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This thread has been such a goldmine of information! I just wanted to add my perspective as someone who's been on CalFresh for about 3 years now. I've actually been through TWO QC reviews (lucky me, right? 😅) and both times went smoothly. The first one was about 18 months ago and I was a nervous wreck, but the second one last month was so much easier because I knew what to expect. One thing I learned that might help others - if you're self-employed or do gig work, they're totally understanding about irregular income documentation. I drive for a food delivery app and my income varies wildly week to week. The reviewer was fine with my app earnings statements and bank deposits as proof. She even said it's pretty common nowadays with all the different ways people earn income. Also, don't be afraid to ask questions during the interview! The reviewer actually explained how my benefits are calculated, which helped me understand why my amount changes sometimes. It made the whole process feel way more transparent and less scary. You're all going to do great! 💪
Paolo, thank you so much for sharing your experience with two QC reviews! It's really reassuring to hear from someone who's been through it multiple times and can confirm that it gets easier once you know what to expect. Your point about gig work documentation is super valuable - I think a lot of people in our community do delivery driving or other app-based work, so knowing the reviewers understand irregular income patterns is huge. I love that you mentioned asking questions during the interview too! Sometimes we get so nervous that we forget these reviewers are actually there to help explain the process, not intimidate us. This whole thread has become such an amazing resource for anyone facing a QC review. Thanks for adding your perspective! 😊
Wow, this thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm new to CalFresh and had no idea these QC reviews were even a thing until I stumbled across this post. Reading everyone's real experiences has been so educational - it's amazing how different the actual process sounds compared to what you might imagine from that initial letter. I love how supportive this community is, with everyone sharing their stories to help calm each other's nerves. Emily, thank you for being brave enough to ask the question that so many of us probably wondered about but were too anxious to post. And to everyone who took the time to share their experiences - you've created such a valuable resource here! I'm definitely going to bookmark this thread just in case I ever get selected for a review. It's so reassuring to know there are real people here who've been through these processes and are willing to help newcomers navigate the system. This is exactly why online communities like this are so important! 🙏
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This thread has been absolutely invaluable! I'm in a similar situation - expecting about $4,100 from my tax refund and was completely stressed about how it might affect our CalFresh and WIC benefits. My kids depend on these programs and I was terrified we'd lose them over money that's supposed to help us. Reading through everyone's experiences has been so reassuring, especially learning about the 12-month exemption rule for tax refunds with CalFresh. I had no idea that protection existed! And knowing that WIC isn't affected at all takes a huge weight off my shoulders. The practical advice here is gold too - keeping documentation, using Claimyr for those impossible phone waits, getting verification numbers. These are the real tips you need but can never find on official websites. I'm definitely screenshotting the relevant government pages like someone suggested. Sean, thank you for having the courage to ask what we were all thinking. Sometimes it takes one person speaking up to help an entire community. This discussion is going to help so many families who are in the same boat but were too scared to ask. The support and knowledge sharing in this community is exactly what families navigating these complex systems need!
This whole discussion has been such a game-changer for me! I'm actually in almost the exact same situation as everyone else here - expecting a tax refund of around $4,500 and was absolutely panicking about losing our benefits. My two young kids rely on both CalFresh and WIC, and the thought of losing food assistance over what should be good news (getting money back) was keeping me up at night. Learning about the 12-month exemption rule for CalFresh has been incredible - I honestly had no idea that protection existed! And knowing WIC won't be affected at all is such a relief. I've been trying to research this for weeks and kept finding different answers everywhere I looked. The practical tips everyone has shared are so valuable too. I'm definitely going to keep copies of all my tax documents, and I'm already planning to try Claimyr since my county office is impossible to reach by phone. It's amazing how this community provides the real-world guidance you just can't find on official websites. Maria, you're absolutely right about Sean having the courage to ask what we were all thinking. Sometimes it just takes one person to break the ice and create space for everyone to get the help they need. This thread is going to be a resource I come back to, and I'm sure it's helping countless other families who are quietly dealing with the same fears. Thank you to everyone who shared their knowledge and experiences!
