One more important thing: when you do get your EBT card, make sure to set a PIN you'll remember, and keep your card in a safe place. If you lose your card, you can request a replacement through the BenefitsCal app or by calling the EBT customer service number, but there can sometimes be a delay in getting the new card. And remember that benefits can be used at most grocery stores, many farmers markets (where some offer matching programs that double your benefits), and even some online retailers like Amazon and Walmart for grocery delivery.

Congrats on getting approved! Just wanted to add that you can also check if your local grocery stores have any CalFresh incentive programs. Some stores like Whole Foods and certain independent markets offer 10% discounts on produce when you use EBT. Also, if you're ever unsure about what you can buy with CalFresh (like whether energy drinks or prepared foods are covered), there's a good USDA app called "SNAP Retailer Locator" that also has info about eligible items. Welcome to the program - it really does help with food security!

Glad you got some answers! Make sure you bring ALL the requested documents to your next appointment. If you're missing even one thing, they'll often make you reschedule and start the waiting period over again. And definitely apply for CalFresh too if you haven't already - you can receive both benefits simultaneously.

I'm glad you were able to get some clarity at the county office! Just wanted to add that when you bring your medical documentation, make sure it specifically mentions any work limitations or restrictions. Sometimes a general doctor's note isn't enough - they usually want something that clearly states you're unable to work or have limited capacity. Also, regarding the unemployment requirement - even though you've exhausted your regular benefits, there might be extended benefits or other programs you could qualify for through EDD. It's worth checking since having an active case with EDD can sometimes help with the GR approval process. $338 definitely isn't much, but combined with CalFresh it can help bridge the gap while you're dealing with your health issues. Hope everything works out for you!

One important thing to add: Document everything while you're trying to get this fixed. Note the date and time of your calls, take screenshots of your EBT account balance, and keep all your paperwork organized. If you need to request a state hearing later (hopefully it won't come to that), having detailed records will help your case. Also, while the minimum benefit is $20.01 currently, remember that your actual eligibility is recalculated yearly at recertification and can change if your income or household size changes. Make sure you're submitting your SAR7 (Semi-Annual Report) on time to avoid any benefit interruptions.

So glad you got it sorted out! That's exactly what I was hoping to hear. It's frustrating how these processing errors happen, but at least the system worked once you got through to an actual person. Definitely keep that notebook going - it's saved me so many headaches with various benefit programs over the years. And hey, even though $20.01 might seem small, every bit helps with grocery costs these days. Hope your monthly benefits start loading smoothly from here on out!

Great to hear you got it working @Freya Thomsen! I've been having the same issues with the EBT Edge app for weeks now. Going to try the early morning registration trick tomorrow. Quick question - after you got registered, did you notice any lag time when locking/unlocking your card? I'm worried about being stuck at checkout if there's a delay. Also, does the app send you notifications when the card gets locked/unlocked successfully?

I work at a county office and wanted to add some clarification about the EBT Edge app issues. We've been getting tons of calls about registration problems, and here's what our IT team has found: The app works best on phones with Android 10+ or iOS 14+. If your phone is older, that might be part of the problem. Also, make sure you're entering your SSN exactly as it appears in our system - sometimes there are formatting differences that cause the identity verification to fail. One thing people don't realize is that you can also lock your card through the BenefitsCal website on a computer if the mobile app won't work. It's not as convenient as having it on your phone, but it's better than nothing while you're troubleshooting the app. If anyone is still having issues after trying all these suggestions, you can also ask your county worker to put a "manual lock" on your account temporarily. This means we freeze it on our end until you call to unlock it. It's not ideal for frequent use, but it's good protection if you're going to be away from home or worried about fraud.

Make sure when you call or visit the county office you use the EXACT right terminology. If you just ask about "housing help" they'll say no because technically CalFresh doesn't offer housing. You need to specifically ask for "Homelessness Prevention Programs" or "Emergency Housing Assistance" or "Housing Support Program" depending on your county. And BRING DOCUMENTATION of everything - income, rent, eviction notice, all of it. The system is designed to make it difficult unfortunately.

I went through something similar a few months ago and want to add a couple things that really helped me. First, if your county has a "One-Stop" or "Integrated Service Center," that's your best bet - they handle CalFresh, housing assistance, and other programs all in one place. Second, ask about the Coordinated Entry System (CES) for housing - it's how they prioritize people for housing assistance and you can get on the list even before you're actually homeless. Also, some food banks partner with housing organizations and might have emergency rental assistance or know about local programs that aren't well advertised. The Salvation Army and Catholic Charities often have emergency funds too. Time is critical with eviction threats, so hit multiple resources at once rather than waiting to hear back from one. Good luck!