Hi Shon! Great question about CalFresh benefits. Yes, your CalFresh benefits do roll over month-to-month - they don't expire if you don't use them all in one month. Your EBT card will accumulate the unused balance, so if you get $200 in January and only spend $150, you'll have $50 remaining plus your February benefits added to your card. However, benefits that are unused for 365 days (one full year) will expire, so it's good to use them within that timeframe. This rollover feature is really helpful for budgeting and meal planning!

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.

Just wanted to add that if you're working part-time and your hours fluctuate, make sure to report your AVERAGE monthly income when you apply. Don't just use one paycheck - look at your last few months to get a realistic picture. Also, if you get tips or any cash income, you need to report that too even if it's small amounts. The county workers are pretty understanding about irregular income from part-time work, but being honest upfront will save you headaches later. Good luck with your application!

Just applied for CalFresh last month and wanted to share my experience! I was making about $1,200/month part-time and was approved for $215/month in benefits. The application process was way easier than I expected - I did everything online through BenefitsCal.com and got approved within 2 weeks. One thing that really helped was having all my documents ready before I started: recent pay stubs, rent receipt, utility bills, and bank statements. The online portal lets you upload everything as PDFs which saved me from having to mail or fax anything. Also, don't stress too much about getting the "maximum" benefit - even getting $200+ per month makes a HUGE difference when you're struggling with groceries. That covers most of my fresh produce and protein for the month, which frees up my cash for rent and other bills. Apply as soon as you can because benefits start from the date you submit your application!

UPDATE: I got through on the phone finally! The Sacramento office is open normal hours today. I uploaded my pay stubs through BenefitsCal as suggested and also called to confirm they got them. The worker said my benefits should continue without interruption as long as my income is within the limits. Thanks everyone for your help!

Im glad u got it figured out! Quick tip for next time - if u ever get those verification notices, respond RIGHT AWAY even if u dont have all the documents yet. U can submit a note saying u need more time to get the documents and they usually will extend the deadline. I learned this from my worker after the 3rd time i almost lost benefits lol. Also i keep a calendar with all my SAR7 and recert deadlines marked so i never miss them. This system makes it so hard to keep benefits sometimes!!

I'm so sorry this happened to you! As someone who went through a similar situation last year, I wanted to share what helped me win my appeal. The key things that made the difference were: 1. I got my phone's location history from Google/Apple showing I was nowhere near the fraudulent transaction locations 2. I requested my full EBT transaction history for 6 months to prove I NEVER shopped at those stores 3. I brought printed screenshots of my normal shopping routine vs. the fraud locations 4. I emphasized in my appeal letter that I reported it the SAME DAY I discovered it The hearing officer told me afterwards that the location evidence was what really convinced them - it's hard to argue negligence when you can prove you physically weren't there. Also, when you call for your appeal, ask to speak to a supervisor if the first person isn't helpful. Some workers are more knowledgeable about these cases than others. Don't let them intimidate you - you deserve those benefits back! Keep us updated on how it goes.

I'm really sorry you're dealing with this - EBT theft is becoming such a huge problem and the denial process seems designed to discourage people from fighting back. Reading through all these responses, it sounds like you have a really strong case for appeal! One thing I wanted to add that might help: when you gather all your evidence, also check if you made any other purchases (gas, groceries, etc.) with a regular debit/credit card on the same day as the fraudulent EBT transactions. Bank records showing you were shopping locally while someone was using your EBT card 30 miles away would be powerful proof that it wasn't you. Also, I noticed someone mentioned Claimyr earlier - I used them last year when I couldn't get through to my county office about a different issue. The fee was around $20 but honestly worth it just to avoid the endless phone tree nightmare. They got me connected to an actual caseworker in under 30 minutes. Please keep us posted on how your appeal goes! Stories like yours help other people know they're not alone and that it's worth fighting these denials. You've got this! 💪