I'm brand new to CalFresh and just started experiencing these phantom calls yesterday! I got three calls in a row from what I assume was DPSS - each time I answered as quickly as possible thinking it might be about my application status, and each time it was just dead silence followed by a hang up. I was getting so anxious thinking I had done something wrong or missed some critical step in the process. Reading through all these responses has been such a huge relief! It's incredible that this is such a widespread issue with their auto-dialer system. I had no idea this was a "normal" DPSS experience. I'm definitely going to set up those text notifications in BenefitsCal right away - that sounds so much more reliable than waiting for phantom phone calls that never actually connect to a real person. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences and practical tips. As someone just starting this journey, it's really comforting to know there's a community here that understands all the frustrations of dealing with these broken systems!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this! I've been on CalFresh for about a year now and those phantom calls are THE WORST. I probably got about 6-7 of them during my last recertification period and it stressed me out so much that I actually took a day off work to camp out at the DPSS office just to make sure everything was okay with my case. What I learned from talking to the worker in person is that their system is basically held together with digital duct tape at this point. She told me they're aware of the auto-dialer issue but fixing it apparently requires some major system overhaul that keeps getting delayed due to budget constraints. Typical government efficiency, right? The good news is that as long as you stay current with your paperwork and check BenefitsCal regularly, you should be totally fine. I've never heard of anyone losing benefits specifically because of these phantom calls - they always send written notices for anything actually important. Try not to let it drive you too crazy (easier said than done, I know!). This community has been such a lifesaver for dealing with all the DPSS weirdness!

This thread is absolutely amazing! I just joined this community and seeing everyone share such practical resources is incredible. I've been on CalFresh for about 2 months and have been feeling really discouraged about my health goals because everything seems so expensive. Reading about Asher's 60% YMCA discount and all these creative solutions - community college classes, library partnerships, free public health programs - has completely changed my outlook! I have a local community center that I walk past every day but never thought to ask about income-based programs. After reading all these success stories, I'm definitely going to stop by there tomorrow along with calling my YMCA. It's so inspiring to see a community where people actually help solve each other's problems instead of just complaining. Thank you everyone for showing that staying healthy on a tight budget is actually possible with the right information and resources!

This thread has been such an eye-opener for me! I'm new to CalFresh (just got approved 3 weeks ago) and had no idea these fitness discount programs even existed. Reading through everyone's experiences, especially Asher's incredible 60% YMCA discount, has given me so much hope that I can actually afford to take care of my health. I've been putting off joining a gym because I thought it was completely out of reach financially, but now I'm realizing there are way more options than I knew about. I'm really interested in the community college fitness classes since there's one about 10 minutes from me that offers evening classes. I also want to check out those free public health department programs - it sounds like they'd be perfect for someone like me who's been pretty sedentary and needs to start slow. My doctor keeps telling me I need to get more active for my diabetes management, but I felt stuck because of the cost barrier. What really amazes me about this community is how everyone shares actual solutions instead of just complaining about problems. I'm definitely calling my local YMCA and community college this week to see what programs they have. Thanks to everyone for proving that staying healthy doesn't have to break the bank - this thread is literally life-changing!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this bureaucratic nightmare! As someone who just joined this community after my own CalFresh struggles, I can totally relate to the stress and confusion you're going through. The appeals rep acknowledging that the county calculated your income wrong is actually really powerful - that's an official admission that this whole mess was their error, not yours. You should definitely receive retroactive benefits for September and October once they correct your case. From what I've learned lurking in this community, most people get their back payments within 2-4 weeks after the case is fixed, usually as separate deposits. That conditional withdrawal was absolutely the right move! It protects your appeal rights while giving them one more chance to do their job correctly. And yes, that overissuance notice should completely disappear since it was based on their calculation error. My advice (learned the hard way): document EVERYTHING from here on out. Keep records of every phone call, get names and employee IDs, and ask for written confirmation of any promises they make. This system only moves if you stay on top of it, but you're doing all the right things. Hang in there - sounds like resolution is finally coming! 💪

This whole situation is infuriating but unfortunately way too common! I went through something similar where the county denied me, then approved me, then said I owed money back - it's like they can't make up their minds about their own calculations. The good news is that having the appeals rep acknowledge the county's error puts you in a really strong position. When they reinstate your case, you should absolutely get retroactive benefits for both September and October. In my experience, it took about 2-3 weeks after they corrected everything, and the payments showed up as separate deposits on different days. Make sure when they contact you about the resolution that you specifically ask them to confirm: 1) Your case is being reinstated, 2) The overissuance is being removed due to county error, and 3) Retroactive benefits will be issued for September and October. Get this in writing if possible! The conditional withdrawal was definitely the smart move - keeps your appeal rights protected while giving them a chance to fix their mistake. Stay persistent with follow-ups because these cases have a tendency to sit in someone's inbox otherwise. You're doing everything right, just hang in there! 🤞

I'm so glad I found this thread! I've been struggling to make my CalFresh benefits stretch each month and never knew about the seeds and plants option. This could be a game changer for me. I have a small patio that gets decent morning sun, so I'm thinking of starting with some cherry tomatoes and maybe lettuce since those seem to be mentioned as beginner-friendly. Does anyone know if there are any community gardens in Sacramento that might offer classes or help for people just starting out? I'm worried about wasting money on plants that I might accidentally kill while I'm learning. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it's really encouraging to see how much money people are saving!

This whole thread has been so eye-opening! I had no idea you could use CalFresh for seeds and plants. I'm also new to Sacramento (just moved here last month) and have been trying to figure out how to make my benefits stretch further. The fact that you can essentially invest your food benefits into something that keeps producing food sounds amazing. I'm definitely intimidated by gardening since I've never done it before, but reading about everyone's successes is really motivating. I think I'll start with the Walmart on Florin Road that someone mentioned and maybe grab some herb seeds to try on my apartment windowsill. Even if I mess it up the first time, it sounds like the learning experience is worth it for the potential savings. Thanks everyone for sharing such detailed information - this community is awesome for helping people navigate these benefits!

Just to add to what everyone is saying - now that you have CalWORKs, your time on aid is limited. Most adults can only receive CalWORKs for a total of 48 months (4 years) in their lifetime. The months don't have to be consecutive, but they add up over time. CalFresh doesn't have a time limit like this. Make sure you understand all the requirements so you don't lose benefits or get unexpected overpayments!

Welcome to the world of dual benefits! This is exactly how I found out I had CalWORKs too - just noticed extra money on my EBT card one day. Since you're working 20 hours at Target, that might actually satisfy most of your welfare-to-work requirements, but definitely confirm with your worker. Also heads up - CalWORKs has stricter asset limits than CalFresh (like $2,750 in bank accounts vs $2,750+ for CalFresh), so keep that in mind if you're saving money. The good news is CalWORKs can help with things like childcare costs while you're working, so it might actually make your life easier once you get used to all the extra paperwork!