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As someone who recently moved from Sacramento County to Oregon, I can share my experience! The process was actually more straightforward than I expected once I understood the steps. I reported my move through BenefitsCal about 10 days before leaving (as others mentioned, this is required), and my CA benefits ended at the end of that month. Oregon's application process was surprisingly efficient - I applied online the day after I arrived and got approved within 2 weeks. One thing that really helped was calling Oregon's SNAP office before I moved to ask about their specific documentation requirements. They emailed me a checklist of what I'd need, which made the application much smoother. Also, Oregon has different deductions and income calculations than California, so even with the same income, my benefit amount changed slightly. I'd recommend checking your new state's SNAP website for their benefit calculator and eligibility requirements before you move - it really helped me set realistic expectations and budget for the transition period. The 2-week gap between benefits was manageable since I planned ahead. Good luck with your move!
This is exactly what I needed to hear! Thank you so much for sharing your Oregon experience - it's really encouraging to know the process went smoothly for you. I love the idea of calling the new state's SNAP office before moving to get their documentation checklist. That's such a proactive approach that I hadn't considered, and it sounds like it made a huge difference in how prepared you were. It's also reassuring to hear that Oregon's online application was efficient and you got approved in just 2 weeks. I'll definitely check out the benefit calculator for my new state too - seems like that's been a common recommendation throughout this thread and really helps with planning. Thanks again for all the practical tips!
This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm in a similar situation planning to move from the Bay Area to Florida in a few months for work. Reading everyone's experiences has really clarified the process for me. A couple of things I wanted to add based on my research: 1. Florida has a pretty good online SNAP application system called ACCESS Florida that lets you upload documents directly, which seems more convenient than some other states 2. I found out that Florida also has different asset limits than California - they don't count your car's value toward the asset limit, which is nice 3. One thing I'm planning to do is save up enough grocery money to cover about 3-4 weeks during the transition, just to be safe in case there are any delays Has anyone here specifically moved to Florida and dealt with their SNAP system? I'd love to hear about the processing times and any specific documentation they required that might be different from what California asks for. Also wondering if anyone knows whether Florida allows you to have an interview by phone if you're just moving to the state - that would be really helpful for timing everything!
I haven't moved to Florida specifically, but your research sounds really thorough! The ACCESS Florida system sounds much more user-friendly than California's - being able to upload documents directly online would definitely streamline things. It's smart that you're planning to save 3-4 weeks worth of grocery money for the transition. That seems like a good buffer given what everyone else has shared about typical processing times. I'm curious about the asset limits too - not counting car value is definitely more generous than some states. Even though I can't answer your Florida-specific questions, I'd suggest calling their SNAP office like @c7b7be898372 did with Oregon - they were really helpful in providing a documentation checklist ahead of time. Phone interviews are pretty common for SNAP in most states now, especially post-COVID, so Florida likely offers that option. Good luck with your move!
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This thread has been such an eye-opener! I've been a CalFresh recipient for about 6 months and literally had no clue about any of these features. When I first got my card, the county worker basically just said "your card will arrive in 7-10 days" and handed me a basic pamphlet about what foods I could buy. No mention of the mobile app, freeze features, PIN changes, or any of these security options that could actually protect our benefits! I'm downloading the app right now and setting up all those alerts everyone mentioned. It's honestly ridiculous that we have to stumble across this information by chance instead of being properly educated about our own benefits. This community is providing better support and information than the actual system! Thank you Joshua for sharing this and everyone else for adding such valuable tips - you've probably saved a lot of us from future headaches and stress.
Absolutely agree with everything you said! I'm actually a new recipient (just got approved two weeks ago) and this thread has taught me more about my EBT card than the entire application process did. My worker literally just said "you'll get a card in the mail, use it like a debit card" and that was it - no mention of any of these incredibly useful features! I'm shocked that there's a whole mobile app with alerts and account management tools that nobody told me about. It feels like we're all having to become EBT experts through trial and error instead of being properly informed from the start. I'm grateful for communities like this where we can share knowledge and help each other navigate the system. Going to spend some time this weekend exploring all these features everyone has mentioned - thanks to everyone for turning this into such an informative discussion!
