As someone who recently went through this process in San Diego, I wanted to add that you should also download the BenefitsCal mobile app once you get approved - it's really handy for checking your EBT balance and benefit status on the go. Also, if you're job hunting or have irregular income during your transition, make sure to report any income changes promptly to avoid overpayments. San Diego has several food pantries and community resources too if you need help while waiting for approval - places like Feeding San Diego have locations throughout the county. The whole process seemed overwhelming at first but it's totally manageable once you get started. Good luck with your move!

Just wanted to add that when you do apply online through BenefitsCal, make sure to create your account with a secure password and write down your login info! I made the mistake of forgetting my password halfway through the process and it was a nightmare trying to reset it. Also, if you're moving with a roommate or partner, be clear about whether you're applying as separate households or together - this affects your benefit amounts significantly. The website will ask about household composition early on, so think through this before you start the application. And definitely scan/photo all your documents beforehand so you can upload them easily during the application process!

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Applied in early December, got approved two weeks ago, and just received my current month benefits but still waiting on November and December retroactive payments. This thread has been incredibly helpful - I was starting to panic that I'd done something wrong or missed a deadline. The EBT customer service line tip (1-877-328-9677) is amazing - I called them yesterday and they confirmed my retroactive benefits are "in processing status" which gave me so much peace of mind! They said it typically takes 10-15 business days from approval for backdated benefits to load. Way easier than trying to get through to the county office. I also checked BenefitsCal and found a pending issuance notification that wasn't there before. Based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds like we just need to be patient - the retroactive benefits almost always come through, just on a different timeline than current benefits. Thanks for posting this question, it's helping so many of us understand this confusing process!

I went through this exact situation a few months ago and can confirm that retroactive benefits do come through, but the timing can be frustrating! Applied in August, approved in September, and had to wait about 3 weeks for my backdated benefits to show up after my current month loaded. The key thing that helped me was being persistent but patient. I called the EBT customer service line (1-877-328-9677) that others mentioned here after about 10 days, and they were able to confirm the retroactive payments were processing. Much easier than trying to reach the county office! Since you're seeing a pending issuance in BenefitsCal, that's actually a really positive sign. In my case, that notification appeared about a week before the actual money hit my card. The whole process is definitely anxiety-inducing when you're counting on that money for groceries, but based on everyone's experiences in this thread, those November and December benefits should be coming your way soon!

I'm really glad you shared your experience because I think a lot of us have been in this exact situation! Getting that $13 notification after all the paperwork and waiting definitely feels like a punch in the gut at first. But this whole thread has been so helpful - I had no idea about most of these strategies and programs people are mentioning. The farmers market doubling programs especially caught my attention since there's one near me on Saturdays that I never thought to check out with my EBT card. One thing I wanted to add that's helped me is looking into local churches and community centers even if you're not religious. A lot of them run food pantries or community meals that are open to anyone, no questions asked. I found one that does a "pay what you can" community dinner twice a week where even $2-3 gets you a full meal, and they take EBT. Definitely keep that case active though! From what everyone's saying, having it established makes everything easier when your situation changes. And absolutely report those hour cuts right away - it sounds like the income calculation can shift pretty dramatically even with small changes. Good luck with everything!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this frustration - getting $13 after all that paperwork definitely feels like a slap in the face! But honestly, after reading through everyone's responses here, I'm convinced you should keep it active. I'm in a similar situation (part-time work, student, crazy high rent) and just found out about so many resources I had no idea existed. The automatic enrollment in other assistance programs just for having an active EBT card is huge - utility assistance, phone discounts, internet savings. When every dollar counts, those add up fast. One thing that's been helping me is using my small benefit amount ($18/month) specifically for non-perishable staples like rice, beans, and oats. Then I hit up food banks and my school's pantry for fresh stuff. It's not ideal but it definitely helps stretch things. And everyone's right about reporting your hour cuts immediately! Don't wait for your next review. From what people are sharing, even small income changes can bump you up significantly - like going from minimum benefits to $80-150+. That's absolutely worth dealing with the county office hassle. Hang in there - this system is frustrating but there are definitely ways to make it work better for you!

This thread has been super helpful! I'm a CalFresh recipient and had no idea about the E&T program until reading this. I've been struggling to find affordable training to get out of retail work. The fact that it covers books, transportation, and even childcare in some counties is amazing. One thing I want to add - I called my county office yesterday after reading these comments and the worker told me they also have partnerships with local unions for apprenticeship programs! Things like electrical, plumbing, and construction trades. She said these are really popular because they lead to good-paying jobs and the apprenticeships actually pay you while you learn. For anyone hesitant to call because of the wait times - I used that Claimyr service someone mentioned and it really worked. Got connected to a real person in about 15 minutes instead of the usual hours-long nightmare. Definitely worth the small fee to save your sanity! Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences. It's so helpful to hear from people who actually went through the program instead of just getting the official government website info.

I'm so glad I found this thread! I've been on CalFresh for about 3 months now and my caseworker never mentioned the E&T program either. After reading everyone's experiences, I'm definitely going to look into this. I'm particularly interested in hearing about the computer skills training that someone asked about earlier - I'm in a similar situation where I need to improve my tech skills to get better job opportunities. Right now I'm working part-time at a grocery store but I know I could do more with the right training. Does anyone know if the program helps with things like Microsoft Office certification or basic IT skills? I see people mentioning coding bootcamps and medical admin training, but I'm looking for something more entry-level to start with. Also curious if there are any online options since I don't have reliable transportation to get to in-person classes. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it's really encouraging to hear success stories and know that there are actually good resources out there to help us improve our situations!

This is so frustrating and unfortunately becoming way too common! I had my card locked twice last year for "suspicious activity" even though I'm super careful too. The first time took almost 8 days to get the replacement and I was panicking with two kids at home. What really helped me was calling the EBT customer service line (the number on the back of your old card) and asking them to put a rush on the replacement. They can sometimes expedite it to 3-5 days instead of the full week. Also, while you're waiting, check if your county has any emergency food pantries that work specifically with CalFresh families - some can help bridge the gap. The chip cards are actually pretty good from what I've heard from friends who got them early. Same process as using a regular credit card with a chip. Just remember to bring your ID when you first use the new card since some stores require it for the initial transaction after a replacement. Hope your new card comes quickly! This system really needs to do better about notifying people BEFORE they lock accounts.

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! My card was locked yesterday and I'm still waiting to hear back from the county office. Reading through all these responses is actually really helpful - I had no idea about the expedited delivery option or that some counties can issue temporary cards. For anyone still waiting like me, I found that the EBT Edge app actually shows your card status even when it's locked, so you can at least confirm your benefits balance is still there. Also, if you have the Golden State Advantage app, it sometimes updates faster than EBT Edge when your new card info comes through. Has anyone had issues with the new chip cards not working at smaller stores or farmers markets? I do a lot of shopping at local places and I'm worried the chip technology might not be compatible everywhere yet.