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This whole thread has been such a game-changer for understanding CalFresh! I've been receiving benefits for about 4 months now and honestly thought my brother was just pulling my leg when he said he could buy meals at Subway with his EBT card. I even accused him of making it up because I was so confused! Now I realize he's probably eligible for RMP - he's been staying in a homeless shelter for the past few months. It's actually pretty amazing that there's a program specifically designed for people who genuinely can't access kitchen facilities to prepare meals. I feel bad for doubting him now! This is definitely information that should be covered more clearly during the application process. I had no idea these specialized programs even existed within CalFresh. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and knowledge here - you've all been way more helpful than any of the official paperwork I received!
Don't feel bad about doubting your brother! Honestly, if I didn't know about RMP, I probably would have thought the same thing - it really does sound too good to be true when you first hear about it. It's awesome that your brother has access to this program while he's in the shelter situation. That's exactly what RMP is designed for, and it can make such a huge difference when you're dealing with housing instability and don't have reliable kitchen access. I hope his situation improves soon, but at least he has this resource available in the meantime. This whole conversation really highlights how much better the CalFresh system could be if they just explained all these programs upfront instead of leaving people to figure it out through trial and error or random online discussions!
This thread has been so educational! I'm a CalFresh recipient who works with seniors at a local community center, and I'm realizing I need to spread the word about RMP to some of our participants. Many of the seniors I work with are over 60 and live alone, but I don't think they know they might be eligible to use their CalFresh benefits at restaurants. Some of them have mentioned struggling with cooking or having limited mobility, so this could be a real game-changer for them. I'm definitely going to bring this up at our next senior services meeting and see if we can get someone from the county office to come explain the program. It's frustrating that this information isn't better publicized - I bet there are tons of eligible people who just don't know this option exists!
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This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - my EBT card suddenly stopped working at the grocery store checkout yesterday and I had no idea why. Based on what everyone's shared here, it sounds like I probably hit the 4-attempt limit without realizing it. I'm going to try the online reset at ebt.ca.gov first before calling or going to the office. It's really eye-opening to learn that this is such a common issue but there's basically no clear communication from the system about what's happening. Thank you all for sharing your experiences - it's making me feel less alone in dealing with this frustrating situation!
I'm so glad this thread is helping you too! The online reset at ebt.ca.gov is definitely worth trying first - it's available 24/7 and much faster than waiting on hold or going to the office. Just have your EBT card handy when you do it. If that doesn't work, don't get discouraged - it might just mean you need that in-person reset like the original poster did. It's really unfortunate that we have to figure this stuff out ourselves instead of getting clear information from the system, but at least we can help each other navigate these frustrating situations. Hope your card gets working again soon!
This is such an important thread! I'm relatively new to receiving CalFresh benefits and had no idea that EBT cards could get locked after incorrect PIN attempts without any notification. I've been lucky so far but reading everyone's experiences here is really eye-opening. It's frustrating that there's no automated system to let people know their card is locked - instead you're left thinking you're doing something wrong when really it's a technical issue that needs to be resolved. I'm bookmarking the EBT website (ebt.ca.gov) and customer service number (877-328-9677) from @GalacticGuru's comment in case I ever run into this problem. Thanks to everyone for sharing your stories and solutions - it really shows how important it is for community members to support each other when the official systems fall short on communication!
Thanks for highlighting the importance of this thread! As someone who's also relatively new to the CalFresh system, I completely agree that the lack of clear communication about locked cards is a major issue. It's really concerning that people can be left without access to their benefits for weeks just because they don't know what happened or how to fix it. I'm also going to save that customer service number and website - it's so helpful to have all these resources in one place. This conversation really shows how much we rely on each other to navigate these systems when the official channels don't provide adequate support or information.
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This thread has been absolutely incredible to read through! I'm currently in a precarious housing situation myself and had no idea about the homeless assistance program through CalFresh. What really stands out to me is how Sean's experience went from initial confusion to ultimate success - it's both inspiring and frustrating that it took so much effort to get what was already approved. The collective wisdom shared here is amazing: the importance of documentation, knowing about the February 2025 policy change from 14 to 16 days, asking for supervisors, and having multiple strategies (phone, in-person, online portals, services like Claimyr). As a newcomer to this system, I'm taking screenshots of all these tips because it's clear that self-advocacy is absolutely critical. The fact that so many county workers seem uninformed about their own current policies is deeply concerning but good to know going in. Thanks to everyone who shared their real experiences - this is the kind of practical, community-driven knowledge that makes all the difference when you're facing housing instability. You've all created something more valuable than any official manual!
Welcome to the community! Your summary really captures how valuable this thread has been - it's amazing how much practical knowledge gets shared when people share their real experiences. I'm also relatively new to navigating these systems and have been taking notes throughout this whole conversation. What really strikes me is how Sean's success story shows that the system CAN work, but you absolutely have to know how to work the system. The disconnect between what workers tell you versus what the actual policies say is really eye-opening. I'm definitely bookmarking this thread as a reference guide. It's threads like this that make me grateful for online communities where people genuinely help each other navigate these complex bureaucratic systems. Hope your housing situation stabilizes soon - sounds like you're going in well-prepared with all the knowledge shared here!
