I just went through this exact same issue in Orange County! My card had $156 loaded but kept getting declined everywhere - even at stores where I've shopped regularly for months. The most frustrating part was that the automated phone system kept telling me my full balance was available, but obviously something was blocking me from actually using it. After reading through this thread, I called the EBT customer service line at 1-877-328-9677 and sure enough, my account was flagged for "unusual activity" because I had tried using my card at 4 different stores in one afternoon when it wasn't working. The representative was really helpful and explained that this security feature gets triggered more often than you'd think, especially when people are naturally trying different locations to troubleshoot the problem. She cleared the flag immediately and my card worked perfectly at the next store I tried. It's honestly crazy that they don't give you a clear error message explaining what's actually wrong - just saying "technical issues" when the real problem is a security flag causes so much unnecessary stress and confusion!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm also new to CalFresh (just got approved 3 weeks ago) and had no idea about any of these potential EBT card issues. The "unusual activity" flag system seems so poorly designed - penalizing people for doing the most logical thing when their card doesn't work is just backwards! I'm definitely saving that EBT customer service number (1-877-328-9677) in my phone right now. It's so frustrating that they give vague "technical issues" messages instead of explaining what's actually happening when you're standing there stressed trying to buy groceries. Thanks to everyone for sharing real solutions and following up with what worked - this community provides way more practical information than any official documentation I've seen!

This has been such an invaluable thread! As someone new to navigating the California benefits system, I'm blown away by the depth of knowledge and support this community provides. I wanted to add one resource that hasn't been mentioned yet - California's GetCalFresh.org website. It's a simplified online portal specifically for CalFresh applications that can be easier to navigate than the general MyBenefitsCalWIN system, especially if you're only applying for food assistance initially. They also have a pre-screening tool that can give you an estimate of your potential benefit amount before you even apply, which can be helpful for planning. Also, for anyone dealing with immediate food insecurity while waiting for benefits to process, many Sikh temples (Gurdwaras) in LA serve free community meals (called langar) daily with absolutely no questions asked - you just show up. The food is vegetarian and they welcome everyone regardless of background. It's been a lifesaver for many people I know while waiting for their CalFresh to get approved. @Dmitry Petrov and everyone else who contributed - this thread should honestly be pinned as a resource guide! The combination of official program information and real community support here is exactly what makes navigating these systems less overwhelming.

This thread has become such an incredible resource! I'm amazed by how much valuable information has been shared here - from the specific LA County GR rules and GROW program details to all the additional resources like EOPS, food banks, library assistance, and even the Gurdwara meals. As someone new to this community, I can see why people rely on this forum for real, practical help. One small thing I'd add based on my experience - when you're gathering documents for your applications, make copies of EVERYTHING before you submit anything. I learned this the hard way when DPSS claimed they never received a form I had submitted. Having photocopies saved me from having to start over completely. Also, if you have to visit the office in person, try to go early in the morning when they first open - the wait times are usually much shorter and the staff tends to be less overwhelmed. @Dmitry Petrov - wishing you all the best with your applications! This community clearly has your back, and I hope you're able to get both programs approved quickly. The combination of GR and CalFresh can really make a difference while you get back on your feet.

Hey Sofia! Just wanted to add my experience since I was in almost the exact same situation last year - single mom, first time filing with CalFresh, totally panicking about doing something wrong! Everyone here is absolutely right - CalFresh is completely invisible to the IRS. I actually called the IRS helpline to double-check because I was so paranoid, and they confirmed it's not reportable income at all. One thing that really helped me was keeping a simple folder with all my tax documents (W-2, any 1099s, childcare receipts, etc.) separate from my CalFresh paperwork. That way when I'm doing taxes, I'm only looking at actual taxable stuff. Also, don't let the tax software scare you with those "government benefits" questions - they're fishing for things like unemployment or disability payments that ARE taxable. CalFresh will never show up on any tax form you receive. You've got this! And honestly, with the credits you'll qualify for as a single parent, you'll probably be pleasantly surprised by your refund. I know I was!

I totally get your stress about this! I was in the exact same boat a couple years ago when I first started getting CalFresh. The tax software questions are so confusing - they make it sound like you need to report everything the government gives you. Here's what I learned: CalFresh benefits are completely separate from your taxes. Think of it this way - the government already knows they're giving you food assistance, so why would they tax you on it? It's designed to help you, not create more income to tax. What you DO want to focus on is making sure you claim all the credits you're entitled to. With a child and the income level that qualified you for CalFresh, you're probably looking at some really good credits. The Earned Income Tax Credit alone can be worth thousands. One tip that saved me a headache: when the tax software asks about "government assistance," just think wages, unemployment benefits, Social Security - stuff that comes with tax forms. If CalFresh sent you a 1099 or W-2 (which they never do), THEN you'd report it. No form = no reporting needed. You're going to do great, and honestly your refund will probably be way better than you expect!

