California CalFresh
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- DO answer questions and support each other.
- DO post tips & tricks to help folks.
- DO NOT post call problems here - there is a support tab at the top for that :)
Will one-time rental assistance affect my CalFresh benefits or count as income?
I'm currently receiving CalFresh benefits and General Assistance (GA), and my apartment building just had a fire last week. Red Cross gave me some emergency assistance, but I need to apply for this rental assistance program through a local non-profit to help me get into a new place. The program would pay my security deposit ($1,800) and first month's rent ($2,250) directly to the landlord. I'm worried this might count as income and mess up my CalFresh or GA benefits when I report on my next SAR7. Has anyone dealt with this before? Do I need to report this as income even though it goes straight to the landlord? My benefits are already pretty tight and I can't afford any reduction.
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EBT deposit tomorrow but confused about PIN change requirements for CalFresh
I'm supposed to get my CalFresh benefits loaded onto my EBT card tomorrow (the 10th), but I keep hearing different things about PIN changes. My neighbor said we're required to change our EBT PINs every 3 months now for security reasons, but I can't find anything official about this. I've had the same PIN for over a year. Will my deposit still go through tomorrow if I haven't changed my PIN? I really can't afford any delays this month with my rent increase. The last time I called the EBT customer service line, I was on hold for 2 hours and got disconnected!
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Thanks everyone for your help! My benefits did load today and my regular PIN worked perfectly fine. Such a relief! I'm going to let my neighbor know too so she doesn't keep spreading wrong information. I appreciate all of you taking the time to clear this up for me.
So glad everything worked out for you! It's really frustrating how these false rumors spread and cause so much unnecessary anxiety, especially when people are already stressed about making ends meet. You did the right thing asking here - this community is great for getting accurate information. Maybe we should pin a post about common CalFresh myths to help prevent this kind of confusion in the future?
New EBT 4.0 card not reloaded with CalFresh benefits - how long to wait?
Just got my new EBT 4.0 card in the mail last week. I activated it immediately but my monthly CalFresh benefits ($425) haven't been loaded yet. It's been 5 days now and I'm starting to worry. My old card expired and they automatically sent this new one, but I thought the benefits would transfer right away? Anyone else deal with this? How long did you have to wait for your new card to get loaded with your benefits? I have 2 kids and we're running low on groceries so I'm getting nervous.
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Update us on what happens! The EBT 4.0 rollout has been a mess in many counties. One important thing to know: if they do have to issue emergency benefits because of their error, make sure they give you the full month's amount. Some workers try to prorate it based on the days left in the month, but if it's their system error, you're entitled to the full month's benefits retroactive to your normal issuance date.
That's really good to know, thank you! I'll definitely ask for the full month's benefits since this wasn't my error. Will update tomorrow after I call.
UPDATE: Finally got this resolved! I called this morning using the Claimyr service someone recommended, and it actually worked - got through to a real person in about 20 minutes. The worker said there was a 'card synchronization error' that affected several people who got new 4.0 cards. She had to get supervisor approval, but they were able to transfer my full benefits while I was on the phone. Just checked my balance and it's all there! For anyone else having this issue, definitely call and specifically mention it's a '4.0 card synchronization error' - apparently that helps them know exactly what to do.
thx for updating!! good to kno what words to use when calling. gonna tell my cousin who just got her new card too
So happy you got your benefits! I'm dealing with the same issue right now - got my new 4.0 card 4 days ago and still waiting. Definitely going to try that Claimyr service and use the exact phrase "card synchronization error" when I call. Thanks for sharing the solution!
When will CalFresh Summer EBT cards for kids be loaded? Last names starting with R
I just found out my 4 daughters are eligible for the Summer EBT program (Sun Bucks cards) for 2025. The letter I got says their cards should arrive soon since their last name starts with R. I'm confused though - when the cards arrive, will they already have benefits loaded on them? Or is there a specific date I need to wait for the funds to be available? This is our first time receiving these and I want to make sure I understand correctly so I can plan our grocery budget. Anyone here dealt with Summer EBT cards before?
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I STILL haven't gotten an answer about whether my kids qualify since their school has universal free lunch. Does anyone know if that counts? Do I have to be on actual CalFresh?
yea if ur kids get free lunch at school they qualify! my neice gets it and her mom isnt on calfresh or nothing. they send the cards automatic if ur in the system for free lunch.
