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- DO post questions about your issues.
- 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 :)
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Isabel Vega
Just wanted to add another tip for anyone dealing with this in the future - if you're having trouble with the ConnectEBT website even after following the User ID/password reset steps, try clearing your browser cache and cookies completely before attempting the process. I had a similar issue last year and kept getting error messages until I cleared everything and started fresh. Also, I noticed the site works better on Chrome or Firefox rather than Safari or Edge. It's ridiculous that we need these workarounds, but at least there are solutions! Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences here - this thread is going to help so many people avoid the frustration of being stuck without online access to their benefits.
Great tip about clearing the browser cache! I've run into similar issues with other government websites where old cached data causes problems. It's wild that we need to become tech support experts just to access our own benefits online. The browser compatibility issue you mentioned is so frustrating too - you'd think in 2025 these sites would work properly across all browsers. Thanks for sharing that Chrome/Firefox tip, I'll definitely remember that if I ever have issues. This whole thread has become like an unofficial user manual for ConnectEBT problems!
Carmen Ortiz
This thread is incredibly helpful! I'm actually going through something similar right now - my EBT card stopped working at ATMs even though it still swipes fine at stores. The bank said it might be a chip issue and I should get a replacement, but I was dreading dealing with the online account mess. Reading through everyone's experiences here has given me so much confidence about the process. The step-by-step instructions about doing User ID reset first, then password reset are gold! It's really sad that we have to crowdsource basic instructions for government benefit systems, but I'm so grateful this community exists. Going to request my replacement card tomorrow and I'll follow the exact process outlined here. Thanks everyone for taking the time to share your solutions!
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Paolo Longo
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.
Oh! That explains why I was confused. So I might have both the automatic extra money AND be able to get matching funds at farmers markets? That's awesome!
Exactly! You can potentially benefit from both programs. The California F&V EBT benefits are automatically loaded to your card each month (use those for any qualifying purchases at participating stores), AND if you shop at farmers markets that do Market Match, you can get additional matching funds when you spend your regular CalFresh benefits there. It's like getting double benefits - just make sure to ask the farmers market staff how their matching program works since each market might have slightly different rules.
I'm new to CalFresh and just got my first extra fruit & veggie benefits loaded! This thread is so helpful - I had no idea there were multiple programs that could stack together. Downloaded the CalFresh EBT app and can see the separate FMNP balance now. Planning to hit up the farmers market this weekend to try out both the F&V benefits AND see if they do Market Match. Thanks everyone for breaking this down so clearly! Quick question - do the F&V benefits work for frozen fruits and vegetables at stores too, or just fresh?
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I'm going through this exact same situation right now and this thread has been a lifesaver! Based on everyone's advice, I just finished writing my no income statement. I made sure to include my case number, explicitly state I have no income from any source, explain that I'm living off savings while job searching, detail how my roommate is helping with rent but I cover my own food/personal expenses, and be very specific about covering phone, transportation, etc. One thing I'm still nervous about - should I mention the approximate dollar amount of my savings or keep it vague? I don't want them to think I have "too much" money but I also want to be transparent. Has anyone had experience with whether mentioning specific savings amounts helped or hurt their application?
Mei Chen
•Great question about savings amounts! From what I've learned through this process, you generally don't need to specify exact dollar amounts in your no income statement unless they specifically ask for it. CalFresh has resource limits (like $2,750 for most households), but they'll verify your bank balances separately if needed during the eligibility determination. I'd recommend keeping it general in your statement - something like "I am currently living off personal savings while actively seeking employment." Being too specific about amounts might raise unnecessary questions or delays. Focus on explaining how you're covering each expense category (rent, food, utilities, etc.) rather than dollar amounts. The key is showing you're being honest about having no current income while demonstrating you have legitimate means to support yourself. Good luck with your application!
This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm a college student who just graduated and I'm in a similar situation - no income while job hunting and living off savings/family help. One thing I want to add based on my experience: if you're getting help from family members who live out of state, make sure to mention that in your statement too. My parents send me money occasionally for groceries and personal expenses, and I included that as "occasional financial assistance from parents for basic needs." My worker appreciated the transparency. Also, if you're actively job searching, it doesn't hurt to mention that you're looking for work - it shows you're not just trying to stay on benefits indefinitely. I wrote something like "I am actively seeking employment and expect to report any income changes within the required timeframe." Just submitted my statement yesterday so fingers crossed it goes smoothly!
This is such great advice about mentioning family help and job searching efforts! I'm actually in a really similar situation as a recent grad. One thing I'm wondering about - if my parents are sending me money through Venmo or Zelle, should I be worried about them being able to track those transactions? I want to be completely honest but I'm also nervous about providing too much detail that might complicate things. Also, did you mention anything about student loans in your statement? I have some federal loans that are in their grace period right now, so no payments due yet, but I wasn't sure if that was relevant to mention. Thanks for sharing your experience - it's so reassuring to hear from someone in a similar boat!
