This thread has been such a wonderful resource! As someone who works with families experiencing food insecurity, I wanted to add that if anyone finds themselves in a similar situation late at night or on weekends when county offices are closed, many 24-hour emergency services can help. Local 211 (dial 2-1-1) operates around the clock and can connect you with emergency food resources in your area. They often know which food pantries, churches, or community centers might have weekend hours or emergency provisions. Also, some hospitals and fire stations keep lists of local emergency food resources and can point you in the right direction. It's not a perfect solution, but it can help families get through until the county office reopens. Really appreciate how this community comes together to share knowledge and support each other through these challenges!

Wow, this thread has become such an incredible resource! As a parent who's dealt with similar EBT card emergencies, I'm so glad to see how quickly everyone rallied to help. I wanted to add one more tip that saved me once - if you're shopping when you realize your card is missing, don't leave the store empty-handed if you can help it. Many grocery stores can hold your cart at customer service for a few hours while you rush to get a replacement card. I did this at a Walmart once and they kept my groceries cold in their back refrigerator until I returned with my new EBT card. It's not guaranteed at every store, but customer service managers are often understanding when you explain you have kids to feed and just need a couple hours to sort out the card situation. Also, if you have a smartphone, consider adding the EBT customer service number (1-877-328-9677) to your contacts right now so it's easily accessible in future emergencies. This community's collective wisdom is truly amazing - thank you all for sharing your experiences and making these stressful situations more manageable for families!

This thread is so helpful! I had no idea that CalFresh could be used at places like Mother's Market - I've been limiting myself to just the big chain grocery stores. And the tip about screenshotting promotions is brilliant. I'm going to start doing that for any store deals I want to try. It's really encouraging to see how everyone came together to help solve this issue and share knowledge about navigating EBT with different retailers and promotions.

This whole thread has been such an eye-opener! I've been on CalFresh for about 6 months now and I had no idea that health food stores like Mother's Market even accepted EBT, let alone had promotions we could use. I've been shopping at the same Walmart and Safeway this whole time because I thought those were my only options. Now I'm realizing I should explore more stores in my area - maybe I can find better deals and healthier options than I thought possible. Thanks to everyone who shared their knowledge here, especially about advocating for yourself when stores mess up the promotions. This community is such a valuable resource!

The IRT isn't a form - it's a specific income amount that's calculated for your household. If your monthly income ever exceeds that amount, you must report it within 10 days, even if it's not time for your SAR7 yet. It should be clearly stated on your approval notice, usually in bold or highlighted. For a household of 2 in 2025, it's typically around 130% of the Federal Poverty Level, which would be approximately $2,450/month. But your specific IRT might be different based on your situation.

This is such great information everyone is sharing! I'm new to CalFresh too and had no idea about all these reporting requirements. @Melody Miles - it sounds like you're in good hands with all this advice. One thing I'd add is to keep copies of everything - your application, approval notice, any correspondence from the county. I learned that the hard way when I had a question about my benefits and couldn't remember what my original application said. Also, if you do call the county office, try calling right when they open at 8am - that's usually when the wait times are shortest!

This is such great news! I'm so happy for you that you found your Notice of Action and confirmed the $640 is your correct ongoing benefit amount. It's really frustrating how the system works - they should have been calculating your rent and utilities properly from the beginning instead of just giving you the pandemic minimum. But at least now you're getting what you're actually entitled to! Make sure to keep that notice somewhere safe in case you ever need to reference it, and definitely don't forget about your SAR7 deadlines. Enjoy being able to buy more groceries for you and your family!

This is such a helpful thread! As someone who just applied for CalFresh last month, I had no idea about all these calculation complexities with utility allowances and shelter deductions. It's really encouraging to see that the system eventually gets things right, even if it takes a while. I'm still waiting for my initial determination, but now I know to pay close attention to my Notice of Action when it comes and make sure they're factoring in my rent and utilities correctly from the start. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it's so valuable to learn from people who have actually been through this process!

I'm still calling to confirm. Too many times the system screws up and WE pay the price. Last year they overpaid me by $120 and I didn't even realize it until they started taking money OUT of my benefits six months later! The whole system is designed to confuse us!!!

Just wanted to add - I got the same thing! Extra $425 showed up yesterday and I was panicking thinking they'd claw it back. After reading all these responses I feel so much better. It's crazy they don't send better notices about stuff like this - would save everyone so much stress! Thanks to everyone who explained what's happening, especially about the Thrifty Food Plan thing. Really appreciate this community helping each other out when the system doesn't communicate clearly.