Update: I FINALLY got through to someone at FTB this morning! They verified my information and are sending me a new card that should arrive in 7-10 business days. The representative said they've had a lot of mail delivery issues with these cards and were very understanding. Thanks to everyone for your advice - especially the specific phone menu options and what to ask for. That made a huge difference!

So happy to see this worked out for you! This is exactly why community support matters - when we share our experiences and knowledge, we can help each other navigate these confusing government systems. Your situation will definitely help other families who might face the same issue with delayed MCTR cards. For anyone else reading this thread, the key takeaways seem to be: call 1-800-542-9332, use the specific menu options, mention if you're on CalFresh/have kids for potential expedited processing, and don't give up! The money is rightfully yours and the FTB does have processes in place to handle these delivery issues. Hope your new card arrives quickly and helps with those grocery costs. Food prices are rough right now, especially for families on CalFresh benefits.

I've been doing Instacart and DoorDash for about 9 months while on CalFresh and I went through this exact same panic when I started! You're absolutely right that weekly reporting would be insane - don't worry, that's not what's expected. Here's my system that's worked flawlessly: I keep a tiny notebook clipped to my car visor and write down daily earnings + miles immediately after each shift (seriously, don't wait - you'll forget the details). Every Sunday I transfer everything to a simple Google Sheet on my phone. At month-end, I combine ALL my gig income and only report if it exceeds my IRT. The most important thing you can do RIGHT NOW: Email your caseworker asking for your exact Income Reporting Threshold amount and specific reporting requirements, and request they respond in writing. I've had 5 different workers give me 5 different answers over the phone, but having that email saved me when a supervisor later tried to contradict what I was originally told. For expenses, definitely get a mileage tracking app like Stride or MileIQ - the automatic logging is a lifesaver and that 58.5 cents per mile deduction is substantial! Also track everything: gas, car maintenance, phone charges, even the insulated bags you bought since they're all legitimate business expenses that lower your countable income. Pro tip for your SAR7: Create a monthly summary sheet showing "Month X: $XX DoorDash + $XX Uber = $XX total income, minus $XX expenses = $XX net income" for each month. Makes everything crystal clear for the caseworker and shows you're organized. The system wasn't designed for people like us, but with good records you can absolutely make it work! Once you establish a routine, it becomes automatic.

I've been doing gig work with Uber Eats and DoorDash for about 6 months while on CalFresh and I totally understand your stress! When I first started, I was calling the county office thinking I needed to submit documentation every single week - it was driving me crazy until I finally got the real information. Here's what actually works: You only need to report if your MONTHLY income from ALL gig apps combined goes over your Income Reporting Threshold (IRT). I keep a simple system - small notebook in my car where I write down daily earnings and mileage right after each shift, then every Sunday I update a basic spreadsheet on my phone with weekly totals. The absolute most important advice: EMAIL your caseworker asking for your exact IRT amount and reporting requirements in writing. I learned this after getting three completely different answers from three different workers over the phone. Having that email documentation saved me from confusion later when yet another worker tried to tell me something different. For expenses, definitely use a mileage tracking app like Stride - it automatically logs your driving and the 58.5 cents per mile deduction adds up incredibly fast! Also track gas, car maintenance, phone charges, even things like hand sanitizer and cleaning supplies since they're legitimate business expenses that reduce your countable income. When SAR7 time comes, create a monthly breakdown showing "Month 1: $X total income - $Y expenses = $Z net income" for each month. The caseworkers really appreciate organized documentation and it makes the process way smoother. Don't stress too much - once you get a consistent tracking routine going, it becomes automatic! The system definitely wasn't designed for gig workers, but thousands of us are managing it successfully.

I'm so glad to see this got resolved! As someone who works in social services, I can confirm that the confusion between programs is unfortunately very common. The intake process can be overwhelming and caseworkers sometimes don't have time to fully explain how different programs work together. Just want to add a few more resources that might help you and others in similar situations: - Many counties also have Coordinated Entry Systems for housing - this is a centralized way to access multiple housing programs at once - If you're working, look into In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) housing programs if you qualify - Some utility companies offer low-income discounts that can free up money for rent (CARE/FERA programs) The key thing to remember is that while CalFresh, Medi-Cal, and housing assistance are separate programs, qualifying for one often means you'll qualify for others due to similar income guidelines. Don't give up if the first agency can't help - keep trying different resources! Wishing you the best with your appointments next week. The fact that you got referred to two agencies through 211 is a really good sign that help is available in your area.

