did u try calling the county yet? I know its frustrating but u really need to talk to ur worker to get this fixed. Sometimes the EBT customer service number can transfer u directly to a caseworker if u tell them its urgent!

Just wanted to add that you should also check if your county has any local CalFresh offices that might be easier to reach than the main number. Some counties have satellite offices or community partners where you can drop off documents in person. Also, when you do get through to report the utility allowance, ask them to backdate it to when you first started paying utilities separately - sometimes they can adjust your benefits retroactively for a few months if you can prove you were eligible earlier. Good luck getting through, and don't give up! The extra benefits will be worth the hassle of dealing with the phone system.

Updated

Thanks for sharing this update about the RMP program in Kern County! This is really helpful information. Could you provide more details about which specific restaurants have been added or updated? It would be great to know the locations and any changes to participating establishments so community members can take advantage of these hot meal options.

slightly off topic but does anyone know if san bernardino county has something similar? or is this just a riverside thing?

This thread is so helpful! I'm new to the area and just moved to Riverside County last month. I've been getting regular CalFresh benefits but had no idea about this supplemental program. Going to apply today through BenefitsCal. Quick question though - if I just moved here from Orange County, do I need to update my address first before applying for the Riverside County Food Support Program? Or can I apply with my current case that was transferred over?

I went through something very similar when I was pregnant with my second child! The voice system is absolutely terrible - I think it's designed to discourage people from calling. Here's what finally worked for me: 1. Try calling right at 8 AM when they open - the voice system seems to work better in the morning and there are fewer people calling 2. Make sure you're in a completely quiet room and speak very slowly and clearly when it asks for verification 3. If you have any accent or speech pattern that might confuse the system, try having someone else call on your behalf (like a partner or family member listed on your case) For your immediate situation, definitely send that secure message through BenefitsCal mentioning you're pregnant - they're required to treat pregnant women as emergency cases. Also, many counties have a "pregnant women's hotline" specifically for CalFresh issues. Try googling "[your county name] CalFresh pregnant women emergency contact." Don't give up! Your baby needs those benefits and you have every right to access them. This system is broken but there are ways around it. Sending you lots of support during this stressful time! 💪

I'm a case worker for another county's social services department, and I want to echo what others have said about pregnant women being priority cases - this is absolutely true under federal CalFresh regulations. Your situation should be resolved within 7 days maximum once they're aware you're pregnant. A few additional tips from the worker side: - When you do get through, immediately say "I am pregnant and this is an emergency case" - this triggers specific protocols - Ask for a supervisor if the first person you speak to doesn't seem to understand the urgency - Document every call attempt with date/time - if this goes on much longer, you may be entitled to back benefits from when the issue started Also, many people don't know this, but you can actually submit a complaint through the USDA if your state isn't providing adequate access to CalFresh services. It's called a "fair hearing request" and it puts pressure on the county to resolve your case quickly. The voice password system has been a disaster statewide - our county is already getting complaints to the state level about accessibility issues. You're not imagining how terrible it is! Hang in there and don't let them make you feel like you're asking for too much. This is exactly what these programs are designed for.

This entire thread has been such a learning experience! I'm relatively new to CalFresh (about 4 months in) and had absolutely no idea that system glitches like this were even a possibility. Grant, I'm so relieved you got it resolved quickly - I can only imagine how stressful that must have been seeing "discontinued" right before your pickup date! What really stands out to me is how many community members have experienced similar issues. It's both reassuring (knowing it's not something we did wrong) and concerning (that these technical problems are so widespread). The advice throughout this thread is incredible - especially about taking screenshots for evidence, calling immediately instead of waiting it out, and knowing to ask specifically about administrative restoration. I'm definitely going to start checking my account status more regularly and keeping better records of all my documentation. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and expertise - this is exactly why this community is so valuable for helping us navigate these complex systems!

This whole thread has been incredibly educational! As someone who's been on CalFresh for about 3 months now, I had no idea these system glitches were so common. Grant, I'm so relieved you got everything resolved quickly - the stress of seeing "discontinued" right before your pickup date must have been overwhelming! What really strikes me is how many people have shared similar experiences. It's both comforting to know these are system issues rather than something we did wrong, and frustrating that these technical problems seem to be increasing. The collective advice here is pure gold - taking screenshots for documentation, calling immediately instead of waiting, and knowing to specifically request administrative restoration. I'm definitely going to be more proactive about monitoring my account status now and keeping detailed records of all my communications and documents. It's unfortunate that we have to be so vigilant about system failures when we're already dealing with the stress of food insecurity, but this community support makes navigating these challenges so much easier. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences and knowledge!