Thanks everyone for all the helpful info! I checked my approval letter and my case number does end in 7, which matches up with when I've been getting my benefits. I'll mark the 7th on my calendar each month so I can plan better. This community is so helpful! 😊

Just wanted to add that you can also set up text alerts through your county's EBT system! I get a notification the night before my benefits are deposited, which really helps with meal planning. You can usually sign up for these alerts by calling the customer service number on the back of your EBT card or through your county's online portal. It sends you a message saying something like "Your CalFresh benefits will be available tomorrow" so there's no more guessing or checking your balance at midnight. Really takes the stress out of budgeting when you have that confirmation!

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!

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.

Welcome to CalFresh, Sofia! You've gotten some great advice here already. I just want to add a couple things from my experience: For EBT theft protection, I also recommend taking a photo of your receipt after each transaction and keeping track of your balance manually. The app is helpful but sometimes there's a delay in updating, so having your own records makes it easier to spot discrepancies quickly. Also, if you ever feel uncomfortable about a card reader looking suspicious (like if it seems loose or different from usual), trust your instincts and ask to pay cash or use a different terminal. Better safe than sorry! And definitely check out local food banks like Jamal suggested - many also have "client choice" programs where you can pick out personal care items and cleaning supplies alongside groceries. Some churches and community centers also do monthly distributions of household essentials. You're asking all the right questions as a new recipient. Stay vigilant but don't stress too much - most people use their benefits without any issues. Good luck with everything!

Hi Sofia! Welcome to the CalFresh community! Everyone has already given you excellent advice about what you can buy (food only) and protecting your benefits. I just wanted to add that when you're shopping, don't feel embarrassed if you accidentally grab something non-eligible - it happens to all of us! The cashiers are used to it and will just set those items aside for a separate payment. One more tip for EBT security: if you ever lose your card or it gets damaged, report it immediately even if you don't suspect theft. They'll deactivate the old card and send you a new one, which prevents anyone from potentially finding and using your lost card. The replacement usually takes 7-10 days to arrive by mail. Also, some grocery stores have started offering "tap to pay" with EBT cards in certain areas, which is more secure than swiping, but it's not widely available yet. When it becomes available in your area, definitely use that option when possible! You're being really smart by asking these questions upfront. Hope your first CalFresh shopping trip goes smoothly!

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.