This whole thread really highlights how broken the CalFresh system can be. I'm a single parent and went through something similar last year - got approved, received my letter, but then had a "system hold" that took 3 weeks to resolve. During that time, my caseworker kept telling me it would be "fixed tomorrow" while my toddler and I were struggling to buy groceries. What really helped me was documenting every single phone call (date, time, who I spoke with, what they said) and also reaching out to my local food bank for emergency assistance while waiting. For anyone dealing with this, don't be afraid to contact your county supervisor's office or state assemblyperson if the regular channels aren't working - sometimes political pressure is the only thing that gets these "system errors" resolved quickly. It's ridiculous that families have to become advocates and investigators just to get benefits they're legally entitled to.

As someone new to this community, I'm really grateful for all the helpful information shared here! Reading through everyone's experiences with these "system errors" is both eye-opening and concerning. It seems like these administrative glitches are way too common for something as essential as food assistance. I'm planning to apply for CalFresh soon and I'm already bookmarking the Claimyr service and taking notes about keeping detailed documentation. It's unfortunate that we have to be so prepared for the system to fail us, but I appreciate how this community supports each other through these challenges. @Ethan Wilson I'm so glad you finally got your benefits resolved - having to worry about feeding your kids while dealing with bureaucratic errors must have been incredibly stressful. Thank you to everyone who shared practical tips and resources!

Hey @Savanna Franklin, I went through something similar last year and it was so stressful! A few things that helped me: 1) Go to your county office in person if possible - sometimes that gets faster results than calling. 2) Bring a copy of your application confirmation and any documentation you submitted. 3) Ask specifically about your interview date and mention you haven't received any notices. They can usually look up your case right there and tell you what's happening. Some counties are way behind on mailing notices but they can schedule your interview on the spot. Also definitely turn off that spam call blocking like Amy suggested - that was probably the issue! Good luck and don't give up!

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - applied 2.5 weeks ago and crickets! What's really frustrating is that food costs have gone up so much that every day waiting makes things worse. One thing I learned from my neighbor who works at social services is that you can also try reaching out to your county supervisor's office if you're not getting responses from the CalFresh office directly. They sometimes have staff who can help cut through the red tape. Also, if you have any local food banks or community organizations nearby, they might have advocates who know the system better and can help you navigate it while you're waiting. Don't feel bad about being proactive - you have every right to know what's happening with your application!

Just want to echo what others have said about NOT using those benefits - your brother is absolutely right to be cautious! I work in benefits administration (not CalFresh specifically, but similar programs) and this kind of processing delay is unfortunately super common. The key thing is that eligibility is determined based on actual circumstances, not just what the computer system shows. Since he's earning $3,600/month and properly reported it, using those benefits could definitely result in an overpayment claim later. The voluntary repayment option that Giovanni mentioned is definitely the way to go - it shows good faith effort to resolve the issue and typically results in better treatment if there are any future interactions with the program. Document everything and keep trying to reach someone at the county office!

I had a very similar situation happen to me about 6 months ago! Called to cancel my CalFresh when I got a new job, worker said it would be processed immediately, but then I kept getting deposits for 2 more months. I was so stressed about it because I didn't want to get in trouble, but I also wasn't sure if I should use the money or not. I ended up doing exactly what everyone here is recommending - called back multiple times until I got someone who knew about the voluntary repayment process. It took about 3 weeks to fully resolve, but they were able to remove the benefits from my case without any overpayment penalties. The most important thing I learned is that you have to be persistent with calling back because not all the workers know about this option. Your brother is smart to handle this proactively - it's so much easier to deal with upfront than trying to fight an overpayment claim later!

So glad to see this update! You're definitely not stupid - the EBT system is incredibly confusing and the cards really do look just like regular debit cards. I made the same mistake when I first got mine. It's actually pretty common for people to assume they can withdraw cash, especially since some states do allow limited ATM access for certain programs. The important thing is you got the help you needed! Hope your Emergency Assistance appointment went well and you were able to get your rent situation sorted out.

This is such an important thread for newcomers! I wish there was better education about how EBT cards work when people first get them. The fact that they look identical to debit cards but have such different rules is genuinely confusing. @Malik Davis - you handled this situation really well by asking for help and following through on the advice. For anyone else reading this who might be in a similar spot: most counties also have 211 services (just dial 2-1-1) that can connect you to emergency assistance programs, food banks, and other resources. It's free and available 24/7. Also, some churches and community organizations have emergency funds specifically for rent assistance, even if you're not a member. Don't be afraid to ask around in your neighborhood!

This is such a common confusion point! I work as a benefits counselor and see this question a lot. The "SNAP amount due" wording is really misleading - it should say something like "SNAP eligible total" instead. What it's showing you is that out of your $200 purchase, $150 worth of items were eligible for SNAP benefits. Since you only had $100 left on your EBT card, the system used all of that for eligible items, and then you paid the remaining $100 in cash (which covered the $50 of remaining eligible items plus $50 of non-eligible items like maybe cleaning supplies, vitamins, or prepared foods). Your benefits are fine - this is totally normal when you don't have enough EBT balance to cover all eligible items in your cart!

This thread has been so helpful! I'm new to using CalFresh and had the exact same panic when I saw "SNAP amount due" on my receipt last month. I actually went back to customer service thinking they charged me twice! 😅 The cashier was super nice and explained it, but I wish they would just print a little explanation on the receipt or change the wording. For anyone else who's new like me - I've found that keeping track of my EBT balance on my phone helps me plan better. You can check it by calling the number on the back of your card or sometimes through your state's EBT app. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences here!