I'm new to this community and currently going through my first CalFresh application while experiencing homelessness. This entire thread has been absolutely life-changing for me! I had my initial interview last week and when I mentioned being homeless, my worker just said I'd need to "bring receipts for any housing costs" if I wanted "extra money for homeless people." I left feeling so confused and defeated because I've been sleeping in my car most nights and staying with different friends when I can, but I rarely have any kind of official receipts. Reading through everyone's experiences here has completely changed my understanding of what I'm entitled to. I had no idea there was a specific homeless shelter deduction ($171.88), that there were self-declaration options, or that "verification flexibility" was an actual policy! The terminology tips alone are gold - knowing to ask for the "homeless shelter deduction" specifically instead of vague "homeless assistance" seems like it could make all the difference. I'm calling back tomorrow armed with all this knowledge: asking for the CF 285 self-declaration form, mentioning verification flexibility by name, and if my worker seems unfamiliar with these options, requesting to speak with a homeless services coordinator or specialist. The advice about documenting everything and being detailed on forms even without receipts gives me so much hope. Thank you all for creating such an incredibly supportive and informative space. This community is proof that sharing real experiences and knowledge can literally change lives. I'll update everyone on how my call goes tomorrow!

I'm new to this community and currently going through the CalFresh application process while homeless. This thread has been absolutely incredible - I wish I had found this information weeks ago! My worker told me the exact same thing about needing motel receipts for "homeless benefits," and I was starting to think I'd have to give up on getting any additional assistance. I've been living in my car for the past two months and occasionally staying with friends when they have space, but like so many others here, I don't have a collection of official receipts. Reading about the self-declaration form (CF 285), verification flexibility policy, and the specific homeless shelter deduction amount ($171.88) has given me so much hope and confidence. The terminology tips throughout this thread are incredibly valuable - I had no idea that asking for the "homeless shelter deduction" specifically would get better results than asking about general "homeless assistance." I'm also really grateful for the advice about asking for homeless outreach specialists or benefits navigators, since it sounds like some counties have workers who are actually trained on these policies. I'm calling tomorrow with a clear plan: requesting the homeless shelter deduction by name, asking about the CF 285 self-declaration form, mentioning verification flexibility, and if needed, asking to speak with a supervisor or specialized homeless services staff. The detailed advice about what to include on the self-declaration form (even approximate dates and informal arrangements) makes me feel much more prepared. Thank you all for sharing your real experiences and creating such a supportive space. This community is proof that knowledge sharing can make a real difference in people's lives. I'll definitely update everyone on how my call goes!

As someone who's new to both this community and the Restaurant Meals Program, I'm incredibly grateful for all the detailed information that's been shared here! I just moved to the Hesperia area last month and recently got approved for RMP after qualifying as disabled. I was honestly feeling pretty discouraged thinking my dining options would be extremely limited beyond basic groceries. Reading through all these verified locations and seeing how community members actually took the time to call restaurants and confirm their RMP participation is amazing - it really shows what a supportive community this is! I'm definitely going to start with some of the most frequently mentioned places like Panda Express and Jack in the Box since multiple people have had positive experiences there. The practical tips about calling during slower hours and asking specifically about "Restaurant Meals Program" rather than just "EBT acceptance" are incredibly valuable and will definitely save me from confusion. It's so reassuring to know that even if I encounter staff who aren't familiar with RMP, I can ask to speak with a manager. This thread has become such a wonderful resource - thank you to everyone who contributed their research and experiences. This kind of community support makes navigating these services so much easier for those of us who really depend on them!

As a newcomer to this community who just qualified for the Restaurant Meals Program after my recent disability determination, I'm absolutely amazed by how helpful and comprehensive this thread has become! I moved to the Victorville area just a few weeks ago and was really worried about my limited dining options since I rely on RMP for hot meals. Reading through everyone's experiences and seeing how community members actually took the time to call these restaurants to verify their participation has been incredibly reassuring. I'm planning to start with Panda Express and Jack in the Box since multiple people have confirmed they work well, and I love the practical advice about calling during slower hours to speak with knowledgeable staff. The tip about asking specifically for "Restaurant Meals Program" rather than just "EBT acceptance" is so valuable - I can already tell this will save me from confusion at checkout. It's amazing how this discussion has evolved into such a thorough resource for RMP users in our area. Thank you to everyone who shared their research and experiences - this kind of community support makes navigating these services so much easier for those of us who really depend on them!