I'm 3 months pregnant and this thread is incredibly eye-opening! I haven't had my recertification appointment yet, but now I know exactly what to expect based on everyone's experiences. It's really disappointing to see how many pregnant moms are dealing with the same issue - workers not informing us about pregnancy benefits we're entitled to. I'm going to be super proactive thanks to all your advice. At my next prenatal appointment, I'll ask my doctor for the verification note with all three requirements (pregnancy confirmation, due date, signature) before I even meet with my case worker. That way I can submit it immediately and avoid the months of missed benefits so many of you experienced. The systematic nature of this problem is really concerning - it seems like workers either aren't properly trained on pregnancy benefits or they're just not bothering to inform us. Either way, it's not acceptable when pregnant families are already struggling financially. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and creating such a helpful resource for other moms navigating this system!

I'm 4.5 months pregnant and just realized from reading this entire thread that I should have been getting pregnancy benefits this whole time! When I reported my pregnancy at my recertification interview 6 weeks ago, my case worker just said "okay, noted" and moved on. No mention of additional benefits, documentation needed, or anything. It's honestly shocking to see how many of us are in the exact same situation. This clearly isn't just a few bad workers - it seems like a systematic issue where pregnant clients aren't being properly informed about benefits we're legally entitled to. We're already dealing with increased expenses during pregnancy and every dollar really matters! I'm going to follow everyone's advice here and get that medical documentation from my OB next week (pregnancy confirmation, due date, doctor's signature). Then I'll submit it through BenefitsCal AND drop it off in person to get a receipt like Santiago suggested. The tip about following up within 10 days is really valuable too. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences - this thread is going to help so many pregnant families avoid missing out on months of support. It's frustrating that we have to advocate so hard for ourselves, but at least now I know exactly what steps to take!

UPDATE: Finally got through to my county worker! Turns out they received my verification docs but needed one more recent pay stub because my hours increased. They never sent me a notice about it (or it got lost in the mail). The worker was able to process everything while I was on the phone and said my benefits should load within 2-3 business days. So relieved! Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions.

@Malik Robinson So glad you got it resolved! This is exactly why I always tell people to check BenefitsCal regularly - the system has gotten way more digital but they don't really advertise that change. I've been on CalFresh for 2 years and learned the hard way that you can't rely on mail notices anymore. Pro tip: set a calendar reminder to check your account weekly, especially around recertification time. The income reporting requirement that @Freya Andersen mentioned is super important too - I got my case temporarily suspended once for not reporting a small raise quickly enough. Hope your benefits load soon and you can get groceries for your kids!

I'm so glad I found this thread! I've been on CalFresh for about 3 months now and my caseworker never mentioned the E&T program either. After reading everyone's experiences, I'm definitely going to look into this. I'm particularly interested in hearing about the computer skills training that someone asked about earlier - I'm in a similar situation where I need to improve my tech skills to get better job opportunities. Right now I'm working part-time at a grocery store but I know I could do more with the right training. Does anyone know if the program helps with things like Microsoft Office certification or basic IT skills? I see people mentioning coding bootcamps and medical admin training, but I'm looking for something more entry-level to start with. Also curious if there are any online options since I don't have reliable transportation to get to in-person classes. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it's really encouraging to hear success stories and know that there are actually good resources out there to help us improve our situations!

This is such an informative thread! I'm a single mom who just started receiving CalFresh last month and I had no idea about the E&T program. Reading about all these success stories - from coding bootcamps to healthcare certificates to union apprenticeships - is really giving me hope that I can get the skills I need to provide better for my kids. I'm especially interested in the childcare assistance that was mentioned. That's been my biggest barrier to getting any kind of training or education. Working two part-time jobs and trying to care for my 4-year-old doesn't leave much room for self-improvement, but if they actually help with childcare costs during training, that could be a game-changer. I'm definitely going to call my county office this week to ask about what E&T options they have available. Based on what everyone's shared, I'll make sure to ask specifically about childcare support, transportation assistance, and any programs that might work with my current work schedule. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their experiences - it's so helpful to hear real stories from people who have actually been through these programs. It makes it feel much more accessible and less intimidating than just reading about it on government websites.

Hi Melissa! Welcome to CalFresh! I just wanted to add my experience as someone who's been using benefits for about 8 months now. Yes, absolutely all baby formula is covered including the specialized hypoallergenic types! I purchase Enfamil Gentlease regularly with my EBT card and have never had any issues. One tip that really helped me when I was first starting out: if you're shopping at stores like Walmart or Target that have grocery pickup, you can place your order online and they'll automatically separate EBT-eligible items from non-eligible ones during checkout. This was super helpful when I was still learning what was covered and feeling nervous about in-store purchases. You just drive up, they load your groceries, and you pay with your EBT card through their terminal - no awkward checkout interactions at all! Also, don't forget that you can use your EBT card at farmers markets too if you want fresh produce. Many of them have programs that match your EBT spending which stretches your benefits even further. You're doing great by asking these questions and making sure your baby gets the nutrition he needs. That's exactly what these programs are designed for! Best of luck with everything! 🌟

Hi Melissa! I just wanted to add my experience as a CalFresh recipient who also has a baby with special dietary needs. Yes, absolutely ALL baby formula is covered by CalFresh EBT, including the super expensive hypoallergenic and amino acid-based formulas! I've purchased Neocate Jr, which costs around $55 per can, multiple times with no issues at all. One thing I learned that might help you feel more confident: you can actually call the customer service number on the back of your EBT card (or check your state's CalFresh website) to get a complete list of eligible items. They also have apps now where you can scan barcodes to check eligibility before you shop. For your first trip, I'd suggest going to a store you're familiar with during a less busy time. Bring a backup payment method just in case, but honestly, I've never had formula be declined. The registers are programmed to know what's eligible, so it's pretty foolproof. Also, definitely look into WIC like others mentioned! Even if you have CalFresh, WIC can provide additional formula vouchers specifically for babies, plus other nutritious foods. Many families use both programs together successfully. You're being an amazing parent by making sure your baby gets the specialized nutrition he needs. Don't let anyone make you feel otherwise! 💙

UPDATE: I finally got through to the county Housing Support Program! Called right when they opened using that Claimyr service someone mentioned (which actually worked!). The case worker said I qualify for their deposit assistance program even though I'm not on CalWORKs! They can cover my full security deposit but I need to come up with first month's rent. My sister is going to loan me $1000 and I'm putting the rest on my credit card. It's not ideal but at least I won't lose the apartment! THANK YOU everyone for all the advice!!!

That's amazing news! So glad you were able to get help with the deposit through the Housing Support Program. It's really good to know that program exists for people who are only on CalFresh - I had no idea about that option. Thanks for updating us on how it worked out, this info will definitely help other people in similar situations. Congrats on securing your new place!