I'm new to this community but going through the exact same frustrating situation with my P-EBT card! My mail delivery has been incredibly unreliable lately - sometimes I don't get anything for 3-4 days, then suddenly get a massive pile of mail that's clearly been sitting somewhere. I have two kids who qualify through their school's free lunch program and I'm really stressed about missing their cards. After reading through all these incredibly helpful responses, I'm definitely going to try the 8am calling strategy tomorrow since that seems to be when people have the most success getting through to a real person. I had absolutely no idea that P-EBT was completely separate from regular CalFresh - that explains why I was so confused when updating my address in BenefitsCal didn't seem to affect anything! I'm also going to check with my local post office since they've been having major staffing issues and our regular carrier has been out for weeks. It's such a huge relief to find other parents dealing with the same challenges and actually sharing practical solutions. Thank you everyone for taking the time to help each other navigate this complicated system - it makes this whole stressful process feel much more manageable!

I'm new to this community and dealing with the exact same P-EBT mail delivery nightmare! My mail has been so inconsistent - our regular carrier retired and the substitutes keep missing entire streets some days. I have three kids who should be getting benefits and I've been panicking about the cards getting lost or delivered to wrong addresses. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly reassuring - I had no idea so many families were facing the same challenges! The 8am calling strategy that multiple people have mentioned seems to be the golden ticket, so I'm definitely setting my alarm tomorrow to try the hotline right when they open. I also had no clue that P-EBT was completely separate from regular CalFresh - that explains why updating my address through BenefitsCal didn't help at all! I'm going to check with my local post office too since they've been having major staffing shortages. Thank you to everyone who's shared their tips and success stories - it's such a relief to know there are actual solutions and that other parents have figured out how to navigate this confusing system!

mine worked this morning! try again

Just wanted to add for anyone still having issues - I work at a community center and we help folks with CalFresh questions regularly. If the phone system is still giving you trouble, you can also check your benefit amount by logging into your EBT account online at ebtEDGE.com. Create an account with your card number and you can see your transaction history and upcoming deposits there too. Sometimes that site updates faster than the phone system during maintenance periods. Also, if you're ever unsure about benefit changes, keep your most recent CalFresh notice - it shows your monthly amount and any upcoming changes to your case.

I've been following this entire thread and I'm honestly amazed by how supportive and knowledgeable this community is! As someone who's new to CalFresh and still learning all the rules, reading through everyone's experiences and advice has been incredibly educational. @Morita Montoya - I just want to say that your willingness to be transparent about your mistake and ask for help is really admirable. It's clear from all the responses that you're handling this situation exactly the right way. The fact that so many experienced community members have taken the time to share detailed advice shows what a great resource this forum is. From everything I've read here, it sounds like you have a really solid plan for your call tomorrow. The combination of self-reporting, understanding BBCE rules, having your documentation ready, and knowing what questions to ask puts you in the best possible position. I'm definitely bookmarking this thread for future reference - the information about asset limits, BBCE exemptions, and proper reporting procedures is going to be valuable for so many people. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and expertise! Best of luck with your call tomorrow - please update us on how it goes. I have a feeling it's going to work out much better than you initially feared!

I've been reading through this entire thread and wanted to add my perspective as someone who recently went through CalFresh eligibility determination with assets involved. First off, you're absolutely doing the right thing by self-reporting - I can't stress this enough. When I had my eligibility interview, my caseworker specifically mentioned how much they appreciate when people are upfront about their financial situation rather than trying to hide things. Regarding the BBCE rules everyone's discussing, they're absolutely real and can be a lifesaver. In my county (Sacramento), they explained it like this: if your gross monthly income is under 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (about $2,430 for a single person), then most asset limits are waived. The key word is "most" - there are still some assets that count, but regular investment accounts like stocks often fall under the exemption. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - when you call, ask specifically about the "gross income test" versus the "net income test" for BBCE eligibility. Sometimes people qualify under BBCE even if they're slightly over other income limits because of how they calculate it. Also, definitely ask about whether your inherited stocks might qualify as "inaccessible resources" since you mentioned you don't actively manage them. Sometimes assets that you can't easily convert to cash within a certain timeframe are treated differently. You've got such a good plan based on all the advice here. The preparation you're doing is going to make a huge difference in how smoothly this goes. Good luck tomorrow!

Emily, I've been following your journey through this thread and I'm so impressed by how thoroughly you're preparing for your next call! As someone who's helped family members navigate CalFresh while on disability, I wanted to add one more consideration that might be relevant to your situation. Since you mentioned your utilities are included in your rent, make sure the worker applies the correct utility allowance. Even when utilities are included, CalFresh often allows a "standard utility allowance" deduction that can add $50-100+ to your monthly deductions. Some workers forget to apply this, especially if they see "utilities included" and assume no deduction applies. Also, I noticed you mentioned spending about $50 monthly on ride services for medical appointments. If you keep any records of these trips (receipts, ride app history, etc.), those transportation costs can count toward your medical expense deduction too. Even small amounts add up over a year! Given everything you've shared - your SSDI amount, rent costs, medical expenses, and transportation needs - you really should qualify for substantial CalFresh benefits. The combination of all these deductions will significantly reduce your countable income below the $1,950 SSDI amount. One last tip: if the first worker you reach seems rushed or unfamiliar with disability-related deductions, don't hesitate to politely ask if there's someone who specializes in disability cases. You deserve someone who will take the time to ensure you get all the benefits you're entitled to. Wishing you the best of luck with your call Monday morning! This community will be here to celebrate your success.

Hi! Im on SSDI as well. I Also would like to share if you dont already know that SNAP qualifies you for other programs such as discounts off utility bills. I get 30% discount off my Edison electric bill and 20% off my SoCal gas bill. Edison also has a program that will replace old appliances that's not energy efficient. I got my refrigerator and stand up freezer replaced totally free. Due to I rent, they only will replace appliances that were mine. If its your own home, they can replace water heaters, dishwashers, etc. I also qualified through Edison for 1 $650 rebate on a portable generator and $150 rebate for up to 6 portable stations because I live in a high fire zone zipcode. I'm very resourceful, I leave nothing on the table.

This thread has been so helpful! I just wanted to add that if you're having trouble with the ACP application process, don't give up. I actually had my first application rejected because I accidentally uploaded the wrong document (sent my EBT card photo instead of my CalFresh approval letter), but I reapplied with the correct paperwork and got approved within a few days. The customer service for ACP was actually pretty good when I called to ask what went wrong. They walked me through exactly what documents they needed and even stayed on the line while I resubmitted everything. Sometimes these government programs actually do work if you're persistent!

This whole thread is amazing - I had no idea there were so many different programs and discounts available! I just got my CalFresh benefits a couple months ago and nobody told me about any of this stuff when I applied. Reading through all these comments, it sounds like there are discounts for internet, phone service, Amazon Prime, and even help from libraries and schools. I feel like there should be some kind of comprehensive list or guide that tells you all the benefits you qualify for when you get approved for CalFresh. It's crazy that people have to stumble across this information by accident or through community forums like this. Thank you all for sharing your experiences - I'm going to start applying for these programs this weekend!