lol welcome to government websites, where nothing works and everything is a headache 🤡

I actually work for a county eligibility office and see this issue pretty frequently. The phone number conflict usually happens because: 1) Someone in your household previously used that number for their CalFresh account, 2) You had an old account that wasn't properly closed, or 3) There's a data entry error in the system. The fastest solution is usually to visit your local county office in person with ID - they can update it on the spot without the phone runaround. You can also try emailing your county's CalFresh coordinator directly (each county has one) - they're usually more responsive than the general helpline.

Did you get this resolved? The process everyone described usually works, but sometimes the ConnectEBT system has a delay in recognizing new cards. If you try the steps above and still can't get in, you might need to wait 24-48 hours after activating your new card before the system fully updates. This happened to me last year - couldn't get in immediately but it started working two days later without me doing anything different.

So glad you got this figured out! This is such a common issue and your thread will definitely help other people who run into the same problem. It's really frustrating that they don't include any instructions with replacement cards about updating your online account. The fact that ConnectEBT and BenefitsCal are separate systems managed by different companies makes everything so confusing. Hopefully they'll improve this process in the future, but at least now there's a clear step-by-step guide here for anyone else dealing with a stolen/replaced EBT card!

The whole program is confusing. I got the extra money too but when I tried to use it at Walmart they said they don't take it, only regular CalFresh. Then I went to Target and same thing! Wasted so much time and gas going to stores that don't even accept it. The county should give us a clear list of stores instead of making us guess.

Just to clarify some confusion I'm seeing in the comments: There are actually a few different but similar programs that might be getting mixed up: 1. California Fruit & Vegetable EBT - The extra benefits loaded directly to your EBT card automatically 2. Market Match - A farmers market program where they match your CalFresh spending (usually up to $10) 3. Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) - Sometimes gives paper vouchers for specific populations To check your California F&V EBT balance, use the CalFresh EBT app. For Market Match, just ask at the info booth at participating farmers markets. They usually give you tokens or vouchers to spend that day.

Update: I wrote the letter with all the details everyone suggested and uploaded it to BenefitsCal yesterday. Just got a text message that my application was approved! The no income statement worked. Thanks everyone for your help! For anyone else reading this later - definitely include how you're covering ALL your expenses (rent, utilities, food, phone, etc) and be specific about who's helping you if applicable.

Congrats on getting approved! This is such a helpful thread - I'm bookmarking it because I'm sure I'll need to do this when my recertification comes up. One question for the group: if someone is helping with groceries occasionally (like a parent buying groceries once a month), does that need to be reported as income? I want to make sure I'm prepared and don't run into issues like some of the experiences shared here.

I'm a newcomer here but wanted to share what I learned when I helped my sister through a similar situation. She was staying with our mom after her divorce and needed CalFresh but didn't want to complicate our mom's housing situation. What really helped was calling the county office directly (we used that Claimyr service someone mentioned - it actually worked great) and asking them to walk us through the "homeless/temporary housing" application process step by step. The caseworker was super understanding and explained that this is incredibly common. The key things we learned: - You can 100% get your own CalFresh benefits while staying with someone temporarily - A PO Box is the cleanest solution for mail (we found one for $50 for 6 months at a smaller post office) - During the interview, just be completely honest about buying your own food separately - With zero income and a baby, you'll likely get expedited processing AND maximum benefits Don't feel bad about needing help - workplace injuries happen and this is exactly what these programs are for. Your friend's concerns are understandable but shouldn't prevent your family from getting food assistance during this crisis. You're not doing anything that would affect her situation at all. Apply online tonight and mention it's an emergency situation due to your husband's injury. You've got this!

I'm new to this community but wanted to reach out because your story really speaks to me as someone who has helped families navigate exactly this type of situation. Reading through all the incredible advice here, I'm so impressed by how supportive and knowledgeable this community is! You've received excellent guidance about applying as "homeless/temporary housing" and using a PO Box or community center for mail - this approach will completely protect your friend's concerns while getting your family the help you desperately need. What I wanted to add is that many counties have special liaisons who work specifically with families experiencing crises due to workplace injuries. When you call (and definitely use that Claimyr service others mentioned - it really works!), ask if they have a specialist who handles workplace injury cases. These staff members often know about additional emergency resources and can sometimes expedite processing even faster than the standard emergency timeline. Also, please don't underestimate how much this assistance will help. With zero income and a baby, you'll likely receive around $750/month in CalFresh benefits, which will dramatically reduce your grocery expenses and help preserve what's left of your savings for other critical needs while your husband recovers. Your family is facing exactly the kind of unexpected crisis these programs were created for. There's absolutely nothing to feel guilty about - you're being responsible parents by ensuring your baby has proper nutrition during this difficult time. Apply tonight with complete confidence. You've got a clear plan, amazing community support, and every right to access these benefits. Your family is going to get through this, and having food security will be one huge weight off your shoulders. Wishing you all the best!