Make ABSOLUTELY SURE you complete your recertification ON TIME!!! If you miss the deadline they will DISCONTINUE your benefits and you'll have to reapply from scratch which can take 30 DAYS or MORE to process!!! Don't risk your family going without food!!!

Just want to echo what others have said - the P-EBT program was definitely a temporary pandemic benefit that's now ended. I work at a community center and helped a lot of families navigate this confusion back in 2021-2022. For your recertification next month, here's a helpful tip: start gathering your documents NOW rather than waiting until the last minute. Create a checklist of what you need and check items off as you collect them. Most counties will send you a notice about 45 days before your recertification is due, so you should have plenty of time if you start early. Also, if you're having trouble with your case or need to speak to someone quickly, some counties now offer online chat options or callback services so you don't have to wait on hold for hours. Check your county's website to see what options are available. Good luck with your recertification! It sounds like you're being proactive about it which is great.

I'm so glad you were able to get through and figure out what was holding up your benefits! It's really frustrating that the worker didn't mention needing the housing verification form during your interview - that seems to happen way too often. At least they're going to backdate your benefits to the 7th, so you won't lose out on any money. Hopefully your landlord can fill out that form quickly so you can get your benefits processed ASAP. Thanks for updating us on what happened - this will definitely help other people who run into the same issue!

Really glad you got this sorted out @a55fa451d546! The housing verification form issue is SO common - I've seen this exact scenario play out multiple times in this community. It's honestly poor practice for workers to say someone is "approved" during the interview when there are still outstanding verification requirements. They should really be saying something like "pending receipt of housing verification" instead. But at least you're getting backdated benefits, which is the right outcome. Hope your landlord gets that form back to you quickly!

Just wanted to add my experience as someone who helped my 71-year-old father navigate this process last year. One thing that really surprised us was that even though his income seemed "too high" at first glance, the medical deductions made all the difference. He spends about $300/month on medications alone, plus his Medicare Part B premium ($174.70/month in 2024), and regular doctor copays. Once we calculated all his eligible medical expenses, he easily qualified for CalFresh benefits. The key thing I learned is to be really thorough with documentation. We went back through 3 months of his bank statements and medical receipts to make sure we didn't miss anything. Also, don't forget about dental expenses, vision costs, and even mileage to medical appointments (you can deduct $0.22 per mile for medical travel in 2024). One more tip - if your mom has any chronic conditions that require special dietary needs, ask about therapeutic diet allowances during the application process. Some seniors with diabetes or heart conditions can get additional deductions for prescribed special foods. The whole process took about 6 weeks from application to getting the EBT card, but it was absolutely worth it. Dad now gets $194/month which has made a huge difference in his grocery budget. Good luck with your mom's application - sounds like she has a great advocate in you!

Reading through all these responses has been so educational! I work part-time at a senior center and see so many folks like your mom who could really benefit from CalFresh but don't know about all these special provisions for seniors. A few things I'd add from what I've observed helping our members: 1. The County can expedite CalFresh applications for seniors in emergency situations - if your mom is choosing between medications and food, mention this during the application process. 2. Many seniors don't realize that vitamins and supplements COUNT as medical expenses if they're recommended by a doctor, even if not formally "prescribed." My neighbor's doctor told her to take Vitamin D and calcium - those monthly costs add up! 3. If your mom banks online, most banks can generate a year-end summary of medical payments which makes gathering documentation much easier than going through individual receipts. 4. Once she's approved, sign up for text alerts about her EBT balance - saves the hassle of calling or trying to remember how much is left on the card. The fact that you're advocating for her makes such a huge difference. I've seen so many seniors miss out simply because they don't have someone to help navigate the system. Your mom is lucky to have you! Definitely call that Area Agency on Aging number - they're absolute lifesavers for situations exactly like this.

Just wanted to add that some Dollar General stores also allow cash back with EBT purchases without fees, which has been super helpful for me since they're everywhere and often have longer hours than banks. I've also discovered that many tribal casinos in California have fee-free ATMs for EBT cards - I know it sounds random, but if you're near one, it's worth checking out. The key thing I've learned is to always ask "Is this fee-free for EBT?" before inserting your card anywhere, even if you think it should be free. Staff are usually honest about it, and it's saved me from several surprise charges. This thread is amazing - I wish I had found information like this when I first started navigating the system!

This thread is incredibly helpful! I just started receiving CalFresh benefits and had no idea about all these fee-free options. I've been avoiding accessing my cash benefits because I was scared of getting hit with random fees everywhere. The information about the ConnectEBT app, calling 211 for local resources, and getting cash back at grocery stores is exactly what I needed. It's frustrating that this information isn't provided upfront when you first get your EBT card - I had to learn about ATM fees the hard way too. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences and tips. This community support makes navigating these programs so much less overwhelming for newcomers like me!

This is exactly why I think it's so important for people to know their rights when applying for benefits! Your situation with $1762 in rent plus $180 in utilities definitely sounds like you should qualify once they properly calculate the shelter deduction. One thing I'd add - when you file your appeal, consider asking for an "aid pending" status. This means if you're found eligible during the appeal process, your benefits could be backdated to when you originally applied. Not everyone knows about this option but it can be really helpful. Also, since you mentioned feeling nervous about food banks - most are run by really kind volunteers who understand that anyone can need help with food. Many have become like little community hubs where you might even get information about other local resources. The ones I've been to have been nothing but welcoming and respectful. Good luck with your appeal! It sounds like you have a really strong case once they apply all the deductions correctly.

I work at a local community center and we see situations like yours all the time - you're definitely not alone in this! The good news is that with your rent being $1762 plus utilities, you should absolutely qualify for CalFresh once they properly calculate your shelter deduction. A few practical tips for your appeal: Make sure to bring a copy of your lease that clearly shows your portion of the rent (not just the total), recent utility bills in your name, and your pay stubs. Sometimes it helps to write out the math yourself showing how much you have left after housing costs - it can be really eye-opening for the caseworker. While you're waiting for the appeal, I'd also suggest calling 211 (just dial 2-1-1). They can connect you with local food resources, emergency assistance programs, and other support services in your area. Many of these programs can help bridge the gap while you're getting your CalFresh sorted out. You're doing the right thing by advocating for yourself - don't give up! The system can be confusing but you clearly have a strong case here.