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Just wanted to chime in as someone who's been through multiple renewals - you're absolutely right not to stress about the envelope! The case number goes on the forms inside, not the envelope itself. One thing I learned that might help others too is to write "DO NOT BEND - CALFRESH DOCUMENTS" on the envelope if you're including any photos or documents that could get damaged. Also, if you're ever unsure about timing, remember that you can submit your renewal up to 45 days before your current certification expires, so you don't have to wait until the last minute. Sounds like you handled everything perfectly though!
That's such great advice about writing "DO NOT BEND" on the envelope! I never would have thought of that but it makes total sense, especially if you're including photos of documents or anything that could get crumpled. And wow, I had no idea you could submit renewals up to 45 days early - that's actually a huge relief to know for future renewals. I tend to be a procrastinator so knowing I have that buffer time means I won't be scrambling at the last minute next year. Thanks for sharing those tips!
Just want to echo what everyone else has said - no case number needed on the envelope! I've been renewing my CalFresh for about 3 years now and have never written anything extra on the outside. The pre-addressed envelope they send is already coded for their system. One small tip I'd add is to make sure you put enough postage if the envelope feels heavy - sometimes with all the required documents it can go over the standard letter weight. I learned that the hard way when my packet got returned for insufficient postage! But sounds like you've got everything organized perfectly. The fact that you're being so thorough means you're way less likely to have any issues than most people.
Oh that's such a good point about the postage! I never even thought about that but you're totally right - with all the documents they require it could definitely go over the standard letter weight. I'll make sure to check that before I drop mine off. It would be so frustrating to have everything perfect and then have it come back just because of postage! Thanks for sharing that tip, it's exactly the kind of detail that could save someone a lot of headache.
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I'm experiencing the exact same thing! Just got my first blank eNotice this morning and immediately panicked thinking I'd missed something crucial. It's such a relief to read all these comments confirming it's just a system glitch. As someone who's been on CalFresh for about 6 months now, I've learned that the BenefitsCal system has so many random technical issues that it's honestly surprising when everything works perfectly. I'll probably still call my worker tomorrow just to double-check my case status, but knowing this is happening to everyone makes me feel way less anxious about it. Thanks for posting this question - you definitely weren't alone in wondering about this weird issue!
I'm so glad I'm not the only one dealing with this! I just joined CalFresh a few weeks ago and got my first blank eNotice yesterday. Like you, I immediately went into panic mode thinking I had already messed something up or missed a deadline. It's such a relief to see this whole thread of people confirming it's just a system bug. The BenefitsCal platform really does seem to have a lot of quirks - I've already had issues with document uploads and now this. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences, especially those who confirmed with their caseworkers that these blank notices can be safely ignored!
I just experienced this exact same issue yesterday! Got 3 blank eNotices in a row and was absolutely convinced I had somehow missed critical paperwork or that my benefits were about to be cut off. As a relatively new CalFresh recipient (been on it for about 2 months), every notification sends me into a bit of a panic because I'm still learning what's normal vs. what requires immediate attention. Reading through all these responses is incredibly reassuring - it sounds like this blank eNotice glitch is pretty widespread and nothing to worry about. I really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and confirming with their caseworkers that these can be safely ignored. The BenefitsCal system definitely has its quirks, but at least knowing this is a known technical issue rather than something I did wrong takes a huge weight off my shoulders!
I'm so relieved to find this thread! I literally just got my first blank eNotice this morning and had the exact same panic reaction - immediately thought I'd messed up my application somehow or missed something important. Being new to CalFresh (just started last month), every notification makes me nervous because I'm still figuring out what's normal. It's such a comfort to read that this is happening to so many people and that it's just a system glitch. Thank you to everyone who took the time to call their caseworkers and share the confirmation that these blank notices can be ignored - that really helps ease the anxiety for those of us who are still learning the ropes with this whole system!
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I'm dealing with something similar right now! My ex gets mail at my place for our daughter's school stuff and now they're saying he's part of my household even though he lives 20 minutes away with his girlfriend. The frustrating part is I reported him as the father on my application but clearly stated he doesn't live with us. It feels like they're just looking for reasons to claw back benefits. I'm definitely going to file an appeal after reading all this advice. Has anyone had success showing that co-parenting arrangements don't equal living together? I have our custody agreement that shows we have separate addresses.
Your custody agreement should be really strong evidence! That's exactly the kind of documentation that proves separate households. The fact that you already reported him as the father but specified he doesn't live with you shows you were being transparent from the start. Co-parenting definitely doesn't equal cohabitation - courts wouldn't issue custody agreements with separate addresses if parents lived together! Make sure to include any other evidence of his separate residence like his lease with his girlfriend, and maybe even get a statement from the school confirming they know he has a different address but uses yours for convenience. The county really shouldn't be penalizing people for responsible co-parenting arrangements.
Yes! I had a very similar situation and the custody agreement was key to winning my appeal. I also included documentation showing his separate utility bills and bank statements with his actual address. The hearing officer specifically asked about our parenting plan and when I showed the court-ordered custody schedule with different pickup/dropoff addresses, it was clear we maintained separate households. One tip - if you have any text messages or emails between you two that reference "your place" and "my place" or discuss meeting up (rather than him just being there), those can help show you're coordinating between two separate homes. The school mail thing is super common for divorced parents and shouldn't count against you at all.
