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Missing CalFresh emergency allotment for the 25th - anyone else not getting theirs?
Hey everyone, so according to my CalFresh app, I was supposed to receive extra emergency allotment stamps on the 25th this month but nothing showed up on my EBT card. I checked my balance multiple times yesterday and today - absolutely nothing added. Has this happened to anyone else in California? Is there some kind of delay or did they cancel the extra benefits without telling us? My family was counting on those extra funds for groceries this week. Getting worried since I've got 3 kids to feed and prices are insane these days.
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Missing $95 COVID emergency allotment from CalFresh - did they end?
Has anyone else noticed their extra CalFresh amount stopped? We've been getting $95 extra every month since the pandemic started (on top of our regular CalFresh benefit), but this month it's not there. I checked my EBT card balance and only the regular amount was loaded. August seems to be the last month we got the extra amount. I didn't receive any notice about this changing. Is this happening to everyone? Did the pandemic emergency allotments end? I was counting on that money for our grocery budget this month and now I'm kind of scrambling.
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Update: I finally got through to someone at the county office! Turns out the extra $95 was a temporary adjustment because of our decreased income earlier this year. It was set to last for 6 months and August was the final month. They said they sent a notice in July but I never received it. They're sending me a copy of it now. Thanks everyone for your help figuring this out!
Glad you got an answer! For future reference, you can also create an account on BenefitsCal.org to see electronic copies of all your notices and track your benefit amounts. It's really helpful for keeping track of changes like this.
Thanks for sharing this update! It's really helpful to know what the resolution was. I've been wondering about some changes to my own benefits lately and this gives me a better idea of what questions to ask when I call. It's frustrating that notices sometimes don't make it through the mail - seems to happen more often than it should. At least now you know what happened and can plan your budget accordingly going forward.
Are emergency CalFresh allotments really ending in 2025? Household in panic
Just got off the phone with my EBT customer service and they told me this month's emergency allotment will be the LAST one we'll receive! My family of 4 has been depending on the extra $500/month since my husband's hours got cut. The regular benefit amount barely covers two weeks of groceries for us. Has anyone else been told this is ending? Is this statewide or just in our county (Sacramento)? I'm seriously panicking about how we'll manage without this extra help. Are there any petitions or anything we can sign to get them to extend the emergency benefits? This couldn't come at a worse time with food prices going through the roof.
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My sisters been on calfresh for years and says this happens all the time. they give extra benefits then take em away then bring em back. maybe theyll start again soon? politicians always wanna look good before elections lol
This situation is actually different from past changes. The emergency allotments were specifically authorized by Congress as part of COVID relief legislation and have now formally expired. This isn't a routine administrative change that cycles back and forth. While benefit levels do get adjusted annually, and sometimes there are special increases, this particular emergency supplement is officially ending. It would require new federal legislation to bring back something similar.
Thanks for clarifying that @Diego Chavez - I was hoping maybe there was a chance they d'come back but sounds like that s'not realistic. Do you know if there are any advocacy groups working on getting Congress to pass new legislation for food assistance? I d'be willing to contact my representatives but don t'really know what to ask for specifically or if there are any bills being proposed.
I'm in the same boat as many of you - just found out about this ending and I'm honestly overwhelmed trying to figure out next steps. Reading through everyone's suggestions has been really helpful though. I'm going to try that Claimyr service to actually get through to someone at my county office, and I had no idea about being able to submit a voluntary mid-period report to add expenses. Does anyone know if things like laundromat costs count as utilities? We don't have washer/dryer in our apartment and spend about $60/month at the laundromat. Also planning to hit up some food banks - never thought I'd need to but here we are. Thanks everyone for sharing info and resources during such a stressful time.
Hey Sofia! I'm not sure about laundromat costs specifically counting as utilities, but it's definitely worth asking when you call. I know they count things like phone, internet, heating/cooling costs. Maybe laundromat falls under "other necessary expenses"? Also wanted to mention - if you're new to food banks, don't feel embarrassed about it. I was nervous my first time but the volunteers are usually really kind and understanding. Some places even let you "shop" and pick what you need instead of just giving you a pre-packed bag. We're all just trying to get through this together!