This entire conversation has been such a lifeline for me! I'm currently staying in my car and didn't even know this homeless assistance program existed through CalFresh. Reading Sean's journey from confusion to success gives me so much hope. The fact that he went from thinking he might lose his housing to getting his full 16 days is incredible. I'm definitely going to apply for this program tomorrow and I feel so much more prepared thanks to everyone's advice here. The tips about bringing all documentation, asking for supervisors when needed, and knowing about the February 2025 policy change to 16 days are invaluable. It's honestly shocking how much you have to advocate for yourself just to get approved benefits, but at least now I know what to expect. This community is amazing - where else can you get this kind of real-world guidance that actually helps people navigate these systems? Thank you all for sharing your experiences and creating such a helpful resource!
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Just want to echo what everyone else has said - this exact same thing happened to me back in November and I was SO confused when I couldn't find the replacement money in my regular food benefits! Like others mentioned, it definitely shows up as "Cash Benefits" when you check your balance. One small tip that helped me: when I called the EBT customer service line to check my balance, I had to listen through the ENTIRE automated message because they list the cash benefits balance after the food benefits balance. The first time I called I hung up thinking the money wasn't there yet because I only heard my regular CalFresh balance. Also want to second what Rajiv said about the 90-day expiration - I almost lost some of mine because I forgot about that rule! The regular CalFresh benefits last so much longer that I wasn't thinking about using the cash benefits quickly. Good luck and hope you get your money back soon!
Thank you so much for mentioning the thing about listening to the entire automated message! I definitely would have hung up early thinking the money wasn't there yet. This whole thread has been incredibly helpful - I feel so much more prepared now for when my reimbursement comes through. It's really reassuring to know that so many people have gone through this same process successfully. I'm going to set a reminder on my phone about the 90-day expiration too so I don't forget to use the cash benefits in time!
This is such valuable information - thank you everyone for sharing your experiences! I'm new to this community and haven't had to deal with stolen benefits before, but reading through all these responses makes me feel much more prepared in case it ever happens to me. A couple questions based on what I've read: When you withdraw the cash benefits from an ATM, are there any fees like with regular bank withdrawals? And does anyone know if you can use the cash benefits portion to pay bills online or does it only work for in-person purchases and ATM withdrawals? Also wanted to say how helpful it is that people mentioned specific details like listening to the full automated message and the 90-day expiration rule - those are the kinds of important details that caseworkers sometimes forget to mention but can make a huge difference!
Great questions! For ATM withdrawals, there usually aren't fees if you use ATMs that are part of the Quest network (most major grocery stores and many banks). You can find fee-free ATMs using the Quest ATM locator on their website. If you use an out-of-network ATM, there might be fees just like with regular bank cards. As for paying bills online, I don't think you can use the EBT cash benefits for that - it's designed more for in-person transactions and ATM withdrawals. The card doesn't work like a regular debit card for online purchases from what I understand. Your best bet is probably to withdraw the cash and then use that however you need to! And I totally agree about caseworkers sometimes missing the important details - this community has been such a lifesaver for figuring out all the stuff they don't tell you upfront!
Marcus Marsh
I'm really sorry this happened to you! EBT theft is unfortunately becoming way too common. Based on what others have shared, it sounds like going to your county office in person on Monday is your best bet. One thing I'd add - when you go in person, ask specifically about the "Emergency Cash Assistance" program while your case is being investigated. Some people don't know this exists, but LA County can sometimes provide a small emergency cash payment (usually $100-200) within 24-48 hours for situations exactly like yours where stolen benefits are putting you at risk of eviction. Also, document EVERYTHING - take photos of all forms you submit, get receipt confirmations, and ask for case reference numbers. This will help if you need to follow up or escalate. You might also want to contact your landlord now to explain the situation and see if they'll accept a partial payment or give you a few extra days. Many landlords are understanding when there's a legitimate emergency like this, especially if you can show them the police report. Hang in there - I know 7-10 days still feels like forever when you're stressed about rent, but you've got this!
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Freya Christensen
•This is really helpful advice, especially about the Emergency Cash Assistance - I had no idea that was even an option! I'll definitely ask about that when I go to the county office Monday. And you're right about contacting my landlord - I've been putting that off because I was embarrassed, but showing them the police report might help them understand this isn't just me making excuses. Thanks for the encouragement, I really needed to hear that!
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Isabella Santos
I'm so sorry you're going through this - EBT theft is such a violation and the stress about rent must be overwhelming. Based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds like you have a solid plan with going to the county office Monday morning. Just wanted to add that when you're there, also ask about the CalFresh Emergency Allotment program if you haven't already received it this month. Sometimes they can expedite regular food benefits while you're waiting for the cash replacement, which could free up other money for your rent. Also, if you have any friends or family who could help with even a small loan for part of your rent, that might give you some breathing room while waiting for the replacement. I know it's hard to ask for help, but most people understand that EBT theft isn't your fault. Stay strong - from what everyone's shared, it sounds like LA County has gotten better at handling these cases quickly. You're doing everything right by being proactive about it!
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