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As someone who's new to both CalFresh and this community, reading through this entire thread has been incredibly educational! I'm currently going through the application process myself and had no idea that system maintenance could cause these kinds of delays and panic situations. It's both concerning and comforting to see how this played out - concerning because it shows how vulnerable we can be when the system has issues, but comforting because of how quickly everyone here jumped in to help with practical solutions and emotional support. I'm definitely taking notes on all the preventive measures mentioned here like setting up text alerts, following their Facebook page, saving emergency food bank numbers, and knowing about services like Claimyr for when you need to reach someone urgently. Sebastian, I'm so glad your situation got resolved and your kids got fed! This community seems like such a lifeline for navigating all the challenges that come with these benefits programs.
Welcome to the community, Zara! Your comment really captures what makes this place so valuable - the combination of real-world experiences and genuine support when things go wrong. As another newcomer who's still figuring everything out, I found this thread both eye-opening and reassuring. It's amazing how Sebastian went from panic mode to relief in just a few hours thanks to everyone's help and advice. I'm also in the early stages with CalFresh and had no clue about system maintenance periods or all these backup resources people mentioned. It's definitely motivated me to be more proactive about setting up those alerts and emergency contacts before I actually need them. Thanks to everyone who shared their knowledge here - this is exactly the kind of community support that makes navigating these programs feel less overwhelming!
Wow, this whole thread has been such a rollercoaster to read! As someone who just got approved for CalFresh last week and is waiting for my first benefits to load, this situation was honestly terrifying to imagine going through - especially with kids depending on you. But I'm so amazed by how this community came together with practical solutions, emotional support, and real-time updates. Sebastian, I'm so relieved everything worked out for you and your family! Reading through everyone's advice about setting up text alerts, following the Facebook page, keeping emergency food bank numbers handy, and knowing about services like Claimyr has been like getting a crash course in CalFresh survival skills. I'm definitely going to implement all of these suggestions before my benefits even start. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and knowledge - this is exactly the kind of community support that makes navigating these systems feel less scary and isolating!
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This thread has been incredibly informative and honestly quite alarming! I've been using CalFresh for about 6 months and primarily shop at local stores in person, but I was considering trying grocery delivery services to save time. After reading everyone's experiences here, I'm definitely sticking with in-person shopping only. @Ana Rusula I'm so sorry you and your kids had to go through this ordeal, but thank you for sharing your experience and keeping us all updated. It's really helpful to see how you navigated the system and got emergency benefits while waiting for resolution. What really strikes me is how organized and knowledgeable this community is about protecting each other. The tips about: - Using the card lock feature between purchases - Daily balance checking - Filing complaints directly with CDSS - Utilizing 211 and food bank resources during investigations These are all things I never would have known without this discussion. I'm going to implement the security measures right away and research local emergency food resources just to be prepared. It's frustrating that we have to become cybersecurity experts just to buy groceries safely, but this thread proves how valuable community knowledge-sharing is. Thank you to everyone contributing resources and looking out for fellow CalFresh recipients!
@Raul Neal you re'absolutely right about this community being incredibly knowledgeable and supportive! As someone who s'also relatively new to CalFresh, this thread has been both educational and alarming. I had no idea EBT theft was this common with online shopping. The security tips everyone has shared are invaluable - I m'definitely implementing the card lock feature and daily balance checks immediately. It s'really unfortunate that we have to become so cautious just to access our food benefits safely, but threads like this show how important it is for us to share information and protect each other. @Ana Rusula thank you again for being so open about your experience - it s clearly'helping so many people avoid this situation or know how to handle it if it happens to them. I m sticking'to in-person shopping only from now on too!
This is such a comprehensive and eye-opening discussion! As someone who just started receiving CalFresh benefits last month, I had absolutely no idea that EBT theft through online grocery shopping was this widespread. I was actually planning to sign up for grocery delivery services this weekend to make shopping easier with my newborn, but after reading all these experiences, I'm definitely not taking that risk. @Ana Rusula I'm so sorry you and your family had to go through this nightmare, but thank you for sharing your story and keeping everyone updated. It's incredible how your post has created this invaluable resource thread for the community. The practical tips everyone has shared are amazing: - Enabling the card lock feature immediately after purchases - Daily balance monitoring through the EBT app - Filing complaints with both county and state CDSS - Knowing about 211 and emergency food bank resources - The importance of documenting everything I'm implementing all the security measures right away and researching local emergency food assistance just to be prepared. It's honestly shocking that we need to become cybersecurity experts just to safely buy groceries, but this thread shows the power of community knowledge sharing. Thank you to everyone who's contributed resources and advice - you're literally helping families protect their food security. Stay safe everyone, and here's hoping California fixes these security vulnerabilities soon!
@Sayid Hassan congratulations on your new baby! You re'absolutely making the right choice avoiding online grocery shopping with your EBT card right now. As a new parent, the last thing you need is the stress of dealing with stolen benefits. If you need help with shopping while caring for a newborn, maybe consider asking family/friends to help with grocery runs, or look into whether your local stores offer curbside pickup where you can pay in person with the card reader. Some stores even have personal shopping services where an employee gathers your items and you just pay at customer service. It s'such a shame that new CalFresh recipients like yourself have to worry about these security issues on top of everything else, but this thread really shows how we can all look out for each other. Wishing you and your little one all the best! @Ana Rusula thank you again for starting this crucial conversation that s helping'so many of us stay informed and safe.