Can I buy cleaning supplies with my CalFresh EBT card? Also worried about theft protection
Just got approved for CalFresh and received my EBT card in the mail yesterday! Super excited but also confused about what I can actually buy with it. Can I purchase cleaning supplies and household items or is it strictly for food? My neighbor said it's only for groceries but I thought maybe some basic household necessities would be covered too? Also, I've been reading some scary posts about EBT theft recently. People getting their entire month's benefits stolen! How do you guys protect your cards/benefits? Do I need to change my PIN often? Any tips would be really appreciated since this is my first time on the program and I really can't afford to lose these benefits.
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they said it was probably a skimmer at the store but i never found out for sure. just be really careful anywhere you shop and cover the keypad when you type your pin. also check your balance after each purchase so you know right away if somethings wrong!
Welcome to CalFresh, Sofia! You've gotten some great advice here already. I just want to add a couple things from my experience: For EBT theft protection, I also recommend taking a photo of your receipt after each transaction and keeping track of your balance manually. The app is helpful but sometimes there's a delay in updating, so having your own records makes it easier to spot discrepancies quickly. Also, if you ever feel uncomfortable about a card reader looking suspicious (like if it seems loose or different from usual), trust your instincts and ask to pay cash or use a different terminal. Better safe than sorry! And definitely check out local food banks like Jamal suggested - many also have "client choice" programs where you can pick out personal care items and cleaning supplies alongside groceries. Some churches and community centers also do monthly distributions of household essentials. You're asking all the right questions as a new recipient. Stay vigilant but don't stress too much - most people use their benefits without any issues. Good luck with everything!
Can I use CalFresh EBT to pay for pre-ordered Costco bakery cakes?
Hi everyone, my daughter's birthday is coming up next month and I wanted to get her a nice cake from Costco since they're more affordable than other bakeries. The thing is, I'd need to pre-order it since it's a custom design she really wants. I'm wondering if anyone knows whether I can use my CalFresh EBT card to pay for a pre-ordered cake from Costco's bakery? Or does pre-ordering somehow make it count as a prepared food that isn't eligible? I don't want to place the order and then show up without being able to pay for it. Has anyone done this before?
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THE SYSTEM IS SO CONFUSING!!!! I've had THREE different Costco employees tell me THREE different things about using EBT for bakery items! One said yes for cakes but no for cookies, another said yes for everything except birthday cakes with messages, and the third said it depends on the cashier's mood that day!!!! The whole CalFresh system is designed to be complicated on purpose so people get frustrated and give up on benefits they DESERVE!!! Good luck with your cake but don't be surprised if they make it difficult for no reason!!!!
omg yes!!! i had a cashier at walmart tell me i couldnt buy a birthday cake with ebt but then i went to another lane and that cashier let me?? makes no sense!!
While there can certainly be inconsistency among cashiers, the actual rules are clear in SNAP regulations. Cold bakery items including decorated cakes are eligible for EBT purchase. If you encounter resistance, it's usually due to cashier misunderstanding rather than official policy. Always ask for a manager if there's confusion, as they typically have better training on EBT regulations.
Thanks everyone for all the helpful information! I'm going to go ahead and place the order for my daughter's cake. I'll make sure to specify any non-food decorations separately and be prepared to pay for those with cash. Seems like I should be able to use my EBT for the cake itself since it's cold and for home consumption. I'll update here after I pick it up in case anyone else has this question in the future!
hope it goes well!! happy birthday to ur daughter!!
That sounds like a great plan! Please do update us - it would be really helpful for other parents in similar situations. Hope your daughter has an amazing birthday with her special cake! 🎂
Paolo Conti
Try calling super early in the morning when they first open. I've had better luck getting through around 8:05am rather than later in the day. But yeah they should have made an actual announcement about ending the extra benefits instead of just quietly cutting them off! People plan their monthly budgets around this stuff!
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Sophie Footman
Just joined this community and seeing this thread - I'm having the exact same issue! Been waiting for emergency allotment that never came. Really frustrating that the app still shows outdated info about benefits that ended almost 2 years ago. My family was counting on that extra money too. Going to try calling early morning like Paolo suggested and also check out that Claimyr service Natasha mentioned. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - at least now I know I'm not the only one dealing with this confusing situation!
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