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I'm new to this community and this thread has been so informative! I'm actually in a very similar situation to the original poster - my CalFresh worker mentioned KEYS about a month ago but I had no idea what it was and was too overwhelmed to ask for details at the time. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly valuable. I'm currently facing a rent increase from $1,200 to $1,500 starting next month, and I've been really stressed about how to manage it while keeping up with my other expenses. It's such a relief to learn that KEYS won't impact my CalFresh benefits - I was genuinely worried that getting help with housing might somehow reduce my food assistance. The detailed information about the intake process, required documentation, and timelines has been so helpful. I'm planning to call them first thing Monday morning with all my paperwork ready. The tip about potentially using Claimyr if I can't get through is something I definitely want to try since I've had terrible luck reaching county offices lately. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their real experiences, both the successes and the frustrations. It makes such a difference to hear from people who have actually navigated this system rather than just reading official program descriptions that don't tell you what to expect. This community is amazing!
Welcome to the community! Your $300 rent increase is definitely significant and sounds like exactly the type of situation KEYS prevention services are designed to help with. It's smart that you're planning to call first thing Monday - from what others have shared, calling early in the day really does seem to make a difference in getting through. Since you mentioned being overwhelmed when your CalFresh worker first brought up KEYS, don't feel bad about that at all. These systems can be really confusing and it's totally normal to need time to process information, especially when you're dealing with financial stress. The fact that you're taking action now is what matters. One thing that might help when you call - have your current lease and any documentation about the rent increase ready to reference. From what I've read in other threads, they really want to see proof of the housing crisis you're facing. Your situation with the sudden $300 increase should definitely qualify you for consideration. Good luck with your call on Monday, and definitely don't hesitate to ask questions here if you need support navigating the process. This community has been such a great resource for people in similar situations!
I'm new to this community and just wanted to thank everyone for sharing such detailed information about KEYS! I'm in San Bernardino County and had never heard of this program until I found this thread. My landlord just gave me a 30-day notice because they're renovating my unit, and I've been panicking about finding a new place with the current rental market. Reading about everyone's experiences - especially knowing that KEYS won't affect CalFresh benefits and that they help with things like security deposits - gives me so much hope. I'm definitely going to call their office tomorrow morning with all my documentation ready. The tip about Claimyr is something I'm going to bookmark too, since I've been trying to reach various county offices for weeks with no success. It's incredible how much more helpful real community experiences are compared to official websites that don't tell you what the process is actually like. Thank you all for creating such a supportive space where people can share practical advice about navigating these systems. I'll make sure to update after I go through the process in case it helps others in similar situations!
Welcome to the community Lucas! Your situation with the 30-day notice for renovations sounds really stressful, but you're absolutely right to feel hopeful after reading everyone's experiences here. That type of no-fault displacement is exactly what KEYS prevention services are designed to help with. Since you're dealing with a tight timeline, definitely emphasize the 30-day notice when you call tomorrow. From what others have shared, these urgent displacement situations often get prioritized in their assessment process. Make sure to have that notice from your landlord ready as documentation when you call. The current rental market makes situations like yours even more challenging, but it sounds like KEYS really does help people navigate exactly these kinds of housing crises. The security deposit assistance could be crucial for helping you secure a new place quickly. Good luck with your call tomorrow morning, and please do update us on how it goes! Your experience will definitely help other community members who find themselves in similar situations. This community really thrives on people sharing their real experiences with these programs.
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This is such a helpful thread! I'm new to CalFresh and had no idea about these produce incentive programs. Reading through everyone's experiences, it sounds like the key things to remember are: 1) It's extra money on top of your regular benefits, 2) Can only be used for fresh fruits/vegetables, 3) Each location works differently (farmers markets vs grocery stores), and 4) You might need to ask specifically about it since not all cashiers know about the programs. Going to check if my local farmers market participates this weekend!
Welcome to the community! You've got a great summary there. One thing I'd add - when you check with your farmers market this weekend, ask them what their current match rate is since it can change based on funding. Some do dollar-for-dollar matching up to a certain amount, others do 50% match. Also, if they participate, they'll usually have signs posted or info at their main booth. Good luck and enjoy getting those extra fresh fruits and veggies for your family!
