This entire thread has been so helpful! As someone who works at a local food pantry, I wanted to add that many pantries have emergency provisions specifically for situations like lost EBT cards. Don't be embarrassed to call and explain your situation - we've heard it all before and that's exactly what we're here for! Most pantries will let you come more than once during your emergency period too. Also, if you have young children, WIC offices often have emergency food vouchers available even if you're not currently on WIC. And one more thing - screenshot or write down the EBT customer service number (1-877-328-9677) and your case number somewhere safe so you have it ready if this happens again. You never know when you might need it!

Wow, this thread has been incredibly comprehensive! I'm new to CalFresh and honestly had no idea there were so many options available when you lose your EBT card. The emergency pickup option alone could be a lifesaver - I always assumed you just had to wait for mail delivery. The tip about saving your EBT card number in your phone is brilliant, and I never would have thought about community fridges or asking grocery store managers about using just the card number. It's amazing how much this community knows and shares to help each other out. Definitely bookmarking this entire conversation for future reference. Thanks to everyone who contributed - this is way more helpful than any official resource I've found!

I'm completely new to CalFresh and this community, and honestly, I'm shocked by what you went through! Like so many others have said, absolutely NOBODY mentioned location tracking during my application process - I had no idea this was even a thing they monitored. What your worker did sounds totally inappropriate and honestly kind of abusive. You work in that city - of course you'd shop there during lunch or after work! That's literally the most normal, logical thing in the world. The fact that they called you in for some mystery "appointment" and then made you feel like a criminal for basic grocery shopping is completely unacceptable. I've been using my card at different stores trying to find the best deals and freshest food to stretch my benefits, and now I'm genuinely worried I might get ambushed with one of these interrogations too. It's so messed up that we have to live in fear of being questioned for normal activities that anyone with a regular income does without thinking twice. You absolutely did nothing wrong, and I really hope you follow through with filing that complaint. This worker clearly needs better training on what actual fraud looks like versus just normal life patterns. Thanks for sharing your experience - it sucks that you had to go through this, but it's really valuable for newcomers like me to understand what we might face in this system.

I'm brand new to CalFresh and this community, and reading your experience has me absolutely floored! Nobody mentioned ANYTHING about location tracking during my application process - I feel like this is such crucial information that they're deliberately withholding from applicants. What your worker put you through sounds completely inappropriate and honestly traumatic. Shopping near your workplace is literally the most normal, practical thing anyone would do! The fact that they ambushed you with this mystery "appointment" and then interrogated you like you were committing a crime is absolutely unacceptable. I've been using my EBT card at various stores across different cities just trying to find the best deals and freshest produce to make my limited benefits stretch as far as possible. Now I'm genuinely terrified that I might get one of these intimidating calls for doing exactly what any smart shopper would do! It's so discriminatory that people needing food assistance have to worry about this kind of surveillance and harassment while people with regular income can shop wherever they want without question. This whole system seems designed to make us feel guilty and ashamed for needing help. You absolutely did nothing wrong, and I really hope you follow through with filing that complaint against this worker. They clearly need serious training on what actual fraud looks like versus normal life activities. Thanks for sharing this - it's awful you went through it, but it's really valuable for newcomers like me to understand what we might face. Stay strong and don't let them intimidate you!

I'm new to CalFresh and this whole discussion is really helpful! I just got approved last month and was wondering if I should expect any extra payments like this. From what I'm reading, it sounds like these disaster supplements are pretty rare and only happen during emergencies. Is there anywhere I can check for updates about these kinds of special benefits, or do they just automatically appear on your EBT card when you're eligible? I don't want to miss out on anything I might qualify for in the future.

As someone who's been on CalFresh for about two years, I can add that these special supplements can be really confusing when they first happen! I remember getting a random $95 deposit during the wildfire season in 2023 and panicking that it was a mistake that would get clawed back later. Turns out it was legitimate emergency assistance for my county. One thing I've learned is to always screenshot or write down any unexpected deposits with the date and amount, just in case there are questions later. Also, if you ever move between counties, make sure to update your address immediately - I've heard of people missing out on benefits because their address wasn't current in the system. The CalFresh program actually does a pretty good job of getting emergency help to people when disasters strike, but the communication about WHY you're getting extra money could definitely be better!

Just to clarify some confusion in this thread: The document you specifically need is called a "Notice of Benefit Determination" from EDD. It clearly states which program you're receiving benefits from (SDI in your case). You can download this directly from your EDD online account under "Claim History" then "Notices and Determination". Print this plus your payment history showing the benefit type. Submit both together to CalFresh with a cover letter explaining these documents prove you are ONLY receiving SDI benefits. If they still give you trouble, request a hearing immediately - they have to prove why they're denying you.

Also wanted to add - if you continue having issues after submitting those EDD documents, you can contact your local legal aid organization for free help. Many have CalFresh specialists who can intervene with the county on your behalf. In my experience, sometimes a call from an advocate gets things moving way faster than when you're dealing with them alone. Hope you get this resolved quickly - no one should have to go hungry over bureaucratic confusion!

I'm so glad I found this thread! I'm a new CalFresh recipient and was completely confused about why I couldn't see my pending benefits anymore. I've been a nervous wreck checking ebtEDGE multiple times a day thinking something was wrong with my application. Reading everyone's experiences has been such a relief - now I understand it's just the system changes and not a problem with my case. I'm definitely going to try the BenefitsCal website and see if my county offers text notifications. Thank you all for sharing these workarounds and making me feel less alone in navigating these confusing changes! As a newcomer, this community support means everything.

This whole thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm a working single dad who just got approved for CalFresh about 6 weeks ago, and I was starting to think I was losing my mind when I couldn't see any pending benefits on ebtEDGE. I've been checking it obsessively every day since my approval, especially as my deposit date approaches. Reading everyone's experiences makes me feel so much better knowing this is a widespread issue from the system changes and not something wrong with my case. I'm definitely going to try the BenefitsCal workaround and call my county office to ask about text notifications. It's frustrating that they removed such a useful budgeting tool without giving us proper alternatives, but I'm grateful for this community sharing all these practical solutions. Thank you everyone for helping newcomers like me navigate these confusing changes!