Hey Ava! I just wanted to add one more resource that hasn't been mentioned yet - look into your college's Financial Aid office specifically about the "Student Parent Success Initiative" if they have one. I'm a single mom who went back to school last year, and this program was a game-changer for me. While CalFresh definitely won't pay tuition directly, what I found is that having CalFresh benefits actually helped me qualify for need-based aid calculations. The combination of CalFresh + California College Promise Grant covered my enrollment fees completely, and then EOPS helped with textbooks and parking passes. One practical tip: when you call these offices, specifically mention that you're a "student parent" rather than just a student - there are often special funds and programs designated specifically for parents that have less competition than general student aid. Also, ask about payment plans for any remaining costs - most colleges will let you spread expenses over the semester instead of paying everything upfront. The whole system is definitely confusing at first, but don't let that discourage you! I was overwhelmed too, but now I'm in my second year and it's totally worth the initial paperwork hassle. Your kiddo will be so proud to see you graduate!

I'm a college advisor and wanted to chime in with some official clarification since there's been great advice here but also some confusion. CalFresh absolutely does NOT pay tuition - it's strictly food assistance. However, what your college contact likely meant is that CalFresh eligibility can be a pathway to other educational support programs. Since you have a 4-year-old, you should qualify for CalFresh as a student under the dependent child exemption. Once you have CalFresh, you become eligible for several education-related programs: CFET (books/supplies assistance), California College Promise Grant (covers community college enrollment fees), and potentially CalWORKs education programs. Here's my recommended action plan: 1) Apply for/maintain CalFresh first, 2) Apply for California College Promise Grant through your college's financial aid office, 3) Ask specifically about CFET and EOPS programs, 4) Inquire about any "Basic Needs" or "Student Parent" specific programs your campus offers. The terminology around "sponsorship" is confusing because there's no single program that covers everything - it's really about layering multiple support programs together. Don't let the complexity discourage you though - these programs exist specifically to help students like you succeed! Your financial aid office should be able to help coordinate applications for multiple programs at once.

I'm brand new to this community and relatively new to CalFresh (been on it for about 2 months), and wow - this thread is both terrifying and incredibly helpful! I had absolutely no idea that card cancellations like this were so widespread. Reading everyone's experiences really shows this is a major systemic issue, not isolated incidents. What really bothers me is how these "enhanced security measures" seem to punish the very people they're supposed to protect. We're already in financially vulnerable situations - that's why we need CalFresh in the first place - and then the system makes it even harder to actually use our benefits? The lack of any warning before canceling cards is especially cruel. Finding out your card doesn't work when you're at checkout with groceries is humiliating and stressful. I'm definitely taking notes on all the solutions everyone has shared here - saving the EBT customer service number (877-328-9677), knowing about emergency vouchers and temporary cards, and apparently having to call ahead if I want to shop somewhere new (which is absolutely ridiculous but seems necessary). It's depressing that we need backup plans just to buy food with our own benefits. @Brooklyn Foley thank you for that detailed explanation of what might be causing these cancellations - having that context really helps. And @Avery Saint I'm so glad you got yours resolved and shared your experience! This community is already proving to be an amazing resource for navigating all the bureaucratic obstacles we face.

I'm completely new to this community and to CalFresh (just got approved last week!), and finding this thread feels like discovering a goldmine of information I desperately needed. Reading everyone's experiences is honestly both reassuring and alarming - reassuring because it's clearly not just me who's confused about how this system works, but alarming because it sounds like card cancellations could happen to any of us at any time! The fact that so many people are dealing with the same "enhanced security" issues really shows this is a widespread problem with the system itself. What's especially frustrating is how they can just cancel your card without any warning - like, wouldn't a simple text or call saying "hey, we noticed you shopped somewhere new, just confirming it was you" make way more sense than leaving people stranded at checkout? I'm definitely saving all the helpful tips from this thread as my CalFresh survival guide - the customer service number, emergency voucher info, temp card procedures, and apparently I need to call ahead before shopping anywhere new (which honestly sounds ridiculous but seems necessary). It's pretty sad that we need contingency plans just to buy groceries with our own benefits. Thanks to everyone for sharing your experiences and solutions, especially @Brooklyn Foley for the detailed breakdown and @Avery Saint for the update on how you got it resolved. This community is already proving to be invaluable for navigating all the bureaucratic chaos that comes with trying to access basic assistance!

This is such a common issue lately! I'm a case worker and I've been hearing about this app freezing bug from multiple clients over the past few weeks. The EBT Edge app's freeze/unfreeze feature has definitely been unreliable since the February update. For future reference, if you ever can't get through to the EBT customer service line right away, you can also try calling early in the morning (around 7-8 AM) when call volumes are typically lower. Also, some counties have local EBT coordinators who can help with these technical issues - worth asking your caseworker if that's available in your area. Really glad to see from the comments that you got it resolved quickly! It's frustrating when technology fails us when we need it most, especially with something as essential as food benefits.

Just wanted to chime in as someone who's dealt with similar EBT app issues! I've learned to screenshot everything when using any of the CalFresh/EBT digital features - confirmation screens, error messages, everything. It's saved me so much hassle when calling customer service because I can tell them exactly what error I'm getting. Also, if you're ever in this situation again and need groceries urgently while waiting for tech issues to be resolved, some food banks and community pantries can provide emergency food assistance even if you're already receiving CalFresh. Just a backup option to keep in mind! Really glad everyone was able to help you get this sorted out quickly.

The CalFresh system is SO confusing! Last year they completely skipped my September payment and when I called, they said it was because I didn't submit some paperwork that I DEFINITELY submitted. Took 3 weeks to fix! Make sure you're staying on top of your SAR7 and recertification deadlines because they'll use ANY excuse to delay benefits. I've learned to always keep an emergency food stash just in case.

Hey Sebastian! I'm pretty new to CalFresh too but I've been through this exact same confusion. That pending date of 9/28 you're seeing is just when the county processes your benefits internally - it doesn't mean you'll get access to them early. Your actual deposit date is still going to be the 1st based on your case number. I made the mistake of going grocery shopping early once thinking my benefits would be there and had to put everything back at checkout 😅 Super embarrassing! The system really needs better explanations of what those dates actually mean.

One more option that's saved me multiple times - many WinCo Foods locations allow cash back with EBT purchases and they're employee-owned so they tend to be really helpful about explaining the process. Also, if you have a smartphone, you can use the "ATM Hunter" app in addition to ConnectEBT - it shows you ALL ATMs nearby and you can filter by surcharge-free networks. I've noticed that some gas stations (especially larger chains like Shell or Chevron) sometimes have ATMs that are part of the MoneyPass or Allpoint networks, so don't overlook those when you're out and about. Just always look for the network logos on the ATM before inserting your card!

Another great resource I just discovered is the California EBT mobile app (different from ConnectEBT) - you can check your balance and also find participating retailers that offer cash back services in your area. I've been using it to plan my grocery trips around stores that offer cash back so I can get what I need AND access cash at the same time. Also wanted to mention that some Safeway and Vons locations have their own ATMs that are surcharge-free for EBT users, though this can vary by location. One tip that's helped me save money: I always try to combine my cash withdrawal needs with actual shopping I need to do anyway (like buying groceries or household items), so I'm not making special trips just for cash. Makes the whole process more efficient!