@Keisha Robinson That s'a perfect summary! I just wanted to add that if you re'shopping at grocery stores that participate, it s'worth downloading their app or signing up for their loyalty program first - like @Sofia Price mentioned with Mother s Market.'Some stores require that step before the produce incentives will work automatically at checkout. Also, keep your receipts! It s helpful'to track how much incentive you re getting'each month since there are usually monthly limits. Hope your farmers market visit goes well!
Just wanted to add something that might help with budgeting - I've been using CalFresh for about a year now and participate in Market Match at my local farmers market. One tip I learned the hard way: the produce incentive money usually expires at the end of each visit/transaction, so you can't save it up like your regular benefits. At farmers markets, if they give you $20 in wooden tokens, you need to spend those tokens that same day or you lose them. This is different from your regular CalFresh balance which rolls over month to month. So when planning your shopping, make sure you can actually use all the bonus produce money in one trip! Also, some markets have seasonal variations - mine does higher match rates during summer when local produce is abundant. Worth asking about!
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I'm dealing with the exact same issue right now! Been trying to log into MyBenefitsCalWIN for two days straight and keep getting that 403 error. My recertification is due next Tuesday and I was starting to panic thinking I'd lose my benefits. Reading through all these comments about BenefitsCal is such a relief - I had no idea that was even an option! Going to create an account there right now. It's so frustrating that they don't properly notify people about these system changes. Like, send an email or something? We shouldn't have to find out through community forums that there's a whole new website we need to use. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences - this thread is literally a lifesaver for those of us scrambling to meet our deadlines!
I'm so glad this thread is helping people! I just went through this same nightmare last week. The BenefitsCal switch really is seamless once you know about it - took me maybe 10 minutes to get everything set up and submitted. It's honestly ridiculous that they're not sending out notices about such a major change. I only found out because my neighbor mentioned it after she had the same 403 error issues. Really hope they improve their communication because people shouldn't have to stress about losing benefits just because they switched websites without telling anyone!
I'm going through this exact same situation right now! I've been trying to access MyBenefitsCalWIN since Monday to submit my SAR7 and keep getting the 403 error. My deadline is this Friday and I was starting to seriously panic about my CalFresh benefits getting cut off. Reading through everyone's comments about BenefitsCal has been such a huge relief - I had absolutely no idea there was an alternative system available. I'm going to create my BenefitsCal account tonight and hopefully get everything submitted before the deadline. It's really incredible how many of us are dealing with this same issue and finding out about the solution through this community thread rather than any official notification. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and the BenefitsCal workaround - you're literally saving people's food assistance!
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Reading through all these responses, I just want to say how amazing this community is! Everyone has provided such detailed, actionable advice. As someone who's been through the Sacramento County assistance process myself, I'd emphasize what others have said about having multiple backup plans running simultaneously. Don't just apply to one program - submit applications to Sacramento Self-Help Housing, the Homeless Prevention Program, AND reach out to local nonprofits all at the same time. That way if one takes longer than expected, you have other options moving forward. Also, when you do talk to your landlord, consider asking if they'd be willing to do a month-to-month lease initially rather than a full year lease - sometimes landlords are more flexible on deposits and timing when they're not committing to a long-term tenant right away. You've got this! The rental market is tough but it sounds like you're being really proactive about finding solutions.
Thank you so much Mateo and everyone else who contributed to this thread! This has been incredibly helpful - I went from feeling completely overwhelmed to having a clear action plan with multiple backup options. I really appreciate the advice about applying to several programs simultaneously rather than waiting for one to work out. That makes total sense and I don't know why I didn't think of it myself. The month-to-month lease suggestion is brilliant too - that could definitely make the landlord more willing to be flexible on timing since they're not locked into a long commitment. I'm going to spend tomorrow making calls to all the different programs mentioned and gathering all my documentation. Even if this specific room doesn't work out, I feel so much more prepared to navigate the housing assistance system now. This community really is amazing - thank you all for taking the time to share your experiences and knowledge!