I've been following this thread and wanted to add one more resource that helped me when I was in a similar situation last year. Many food banks also have emergency financial assistance programs for rent - not just food! Places like Second Harvest Food Bank sometimes have small emergency grants (usually $200-500) that can help bridge the gap while you're waiting for larger assistance programs to process your application. Also, if you're a student or have been recently, check if your local community college has emergency assistance funds. Even if you're not currently enrolled, some schools help community members who are alumni or considering enrollment. One tip for your appointments next week: ask each agency about OTHER programs they might know about, even if they can't help you directly. Sometimes smaller local churches or community organizations have emergency funds that aren't widely advertised. The people working in social services often know about these "hidden" resources. Really hoping one of those 211 referrals works out for you! The fact that you were able to get actual appointments so quickly is promising.

Hey @Nia Thompson! Congrats on getting your CalFresh benefits approved! 🎉 That must be such a relief to finally have that card in hand. I've been using CalFresh for about 7 months now and had the exact same Costco question when I started. After reading through all the excellent advice everyone's shared here, I think the consensus is pretty clear - definitely start with regular grocery stores first to get your bearings! One thing I wanted to add that might help: check if your area has any discount grocery chains like Sharp Shopper, Bent 'n Dent, or similar stores that specialize in overstock/close-to-expiration items. I found one near me that accepts EBT and regularly has name-brand items for 30-50% off regular prices. It's like getting warehouse deals without the membership fee or bulk quantities. Also, since you mentioned wanting to stretch your benefits as far as possible, consider downloading the Ibotta app - you can earn cash back on groceries that you can then use to supplement your EBT purchases for non-food items you need. Take your time learning your shopping patterns first. The Costco membership will always be there as an option later once you know if bulk buying actually makes sense for your lifestyle. You're asking all the smart questions and you're going to do great managing your benefits! Welcome to the CalFresh community! 🛒✨

Hey Nia! Huge congratulations on getting your CalFresh benefits approved! 🎉 That's such an important milestone and you should definitely feel proud of navigating that whole process. I've been using CalFresh for about 10 months now and went through the exact same Costco question when I first got my card. Reading through all the amazing advice everyone's shared here, I think you're getting some really solid guidance about starting with regular grocery stores first. One thing I wanted to add that's been a game-changer for me - if you have any Mexican markets or carnicerias in your area, definitely check them out! They often have incredible prices on fresh produce, meat, and pantry staples like beans and rice. The one near me sells 10-pound bags of pinto beans for like $6 and their produce prices blow away the big chain stores. Plus the meat is usually really fresh and affordable. I also learned the hard way that it's worth calling stores ahead of time to confirm they accept EBT - I've had a couple awkward situations where smaller stores said they took it but their card reader was broken or they weren't actually set up properly. Take your time figuring out your shopping rhythm first. I tried to rush into bulk buying early on and ended up wasting money on food that spoiled. Now I shop weekly at 2-3 different stores depending on their sales, and it's working much better for my budget and lifestyle. You've got this! 💪

I've heard of IHSS but wasn't sure if we'd qualify. That would be amazing if I could get paid for some of the care hours. And I didn't know about expedited service - that would be incredibly helpful since we're really struggling right now. Thank you!

I'm sorry you're going through this - the system really isn't set up well for gig workers! One thing that helped me when I was doing Uber Eats was keeping a simple spreadsheet tracking my daily earnings and expenses. I'd log miles driven, gas costs, and any delivery-related expenses each day. For your son's situation, definitely look into the Dependent Care Deduction when you reapply. If you have any childcare costs related to his autism (like respite care, therapeutic services, or even babysitting so you can work), those can be deducted from your income calculation. Also, medical expenses over $35/month for your son can be deducted too. Since you're planning to quit to care for him, make sure to mention that this is due to lack of suitable childcare for his special needs - this can help establish that your income reduction is legitimate and necessary. The county should understand that caring for a child with autism is essentially a full-time job in itself. Hang in there - once you get the right worker who understands these situations, things should go much smoother.