California CalFresh

FINAL UPDATE: My benefits were finally loaded this morning! Full amount, no reduction. For anyone else experiencing this issue, definitely try that special hotline number that was shared. I got through in about 15 minutes yesterday, and they confirmed my case was affected by the system update but was scheduled for processing last night. Sure enough, funds were there this morning. Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions!

So glad to see this resolved! I'm dealing with the same issue in Fresno County - benefits were supposed to load on the 12th and still nothing. Just tried that special hotline number and actually got through in about 8 minutes! The rep confirmed my case is in the queue and should process within 24-48 hours. She also mentioned they're prioritizing households with children and elderly members, so if that applies to anyone still waiting, definitely mention it when you call. Thanks for sharing all the updates throughout this thread - it really helped knowing I wasn't alone in this situation!

I'm new to this program and this thread has been super helpful! Just to add - if anyone is in Orange County, I called yesterday and they said they're aiming for June 16th for the first batch (A-L) and June 23rd for the second batch (M-Z). They also mentioned that if you move during the summer, you need to update your address ASAP because they can't reissue cards easily once the program starts distributing. Also learned that the $120 is per child, not per household, which is awesome for families with multiple kids!

Just wanted to share what I found out from Riverside County - they're doing their distribution June 14th-28th in alphabetical batches too. The worker I spoke with mentioned that if you haven't received Summer EBT before but think you're eligible, you can also check the CA.gov/SummerEBT website to see if there's an application portal for your county. Some counties have online applications for families who might have been missed in the automatic enrollment. Also learned that the benefits don't roll over year to year, so make sure to use them before the expiration date (usually end of August/early September). Hope this helps other newcomers like me!

wait i just remembered something!!! if ur buying groceries online try instacart they just started accepting ebt for sams club delivery in some areas. u still cant use the sams app but the instacart app might work if ur trying to get stuff delivered. i havent tried it myself yet tho

Just wanted to add that if you're shopping at Sam's Club regularly with EBT, I'd recommend calling ahead to make sure they have cashiers available who are familiar with EBT transactions. I've found that going during less busy times (like weekday mornings) helps avoid the frustration of long waits while they figure out how to process the payment split. Also, it helps to organize your cart beforehand - put all your EBT-eligible items together so it's easier for the cashier to separate them. The bulk buying at Sam's can really stretch your CalFresh benefits if you plan it right!

Thanks for updating us! Good to know it's a system issue and not just user error. I'll recommend the app to my clients who mention this problem.

Glad you got it sorted out! The ConnectEBT app definitely has its quirks but it's been more reliable for me than the website lately. Pro tip for anyone using it - make sure to refresh/pull down on the balance screen before checking, sometimes it shows old cached data. Also, if the app crashes on you, try clearing the cache in your phone settings before reinstalling. That usually fixes most of the glitches I've experienced with it.

After the clarification in your comments, this is definitely an administrative error. Your prorated August benefits should have been issued along with or before your September benefits. To resolve this efficiently: 1. Write down your case number, application date, and approval date before calling 2. Be clear that you're missing your prorated August benefits that should have been issued based on your mid-August application date 3. Request that they check the benefit issuance system specifically for August 4. If they confirm the error, ask for the estimated date when the correction will be processed 5. Get the worker's ID number or name for your records If you still can't reach someone by phone, you can also visit your local county office in person. Sometimes that's faster than calling.

I went through something similar when I applied in July! One thing that helped me was calling the EBT customer service line (the number on the back of your card) and pressing 0 to speak to a person instead of going through the automated system. They can see ALL your deposits including pending ones that haven't hit your card yet. When I did this, they could see my prorated benefits were actually issued but took an extra 2 business days to show up on my card. If they don't see any August deposit at all, then you definitely need to contact your county office. But try the EBT line first - it's way easier to get through than the county phones! Also keep your approval letter handy when you call because it should show exactly what benefit amounts you're entitled to receive.