Update us after you get through to them! I'm curious if they'll fix it right away or give you the runaround. In my experience they usually fix it when you have proof, but sometimes they make you jump through so many hoops first.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this - it's absolutely infuriating when the system fails like this! I went through something similar a few months ago and here's what worked for me: when you call, ask to speak to a supervisor right away if the first person can't help. Also, screenshot EVERYTHING from your BenefitsCal account - the confirmation page, your submission history, any emails you received. Sometimes the county workers can see more details in their system if you give them the exact date and time you submitted. And don't let them tell you that you have to reapply - this is 100% their error and they should restore your benefits immediately. You might also want to file a complaint with the state while you're dealing with this so there's a paper trail. Hang in there!

Hey everyone! I'm pretty new to this community but had to jump in because I just went through this exact same nightmare last month. The ebtEDGE app completely locked me out for almost a week - kept saying my password was invalid even after multiple resets. Turns out it was a known issue they were having with their authentication system. The phone system saved my life! @Connor Gallagher you made the right call using the automated line. One thing I learned though - if you're planning to freeze/unfreeze multiple times like you did, it might help to write down the exact menu prompts the first time through. The system sometimes changes the order of options and it can be confusing when you're stressed about needing food for the kids. Also wanted to echo what @Oliver Schulz said about getting a replacement card - definitely the safest move when you're not sure about security. I requested mine through BenefitsCal online and it arrived in about 4 business days. Much faster than I expected! Hope everything worked out with your grocery run tonight!

This thread is so helpful! I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - my ebtEDGE app has been completely unusable for the past three days. Every time I try to log in, it either crashes or tells me my credentials are wrong (they're not!). I was starting to panic because I thought I'd have to go all the way to the county office just to check my balance or manage my card. Reading about the phone system option is a game-changer! I had no idea you could freeze/unfreeze through the automated line. @Paolo Longo your step-by-step breakdown was incredibly helpful - knowing I need my full card number, PIN, and zip code ready makes me feel prepared to try this. And @Natasha Orlova thanks for mentioning the scheduled maintenance - that probably explains why so many of us are having issues right now! One quick question for anyone who's used the phone system recently: does the automated system also let you check your current balance, or is that something you'd need to speak to a person for? Would love to avoid the long wait times if possible but definitely need to know how much I have available before grocery shopping. Thanks to everyone for sharing your experiences - it's so reassuring to know I'm not the only one struggling with this app!

This thread is absolutely incredible! As someone who's been on CalFresh for about a year now, I wish I had known about these strategies earlier. The 8:02 am timing trick is brilliant - I've been calling at 8:00 sharp like everyone else and always getting stuck in those endless queues. The logic makes perfect sense though - there's that initial rush right at opening time, then a brief window before it gets backed up again. I'm also fascinated by the menu navigation hacks, especially the tip about choosing "report a change" instead of "speak to a representative" to potentially get into a less congested queue. These are the kinds of insider tricks you'll never find on any official website but can save you hours of frustration. The county worker's insight about Wednesday 2-4pm being the lowest call volume window is gold - it's so helpful to get that behind-the-scenes perspective on when their systems are actually manageable. Andre, I'm so glad you got your issue resolved! Mix-ups like that with employment status seem to happen more often than they should. It really shows why it's worth persisting through the phone system hell to actually speak with a human. This is exactly the kind of peer-to-peer knowledge sharing that makes dealing with these bureaucratic systems actually possible. Thanks to everyone for turning what started as a frustrated post into such an amazing resource! 🙏

This thread is absolutely incredible - I'm bookmarking it immediately! I've been struggling with CalFresh for about 6 months now and had no idea there were these strategic timing approaches. The 8:02 am trick is pure genius - I've been calling right at 8:00 am like everyone else and always getting stuck in those brutal hold times. The logic makes perfect sense though - there's that initial wave of callers at opening, then a brief window before it gets completely backed up. I'm also amazed by all the menu navigation hacks people have discovered, especially using "report a change" instead of "speak to a representative" to potentially access different queue systems. These are exactly the kinds of insider tricks that can save hours of frustration but you'd never find them on any official website. The county worker's insight about Wednesday 2-4pm having the lowest call volumes is invaluable - it's so helpful to get that behind-the-scenes perspective on when the system is actually manageable. And I had no idea some counties have apps or that you could call neighboring county offices for transfers! Andre, so glad you got your issue resolved! That employment status mix-up is exactly the kind of error that shows why it's worth fighting through the phone system to actually speak with someone. This is exactly the kind of community knowledge sharing that makes navigating these impossible bureaucratic systems actually possible. Thanks to everyone for turning what started as a frustrated vent into such an amazing resource of practical strategies! 🙏

I'm having the exact same problem! Been trying to log into BenefitsCal since Thursday and keep getting either error messages or the site just freezes completely. My recertification is due next week and I was starting to panic until I saw this thread. Thank you everyone for sharing all these helpful solutions! I'm going to try the mobile app first thing tomorrow morning around 5:30am based on what several people have said about early hours working better. I also didn't know about being able to email documents directly to the county or request a telephonic signature - those are great backup options to know about. It's such a relief to hear about the automatic 10-day extension too! I've been screenshotting all my error messages but will make sure to add timestamps like people suggested. Really appreciate this community for sharing experiences and solutions - makes me feel so much less alone in dealing with this frustrating situation!

I just wanted to jump in here as someone who went through this exact same nightmare last month! The BenefitsCal login issues are so frustrating and stressful when you're up against a deadline. Reading through all these responses, it looks like everyone has shared some really solid advice. I had success with the early morning approach too - logged in around 5am and was able to complete everything through the mobile app. One thing I didn't see mentioned yet is that if you have two-factor authentication set up on your BenefitsCal account, try temporarily disabling it and then re-enabling it after you get logged in. Sometimes the authentication texts get delayed or don't come through at all when the system is overloaded, which can make it seem like your password is wrong when it's actually just the 2FA timing out. Also, if you're still having trouble after trying all these great suggestions, your local food bank or community resource center might be able to help you access their computers or even assist with the submission process. Many of them are familiar with BenefitsCal issues and have helped other clients get through similar situations. Hang in there - with the 10-day extension and all these workarounds, you'll definitely get your recertification submitted!

The WHOLE SYSTEM is broken!!! My neighbor had hers stolen THREE times and the third time they basically accused her of lying and denied the claim. She had to get legal aid involved to get her money back. DOCUMENT EVERYTHING and don't let them push you around!!

This is such a widespread problem and I'm so sorry you're dealing with this again! I work with families navigating benefits and here are some additional steps that might help: 1. When you call to report, specifically ask to speak with a "Benefits Security Specialist" - they handle theft cases and know the process better than regular intake workers 2. Request they put a "fraud alert" on your account immediately while processing your claim 3. Ask for written confirmation of your claim number and expected processing timeline 4. If you have a smartphone, take photos of any ATM before using it - this can serve as evidence that you weren't at suspicious locations Also, California has a new pilot program starting this year that provides immediate emergency food assistance (up to $200) while theft claims are being processed. Ask specifically about "Emergency Food Assistance for Theft Victims" when you call. The suspicious attitude from workers is unfortunately common, but remember - you have legal rights here. Don't let them make you feel like you're doing anything wrong. Keep pushing and document every interaction!