This thread has been absolutely amazing to read through! I'm in the exact same boat - expecting a tax refund of about $5,000 and was completely terrified about how it might affect our CalFresh benefits. We're a family of three and these benefits are crucial for us to put food on the table. I had been researching this for days and kept finding conflicting information online. Some sites said it counts as income, others said it doesn't, and I was getting more confused and stressed by the hour. Reading everyone's experiences here, especially learning about the 12-month exemption rule from the eligibility worker, has been such a huge relief! I also really appreciate all the practical advice - saving documentation, using Claimyr for phone calls, getting verification numbers. These are the real-world tips that make all the difference but you can never find on official websites. I'm definitely going to screenshot the official CalFresh pages about excluded resources like someone suggested. Sean, thank you so much for asking this question! It took courage to put yourself out there, but you've helped so many families who were dealing with the same anxiety. This community support is exactly what we need when trying to navigate these complicated systems while just trying to take care of our families.
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So glad you got it sorted out! This is exactly why I love this community - people actually help each other figure things out. I'm definitely bookmarking that Claimyr service for future reference. These system outages are so stressful when you're trying to feed your family and have no idea what's going on. Really wish CalFresh would send out notifications when there are known issues like this!
Totally agree! This community is amazing - everyone jumped in to help and share their experiences. I'm new here but already impressed by how supportive everyone is. The Claimyr tip was a game-changer! And you're so right about notifications - it would save so much stress and confusion if they just sent a quick text saying "hey, ATMs might not work today but card purchases should be fine." Simple communication could prevent so much panic when you're already dealing with food insecurity.
This whole thread is so helpful! I'm dealing with the same issue right now - tried to use my EBT card at an ATM this morning and it kept saying "transaction cannot be completed." Was starting to panic thinking my benefits got cut off or something. Reading through everyone's experiences here really helped me understand it's just a system issue. Going to try using it directly at the store checkout like @ea5bda5990dd suggested. It's crazy how these technical problems can cause so much stress when you're already struggling to put food on the table. Really appreciate everyone sharing their solutions!
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I'm so glad you found this community! Your situation with your mom sounds very similar to what I went through with my grandmother last year. The combination of IHSS and CalFresh can definitely work - it just requires some careful planning and documentation. One thing I want to emphasize that others have touched on: when you're preparing for the IHSS assessment, don't just focus on the physical care tasks. Memory issues are a huge part of what qualifies someone for IHSS hours. Make sure to document when your mom forgets to take medications, gets confused about meal preparation, or needs reminders for basic safety (like turning off the stove). These cognitive support needs often qualify for significant hours. Also, since you mentioned she's 68 and will be moving in with you, make sure to ask about "protective supervision" hours if her memory issues involve any safety concerns. This can add substantial hours to her approval. The financial transition might feel scary at first, but many families find that the combination of IHSS income plus potentially increased CalFresh benefits (due to larger household size) actually improves their overall stability. You're making a loving choice for your family, and there are programs designed to support exactly this kind of situation. Hang in there - it gets easier once you're in the system!
Thank you so much for mentioning the protective supervision hours! I hadn't thought about that aspect, but my mom definitely has some safety concerns with her memory issues. Just last week she left the stove on after making tea and didn't realize it for hours. She also sometimes forgets whether she's taken her arthritis medication and will either skip doses or take extra. I've been worried about her living alone for exactly these reasons. I'll make sure to document all of these incidents and bring them up during the assessment. It's really encouraging to hear that cognitive support needs can qualify for significant hours - I was mainly thinking about the physical care tasks but you're absolutely right that the memory issues are equally important for her safety and independence. This whole thread has been like a masterclass in navigating these programs together. I feel so much more prepared now than I did when I first posted!
