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I'm going through this exact same situation right now and this thread has been a lifesaver! Based on everyone's advice, I just finished writing my no income statement. I made sure to include my case number, explicitly state I have no income from any source, explain that I'm living off savings while job searching, detail how my roommate is helping with rent but I cover my own food/personal expenses, and be very specific about covering phone, transportation, etc. One thing I'm still nervous about - should I mention the approximate dollar amount of my savings or keep it vague? I don't want them to think I have "too much" money but I also want to be transparent. Has anyone had experience with whether mentioning specific savings amounts helped or hurt their application?
Great question about savings amounts! From what I've learned through this process, you generally don't need to specify exact dollar amounts in your no income statement unless they specifically ask for it. CalFresh has resource limits (like $2,750 for most households), but they'll verify your bank balances separately if needed during the eligibility determination. I'd recommend keeping it general in your statement - something like "I am currently living off personal savings while actively seeking employment." Being too specific about amounts might raise unnecessary questions or delays. Focus on explaining how you're covering each expense category (rent, food, utilities, etc.) rather than dollar amounts. The key is showing you're being honest about having no current income while demonstrating you have legitimate means to support yourself. Good luck with your application!
This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm a college student who just graduated and I'm in a similar situation - no income while job hunting and living off savings/family help. One thing I want to add based on my experience: if you're getting help from family members who live out of state, make sure to mention that in your statement too. My parents send me money occasionally for groceries and personal expenses, and I included that as "occasional financial assistance from parents for basic needs." My worker appreciated the transparency. Also, if you're actively job searching, it doesn't hurt to mention that you're looking for work - it shows you're not just trying to stay on benefits indefinitely. I wrote something like "I am actively seeking employment and expect to report any income changes within the required timeframe." Just submitted my statement yesterday so fingers crossed it goes smoothly!
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I just went through this exact same situation last month! Moved from LA to San Bernardino with Section 8 and was terrified about losing benefits. Here's what actually happened: My CalFresh amount stayed EXACTLY the same - $428/month for me and my daughter. The process took about 2 weeks total, and I didn't miss any benefits because I started the ICT early like everyone is suggesting. The biggest difference I noticed is that San Bernardino really does want more documentation upfront. They asked for: - 3 months of bank statements (LA only wanted 1) - Utility setup confirmations from my new address - Section 8 portability paperwork from both housing authorities - School enrollment verification for my daughter But honestly, once I provided everything, the worker was super helpful and walked me through exactly how my benefits were calculated. The Section 8 definitely helped because now I'm getting the full utility allowance since I pay electric/gas separately. One thing that saved me a lot of headaches - I called the ICT unit directly at (909) 388-0245. Way faster than the main number! Best of luck with your move!
This is so reassuring to hear from someone who just went through the exact same situation! Thank you for sharing that direct number for the ICT unit - that's going to save me so much time. I'm definitely going to call them first thing tomorrow. It's really helpful to know what specific documents they requested from you. I already have most of those ready, but I hadn't thought about getting utility setup confirmations yet since I haven't moved. Should I wait until after I set up utilities, or can I start the ICT process before that? Also, it's great to hear that your benefits stayed the same and that the utility allowance actually helped! That gives me so much hope. I was really worried about my family losing food security during this transition, but everyone's experiences here are making me feel much more confident about the process.
You can definitely start the ICT process before setting up utilities! When I called, they told me I could provide the utility setup confirmations later as long as I had them before my first appointment with San Bernardino. I actually started my ICT about 3 weeks before my move date and then just submitted the utility paperwork once I got everything set up at the new place. The ICT worker was really understanding about the timing and gave me a checklist of what I needed to provide and when. They even sent me a secure message through the BenefitsCal portal with the list so I wouldn't forget anything. One tip - when you do set up utilities, ask each company for an email confirmation or letter showing you're responsible for the service. The utility companies are used to these requests for benefits verification, so they should be able to provide something official pretty quickly. You're going to do great with this move! The fact that you're planning ahead puts you way ahead of most people. Feel free to reach out if you have any other questions once you get started with the process!
I just wanted to add something that might be helpful - when you're getting ready for your move, make sure to also gather any medical documentation if you or your kids have any health conditions that affect your food needs. San Bernardino County has been really good about approving medical deductions for special diets, but they do require current doctor's notes. Also, since you mentioned you're nervous about the transition, I'd recommend reaching out to the San Bernardino County Food Bank once you're settled. They have a benefits assistance program where they can help advocate for you if any issues come up with your CalFresh case. Plus they have emergency food assistance if there's any gap in benefits (though it sounds like you're planning well enough to avoid that!). The number for their benefits hotline is (909) 888-3663. They also do mobile food distributions throughout the county which could be helpful as you're getting settled in your new area. Having that backup support system in place can really ease the stress of a big move like this.
