I work for a nonprofit that helps families navigate CalFresh issues, and this sounds like a classic case of missing deductions. With your income and family size, you should definitely be getting more than $380. The childcare expense you mentioned ($850/month) is huge - that alone could increase your benefits significantly since it reduces your countable income. A few tips for when you call: 1. Have all your documents ready (pay stubs, rent receipts, childcare provider info) 2. Ask specifically for your "eligibility determination worksheet" - this shows exactly how they calculated your benefits 3. If the first worker can't help, ask to speak with a supervisor 4. Take notes on who you talk to and when Also, double-check that they have your household size correct (you + 3 kids = 4 people) and that they're applying the correct utility allowance for your area. These are common mistakes that can really impact your benefit amount.

I'm dealing with something similar right now! Just wanted to add that you should also make sure they applied the correct utility allowance - there's a standard utility allowance (SUA) that's supposed to be automatic if you pay any utilities separately from rent. For 2025 it's around $417 in most CA counties. If they forgot to include this or used a lower amount, that could definitely impact your shelter deduction calculation and bring down your benefits. When you call tomorrow, specifically ask if they included the SUA in your calculation. Sometimes workers forget to check that box in the system. Hope you get it sorted out - sounds like you're definitely entitled to more than $380 with those expenses!

I'm so sorry to hear about your sister's situation - EBT theft is unfortunately becoming way too common. I'm in San Diego but went through something similar last year when $425 was stolen from my card. A few things that might help speed up the process: 1) Make sure she gets a case tracking number for her theft claim (different from the police report number) so she can reference it in every call, 2) Ask the county office if they can put an "urgent need" flag on her case since she has children with no food, and 3) Document every phone call she makes - date, time, who she spoke with, and what they said. This helped me when I had to escalate my case. It took me 16 days to get my benefits back, but I know others who got theirs in under a week when they were persistent about calling daily. Also, many churches in Bakersfield have emergency food pantries that don't require any paperwork - just show up. Hope this helps and that she gets her benefits restored soon!

I'm so sorry your sister is dealing with this - EBT theft is absolutely devastating, especially when you have kids depending on those benefits. I'm a case manager in Riverside County and we've been seeing a huge spike in these cases lately. Here's what I always tell my clients: first, make sure she specifically asks for "expedited replacement benefits" when she calls - this is different from the regular theft claim process and can sometimes get benefits restored within 7-10 days for families with children. Second, have her contact the Kern County Board of Supervisors office and file a complaint about the delay - sometimes political pressure helps move things along faster. The number is (661) 868-3680. Also, if she hasn't already, she should apply for emergency CalWORKs cash aid while waiting - it's a separate program that can provide immediate assistance for families in crisis. Document everything - every call, every person she speaks with, every promise made. This creates a paper trail if she needs to escalate further. Sending strength to your family during this incredibly difficult time!

its so weird how different counties handle this stuff too!! my friend in alameda county gets more calfresh than me even tho we have almost identical income?? makes no sense

I'm dealing with the exact same situation! My SS went up $94 this month but my CalFresh dropped $85. It's so disheartening when you think you're getting a little help to keep up with rising costs, but then you end up barely ahead at all. Reading through these comments has been really eye-opening though - I had no idea about the medical expense deduction! I'm 63 and spend around $180/month on prescriptions and doctor visits. I've been struggling to reach my caseworker too, but I'm definitely going to try that Claimyr service someone mentioned and get the CW 62 form submitted. It really does feel like the system is working against us sometimes. The COLA is supposed to help us keep up with inflation, but when food costs have gone up so much this past year, having our food benefits reduced at the same time just doesn't make sense. At least now I know there might be some deductions I'm missing that could help offset this reduction.

Hey Melissa! I just wanted to chime in as another new CalFresh user - I got my card about 2 months ago and had the exact same worries about buying formula for my son. I'm happy to confirm that yes, all baby formula is covered including the expensive specialized ones! I buy Similac Pro-Advance regularly and it works perfectly with EBT. One thing that really helped me overcome the initial anxiety was practicing what I'd say at checkout. I just tell the cashier "I'm using EBT for eligible items" right when I start, and they handle everything from there. Most cashiers are super professional about it and honestly don't even blink - they see EBT cards all day long. Also, if you download the store apps for places like Target or Safeway, you can actually look up products beforehand to confirm they're EBT eligible. It's a great way to feel more prepared before you go shopping. Don't let any anxiety stop you from getting what your baby needs - you qualified for these benefits for a reason and formula is exactly what they're meant to help with! You've got this mama! 🤱

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! 🌟

glad u figured it out! this stuff is confusing af sometimes

So glad you got it sorted out! This is actually a really common confusion - the term "extra benefits" can mean different things. When your income decreases, the increased benefit amount gets calculated into your regular monthly deposit, not as a separate payment. For future reference, you can always check your benefit calculation on your county portal or the latest notice they sent you - it should show the breakdown of how they calculated your new amount. Hope the increased benefits help with feeding your family!