I'm going through something really similar right now and this thread is so helpful! My situation is a bit different - my kids' dad doesn't even get mail here, but the county is saying he's part of my household because he has a key to pick up the kids when I'm at work (I'm a nurse and work weird hours). They're claiming that having a key means he "has access to food preparation areas" so he should be counted. It's ridiculous because he literally just comes in, grabs the kids' backpacks, and leaves. He has his own apartment across town with his own lease and everything. Now they want $2,100 back and I'm panicking. Reading about everyone's appeals is giving me hope though. Has anyone dealt with the "access to kitchen" argument before? I feel like by that logic, babysitters and relatives would all count as household members too. Definitely filing my appeal this week!
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Just wanted to share another option that might help - I've been using Verizon's Lifeline program combined with their home internet service for about 4 months now. It's $20/month after the ACP discount (was $50 before), and the speed has been really consistent even during peak hours. The setup was pretty straightforward - I applied online and they accepted my CalFresh documentation without any issues. One thing I really like is that Verizon's customer service for their discount programs is actually helpful (unlike some horror stories I've heard about other providers). They also sent me a text reminder when my ACP recertification was coming up, which saved me from potentially losing the discount. The downside is that Verizon isn't available in all areas, so you'd need to check coverage first. But if it's available in your zip code, it might be worth comparing to the other options mentioned here. I switched from a similar AT&T price increase situation and haven't looked back!
Thanks for sharing the Verizon option! I hadn't considered them since I always thought they were more expensive. $20/month is still reasonable and the consistent speeds during peak hours sound really appealing. I'm going to check if they have coverage in my area - that customer service reminder about ACP recertification is actually a huge plus since I'm terrible at keeping track of those kinds of deadlines. Did you have to sign any kind of contract with Verizon or is it month-to-month like some of the other discount programs?
I'm also dealing with AT&T's ridiculous price increase! Went from $10 to $30 just like you - it's honestly outrageous when our CalFresh benefits stay the same. I'm a single mom with three kids and that extra $20/month is money I don't have. I've been researching options and from everything I'm reading here, Xfinity Internet Essentials seems like the best deal. Free with ACP discount and no credit check is exactly what I need. I'm planning to make the switch this weekend. One tip I learned from my caseworker - when you apply for these programs, always ask them to email you confirmation of your application and approval. That way if there are any issues later, you have documentation. I learned this the hard way with a different benefit program where they "lost" my paperwork. Thanks for posting this - it's so helpful to see real experiences from other CalFresh families instead of just the company websites that don't tell you the whole story!
@cfa2ab97573f That's such a smart tip about getting email confirmation! I never would have thought of that but it makes total sense after hearing about all the "lost paperwork" issues people have had with these programs. I'm definitely going to ask for that when I apply. It's so frustrating that we have to deal with AT&T's price gouging on top of everything else - like you said, our benefits don't magically increase to match their greed! Hope your switch to Xfinity goes smoothly this weekend. Let us know how it works out!
Amara Oluwaseyi
This thread has been absolutely invaluable! I've been on CalFresh for about 6 months and thought I understood the system, but clearly I didn't know about the most important distinction - EBT customer service vs county offices. I've been lucky not to have issues yet, but now I feel so much more prepared if something does come up. The SAR7 deadline reminders are such a smart idea - I'm setting those up immediately. It's honestly shocking that missing one form can cause such a dramatic benefit reduction without proper notice. And the tip about keeping photos of all submitted documents is brilliant - I never thought about protecting myself that way but it makes total sense given how often paperwork seems to get "lost" in the system. What strikes me most about this whole thread is how much vital information we're having to crowdsource from each other instead of getting it from official sources. The fact that @bb0ad1cb2c9e had to go through days of frustration before finding the right path is unacceptable - this basic navigation info should be provided upfront to every CalFresh recipient. Thank you to everyone who shared their hard-won knowledge here. You're literally helping families avoid going without food while trying to navigate bureaucratic confusion. This is what real community support looks like!
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Ella rollingthunder87
•This entire thread has been such an incredible resource! As someone who just started receiving CalFresh benefits last month, I had no idea about any of these crucial distinctions. Reading through everyone's experiences has been both educational and honestly a bit scary - knowing how easy it is to get stuck in the wrong phone system or miss important deadlines that can suddenly cut your benefits. I'm immediately going to set up those SAR7 calendar reminders and bookmark my county office number. The tip about taking photos of submitted documents is genius - I never would have thought to protect myself that way. It's really disheartening that we have to learn these survival strategies from each other instead of getting clear guidance when we first enroll. Thank you @bb0ad1cb2c9e for sharing your successful resolution and to everyone else who contributed practical solutions. This community knowledge-sharing is what actually helps families navigate these challenging systems and avoid going without food while trying to get basic questions answered. I feel so much more prepared now thanks to all of you!
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Isabella Ferreira
This thread has been such a lifeline for understanding how CalFresh actually works! I'm a working parent who just got approved for benefits a few weeks ago, and honestly the whole system felt overwhelming and confusing. Reading through everyone's experiences here has taught me more about navigating CalFresh than any of the official materials I received. The distinction between EBT customer service (card issues only) vs county offices (benefit questions) is HUGE and should be plastered everywhere in bold letters! I can't believe how many people get stuck calling the wrong number for weeks. I'm definitely saving my county office number in my phone right now. The SAR7 deadline reminder idea is brilliant - I'm setting those up immediately along with calendar alerts for my recertification dates. It's terrifying to think that missing one form could cause benefits to suddenly drop without proper warning, especially when you're already struggling to make ends meet. @bb0ad1cb2c9e thank you so much for updating us with your successful resolution! It gives hope to everyone dealing with similar issues. And thanks to everyone who shared practical tips and workarounds - this community knowledge is what actually helps families get through these bureaucratic challenges when the official system fails us. I'm bookmarking this entire thread as my unofficial "CalFresh survival guide"!
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