Hey Freya! I'm new to this community but went through something very similar in Sacramento about 6 months ago. One thing I didn't see mentioned yet is that you should also check with Sacramento County's 211 system for their "Coordinated Entry" program - it's specifically designed for people who are homeless or at immediate risk of homelessness (which includes not having secured housing). They can sometimes connect you to rapid rehousing funds that move faster than the regular programs everyone mentioned. Also, definitely document EVERYTHING with your current housing situation (where you're staying now, why you need to move, etc.) because showing you're technically homeless or in unstable housing can bump you up in priority for most assistance programs. The key phrase to use is "at imminent risk of homelessness" - that triggers faster processing in most county systems. Good luck with all the applications everyone suggested!
Welcome to the community StarStrider! That's really valuable information about the Coordinated Entry program - I hadn't heard of that one yet. The tip about using the specific phrase "at imminent risk of homelessness" is super helpful too. I'm definitely going to mention that when I call 211 and the other programs tomorrow. It sounds like being precise with the language they use in their systems could make a real difference in processing priority. I'm currently staying with a friend temporarily but it's not a long-term solution, so documenting that instability makes total sense. Thanks for adding another resource to my growing list - between all the suggestions in this thread I feel like I have a really comprehensive approach now!
Ava Garcia
This thread has been such a lifesaver! I'm a college student who just qualified for CalFresh and was completely overwhelmed trying to figure out online grocery ordering. The step-by-step troubleshooting here is better than any official help documentation I've found. I had no idea about the account settings requirement or the minimum order thresholds - those details make all the difference. What really stands out to me is how everyone shared multiple backup options instead of just focusing on one service. As someone new to all this, having Walmart, Amazon Fresh, Target/Shipt, and Instacart as alternatives gives me so much peace of mind. I'm definitely starting with a small test order this weekend using these tips. The timing advice about ordering during off-peak hours is something I never would have considered either. Thank you all for creating such a comprehensive guide - this community is amazing for actually helping people solve real problems!
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Anderson Prospero
•Welcome to the community and congrats on getting CalFresh! Being a college student and navigating all this stuff can be really overwhelming, but you're in the right place for support. Your plan to start with a small test order is perfect - that's exactly what I did when I was new to EBT online ordering. One thing I'd add that might be helpful for your situation: a lot of these delivery services offer student discounts or free trials for their delivery fees, which can really help stretch your budget since you still need to pay delivery/service fees separately from your EBT benefits. Also, if you're living in dorms or shared housing, double-check that your address accepts grocery deliveries - some campus housing has specific delivery policies. The multiple backup options really are key because college schedules can be unpredictable and you want to know you can get groceries when you need them. Feel free to ask if you run into any issues with your first order - this community is super helpful with troubleshooting!
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Lilah Brooks
•Welcome to the community! As someone who also navigated CalFresh as a college student, I totally get how overwhelming it can be at first. One additional tip that might help - if you're living near campus, check if any of the local grocery stores partner with these delivery services. Sometimes smaller chains that accept EBT in-store also work with Instacart or other platforms, and they might have better deals or less crowded systems than the big box stores. Also, keep your EBT customer service number handy in your phone - I learned that lesson the hard way when my card got temporarily locked during finals week! The community here is super supportive, so don't hesitate to post if you run into any snags with your first order.
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Liam Cortez
This thread is absolutely incredible - I wish I had found this community sooner! I've been struggling with EBT online orders for months and getting nowhere with customer service. The detailed troubleshooting steps everyone shared here are pure gold, especially the account settings tip that seems to solve most issues. What really impresses me is how supportive everyone is and how you all took the time to share what actually worked from real experience, not just copy-paste help desk responses. I'm bookmarking this thread and definitely recommending this community to other people I know who are dealing with similar EBT online ordering frustrations. Having multiple service options (Walmart, Amazon Fresh, Target/Shipt, Instacart) and backup strategies makes such a difference. This is exactly the kind of practical help that people actually need - thank you all for creating such an amazing resource!
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Zainab Ibrahim
•I'm so glad you found this thread helpful! I just discovered this community recently too and I'm amazed at how much practical, real-world knowledge everyone shares here. You're absolutely right about the quality of advice - it's such a relief to find solutions that actually work instead of generic customer service responses that don't address the specific quirks of EBT online ordering. The fact that so many people took the time to share their troubleshooting experiences and backup options really shows how supportive this community is. I've already learned more from reading through these comments than I did from hours of searching official help pages. Definitely planning to be more active here and hopefully contribute helpful info when I can. It's communities like this that make navigating these systems so much less stressful!
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