As someone new to this community, I'm amazed by how thorough and helpful everyone's responses have been! I'm not currently dealing with CalFresh issues myself, but this thread is such a valuable resource. The systematic approach everyone has outlined - starting with checking your BenefitsCal account online, then calling about restoration with good cause, and having a new application as backup - creates such a clear roadmap for what can be a really overwhelming situation. It's especially helpful to see responses from people who work in the system like Isabella, as well as personal success stories from folks like Lola who got their case restored after missing a deadline. Oliver, I hope you're able to get this sorted out quickly using all this great advice! This community really shows how sharing experiences and knowledge can make navigating these complex government systems so much more manageable.

I'm new to this community but wanted to share my experience since I went through something very similar last year. My CalFresh benefits stopped unexpectedly and I was terrified I'd lost them permanently. After reading through all the amazing advice here, I realize I got lucky - I happened to call within the first month and they were able to restore my case because I had missed my SAR7 due to being hospitalized. The caseworker explained that they have to send notices by mail, but if you don't receive them or can't respond due to circumstances beyond your control, they can often work with you. Oliver, definitely try the BenefitsCal login first like Mary suggested - that's such a smart way to figure out exactly what happened before you call. And don't be discouraged if the first person you talk to says no - sometimes it helps to ask to speak with a supervisor or call back and try a different worker. The whole process taught me to set calendar reminders for those SAR7 deadlines every 6 months. Wishing you the best of luck getting this resolved quickly!

Based on everything you've shared, here's what I recommend: 1. Request a copy of the overpayment notice and calculation sheet showing exactly when the overpayment occurred 2. Ask for a copy of your case record to confirm you're listed as a separate household 3. File for a state hearing immediately (you can do this online through BenefitsCal) 4. Gather evidence showing when you moved out (lease, utility bills, etc.) 5. Request a conference with a supervisor before your hearing date CalFresh regulations at MPP Section 63-801.3 specify who can be held liable for overpayments, and they generally cannot collect from people who were not part of the household during the period of overpayment. Many counties misapply these rules or rely on outdated information in their systems.

This is definitely worth fighting! I work as a benefits advocate and see this type of error frequently. The county systems sometimes automatically link family members even when they shouldn't be connected. One thing to check - did you use the same Social Security number or any shared information when you applied? Sometimes the system creates inappropriate links based on shared data like phone numbers or addresses (even previous addresses). Also, make sure to document every interaction you have with the county from now on. Get names, dates, and case numbers. If they can't provide a clear explanation of why you're liable for her debt, that's a red flag that this is likely an administrative error that needs to be corrected through the appeals process. You absolutely have the right to receive your full benefit amount if you're not actually responsible for that overpayment!

This thread is absolutely incredible! As someone who's been navigating CalFresh for a while now, I wish I had found information this clear and detailed when I first started. The fact that you have both community members sharing real experiences AND an actual county case worker confirming everything is just amazing. I'm definitely saving this for future reference and sharing it with friends who are on CalFresh. The breakdown of EBT customer service vs county office systems, the expedited shipping option, the Claimyr service recommendation, emergency food assistance info - this is like a complete survival guide! Thank you everyone for taking the time to share your knowledge and help each other out. This is exactly what community support should look like!

This thread has been such a lifesaver! I'm actually in training to become a community navigator to help people with benefits applications and this conversation is exactly the kind of real-world knowledge they don't teach in the training materials. The distinction between EBT customer service for card issues vs county office for case updates is so important but not always clear to people. I'm definitely going to reference this thread when helping clients in the future. Also really appreciate Teresa sharing the insider perspective - it's so helpful to know about emergency food assistance options that workers can provide while people wait for replacement cards. This is community support at its best!

UPDATE: I've been using the card lock feature for about a week now, and it's super easy! I just unlock it right before checking out at the store and lock it again right after. Gives me such peace of mind! Also found out you can see all your transaction history in the app which helps me budget better. Thanks everyone for the additional security tips!

Just received my Golden State Advantage card yesterday and this thread has been SO helpful! I had no idea about all these security features. Already downloaded the EBT Edge app and set up the card lock - took me a few tries to get the verification code to work but persistence paid off. Quick question though - does anyone know if there's a way to temporarily unlock the card for a specific amount of time? Like if I'm doing a big grocery shopping trip and don't want to keep unlocking/locking between different stores? Also really appreciate the tip about updating automatic payments - completely forgot I had my card linked to Walmart grocery pickup!

I'm going through something similar right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I've been dealing with EBT card issues for the past few days and was getting so frustrated trying to figure out what was wrong. Reading everyone's experiences and solutions has given me a much clearer path forward. @Chloe Green - Thank you for sharing those insider tips about calling during off-peak hours! I had no idea that timing made such a huge difference in wait times. And the reminder about selecting "Cash" vs "Food" at the ATM is exactly the kind of detail I needed - I can totally see myself making that mistake when I'm stressed. @Nia Watson - I'm definitely going to check ebtEDGE.com first thing tomorrow morning before trying anything else. Having that extra information about account status could save me a lot of trial and error. It's honestly such a relief to know that so many people have dealt with these same issues and found solutions. The EBT system can be really confusing and intimidating when things go wrong, especially when you're already dealing with financial stress. Thanks to everyone for sharing your experiences and creating such a supportive space!

This whole thread has been a lifesaver! I'm dealing with the exact same issue right now - my EBT card worked fine last week and suddenly started getting declined at every ATM I tried. I was starting to panic thinking there was something wrong with my benefits, but reading through everyone's experiences has really helped calm my nerves and given me a solid action plan. @Chloe Green - Your insider tips are pure gold! I had no idea that calling during off-peak hours made such a difference, and the reminder about selecting "Cash" vs "Food" at the ATM is exactly what I needed to hear. I can totally see myself making that mistake when I'm stressed out. @Nia Watson - I'm definitely checking ebtEDGE.com first thing tomorrow before trying anything else. Having that account status info ahead of time sounds like it could save me a lot of frustration. It's so reassuring to know that most of these issues can be resolved with just a phone call to the right person. The EBT system really could be designed to be less confusing, especially when people are already dealing with financial stress. Thanks to everyone for sharing your experiences and solutions - this community is amazing!