This is such valuable information about the medical deductions - I had no idea that was even an option! My youngest has some dietary restrictions due to allergies, so having documentation ready for potential medical deductions could really help. The San Bernardino County Food Bank sounds like an amazing resource too. I'll definitely reach out to them once I'm settled. It's so reassuring to know there are advocacy services available if any issues come up during the transition. Having that safety net in place will definitely help me sleep better at night! Thank you for sharing these additional resources. This whole thread has been incredible - I went from being really anxious about this move to feeling like I have a solid plan and support system. The community here is amazing! 🙏
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This is absolutely heartbreaking and infuriating! No family should ever have to sleep in a car, especially with young children. The system completely failed you here - emergency homeless assistance for families with children should be processed immediately, not left hanging for days. I'm seeing great advice in the comments about going back in person and asking specifically for the Emergency Services Supervisor or Homeless Assistance Program specialist. Definitely use those exact phrases like "immediate homeless emergency with minor children" - apparently these trigger required response protocols. While you're fighting this battle tomorrow, please also try calling 2-1-1 again tonight and explicitly mention you have children ages 4 and 7 sleeping in a car - sometimes they prioritize families differently or have access to emergency vouchers through other programs. Some churches and community organizations also have emergency hotel assistance separate from CalFresh. You shouldn't have to be an expert in government bureaucracy to get help when you're in crisis, but unfortunately that's the reality. Document everything tomorrow and don't leave without either money on your card or a direct voucher. Your persistence is going to pay off - these people shared some really valuable insider knowledge about how to navigate the system. Sending strength to you and your babies! ❤️
This is such a comprehensive response with really practical advice! I'm new to understanding how these benefits work, but reading through everyone's comments has been so eye-opening about how broken the system can be. The fact that Harper was approved in person but still has to jump through all these hoops just to get emergency money for her kids is ridiculous. I love how this community has rallied around her with specific phrases to use and exact steps to take - it shows how much insider knowledge you need just to get basic services. The point about not having to be an expert in government bureaucracy is so true - families in crisis shouldn't need a PhD in navigating red tape just to get help. Harper, I hope you're able to get some rest tonight and that tomorrow brings real solutions. All these people have given you such a strong game plan, and it sounds like persistence really does pay off with these situations. Keeping you and your little ones in my thoughts! 🙏
I'm so sorry you and your children are going through this - no family should have to endure sleeping in a car, especially when you've already been approved for help! This is unfortunately a common issue with the homeless assistance program where approvals get stuck in the system. Here's what I'd recommend: Go to the office first thing tomorrow morning and specifically ask to speak with the "Homeless Assistance Program Supervisor" - don't just settle for your regular eligibility worker. Bring your approval paperwork and use the exact phrase "emergency homeless situation with minor children" as this triggers specific protocols they must follow. If they can't resolve it immediately, ask for a fair hearing request form right there - sometimes just asking for this gets management involved quickly. Also, ask them to print out your case activity notes to see exactly what happened (or didn't happen) with your original approval. While you're dealing with this, try calling your county's Board of Supervisors office - they often can cut through red tape when children are involved. Don't give up - you're being a strong advocate for your kids and this community is rooting for you! Please update us when you can. ❤️
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This thread has been absolutely amazing to read through! As someone who just got approved for CalFresh while doing freelance writing work, I was totally overwhelmed by the reporting requirements and honestly pretty scared I'd mess something up. The clarity around the 40% deduction calculation has been life-changing - I had no idea that you subtract the 40% BEFORE comparing to your IRT threshold. I've been panicking every time I got a decent payment, thinking I was going over my limit when I probably wasn't even close! I'm definitely going to set up that monthly tracking system everyone's talking about. The idea of calculating gross minus 40% at the end of each month and comparing to my IRT sounds so much more manageable than trying to stress about every individual payment. Also really appreciate everyone sharing their real experiences with overpayments and reporting mistakes. It's reassuring to know that honest mistakes don't immediately lead to fraud accusations - they just adjust future benefits to recoup any overpayment. The Claimyr service tip is something I'm definitely going to try too. I've already spent way too many hours on hold trying to get basic questions answered about self-employment income rules. Thank you to everyone who contributed such detailed, practical advice. This community is incredible for helping newcomers navigate these complex systems! I feel so much more confident now about managing my CalFresh benefits properly.