I just want to say how amazing this community is! Reading through all these detailed responses has given me so much hope and practical guidance. When I first posted, I was honestly feeling overwhelmed and scared about how to make this work financially while giving my mom the care she needs. Everyone's real experiences and specific tips have been invaluable - from the care logging advice to understanding the timeline, from knowing about county coordinators to learning about protective supervision hours. I'm feeling much more confident about moving forward now. I'm planning to: 1. Start the IHSS application this week (before mom moves in next weekend) 2. Begin keeping a detailed care log immediately 3. Call my county about IHSS/CalFresh coordinators 4. Report the household change to CalFresh right after she moves in 5. Gather all her medical documentation for the assessment Thank you all for taking the time to share your experiences and advice. It means the world to have this kind of support from people who truly understand what this process is like. I'll update once we get further along in case it helps others in similar situations!
This is such a heartwarming thread to read! As someone new to this community, I'm amazed by how supportive and knowledgeable everyone is here. Your action plan looks really solid, and it's clear you've absorbed all the great advice shared. One small addition I'd suggest - when you're gathering your mom's medical documentation, try to get letters from her doctors that specifically mention her functional limitations and safety concerns, not just diagnoses. IHSS assessors really value medical professional opinions about what daily tasks someone struggles with. Also, don't hesitate to ask questions during every step of the process - both IHSS and CalFresh workers are generally helpful when you show you're trying to do everything properly. You're clearly a devoted son and your mom is lucky to have you advocating for her care. Wishing your family all the best as you navigate this transition together!
Justin Trejo
This entire conversation has been such a lifeline for me! I'm currently staying in my car and didn't even know this homeless assistance program existed through CalFresh. Reading Sean's journey from confusion to success gives me so much hope. The fact that he went from thinking he might lose his housing to getting his full 16 days is incredible. I'm definitely going to apply for this program tomorrow and I feel so much more prepared thanks to everyone's advice here. The tips about bringing all documentation, asking for supervisors when needed, and knowing about the February 2025 policy change to 16 days are invaluable. It's honestly shocking how much you have to advocate for yourself just to get approved benefits, but at least now I know what to expect. This community is amazing - where else can you get this kind of real-world guidance that actually helps people navigate these systems? Thank you all for sharing your experiences and creating such a helpful resource!
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StarStrider
•Justin, I'm so glad this thread could help you! Being prepared with all this knowledge is going to make such a difference when you apply tomorrow. Make sure to take screenshots or write down the key points - especially about the 16-day eligibility and having your documentation ready. It's heartening to see how Sean's experience shows that persistence really does pay off, even when the system seems stacked against you. Wishing you the best of luck with your application - please come back and update us on how it goes! This community really does have your back, and your success story could help the next person in a similar situation.
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Theodore Nelson
This thread has been absolutely incredible to read! As someone who's dealt with housing instability myself, I'm amazed at how much valuable information has been shared here. Sean's journey really shows that the system can work if you know how to navigate it properly - going from confusion about missing voucher days to successfully getting all 16 days he was entitled to. What really stands out to me is how many different strategies people have shared: calling vs going in person, using services like Claimyr when phones don't work, asking for supervisors, and most importantly, keeping detailed documentation of everything. The fact that there was a policy change in February 2025 from 14 to 16 days that some workers don't even know about is both helpful to know and really concerning. It's clear that self-advocacy is absolutely essential when dealing with these programs. Thanks to everyone who shared their real experiences - this kind of community knowledge is invaluable for people facing housing crises. Bookmarking this entire thread as a resource guide!
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Emma Thompson
•This has been such an educational thread for me too! As someone who's new to this community and just learning about these programs, it's incredible how much practical wisdom has been shared here. What really strikes me is how Sean's experience demonstrates that knowing your rights and being persistent can make the difference between staying housed and becoming homeless. The contrast between the initial discouraging responses and the ultimate success really shows why communities like this are so important - you get real advice from people who've actually navigated these systems. I'm taking notes on all the key strategies: keeping documentation, understanding the current 16-day policy, having multiple contact methods ready, and not accepting the first "no" without escalation. It's both empowering and sobering to learn how much self-advocacy is required. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences - this thread should honestly be pinned as a resource for anyone dealing with housing assistance issues!
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