Just wanted to add that you can also check your card balance online at www.ebtcalifornia.com or by downloading the ebtEDGE mobile app. This is super convenient so you don't have to call the number on the back of the card every time. I set up accounts for all my kids' cards last year and it made tracking their spending so much easier. The app also shows you exactly where the cards were used, which is helpful for budgeting. Also, don't forget that these cards can be used at farmers markets that accept EBT - many of them even have matching programs that double your benefits for fresh produce!
Not all farmers markets participate, but you can check which ones do on the California Nutrition Incentive Program website or call ahead to ask. Most major farmers markets in cities like LA, San Francisco, and Sacramento have matching programs. Some give you extra tokens worth $1 for every $1 you spend on fresh fruits and veggies, up to $10-20 per visit. It's definitely worth calling first since programs vary by location!
Not all farmers markets participate, but there's actually a great resource to find them! Check out the California Department of Food and Agriculture website - they have a market locator tool that shows which ones accept EBT and offer matching programs. You can also call ahead to any farmers market you're thinking of visiting. Most of the matching programs I've seen give you extra tokens or vouchers when you spend your EBT benefits on fresh fruits and vegetables, sometimes doubling your purchasing power. It's definitely worth looking into, especially with 4 kids to feed!
Alameda County P-EBT 2025 rollout - reusing old cards or getting new ones for CalFresh families?
Just wondering if anyone else in Alameda County is still waiting on their kids' P-EBT benefits for 2025? My 3 children (elementary and middle school) all qualified according to the letter we got in February, but it's now April and nothing has been loaded on their old cards yet. I've been checking the balance weekly and still zero. Also - are they reusing the old P-EBT cards from last year or sending new ones? I've kept all their cards just in case, but the school district person I talked to wasn't sure if we'll get new ones or if benefits get added to existing cards. I've tried calling the P-EBT hotline 3 times but can't get through to anyone who knows about the Alameda rollout schedule. Anyone have any info they can share?
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quick tip: if you download the connectebt app you can check all your card balances there instead of having to call. that's how i noticed the benefits got added
Thanks for the tip! Just downloaded it and added our cards. Nothing there yet but at least now I can check easily.
Wait I'm confused... is P-EBT the same as CalFresh? My family gets CalFresh but I haven't heard anything about P-EBT. My kids are in middle school in San Leandro.
Oh! Thank you for explaining. I didn't realize they were different programs. My kids do get free lunch at school so I guess we should be getting P-EBT too. I'll keep an eye out for cards in the mail since we've never received them before.
@Mei Liu Just a heads up - since you ve'never gotten P-EBT cards before, it might take a little longer to get yours processed even within that April 15-May 5 window for San Leandro. New recipients sometimes get their cards a bit later in the district rollout. But definitely keep checking because those benefits add up to be a decent amount for the whole school year!
Lola Perez
am i the only one who thinks its insane we gotta worry about getting HELP after a FIRE?? like how messed up is that? "oh your house burned down here's help but also we might cut your food money" what a joke
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Zane Hernandez
AuthorI know right? I'm already stressed enough dealing with finding a new place and replacing everything I lost. Having to worry about losing benefits on top of it feels cruel.
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Nathaniel Stewart
Totally agree. And every worker gives different answers! My friend got the same rental assistance as me (we were in the same building that flooded) but HER benefits weren't affected at all. Makes no sense.
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Ethan Scott
Since you mentioned this was due to a fire, make sure to specify this is DISASTER-related emergency assistance on your paperwork. There are specific exemptions for disaster assistance that might not apply to regular rental assistance programs. Also, request a letter from the non-profit stating this is a one-time vendor payment related to a disaster. Having this documentation ready before you submit your SAR7 can prevent misunderstandings that lead to incorrect benefit reductions.
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Zane Hernandez
AuthorThat's excellent advice. I'll definitely get that letter from them. Should I wait until my next regular SAR7 reporting period or report this change sooner?
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Paolo Moretti
You should report it within 10 days of receiving the assistance, even if it's before your regular SAR7 period. Changes in circumstances need to be reported promptly, but since this is likely excluded income anyway, reporting it early with proper documentation will actually protect you from any potential issues later.
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