This thread is absolutely amazing! I've been on CalFresh for almost 2 years and I'm honestly embarrassed that I didn't know about any of these features. The freeze option alone would have saved me so much stress - just last month I thought I lost my card at the grocery store and spent the whole night panicking about whether to cancel it or not. Turns out it had fallen behind my car seat, but I could have just frozen it temporarily while I searched! I'm definitely downloading the app tonight and exploring all these features everyone has mentioned. It's really sad that we have to learn about these essential tools through community discussions instead of proper orientation from the county. This thread should seriously be required reading for all new CalFresh recipients - you all have provided more useful information in one conversation than I've gotten from the system in two years. Thank you Joshua for starting this and everyone else for sharing your experiences and knowledge!
Your situation with the card falling behind the car seat is exactly what happened to me that started this whole conversation! It's such a relief to know there are others who've been through the same panic. I think what bothers me most is that these aren't just "nice to have" features - they're genuinely important security and management tools that could prevent real hardship for people who depend on these benefits. The fact that we're all discovering them by accident or through community sharing really highlights a gap in how the program communicates with recipients. I'm glad this thread has been helpful for so many people - it's turned into exactly the kind of resource I wish I'd had when I first got my card!
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Just wanted to add that if you're still within your first month after approval, don't panic if your benefits don't show up on your expected day! Like Lucas mentioned, the first month can be irregular. I got my first benefits about 5 days after approval, then it switched to my regular schedule (the 6th) the following month. Also, benefits are usually loaded early in the morning - like between 12 AM and 6 AM - so check your balance first thing when you wake up on your day. The ConnectEBT app that others mentioned is super helpful for tracking this stuff!
This is so helpful! I'm actually still in my first month (just got approved last week) so this explains why I haven't seen anything yet. I was starting to worry something went wrong with my application. Good to know about the early morning timing too - I'll make sure to check first thing when I wake up. Thanks for mentioning the ConnectEBT app again, I downloaded it earlier and it's already been super useful for understanding everything!
Just a heads up for anyone reading this - if you move counties while on CalFresh, your case number might change and therefore your benefit date could change too! I moved from LA County to San Diego County last year and had to transfer my case. My old case number ended in 4 so I got benefits on the 4th, but my new case number ends in 1 so now I get them on the 2nd. It was actually kind of nice getting them earlier in the month, but definitely caught me off guard the first time! Make sure to ask about this if you're planning to move.
That's really good to know about moving between counties! I'm actually thinking about relocating in a few months so this is super helpful information. Did you have to restart the whole application process when you moved or was it more like a transfer? And how long did it take for the new case number to get assigned? I'd hate to have a gap in benefits during the transition.
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I'm new to this community and this thread has been absolutely invaluable! I'm also in San Bernardino County and had a very similar experience - my CalFresh worker mentioned KEYS during my recertification but was rushing through so many things that I didn't really understand what it was. Reading everyone's detailed experiences has been so much more helpful than anything I could find online. I'm currently dealing with a rent increase that's pushing me toward potential eviction, and I was genuinely scared that applying for housing assistance might somehow affect my food benefits. It's such a relief to hear from multiple people that KEYS and CalFresh are completely separate. The practical tips about calling early in the morning, having all documentation ready, and being persistent have given me a real action plan. I'm also going to try that Claimyr service if I can't get through - the video link someone shared was really helpful for understanding how it works. What strikes me most is how supportive everyone has been in sharing both their successes and frustrations with the system. It's clear that while KEYS isn't perfect and can be hard to navigate, it really has helped people in situations similar to mine. Thank you all for creating such a helpful resource for those of us trying to figure out these complex programs!
Welcome to the community Eve! I'm so glad this thread has been helpful for you too. Your situation with the rent increase pushing you toward potential eviction sounds really stressful, but you're absolutely right to feel encouraged after reading everyone's experiences here. It's totally understandable that you didn't fully grasp what KEYS was during your CalFresh recertification - those appointments can be so overwhelming with all the information they go through. The important thing is that you're taking action now that you understand what resources are available. Your rent increase situation is exactly what KEYS prevention services are designed to address. When you call, definitely emphasize the timeline and risk of eviction - from what others have shared, these urgent situations often get prioritized in their assessment process. I love how this community has become such a practical resource for navigating these systems. The combination of real experiences, specific tips, and emotional support makes such a difference when you're dealing with housing instability. Good luck with your call to KEYS, and please don't hesitate to update us on how it goes. Your experience will definitely help other community members who are facing similar challenges. We're all rooting for you!
