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!

I'm so glad this thread exists! I'm from Ventura County and have been on CalFresh for about 8 months but had absolutely no idea about Museums for All until reading through all these responses. My 6-year-old daughter is fascinated by butterflies and marine life, so Cal Academy sounds perfect for her - especially that rainforest dome everyone's mentioning! I was honestly feeling guilty that I couldn't afford to take her to places like this on our current budget, but knowing we can get $3 admission with our EBT card changes everything. Reading about all the other families making these trips work has given me so much hope and practical ideas. Already looking up the Museums for All website to see what other options we have in our area too. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences so openly - this community support is incredible and has literally opened up educational opportunities I thought were impossible for us right now!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm a CalFresh recipient from Stanislaus County and I'm amazed at how much I've learned about Museums for All just from reading everyone's experiences. My 8 and 12-year-old are homeschooled and I've been struggling to find affordable educational field trip options. The fact that we can visit Cal Academy for $3 per person instead of $45 is absolutely game-changing for our family budget! I'm definitely planning a trip to SF now and looking into the other participating museums mentioned here too. It's so encouraging to read about families from different counties successfully using their EBT cards there without issues. Thank you Lorenzo for asking this question and thank you to everyone who shared their detailed experiences, tips about timing, and insider knowledge. This community is such an amazing resource for discovering benefits we never knew existed. Already bookmarking the Museums for All website and planning our educational adventure!

I'm dealing with this exact same issue! My EBT card gets declined at the Walmart on Fruitridge Road but works perfectly for pickup orders. It's so embarrassing having to leave groceries at checkout, especially with my toddler asking why we can't buy the food we picked out. I actually started avoiding Walmart altogether because of this, but their prices really are better for stretching my CalFresh benefits. After reading all these helpful tips from everyone, I'm going to try shopping early morning and asking for one of the lower numbered registers like @Amina suggested. It's crazy that so many of us are dealing with the same system problem - makes me feel way less alone in this struggle. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and solutions!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I've been experiencing the exact same issue at the Walmart on Watt Avenue - my CalFresh EBT card gets declined at checkout but works perfectly fine when I place pickup orders online. It's so frustrating and embarrassing, especially when you're shopping with your kids and have to explain why we're leaving without groceries. I actually thought there was something wrong with my benefits account and called the county office multiple times, but they confirmed everything was active and fine on their end. Reading everyone's experiences here makes me realize this is definitely a widespread Walmart system problem, not our cards! I'm going to try the early morning shopping strategy and ask specifically for registers 1-4 like others have suggested. It's ridiculous that such a major retailer hasn't fixed this issue when they know how many families depend on EBT benefits working properly. Thank you everyone for sharing your stories and tips - it's such a relief to know I'm not alone in dealing with this!