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Ask the community...
- DO post questions about your issues.
- DO answer questions and support each other.
- DO post tips & tricks to help folks.
- DO NOT post call problems here - there is a support tab at the top for that :)
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StarStrider
UPDATE: I just wanted to let everyone know what worked. I tried BenefitsCal first but kept getting an error about file size when uploading my phone pics. Ended up using Claimyr to get through to a worker (took about 12 mins vs the 2+ hours I was on hold before). The worker actually gave me her direct email and I sent the documents right to her! She confirmed receipt while I was on the phone and said my benefits would continue without interruption. SUCH a relief! Thanks everyone for your help!
Mateo Perez
•That's great news! Just a tip for future reference - if you're taking photos of documents with your phone, there's usually a setting to reduce image quality/size before uploading to BenefitsCal. Most verification documents don't need to be high-resolution photos. But glad you got it resolved directly with your worker!
So glad you got it sorted out! For anyone else reading this thread, another tip is to always compress your photos before uploading to BenefitsCal. I use the built-in compression feature on my phone's camera app or free apps like Photo Compress to reduce file sizes. The system seems to have issues with files over 5MB. Also, make sure your documents are well-lit and text is clearly readable - blurry uploads get rejected and you'll have to start over. Keep that worker's direct email handy for future submissions too!
StarSailor
•This is such helpful advice! I'm new to CalFresh and honestly had no idea about file compression - I was just taking regular photos with my phone. Do you know if there's a specific file format that works best with BenefitsCal? I want to make sure I get everything right the first time since I've been reading horror stories about documents getting lost in the system. Also wondering if PDF scans work better than photo uploads?
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Layla Mendes
Just wanted to add that you should keep all your paperwork from when you reported the income change! If there's ever any question later about whether you properly reported it, having that documentation will protect you. I always keep copies of anything I submit to the county office because their records aren't always perfect. Also, if your Social Security goes back down for any reason (like if they made an error), you can reapply for CalFresh right away.
StarStrider
•That's really smart advice about keeping paperwork! I'm pretty new to all this and didn't realize how important documentation could be. I did get a letter confirming my case closure, so I'll definitely hang onto that. Quick question - when you say Social Security could go back down, what kinds of situations would cause that? I thought the cost of living increases were permanent.
StarSeeker
•@StarStrider Good question! While cost of living increases are usually permanent, there are some situations where Social Security payments can decrease. For example, if someone was receiving SSI (Supplemental Security Income) and their living situation changes, or if there was an overpayment that gets corrected, or sometimes if they were getting both Social Security and SSI and one gets adjusted. It's not super common, but it can happen. Also, if you have Medicare premiums deducted from your Social Security, those can change year to year which affects your net payment. That's why it's worth keeping track of your actual received amounts!
Ruby Knight
This happened to my neighbor too after the Social Security COLA increase! What really helped her was tracking exactly when she used her EBT card because like others mentioned, the 9-month rule resets every time you make a purchase. So if you bought something today, you'd have another 9 months from today before any unused benefits would expire. She also discovered she could still get emergency food assistance through her local food bank even though she was no longer CalFresh eligible - they don't have the same income restrictions. Might be worth looking into while you use up what's left on your card!
Mei Zhang
•That's really helpful to know about the 9-month timer resetting with each purchase! I didn't realize it worked that way - I thought it was just 9 months total from when they stopped adding new benefits. And thanks for mentioning food banks too. I've never used one before but with grocery prices the way they are now, it might be worth checking out. Do you know if there are usually any requirements to use food bank services, or is it just based on need?
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I'm also in Contra Costa and experienced the same delays! My benefits were 5 days late but finally loaded on Wednesday. What helped me was going directly to the Martinez office early in the morning (around 7:30 AM) - there was still a line but I was able to speak with someone within 2 hours. They explained that the CalSAWS transition has caused a backlog in their system processing, but they assured me that all January benefits would be issued with the correct amounts, just delayed. The worker also gave me a direct number for their CalSAWS transition hotline: (925) 957-5299. It's supposedly monitored more frequently than the main line during this transition period. Hang in there everyone - it seems like most people are getting their benefits now, just later than usual!
Nina Chan
•Thank you so much for sharing that direct hotline number! I'm definitely going to try calling (925) 957-5299 tomorrow. I'm new to this community and this whole situation has been really overwhelming - it's such a relief to see that other people have been going through the same thing and that benefits are actually loading, just late. I was starting to panic that something was wrong with my case. Going to the Martinez office early sounds like a good backup plan too. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and solutions here!