I'm also new to this community and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm in San Bernardino County as well and facing a similar situation - my landlord is raising my rent by $400/month starting in February and I'm really struggling to figure out how to afford it even with my CalFresh benefits helping with groceries. Reading through everyone's experiences with KEYS has given me so much hope. I had no idea these prevention services existed, and learning that applying won't affect my CalFresh benefits is such a huge relief. I was really worried that getting help in one area might hurt me in another. The practical advice about calling early, having documentation ready, and using Claimyr if needed is exactly what I needed. I'm going to call KEYS tomorrow morning with my lease and rent increase notice ready. What really stands out to me is how this community shares real, honest experiences - both the successes and the frustrations. It makes navigating these systems feel so much less overwhelming when you know what to actually expect. Thank you all for creating such a supportive space!
Aaliyah Jackson
I'm so sorry this happened to you! EBT theft is becoming a huge problem and it's absolutely devastating when you're relying on those benefits to feed your family. A few things that might help while you're waiting for reimbursement: - Contact your county eligibility worker directly (not just the EBT fraud line) and emphasize that you have children - this should qualify you for expedited processing under the new 2025 regulations - Submit your affidavit electronically through the BenefitsCal app if possible - it's much faster than mailing - Call 211 for immediate food assistance resources in your area - Many food pantries don't require appointments and can help bridge the gap For future protection, I've started checking my EBT balance every single day and I use the card lock feature in the ebtEDGE app whenever I'm not actively shopping. Also be extra careful at gas stations - they seem to be hotspots for skimmers. The wait is terrible but most people in this thread got their money back within 2 weeks, and with the new expedited rules for families it should hopefully be faster. Stay on top of them with follow-up calls every few days. You shouldn't have to suffer because of these criminals!
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Cameron Black
•Thank you so much Aaliyah! I really appreciate all the helpful advice. I'm definitely going to call my county worker directly tomorrow and make sure to mention the expedited processing for families with children. I had no idea about the card lock feature in the ebtEDGE app - that's brilliant! I'm downloading it right now. It's comforting to hear that most people got their money back within 2 weeks. I'm trying to stay positive but it's just so stressful when you have kids depending on you. Thanks for the reminder to check my balance daily going forward - I definitely learned that lesson the hard way!
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Myles Regis
I'm so sorry this happened to you! EBT theft is unfortunately becoming way too common and it's devastating when you're counting on those benefits to feed your family. I went through this exact same situation about 8 months ago - had $520 stolen overnight and was completely panicked. Here's what I learned that might help you: 1. Call your county eligibility worker directly (not just the EBT fraud line) - their number should be on your last CalFresh notice. Tell them you have children and request expedited processing under the new 2025 theft protection laws. 2. Submit your affidavit through the BenefitsCal app instead of mailing it - it's much faster and you get confirmation it was received. 3. Follow up every 2-3 days. Be polite but persistent. Document who you spoke with and when. For immediate help while you wait: - Call 211 for local food banks and emergency assistance - Many churches and community centers do emergency food boxes regardless of membership - Ask your kids' schools about weekend food programs I got my benefits back in 10 business days, which was way better than the horror stories I'd heard. The new expedited rules for families with children really do help if you know to ask for them. Stay strong - I know it feels impossible right now but you WILL get through this. The community here has great advice and you're not alone in dealing with this nightmare!
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CosmicCrusader
•Thank you so much Myles! This is exactly the kind of detailed, practical advice I needed to hear. I'm feeling a bit more hopeful knowing that you got your benefits back in 10 days. I'm definitely going to call my county worker first thing tomorrow morning and specifically ask about the expedited processing for families. I had no idea about submitting through the BenefitsCal app instead of mailing - that alone could probably save me several days. I really appreciate you sharing your experience and reminding me that I'm not alone in this. It's scary how common this is becoming, but it's reassuring to know there are people who've been through it and come out the other side. I'll make sure to stay persistent with the follow-ups!
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