Welcome to the community! Your experience sounds exactly like what so many of us went through when we first started - that panic every time a payment comes in, not knowing if you're about to mess up your benefits somehow. It's such a relief when you finally understand the actual rules! The 40% deduction calculation really is the key to making sense of everything. I remember the exact moment it clicked for me too - suddenly all those months of unnecessary stress made sense because I'd been doing the math completely backwards. You're going to love having a monthly tracking system in place. It transforms this from a constant source of anxiety into just a simple monthly task. And honestly, once you see how rarely you actually exceed your IRT after the 40% deduction, it becomes so much less stressful. The community here really is incredible for getting real-world guidance from people who've been through the exact same struggles. Official resources are helpful but nothing beats hearing from other freelancers who've figured out practical systems that actually work. Best of luck with your CalFresh journey - you've got this! And don't hesitate to ask questions if you run into anything confusing. There are so many knowledgeable people here who are happy to help fellow freelancers navigate this system successfully.
This thread has been absolutely incredible to read through! As someone who just started freelance consulting work and got approved for CalFresh about 2 months ago, I was completely lost about how to handle the reporting with my unpredictable income. The explanation about the 40% deduction applying BEFORE you compare to your IRT has been a total game-changer - I've been calculating it wrong this whole time and stressing myself out every time a client payment came through! I'm definitely going to implement the organizational strategies everyone has shared. The monthly tracking spreadsheet idea sounds perfect, and I love the tip about setting up phone reminders to do the calculation at month-end rather than trying to track every payment individually. One thing I'm curious about - for those of you who've been doing this longer, how do you handle it when you have a really good month that puts you over the IRT? Do you find that reporting it significantly impacts your benefits for the following months, or is the adjustment usually pretty minor? Also wanted to say thank you to everyone who shared their real experiences with overpayments and mistakes. It's so reassuring to know that the system isn't designed to trap people, and that honest errors just result in benefit adjustments rather than serious consequences. This community is such an amazing resource for navigating these complex systems as freelancers. I feel so much more confident about managing my CalFresh benefits properly now!
Emma Wilson
I just wanted to chime in as someone who helps people with benefit applications through my work at a local nonprofit. The confusion around terminology is SO common - you're definitely not the first person to ask this question, and you won't be the last! One thing that might help: when you're talking to county workers or reading official documents, they'll usually use "CalFresh" and "SNAP" interchangeably. SNAP stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which is the federal name for the program. Each state gets to pick their own name for it - California chose "CalFresh," Texas calls it "SNAP," New York calls it "SNAP," etc. But it's all the same federal program with the same basic rules. The EBT card thing threw me off when I first started helping people too. EBT stands for Electronic Benefit Transfer, and it's just the plastic card system they use now instead of paper coupons. Think of it like how we switched from paper checks to debit cards - same money, different delivery method. Also, don't stress about filling out the "wrong" application - there's really only one CalFresh application in California, no matter what people call the program! The county office will know what you mean regardless of whether you say "food stamps," "CalFresh," or "SNAP benefits.
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Ravi Choudhury
•This is incredibly helpful, especially the explanation about how different states use different names for the same federal program! I had no idea that was how it worked. It makes so much more sense now why I was seeing "SNAP" on some federal websites but "CalFresh" on California-specific materials. And you're absolutely right about there being just one application - I was genuinely worried I might be missing out on something by not applying for multiple programs separately. Thank you for taking the time to explain all of this so clearly. It's really reassuring to know that people like you are out there helping folks navigate these systems!
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Diez Ellis
I'm so glad you asked this question! I was literally in the exact same boat when I first applied earlier this year. The whole terminology thing is unnecessarily confusing and honestly feels like it's designed to trip people up. Here's what I wish someone had told me from the start: it's ALL the same thing. CalFresh = California's version of SNAP = what people still call "food stamps" = benefits you access with an EBT card. One program, one application, one card. That's it! The reason for all the different names is just history and bureaucracy. The federal government calls it SNAP, California decided to brand it as CalFresh to make it sound more appealing, older folks still call it food stamps from the pre-digital days, and EBT is just the technology they use now instead of paper coupons. When I applied, I kept second-guessing myself thinking I was missing something, but nope - you just fill out the one CalFresh application and if approved, you get an EBT card. Don't overthink it like I did! You're on the right track and asking all the smart questions. This community has been amazing for learning all the ins and outs of the system.
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Zoe Christodoulou
•Thank you SO much for putting it so simply! "One program, one application, one card" - that's exactly the kind of clear summary I needed to hear. I was definitely overthinking it and making it way more complicated than it actually is. It's honestly frustrating that they don't just explain it this clearly from the beginning, but I'm so grateful for communities like this where people share their real experiences. Your comment really helped calm my anxiety about the whole process. I feel much more confident about moving forward with my application now!
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