California CalFresh

Oof, been there done that. It's a pain to get back on track but don't give up! Once you get through to someone, ask about expedited benefits if you're in a tough spot. Hang in there! 💪

Check if your county has a CalFresh hotline or chat feature on their website - sometimes those are faster than the main phone line. Also, when you do get through, ask them to note in your case that you never received the SAR 7 notice. Some counties have policies for "good cause" exceptions when notifications aren't received. Don't let them brush you off - you have rights as a recipient!

I'm glad you're getting some good suggestions here. One last thing to know is that even if it takes time to get the additional cards, P-EBT benefits are retroactive to the eligibility date. So when your children's cards do arrive, they should have the full benefit amount they're entitled to, including for the months you were waiting. Don't worry about losing benefits during this resolution period.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now! My daughter got her P-EBT card last month but my son who's in the same grade at the same school still hasn't received his. I called our school's main office and they transferred me to the district's food services coordinator who was actually really helpful. She explained that sometimes there are delays when kids have different spellings of their names in different systems (like if the school uses "Michael" but the state records show "Mike"). She was able to verify both my kids were on the submitted list and gave me a reference number to use when I contact the county office. Definitely try the district food services department - they seem to know way more about the P-EBT process than individual school secretaries!

I'm dealing with something similar right now - been waiting since February for my recertification to go through. One thing that helped me was calling the CalFresh hotline at 1-877-847-3663 instead of my county office directly. They can sometimes see what's happening with your case and even contact the county on your behalf. Also, if you're really desperate for food assistance while waiting, check if your area has any emergency food programs through 211 (just dial 2-1-1). Some churches and community centers also have food pantries that don't require applications. Hang in there - the system is frustrating but you're not alone in this struggle!

I'm so sorry you're going through this - the 3+ month wait is absolutely unacceptable when families are struggling to put food on the table. Based on all the helpful suggestions here, it sounds like you've identified some key issues to address. I went through a similar nightmare last year and what finally worked was a combination approach: I used that Claimyr service to actually get through to a real person, AND I filed a complaint with my county supervisor's office at the same time. The supervisor's office seemed to light a fire under someone because my case got resolved within a week after months of delays. Also, definitely check if your county has a "Client Advocate" or "Ombudsman" - some counties have these positions specifically to help with cases that are stuck in the system. You can usually find this info on your county's social services website. Don't give up! You deserve these benefits and the system failing you is not your fault. Keep us posted on your progress!

btw if u ever need emergency food before ur benefits come the food banks dont ask questions. saved me last month when my car broke down and i had to use grocery $$ for repairs

Welcome to CalFresh! 🎉 Just want to add that you can also check your balance anytime by calling the number on the back of your EBT card or going to www.ebt.ca.gov - super helpful when you're at the store and not sure how much you have left. Also, don't stress if your first deposit seems to take forever - I remember checking my card like 50 times on my first deposit day lol. The anticipation is real! You've got this! 💪

Just wanted to add that if you're planning to visit multiple attractions, it's worth checking out the California State Parks system too! Many state parks offer discounted day-use fees for EBT cardholders - I think it's around $3 per vehicle instead of the usual $10-15. Places like Millerton Lake and Roeding Park near Fresno participate. It's a different program from Museums for All but another great way to stretch your budget for family outings. You still need to show your EBT card and ID, same as the zoo discount.

Can i still recieve the ebt/snap discount if i go on a sunday ?