This whole situation really highlights how confusing the CalFresh system can be! I'm glad you were able to resolve it, but it's frustrating that a simple employer name change can cause such a massive disruption in benefits. For anyone else reading this - I've learned that it's also worth keeping a paper trail of everything you submit. I always take screenshots when uploading documents to BenefitsCal and keep copies of any letters I send. It's saved me a couple times when they claimed they never received something I definitely sent. The system has its flaws, but at least there are ways to navigate it once you know what to look for!

Reading through this whole thread has been so educational! I'm new to CalFresh and had no idea that things like employer name changes or missing verification deadlines could cause such dramatic benefit reductions. It's really reassuring to see how helpful this community is and that most of these issues can be resolved with the right approach. I'm definitely going to bookmark this thread as a reference - the advice about reading every notice carefully, keeping documentation, taking screenshots when uploading to BenefitsCal, and including written explanations with submissions seems invaluable. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences and tips!

Connor, first of all - HUGE congratulations on getting selected! I know exactly how you're feeling right now. I went through this same process about 3 years ago and that mix of excitement and absolute terror over the paperwork is so real. Everyone here has given you excellent advice about CalFresh not counting as income - they're 100% correct. I just wanted to add a couple of practical tips that really helped me: 1. Make a simple checklist of every single document they're asking for and check them off as you gather them. It sounds basic but it really helps when you're stressed. 2. When you submit everything, I'd recommend hand-delivering it if possible and getting a receipt with the date/time stamp. After waiting 4 years, you don't want anything getting lost in the mail! 3. Keep your CalFresh worker's contact info handy because you'll need to report your housing change to them once you move in with Section 8. Your benefits will likely adjust since your housing costs will be lower. The paperwork feels overwhelming now, but remember - you've already done the hardest part by waiting 4 years. This is just the final step between you and stable housing. Take it one section at a time and don't hesitate to call the housing authority with questions. They want you to succeed! You've got this! 🏠

Hey Connor! I've been following this thread and wanted to add my experience from when I went through this process about 2 years ago. Everyone here has given you fantastic advice about CalFresh not counting as income - that's absolutely correct. One thing that really saved me stress was organizing everything the night before I planned to submit it. I laid out all my documents on my kitchen table and went through the application one more time to make sure everything matched up. It sounds silly, but actually seeing everything laid out physically made me feel so much more confident that I had everything they needed. Also, I know the 10-day deadline feels scary, but in my experience, housing authorities understand that this paperwork takes time to do correctly. When I called to ask a question, they actually told me it was better to take an extra day or two to get everything right than to rush and make mistakes that could delay the process. You've waited 4 years for this moment - you're not going to lose your spot over being thorough with the paperwork. Take a deep breath, follow all the great advice everyone's given you here, and remember that in a few weeks you're going to have stable, affordable housing. That's incredible! You've absolutely got this! 💪

I'm really sorry you're dealing with this - EBT theft is becoming such a huge problem and the denial process seems designed to discourage people from fighting back. Reading through all these responses, it sounds like you have a really strong case for appeal! One thing I wanted to add that might help: when you gather all your evidence, also check if you made any other purchases (gas, groceries, etc.) with a regular debit/credit card on the same day as the fraudulent EBT transactions. Bank records showing you were shopping locally while someone was using your EBT card 30 miles away would be powerful proof that it wasn't you. Also, I noticed someone mentioned Claimyr earlier - I used them last year when I couldn't get through to my county office about a different issue. The fee was around $20 but honestly worth it just to avoid the endless phone tree nightmare. They got me connected to an actual caseworker in under 30 minutes. Please keep us posted on how your appeal goes! Stories like yours help other people know they're not alone and that it's worth fighting these denials. You've got this! 💪

I'm so sorry you're going through this - EBT theft is incredibly stressful and the denial just makes it worse. Reading through all the advice here, it sounds like you have a really strong case for your appeal! One thing that might help: when you file your appeal, make sure to emphasize that the transactions occurred at a location you've NEVER visited and that's 30 miles from your home. This kind of geographic evidence is exactly what appeals officers look for when determining if theft actually occurred vs. cardholder negligence. Also, if you still have the original packaging or receipt from when you first got your EBT card, bring that to show when you received it and that you've been protecting it properly. Some people don't think to save that stuff but it can help establish your pattern of responsible card handling. The appeals process is frustrating but don't give up - so many people here have had success fighting these wrongful denials. You clearly reported it promptly and have good evidence. Wishing you the best of luck! 🍀

I'm in a really similar situation and was stressing about this same thing! Reading through everyone's experiences here has been so helpful. I work irregular shifts at two different places and was dreading having to take time off to sit at the county office all day. It's really encouraging to see that so many people have successfully completed their recertification online through BenefitsCal.com. I'm definitely going to follow the advice about gathering all my documents first (pay stubs from both jobs, rent receipt, utilities) and doing it on a weekend when I can focus properly. The tip about being able to request specific interview times in the additional information section is a game changer - I had no idea that was an option! I'm also going to take screenshots of everything like someone mentioned, just to be safe. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and tips - this community is amazing for helping each other navigate these systems!

I just went through my recertification online about 6 weeks ago and it was honestly way less stressful than I thought it would be! I was in almost the exact same situation - working two part-time jobs and couldn't afford to take time off to sit at the office. The BenefitsCal website can seem confusing at first, but once you're logged in, the recertification process is pretty straightforward. Here's what really helped me: I did it on a Sunday afternoon when I had uninterrupted time, made sure all my documents were already saved on my computer (pay stubs from the last 30 days from both jobs, rent receipt, PG&E bill), and I wrote in the comments section that I needed evening or lunch-time interviews due to my work schedule. They actually called me during my lunch break three days later! The interview was super quick - maybe 10 minutes - and the worker was really understanding about my situation. My benefits never got interrupted and the whole thing was done within a week. Don't let the horror stories scare you - I think when things go smoothly, people just don't post about it as much. You definitely have time to get this done before your deadline. The key is just being prepared and not rushing through it!

Just wanted to share that I work at a community health center and we actually have printed flyers about these incentive programs that we give to our CalFresh clients! If you're having trouble finding info, try asking at local health clinics, food banks, or WIC offices - they usually have the most up-to-date information about which markets and stores participate. Also, some programs reset weekly instead of monthly, so you might be able to use the match multiple times. The lack of clear communication from the county is definitely frustrating, but these community organizations are usually more helpful with the details.

I had the exact same confusion when I first heard about these programs! What really helped me was calling the specific farmers market directly instead of the county office. Most markets have someone who runs the EBT/incentive program and they can tell you exactly how much matching they offer, what days they have it available, and whether there are any special requirements. Some markets even let you reserve tokens ahead of time if you call in advance. Also, if you have any community colleges nearby, their nutrition programs sometimes partner with local markets and have students who can walk you through how everything works. Way easier than trying to navigate the county bureaucracy!