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This thread has been absolutely incredible to read through! As a new community member, I'm blown away by how everyone came together to help you navigate this crisis, Alexis. The practical advice shared here - from the phone shortcuts and optimal calling times to the emergency vault vouchers and community resources - is invaluable information that you just can't find in official handbooks. I'm taking notes on everything from keeping EBT cards separate from other cards to writing down card numbers at home, calling at 8am, and knowing to ask for supervisors when requesting emergency assistance. The fact that you were able to get that emergency voucher shows how important it is to advocate for yourself and persist when facing genuine hardship. What really strikes me is how many safety nets exist in our communities - food banks, churches, libraries, community colleges, mobile pantries - but only when you know where to look and how to ask. This thread should honestly be a pinned resource for anyone new to the CalFresh system. Thank you for turning a stressful situation into a learning opportunity for all of us, and I'm so glad you got the help you needed for you and your kids!
Mateo, I completely agree! As another newcomer to this community, I've been following this entire thread and it's been such an incredible learning experience. What started as Alexis sharing a really stressful situation has turned into this amazing resource that covers everything from the technical steps of reporting stolen cards to discovering community resources I never knew existed. I'm especially grateful for all the insider tips like the phone menu shortcuts and the 8am calling strategy - those are the kinds of details that can make or break your experience when you're already stressed and dealing with a crisis. The way everyone shared not just what the official process is, but how to actually make it work in real life, is exactly what makes community support so valuable. I'm definitely saving this thread as a reference, and like you said, it really should be pinned as a resource. Alexis, thank you for being so open about your experience and for following up to let us know how things worked out - it gives hope to others who might face similar situations!
Wow, reading through this entire thread has been both heartbreaking and inspiring! Alexis, I'm so sorry you had to go through the stress of having your wallet stolen, but I'm amazed at how this community rallied around you with such practical, real-world advice. As someone completely new to both this forum and the CalFresh system, I've learned more from this single thread than from any official resource I've found. The detailed tips everyone shared - from calling exactly at 8am to asking specifically for supervisors when requesting emergency assistance - are the kinds of insider knowledge that can make all the difference during a crisis. I'm especially impressed that you were able to secure that emergency vault voucher! It gives me hope that there really are safety nets available when you know how to advocate for yourself. I'm definitely bookmarking this thread and taking notes on everything from keeping card numbers written down separately to all the community resources mentioned (food banks, churches, libraries, mobile pantries). Thank you for turning such a stressful situation into a learning opportunity for all of us - this thread should be required reading for anyone navigating the benefits system!
Keisha, you've captured exactly what makes this thread so special! As someone who just joined this community myself, I've been amazed by the depth of practical knowledge shared here. What really stands out to me is how Alexis's experience has created this comprehensive guide that covers not just the official processes, but all the unofficial tips that actually make things work - like those phone shortcuts and the importance of asking for supervisors. I'm also new to navigating these systems, and reading about resources like Little Free Pantries, community college food banks, and mobile pantries has opened my eyes to so many safety nets I never knew existed. The way everyone contributed their real experiences instead of just repeating policy information makes this thread incredibly valuable. I'm definitely saving this as a reference too, and I agree it should be pinned! It's wonderful to see how a community can turn someone's crisis into a resource that will help so many other families. Alexis, thank you for sharing your journey and showing us all how persistence and community support can make such a difference!
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This thread is SO helpful! I just joined CalFresh about 6 weeks ago and those phantom calls started last week - I was absolutely terrified that I had messed something up with my application or missed an important deadline. Getting 4 calls in one day that all immediately hang up when you answer is beyond frustrating! I had no idea this was such a widespread issue with their auto-dialer system. Reading everyone's experiences here has honestly saved my sanity. I was literally losing sleep thinking they were going to cut my benefits because they "couldn't reach me" even though THEY were hanging up on me! I'm going to set up those text notifications in BenefitsCal right now, and I love the tip about calling exactly at 8am when they open. The idea of visiting the office in person is also really smart - sometimes you just need that face-to-face confirmation that everything is okay with your case. Thank you all for sharing your tips and experiences. It's such a relief to know I'm not the only one dealing with this broken phone system!
Welcome to the community! I totally understand that panic - I went through the exact same thing when I first started getting those calls. It's such a relief when you realize it's just their broken system and not anything you did wrong, right? The text notifications in BenefitsCal are definitely a lifesaver - I wish I had known about them sooner! And don't feel bad about losing sleep over this - I think we've all been there with the DPSS stress. The good news is that once you get familiar with all these workarounds, dealing with their system becomes so much more manageable. You're definitely not alone in this - we've all got your back when it comes to navigating the DPSS chaos! 😊
Ugh, I'm so glad I found this thread! I've been getting these phantom calls from DPSS for the past two weeks and it's been driving me absolutely insane. Just like everyone else described - I see the county number, rush to answer thinking it's about something important with my benefits, and then... click. Dead silence and they hang up! The worst part is I've been spending my lunch breaks trying to call them back and sitting on hold for over an hour each time, only to never reach anyone. I was starting to think there was some major issue with my case that they desperately needed to tell me about. Thank you everyone for explaining that it's their broken auto-dialer system! I feel so much better knowing this is happening to tons of people and it's not actually urgent. I'm going to check my BenefitsCal account right now and set up those text notifications that several people mentioned. Way better than relying on this nightmare phone system! Also definitely going to try that 8am calling strategy if I ever need to actually reach someone. This community is seriously a lifesaver - I don't know how people navigate DPSS without forums like this!
Carmen Ortiz
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!
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Natalie Chen
•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!
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Diego Rojas
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!
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Miguel Castro
•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!
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