them aren't familiar with how IHSS income should be handled for CalFresh calculations. I had to educate my worker using the CalFresh policy manual, but once we got it sorted out, everything has run smoothly. You're absolutely making the right choice pursuing both programs - the combination has been a lifesaver for our family's financial stability while ensuring my son gets the care he needs.

The whole program is confusing. I got the extra money too but when I tried to use it at Walmart they said they don't take it, only regular CalFresh. Then I went to Target and same thing! Wasted so much time and gas going to stores that don't even accept it. The county should give us a clear list of stores instead of making us guess.

Just to clarify some confusion I'm seeing in the comments: There are actually a few different but similar programs that might be getting mixed up: 1. California Fruit & Vegetable EBT - The extra benefits loaded directly to your EBT card automatically 2. Market Match - A farmers market program where they match your CalFresh spending (usually up to $10) 3. Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) - Sometimes gives paper vouchers for specific populations To check your California F&V EBT balance, use the CalFresh EBT app. For Market Match, just ask at the info booth at participating farmers markets. They usually give you tokens or vouchers to spend that day.

Hey Madison! I just went through this exact situation when I moved from CA to Arizona last fall. Here's what worked for me: Call your CA county office ASAP (don't wait for SAR7) and give them your exact move date. I called mine 3 weeks ahead and they were super helpful. Your EBT card will definitely work in Colorado for any remaining balance. For Colorado SNAP, I'd recommend applying online about 2 weeks before you move - they'll need your new address but you can explain you're relocating. Also, keep all your CalFresh paperwork! Colorado asked me for my previous benefit history during their application process. One thing that really helped - I stocked up on non-perishables the month before moving using my CA benefits, which bridged the gap perfectly. Colorado's processing time was actually faster than CA's was initially. You'll do great, and Denver has amazing food resources too if you need backup during the transition!

I went through this same situation 6 months ago moving from California to Oregon! Here's what I learned: definitely report your move immediately - don't wait for the SAR7. I made the mistake of waiting and it created confusion with my case. Your California EBT will work in Colorado for existing benefits, but like others said, no new benefits once you move. For Colorado SNAP, I'd suggest calling their office directly after you apply online - they were super helpful and walked me through exactly what documents I needed. One tip nobody mentioned: if you have any CalFresh overpayments or issues on your CA case, resolve those BEFORE you move because it can complicate your new state application. Also, Colorado has some great food banks in Denver if you need help during the transition period. The whole process was less scary than I thought it would be once I got organized with all my paperwork. You've got this!

Just wanted to share my experience from last week! I went to the Target in Modesto and they definitely accept EBT for vegetable seeds and starter plants. I bought tomato seedlings, bell pepper plants, and packets of lettuce and spinach seeds with no issues at all. The cashier even knew exactly which items were eligible when I asked. One thing I learned - make sure to check the plant labels carefully. They had some tomato plants labeled as "decorative" that wouldn't qualify, but the ones in the vegetable section were clearly marked as food-producing. The prices were pretty reasonable too, about $3-4 per plant. Also seconding what others said about farmers markets! Found one near me that does Market Match and got $20 worth of herb plants for just $10 in EBT. They had basil, cilantro, oregano, and even some fruit tree saplings. Way better selection than the big box stores and the vendors were super helpful with growing tips!

I've been growing my own vegetables with CalFresh for three years now and wanted to share some additional tips! Beyond the stores mentioned, I've had success at these places: - Food 4 Less (they have a small garden section in spring) - Smart & Final (limited selection but takes EBT for seeds) - Some Lowe's locations (call first - it's hit or miss like Home Depot) One thing I wish I knew when starting: buy a soil thermometer! Seeds won't germinate if the soil is too cold, and I wasted money my first year planting too early. Also, cherry tomatoes and green beans are super productive - you'll get way more food per plant than regular tomatoes. For anyone worried about not having gardening experience, start small! Even a few pots on a balcony or windowsill can grow herbs and lettuce. I started with just basil and cilantro in containers and now I have a full backyard garden that saves me about $50/month on groceries. The initial investment in seeds/plants pays for itself pretty quickly, especially with these crazy 2025 food prices! The Market Match program really is a game-changer if you can find participating farmers markets. Some even have classes on container gardening specifically for people with limited space.