Can't reach California CalFresh? Claimyr connects you to a live DSS agent in minutes.
Claimyr is a pay-as-you-go service. We do not charge a recurring subscription.
Using Claimyr will:
- Connect you to a human agent at the DSS
- Skip the long phone menu
- Call the correct department
- Redial until on hold
- Forward a call to your phone with reduced hold time
- Give you free callbacks if the DSS drops your call
If I could give 10 stars I would
If I could give 10 stars I would If I could give 10 stars I would Such an amazing service so needed during the times when EDD almost never picks up Claimyr gets me on the phone with EDD every time without fail faster. A much needed service without Claimyr I would have never received the payment I needed to support me during my postpartum recovery. Thank you so much Claimyr!
Really made a difference
Really made a difference, save me time and energy from going to a local office for making the call.
Worth not wasting your time calling for hours.
Was a bit nervous or untrusting at first, but my calls went thru. First time the wait was a bit long but their customer chat line on their page was helpful and put me at ease that I would receive my call. Today my call dropped because of EDD and Claimyr heard my concern on the same chat and another call was made within the hour.
An incredibly helpful service
An incredibly helpful service! Got me connected to a CA EDD agent without major hassle (outside of EDD's agents dropping calls – which Claimyr has free protection for). If you need to file a new claim and can't do it online, pay the $ to Claimyr to get the process started. Absolutely worth it!
Consistent,frustration free, quality Service.
Used this service a couple times now. Before I'd call 200 times in less than a weak frustrated as can be. But using claimyr with a couple hours of waiting i was on the line with an representative or on hold. Dropped a couple times but each reconnected not long after and was mission accomplished, thanks to Claimyr.
IT WORKS!! Not a scam!
I tried for weeks to get thru to EDD PFL program with no luck. I gave this a try thinking it may be a scam. OMG! It worked and They got thru within an hour and my claim is going to finally get paid!! I upgraded to the $60 call. Best $60 spent!
Ask the community...
- DO post questions about your issues.
- DO answer questions and support each other.
- DO post tips & tricks to help folks.
- DO NOT post call problems here - there is a support tab at the top for that :)
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Update: I went to the Florin Road office this morning, explained our situation, and got a replacement card within an hour! They made me fill out a form explaining why I needed an emergency replacement, but having kids with no food at home qualified me. Thank you everyone for your help! Special thanks to the person who recommended the Florin Road office specifically - they were right!
That's awesome news! So glad you were able to get your card the same day. This is really useful information for other families in similar situations - it shows that Sacramento County does still offer emergency replacements when you have kids and no food. Thanks for updating us on how it went!
This is such a relief to hear! I'm new to this community and was worried about what would happen if I ever lost my EBT card. It's really reassuring to know that Sacramento County still prioritizes families with children in emergency situations. Thanks for sharing your experience - it will definitely help other parents who might find themselves in the same scary position of having no food for their kids.
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Just want to add a safety tip - when you're setting up either app, make sure you're connected to a secure wifi network or using your phone's data, not public wifi. I work in IT and see people get their info compromised all the time on unsecured networks. Also, both apps will ask you to set up a PIN or use biometric login (fingerprint/face ID) - definitely do this for extra security! And if you ever get logged out unexpectedly or see transactions you didn't make, change your passwords immediately and call the fraud hotline on the back of your card.
This is such great security advice! I never thought about the wifi thing but that makes total sense. I always just connect to whatever's available. Definitely going to be more careful about that when setting up these apps. The biometric login sounds way more secure than trying to remember another password too.
This thread is so helpful! I just got approved for CalFresh too and was totally overwhelmed by all the different apps in the store. Based on what everyone's saying, it sounds like I should download both the official ConnectEBT app (for balance checks) and BenefitsCal app (for case management). Quick question though - do I need to create separate accounts for each app or do they use the same login? Also, has anyone had issues with the apps not working during the first few days of the month when benefits get loaded? I've heard the systems can get overloaded.
Welcome to the CalFresh family! You're right about downloading both apps - they serve different purposes. For ConnectEBT, you'll use your EBT card number and some basic info to set up access. For BenefitsCal, you'll use the same login credentials as the BenefitsCal website (if you don't have an online account yet, you can create one with your case number). They're separate systems so different logins. And yes, the first few days of each month can be slow! The apps sometimes crash or load slowly when everyone's checking their new benefits. I usually wait until day 3 or 4 of the month if it's not urgent. Pro tip: save the customer service numbers in your phone just in case the apps are down when you really need to check something!
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This whole thread has been incredibly educational! I'm currently in the middle of my CalFresh application process and honestly had no idea what to expect after approval. Reading about the 7-10 day wait time, the plain envelope issue, and especially the Claimyr service has been so valuable. It's really reassuring to know there are options like expedited pickup for urgent situations and backup resources like food pantries and emergency vouchers. The community knowledge sharing here is amazing - you've all covered details that definitely aren't in any of the official materials I received. Bookmarking this thread for future reference and really appreciate everyone taking the time to share their real-world experiences!
Absolutely agree! As someone who's also new to CalFresh, this thread has been like finding a hidden treasure of practical information. The official paperwork really doesn't prepare you for things like the plain envelope or knowing about services like Claimyr. It's amazing how much easier this process becomes when you have real people sharing what actually works versus just reading the bureaucratic instructions. I'm definitely going to reference this thread throughout my own journey - it's like having experienced guides helping you navigate the system!
