I'm new to CalFresh and just got approved too! Reading through all these responses is so helpful - I had no idea about the farmers market option giving you double the value. Quick question for everyone: does anyone know if the incentive program works at smaller independent grocery stores, or is it mainly just the big chains? There's a really nice family-owned produce market near me that accepts regular EBT, but I'm wondering if they'd have the fruit and vegetable incentive set up too. Also super grateful for the tip about Claimyr - I've been trying to reach my caseworker for weeks!

Just wanted to add another tip that's been working great for me - if you have an Aldi near you, they participate in the program and their produce prices are already really low, so the $60 incentive goes even further there! I've been able to get almost two weeks worth of fruits and vegetables for my family of four using the full $60 benefit. Also, pro tip: download your store's app first - some places like Safeway show the CalFresh incentive discount right in the app after you link your card, so you can track how much of your monthly $60 you've used without having to keep all your receipts. The program really is worth it once you figure out how to use it properly!

That's such great news! I'm so relieved you got it resolved quickly. The transition from expedited to regular benefits seems to be a common issue that trips up the system but nobody warns new recipients about it. It's frustrating that you had to go through the stress of not knowing what was wrong, especially with kids to feed. Definitely keeping Claimyr bookmarked for future reference - seems like it's a real lifesaver when the regular phone system fails us. Hope your benefits load smoothly from now on!

This is exactly why I love this community - everyone jumps in to help when someone's struggling! @Chloe Taylor I'm so happy you got your benefits sorted out. The expedited-to-regular transition issue seems to happen more often than it should, and you're right that they really should warn people about potential delays during that switch. For anyone else reading this who might face similar issues, it sounds like Claimyr is definitely worth trying when the regular phone system isn't working. It's ridiculous that we have to use third-party services to get basic help, but if it gets people the assistance they need faster, I'm all for it. Thanks for updating us with the resolution - posts like this are so valuable for other families who might hit the same roadblock!

I'm so glad you called and got your account secured! This thread is really helpful - I had no idea about the 10-day rule for reporting stolen benefits or that you could set up transaction alerts. Going to download the ConnectEBT app right now. It's scary how these scammers are targeting people who need these benefits the most. Everyone should bookmark this thread as a reference for spotting these scams!

This is such an important thread! As someone who's been on CalFresh for a while, I want to add that scammers often get your name and know you have benefits from data breaches or even from seeing you use your EBT card at stores. Don't feel bad if they knew some of your info - that doesn't mean the call was legitimate. Another red flag: legitimate county workers will NEVER pressure you or create urgency ("your benefits will be canceled today unless..."). Government processes take time and they always give you written notice before making changes to your case. If anyone gets a suspicious call, write down the callback number they give you (if any) and report that to the fraud line too. Sometimes that helps investigators track down these scam operations.

I moved from Orange County to Riverside County about 8 months ago and wanted to share what worked for me since you're doing a similar move. First, definitely start the ICT process early like others mentioned - I called OC about 2 weeks before my move and it made everything much smoother. But here's something that really helped that I haven't seen mentioned yet: I created a simple folder with copies of ALL my documents (ID, proof of income, utility bills, rent receipts, etc.) and brought it with me to Riverside County just in case. The transfer itself took about 5 weeks, but my benefits never stopped. What was really helpful was that Riverside County actually called ME about 3 weeks after the transfer was initiated to confirm some details and let me know they had my case. I didn't expect that level of communication! One thing specific to your situation - since your husband is getting a new job, make sure to report that income change to Riverside County once he starts working. Even though it's the same job/same income, they'll want documentation from the new employer. The move from LA to Riverside County should go smoothly if you stay on top of it. Good luck with everything!

I just wanted to add something that helped me when I moved from Fresno County to LA County last year - make sure you update your address with ALL your other services too (school district, pediatrician, etc.) around the same time you start the CalFresh transfer process. I learned the hard way that some counties will send verification letters to confirm your new address during the transfer, and if you miss those letters because your mail forwarding isn't set up properly yet, it can delay the whole process. Also, since you mentioned you have kids ages 4 and 7, definitely ask about school meal programs in your new district when you enroll them. Sometimes there can be a brief gap between when your CalFresh transfers and when the new school gets updated information, so having school meals as backup can be really helpful during the transition period. The fact that you're planning this out 45 days in advance puts you in a really good position! Most people don't start thinking about the benefits transfer until they're already packing boxes.

I'm so sorry this happened to you! This is becoming a huge problem and it's awful that families are being left without food while waiting for investigations. One thing I wanted to add - if you're having trouble reaching your county worker even with the phone service, you can also try going to the local office in person. Sometimes they have walk-in hours for emergencies like this. Also, some counties have online portals where you can submit urgent requests that might get faster attention than the phone lines. Another tip for everyone - I started taking photos of card readers before I use them. If something looks off or feels loose when you insert your card, don't use it. Better safe than sorry with all these skimmers going around. Really glad to hear you're getting emergency benefits soon! Keep us updated on how the investigation goes.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this - it's absolutely infuriating that these scammers are targeting families who need these benefits to survive. I work in cybersecurity and unfortunately EBT fraud has exploded recently because the cards use older magnetic strip technology that's easier to clone than chip cards. A few additional protective measures I'd recommend: - Use your card only at major grocery stores with good security (avoid gas stations, small convenience stores) - Always use the chip reader when available, never swipe if you have a choice - Shield the entire keypad with your other hand when entering your PIN - Check your balance before AND after every transaction The fact that they changed your PIN remotely is particularly concerning - this suggests they may have gotten additional personal information about you beyond just the card data. You might want to check if any of your other accounts have been compromised and consider placing a fraud alert on your credit report as a precaution. Really glad to hear you're getting emergency benefits soon. The system needs to do better protecting vulnerable families from these predators.