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Kaitlyn Otto
I'm new to this community but wanted to reach out because I've been following this thread and I'm so inspired by how supportive everyone has been. Sara, your situation really resonates with me as someone who went through a similar crisis when my partner was injured. What strikes me most about reading through all these responses is how common your situation actually is - you're definitely not alone in navigating temporary housing while applying for benefits. The advice about using "homeless/temporary housing" as your application category is exactly right, and the PO Box solution is perfect for addressing your friend's concerns. I wanted to add one small thing that helped me: when I did my phone interview, I mentioned right at the beginning that I was calling about an emergency application due to workplace injury and zero income with a baby. The caseworker immediately flagged my case for the fastest processing track. Don't be shy about emphasizing the urgent nature of your situation. Also, if $60 for a PO Box is tight right now, many local United Way offices can provide small emergency grants for exactly these kinds of immediate needs. It's worth a quick call to ask. You're being such a strong advocate for your family during an incredibly difficult time. With all the excellent guidance from this community, you have everything you need to successfully navigate this process. Your baby is lucky to have parents who are fighting so hard to ensure your family's needs are met during this crisis. Apply tonight - you've absolutely got this!
Thank you so much for this encouraging message and for following our situation! It's been incredibly overwhelming, but reading through all the support from this community has given me so much hope and confidence to move forward. Your tip about mentioning right at the beginning of the phone interview that it's an emergency application due to workplace injury and zero income with a baby is really valuable - I want to make sure they understand the urgent nature of our situation from the start so it gets flagged for the fastest processing possible. The suggestion about United Way offices potentially helping with the PO Box fee is something I hadn't considered either. If $60 is going to stretch our remaining savings too thin, knowing there might be emergency grants available for exactly these immediate needs could really help. After reading all the amazing advice from everyone here, I finally feel prepared and confident to apply tonight. It's been such a relief to realize how common our situation is and that there are clear pathways to get help while respecting our friend's concerns about government connections. I'm definitely applying with the "homeless/temporary housing" designation tonight and will emphasize the emergency nature of our situation. Thank you to you and everyone in this community for being such a lifeline during the scariest time in our family's life - I'll make sure to update everyone once we get through the process!
I'm new to this community but wanted to reach out because your situation really hits home for me. My family went through something very similar when I was injured in an accident and we had to temporarily stay with relatives while navigating the benefits system. Reading through all the amazing advice here, it's clear you have everything you need to move forward successfully. The guidance about applying as "homeless/temporary housing" is exactly right, and getting a PO Box completely solves the mail issue without involving your friend at all. One thing I wanted to add that hasn't been mentioned - when you get your CalFresh benefits, consider asking your caseworker about the Restaurant Meals Program if it's available in your county. For families with young children in emergency situations, this sometimes allows you to use benefits at certain restaurants, which could be helpful if your temporary living situation makes cooking challenging. Also, don't forget to keep copies of everything you submit. With a temporary address situation, having your own records becomes even more important in case anything gets lost in the mail. Your determination to get help while being respectful of your friend's situation shows what caring people you are. Workplace injuries can devastate any family's finances overnight - this is exactly why these safety net programs exist. With zero income and a baby, you absolutely deserve expedited processing and maximum benefits. You're going to get through this crisis. Apply tonight with confidence - your family's food security is worth fighting for!
Thank you for sharing your experience with a similar situation - it really helps to know that other families have successfully navigated this type of crisis! The Restaurant Meals Program is something I had never heard of before, but that could be incredibly helpful since our temporary living situation does make meal preparation more complicated than usual. I'll definitely ask about that when I speak with a caseworker. Your point about keeping copies of everything is really smart too. With the mail situation being uncertain, having our own complete records will definitely give me peace of mind and ensure we don't lose track of important documents. After reading all the incredible support and practical advice from this community, I'm feeling so much more confident about moving forward. Everyone has helped me realize that workplace injuries really can happen to any family and that accessing these programs during a legitimate crisis is exactly what they're designed for. I'm definitely applying tonight as "homeless/temporary housing" and will get that PO Box sorted out first thing tomorrow. Thank you for the encouragement about fighting for our family's food security - that really resonates with me. This community has been such a blessing during the most challenging time in our lives!
Amun-Ra Azra
lol welcome to government websites, where nothing works and everything is a headache 🤡
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Summer Green
•ain't that the truth 😂
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Sofia Gutierrez
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.
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Taylor Chen
•This is super helpful to hear from someone who actually works in the system! I had no idea each county has their own CalFresh coordinator. Do you happen to know how to find the contact info for the coordinator in a specific county? That sounds way better than dealing with the general helpline.
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