I just wanted to add that if anyone is in a similar urgent situation, some counties also have "emergency issuance" policies where they can provide temporary benefits through a different method while you wait for your regular EBT card. When I was between jobs last year, my caseworker mentioned they could do a one-time emergency authorization that works kind of like a temporary card for essential groceries. It's not available everywhere and you have to meet certain criteria (like having children or medical needs), but it's worth asking about when you call. The requirements vary by county but typically you need to demonstrate immediate food insecurity. Just another option to keep in your back pocket if you're really stuck waiting for that card to arrive!
This is such valuable information about emergency issuance! I had no idea counties could provide temporary benefits while waiting for the regular EBT card. That could be a game-changer for people in really tight spots. Do you happen to know if there's a way to find out which counties offer this option, or is it something you just have to ask about when you call? It seems like every county has slightly different policies and services available. Thanks for sharing this - it's exactly the kind of insider knowledge that makes navigating this system so much easier!
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I've been in a similar situation with Stanislaus County - their phone system is absolutely terrible! One thing that worked for me was going to the office in person if you can manage it. I know it's a pain, but I was able to get a replacement copy of my Notice of Action the same day, and the worker looked up my exact IRT right there. The Modesto office on Oakdale Road usually has shorter wait times than the main office downtown. They can print you a fresh copy of all your paperwork including the IRT calculation. If you can't make it in person, definitely try Austin's suggestion about calling at 8 AM sharp - that's when I finally got through after days of trying. Good luck with the new job!
That's such a great suggestion about going in person! I didn't even think about that option since I'm so used to trying to do everything by phone. The Modesto office on Oakdale Road is actually closer to me than downtown anyway. Do you know what their walk-in hours are? I could probably swing by this week before I start the new job. Having them print fresh copies of everything would be perfect since my paperwork got destroyed. Thanks for the specific office recommendation - it really helps to know which location has shorter waits!
I work at a community organization that helps folks navigate CalFresh and I see this confusion about IRTs all the time! A few quick tips: 1) Your exact IRT is always on your most recent Notice of Action - it's usually in a section called "Reporting Requirements" or similar. 2) The Stanislaus County office does have a self-service kiosk where you can print copies of your notices without waiting in line - it's right when you walk in. 3) If you're really stuck, you can also request a copy of your Notice of Action through the C4Yourself portal under "Case Documents." The IRT varies by household even with same size because it factors in your specific benefit amount, so definitely get YOUR number rather than relying on estimates. Better safe than sorry with overpayments!
This is incredibly helpful information, thank you! I had no idea about the self-service kiosk - that sounds like exactly what I need since I just need to print a replacement copy of my Notice of Action. Is the kiosk available during regular business hours or does it have extended hours? Also, do I need to bring anything specific besides my case number to use it? I really appreciate you mentioning the C4Yourself portal option too - it's good to have multiple backup plans. Working at a community org, you probably see how stressful this stuff can be for families like mine!
Derek Olson
This thread is incredibly helpful! As someone who works at a Sacramento area grocery store, I see customers struggle with this exact situation pretty regularly. One thing I'd add is that if you're really desperate for groceries while waiting for your replacement card, some stores will let you set up a "layaway" type arrangement where they'll hold essential items (milk, bread, etc.) for a day or two if you explain your EBT situation. It's not official policy anywhere, but I've seen managers make exceptions for families with kids. Also, many of our regular customers don't realize that you can check your EBT balance and transaction history through the ConnectEBT app even without your physical card - at least you can see that your benefits are still there and safe while you wait for the replacement!
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NebulaNova
•That's really thoughtful of grocery store managers to work with customers in these situations! It's nice to know there are people on the front lines who understand how stressful it can be when you can't access your benefits. The tip about checking your balance through the ConnectEBT app is great too - I didn't know you could do that without the physical card. It would definitely give peace of mind to see that your money is still there while you're waiting. Thanks for sharing your perspective from the retail side - it's helpful to know that some stores might be willing to work with you if you just explain the situation!
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Sofia Peña
As someone who's been on CalFresh for a few years now, I wanted to share a few additional tips that might help others in this situation. First, if you're waiting for a replacement card and have kids, definitely contact your local school district - many have weekend food backpack programs or can connect you with emergency food resources. Second, don't forget that WIC offices (if you qualify) often have emergency food vouchers available even if you're primarily on CalFresh. Lastly, I've found that calling the EBT customer service line early in the morning (like right when they open at 6 AM) gets you through much faster than calling during peak hours. The wait times are brutal in the afternoon! Hope everyone gets their cards quickly - it's such a stressful situation when you can't access your benefits.
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StarStrider
•These are such practical tips, especially about calling EBT customer service early in the morning! I never thought about timing making such a difference but that makes total sense - everyone probably calls during lunch or after work. The school district connection is brilliant too, especially for families with kids who might not know about those weekend food programs. It's amazing how many resources are out there once you start digging, but it really shouldn't be this hard to find basic information about emergency food assistance when you're already in the system. Thanks for sharing your experience - these real-world tips from people who've actually navigated this stuff are so much more helpful than the generic info you get from official sources.
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