As someone who's been on CalFresh for about two years now, I completely understand your confusion! When I first got approved, I was so worried about buying anything that seemed "unnecessary" that I basically lived on rice and beans for the first month. But here's what I've learned: CalFresh is designed to help you buy FOOD, and that includes treats, snacks, and yes - even those energy drinks your neighbor saw someone buying! The restrictions are actually pretty simple: no alcohol, no tobacco, no hot prepared foods (like from the deli counter), no vitamins/supplements, and no non-food items. Everything else that's meant for human consumption is fair game. I've successfully bought birthday cakes, Halloween candy, soda for parties, fancy cheese, ice cream - you name it. The key thing that helped me get over the anxiety was realizing that your CalFresh benefits are YOUR benefits to use for feeding your family however works best for you. Don't let anyone make you feel guilty about occasionally buying treats for your kids - they deserve to feel normal and enjoy the same snacks as their friends!

I just wanted to add my perspective as someone who's been using CalFresh for about 8 months now. When I first got approved, I had the exact same worries as you! I was so confused by all the conflicting information I'd heard from friends and family. What really helped me was going to the grocery store with a friend who had been using EBT for years - she showed me firsthand that you really can buy pretty much any food item, including all the snacks and treats. I've since bought everything from cookies for my daughter's school bake sale to fancy coffee creamer for myself. The only time I've ever had an issue was when I accidentally tried to buy some vitamins, and the cashier was super nice about it - just said "oh, these don't go through on EBT" and set them aside. No big deal at all! Your kids deserve those summer treats you mentioned, and you shouldn't feel guilty about providing them. CalFresh is there to help families like ours maintain some normalcy around food, and that absolutely includes the occasional indulgence. Don't let anyone make you feel otherwise!

Hey Kaylee! Congratulations on getting the Target job - that's fantastic news! I can totally understand your anxiety about how it might affect your CalFresh benefits, but you're going to be okay. Just wanted to echo what others have said about it being income-based, not hours-based. At $2,100/month for a household of 3, you'll definitely still qualify for benefits, though the amount will be reduced from what you're getting now while unemployed. One thing I'd suggest is calling your county office BEFORE you start the job to give them a heads up about the upcoming change. That way they can walk you through exactly what documentation they'll need and when. Some counties are more helpful than others, but it's worth trying to get ahead of it. Also, keep in mind that your first few paychecks might be smaller while you're in training or getting up to full hours, so your actual monthly income might ramp up gradually. Make sure they understand your expected ongoing income versus what your first paycheck shows. You're doing an amazing job taking care of your kids and yourself - this new job is going to be a great step forward for your family!

Kaylee, first off congratulations on the new job! That's such great news after 6 months of searching. I totally get your worry about losing benefits - I went through the exact same anxiety when I started working again. The good news is that CalFresh is designed to support working families, not punish them for getting jobs. At $2,100/month for a family of 3, you're still well under the income limits and will continue receiving benefits, just at a reduced amount. A few practical tips from my experience: - Report the change within 10 days like others mentioned, but don't stress if you're a day or two late - If you can, submit your offer letter showing expected hours/pay rate before you even start, then follow up with actual paystubs - Target schedules can vary week to week, so your monthly income might fluctuate - they'll usually average it out over a few months The most important thing is staying in communication with your caseworker. I found that being proactive and honest about changes actually made the whole process smoother. You're doing an amazing job providing for your kids, and this new income combined with continued CalFresh support is going to make things so much more stable for your family. You've got this!

To answer your earlier question about updating your utility costs - you should call your eligibility worker right away. This is considered a change that could increase your benefits, so you don't need to wait for your next reporting period. If you can't reach anyone by phone, you can also submit this information through your BenefitsCal account online under 'Report a Change.' Make sure to upload copies of your utility bills as verification.

Just want to add that if you're struggling with rent, also look into the Fresno County Emergency Rental Assistance Program - they might still have funding available. I know someone who got 3 months of back rent covered through them last fall. The application process was pretty quick too, like 2-3 weeks from application to approval. You can apply online through their portal or visit one of their partner organizations. And definitely take everyone's advice about updating your utility expenses with CalFresh - that extra money each month really does help stretch your budget!

I double-checked my address on BenefitsCal and it's correct. Haven't received anything in the mail at all, not even an EBT card. That's a good point though - maybe I should call and verify my mailing address is correct in their system.

I'm so sorry you're going through this - I had a very similar experience last year where my application seemed to just disappear into the void. What finally helped me was filing a complaint with the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) online at cdss.ca.gov. They have a complaint form specifically for delayed applications and they actually follow up with the county on your behalf. It took about a week after I filed the complaint for someone from my county office to call me directly. Turns out my application had been sitting unassigned for over 6 weeks due to staffing issues. The complaint process really lights a fire under them to get moving. You can also contact your local legal aid organization - many have advocates who specialize in benefits issues and can help push your case forward. Don't give up, you deserve to have your application processed in a timely manner!

Hey everyone! I'm new to this community and just got my CalFresh benefits last month. This thread has been incredibly helpful - I actually had the exact same confusion about those EBT signs at fast food places! I saw one at a local Del Taco and was wondering if I could use my benefits there. Now I understand it's specifically for the Restaurant Meals Program and has those strict eligibility requirements. It's kind of disappointing since I'm a college student working part-time and grabbing something quick between classes would be really convenient, but I totally get why the program is designed for people who truly need prepared food options due to their circumstances. Thanks to everyone for explaining the differences between regular CalFresh, RMP, and cash benefits - I had no idea there were so many layers to the EBT system. This community seems really supportive and I'm glad I found it!

Hi everyone! I'm brand new to this community and just started receiving CalFresh benefits a few weeks ago. This entire thread has been SO educational - I had absolutely no clue about the Restaurant Meals Program before reading all your explanations! I actually work at a grocery store and see people try to use their EBT cards at the hot food bar sometimes, and now I understand why it doesn't work for most people. It makes total sense that RMP exists for elderly, disabled, and homeless individuals who might not have access to cooking facilities. Even though I don't qualify myself, I'm definitely going to keep this information in mind in case I encounter customers who might be eligible but don't know about the program. Thanks to everyone for being so patient in explaining all the different EBT programs and requirements - this community is already proving to be an amazing resource for understanding the benefits system!