Nora Brooks
I'm so glad I found this thread! I'm also in Contra Costa (Concord area) and have been dealing with the exact same issue - my January benefits were supposed to load on the 10th but didn't show up until yesterday (the 16th). I was starting to think it was just me! Like others mentioned, I couldn't get through on the phone at all. What finally worked for me was using the online chat feature on the BenefitsCal website - it took about 45 minutes of waiting but I was able to connect with someone who confirmed my benefits were just delayed due to the system transition, not lost. They also mentioned that February benefits should be back to normal timing since the worst of the transition issues are behind them now. For anyone still waiting, definitely try that chat option if calling isn't working - go to benefitscal.com and look for the "Live Chat" button. Sending good thoughts to everyone dealing with this stress!
Thanks for mentioning the BenefitsCal chat option! I'm new to navigating all these systems and didn't even know that existed. It's really reassuring to hear that February benefits should be back to normal timing. This whole situation has been so stressful, especially when you're new to the area and don't know what's normal vs what's a system problem. I've been in Contra Costa for only a few months and this delay had me worried I'd done something wrong with my application. Really grateful for this community sharing all these helpful resources and workarounds!
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Axel Bourke
This thread has been incredibly educational! I'm brand new to CalFresh (just got approved last week) and had absolutely no idea what was and wasn't covered. The birthday cake question never even crossed my mind, but now I'm so relieved to know this is an option for when my kids' birthdays come around. Reading through everyone's experiences - from successful purchases at different stores to tips about calling ahead and understanding decoration charges - has given me so much confidence. It's really encouraging to see such a supportive community where people share practical knowledge and help each other navigate the system. James, I hope your son has the most amazing 5th birthday party, and thank you for asking this question that's helped so many of us newcomers! 🎉
Ravi Kapoor
•Welcome to CalFresh and to this community, Axel! It's so great to see newcomers finding this thread helpful. I'm also pretty new to the program (about 6 months in) and I remember feeling exactly the same way - totally overwhelmed and unsure about what I could and couldn't buy. This community has been such a lifesaver for getting real-world answers to practical questions like this. The birthday cake discussion really shows how supportive everyone is here and how willing people are to share their experiences to help others feel more confident. Don't hesitate to ask questions as they come up - everyone here is super helpful and understanding. Glad you found this thread before your kids' birthdays come around so you'll already know you have that option! 🎂
Just wanted to share another positive experience to add to all the great responses here! I've been using CalFresh for about 18 months and have bought birthday cakes from both grocery store bakeries and even warehouse stores like Sam's Club without any issues. The key thing I've learned is that if you're ever unsure about whether something is eligible, you can always ask the cashier to try running it through - EBT cards will simply decline items that aren't allowed, so there's no risk of accidentally buying something you shouldn't. This has saved me from second-guessing myself so many times! Also, I've found that most bakery staff are really knowledgeable about EBT rules since they deal with these purchases regularly. Your $25 budget at Safeway should get you a really nice cake - their bakery does great work! Hope your little guy has the best 5th birthday ever! 🎂🎉
Keisha Williams
I've been reading through all these responses and I'm amazed at how many creative solutions people have found to deal with this broken system! As someone who's also struggled with unresponsive workers, I wanted to add one more strategy that worked for me: if your county has a social media presence (Facebook, Twitter), try posting a polite but firm public comment about being past the processing deadline with no worker response. Include your case number if you're comfortable. Counties HATE negative public attention and often have dedicated social media staff who can escalate issues quickly. I got a call back within 6 hours of posting on my county's Facebook page after 3 weeks of ignored voicemails. It shouldn't have to come to public shaming, but sometimes that's what cuts through the bureaucracy. Also, keep screenshots of everything in case you need to file additional complaints. You've got this - don't let them wear you down!
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Mateo Rodriguez
•That's such a smart idea about using social media! I never thought about posting on my county's Facebook page, but you're absolutely right that they probably respond quickly to public complaints since other people can see them. It's kind of sad that we have to resort to public shaming just to get basic communication, but if it works in 6 hours versus weeks of ignored calls, I'm definitely willing to try it. I'm going to look up my county's social media pages right now and see if they're active. The screenshot tip is really good too - I should be documenting all of this in case I need to escalate further. Thanks for adding another tool to the arsenal! It's incredible how this thread has become like a masterclass in navigating bureaucratic dysfunction.
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Jamal Harris
I'm so frustrated reading your story because it mirrors exactly what I went through 6 months ago! I was also past the 30-day deadline with zero response from my worker despite leaving countless messages. What finally broke through was calling the county's main number at exactly 8:00 AM and asking to speak with the "duty supervisor" for CalFresh - not my assigned worker, but whoever was supervising cases that day. I explained I was past the legal processing timeline and needed immediate assistance. They connected me to someone who could actually access my case and resolve the issue within 24 hours. Also, when you do get someone on the phone, ask them to add a "priority processing note" to your case file so this doesn't happen again with future interactions. The system is absolutely broken and understaffed, but there are people in supervisory roles who can cut through the red tape when pressed. Don't give up - your family deserves better than this runaround!
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