California CalFresh

yes they can give u temp card at the office BUT not all counties do this!!! i tried in alameda county and they said they stopped doing it after covid and never started again. had to wait for mail. ask on phone first b4 u go all the way there

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stress! I went through something similar about 3 months ago and it's awful when you have kids depending on those benefits. In my case, I called every morning around 8:30am when the county office first opened and finally got through on the third day. The worker was actually really helpful once I reached her - she expedited my replacement and I got it in 4 days instead of the usual week. One thing that helped me was asking specifically about "emergency food assistance" while waiting for the new card. They don't always offer it automatically but some counties can provide temporary vouchers or direct you to emergency food programs that work with EBT families. Also, if you have any family or friends who can spot you groceries, the replacement process really does work - my new card came with all my remaining benefits intact. Hang in there, and definitely try calling first thing in the morning when their phone lines are less busy!

mine came in just now!!! just checked my balance and it finally loaded. maybe check yours again?

I'm so glad to hear your benefits came through! This is exactly why I always recommend people check this community first when they have issues - you get real-time updates from people going through the same thing. The system delays seem to be happening more frequently lately. For anyone else reading this thread in the future, it's worth knowing that the CDSS website posts official notices about system issues, and checking BenefitsCal for any pending tasks or messages is always a good first step. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and advice!

Update: Just wanted to let everyone know that I got through to someone at the county office yesterday and they confirmed what you all said - my regular deposit date is the 7th based on my case number. The worker explained that the first deposit often comes at odd times because they're processing initial approvals throughout the month. Thanks everyone for your help!

For anyone else who finds this thread with a similar question: It's important to note that there are three key dates with CalFresh you should be aware of: 1. Your issuance date (1st-10th of month based on case number) 2. Your SAR7 due date (typically 5th of your reporting month) 3. Your recertification month (every 12 months) Keep track of all three to avoid any benefit interruptions. And remember, your EBT balance carries over from month to month - you don't lose unspent benefits when the new month starts.

Just wanted to thank everyone for all this amazing advice! I went to Walmart yesterday and successfully bought seeds for tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, and some lettuce with my EBT card - no questions asked! I also got some mint and basil seeds since fresh herbs are so expensive at the store. The cashier didn't even blink when I paid with EBT. This is going to help stretch my food budget so much once things start growing. I'll update later in the season with how my garden turns out!

This is such a helpful thread! I'm also on CalFresh and had no idea about the seed/plant benefit. One thing I'd add for anyone starting out - check if your local library has gardening books or even seed libraries where you can borrow seeds for free! My library has a "seed swap" program every spring. Also, if you're worried about space, don't overlook container gardening. I grow cherry tomatoes, lettuce, and herbs in old yogurt containers and buckets on my apartment balcony. Even a small windowsill can produce enough fresh herbs to save you $20+ per month at the grocery store. The initial investment with your EBT benefits really does pay off!

Thanks for all the advice everyone! I'm going to reapply immediately with all the documents ready this time. I'll make sure to include our lease agreement showing the $1875 rent and our utility bills too. I tried calling the county office again this morning and sat on hold for 45 minutes before giving up. I'll try that Claimyr service someone mentioned to actually get through to a person. Quick question: when reapplying, should I mention that I was previously denied? Or just submit a brand new application as if it's my first time?

I'm new to this community but wanted to share my recent experience with CalFresh in San Bernardino County. I was also initially denied due to missing documentation, but I successfully got approved on my second application last month. A few tips that helped me: - When you reapply, submit EVERYTHING at once rather than sending documents separately. I scanned all my papers and uploaded them together online. - The county office has walk-in hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays 8-11am if you can't get through by phone. Sometimes it's faster than calling. - They do count your high rent as a major factor - with $1875/month rent, that should definitely help your case under the net income calculation. Also, if you qualify for expedited processing (which it sounds like you might based on your income vs. expenses), they're required to process your application within 3 days instead of the usual 30. Make sure to check that box on the application! Good luck with your reapplication - it sounds like you have a strong case with the complete documentation this time.