To summarize what everyone has said: 1. Your CalFresh EBT card can ONLY be used for eligible food purchases 2. For housing help, you need to apply for separate housing assistance programs 3. Being on CalFresh might make you eligible for expedited processing of other benefits 4. Call 211 for a comprehensive list of housing resources in your area 5. Look into emergency rental assistance programs for immediate help Hope that helps clarify things! The benefits system can be very confusing to navigate.

Just wanted to add that if you're struggling with rent increases, you might also want to look into tenant rights resources in your area. California has some protections against excessive rent increases, and there are tenant advocacy organizations that can help you understand your rights. Some counties also have rent stabilization programs or just cause eviction protections that could be relevant to your situation. It won't directly help with paying rent, but knowing your rights can sometimes buy you time to get the other assistance programs in place. You can search for "[your county] tenant rights" or contact your local legal aid society for free advice.

Just wanted to add - make sure you keep copies of EVERYTHING during this transfer process! Screenshots of your current benefit amount, copies of any paperwork you submit, confirmation numbers from phone calls, etc. I learned this the hard way when my case got mixed up between counties and I had to prove what my original benefit amount was. Also, if you have kids in school that get free lunch through CalFresh, make sure to notify their school district about the move too so there's no interruption in their meal benefits. The school districts don't always automatically know about address changes. Good luck with your move to the IE - you're making a smart financial decision with the lower housing costs!

Wow, that's an amazing savings on housing! $600 less per month plus getting a whole extra bedroom - that's going to be life-changing for your family. As someone who's helped families through county transfers before, I'd recommend creating a simple timeline for yourself with all the key dates and deadlines. Write down: 1) When you plan to call LA County to start the transfer, 2) Your actual move date, 3) Your next SAR7 due date (August), and 4) Any other important CalFresh deadlines. Having it all in one place will help you stay organized during what can be a stressful process. Also, once you get settled in San Bernardino, look into any local food pantries or community resources in your new area - many families find it helpful to have backup support while navigating county systems. The IE has some great community organizations that can assist if you run into any bumps along the way.

This thread has been incredibly helpful to read through as someone who's still pretty new to CalFresh myself! I got my first EBT card about 6 weeks ago and I've been learning so much from this community. Your situation with the duplicate cards is actually really reassuring to see handled so well - it shows that even when confusing things happen with the system, there are always people here with experience who can guide newcomers through it. I love how everyone jumped in with practical advice and personal stories. I just wanted to add one small tip that my caseworker mentioned to me during my initial appointment: she said to always keep the customer service number and your EBT card number written down somewhere separate from your actual card, just in case you ever lose it or need to report issues. That way you can call immediately without having to wait for paperwork or go to the office. It sounds like you've got everything figured out now with keeping the newer card (4/24) and destroying the old one. Thanks for sharing your experience - I'm sure other new recipients will find this thread super valuable!

I'm really glad I found this thread! I just started receiving CalFresh benefits about a month ago and this whole conversation has been so educational. Even though I haven't experienced the duplicate card issue yet, reading through everyone's advice has given me so much confidence about how to handle various EBT situations that might come up. What I love most about this community is how supportive everyone is - no judgment, just practical help from people who've been there before. I've already implemented several of the tips mentioned here: downloaded the ebtEDGE app, saved the customer service number in my phone, and wrote down my card number separately like Emma suggested. As a newcomer to CalFresh, it's honestly overwhelming sometimes trying to figure out all the rules and processes, but threads like this make it so much less intimidating. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences - you're making the system much more navigable for people like us who are still learning the ropes!

I've been working with homeless individuals for years as a case manager, and I want to emphasize how important it is that you're applying! CalFresh is specifically designed to help people in your situation, and being homeless actually gives you several advantages in the application process: 1. Expedited processing (benefits within 3 days instead of 30) 2. The homeless shelter deduction that others mentioned ($166.81 automatically applied) 3. Waived certain documentation requirements 4. Priority scheduling for interviews Don't let anyone make you feel like you're not "deserving" of these benefits - they exist specifically for situations like yours. Your California ID is perfect for identity verification, and using a friend's address for mail is completely standard and acceptable. The county workers deal with homeless applications daily and are trained to help you through the process. One thing I'd add is that if you do any occasional work (gig economy, day labor, etc.), make sure to report it honestly - they're not trying to disqualify you, they just need accurate info to calculate your benefits. And remember, even if your situation changes later (like finding housing), you can always update your case. Good luck with your application!

Just want to echo what everyone else has said - you absolutely can get CalFresh while homeless! I work at a local food bank and we help people apply all the time. The process is actually streamlined for homeless individuals because the state recognizes this is a vulnerable population that needs support. A few practical tips from what I've seen work well: - If your friend's address doesn't work out for some reason, you can also use "General Delivery" at your local post office as a mailing address - Some homeless service organizations (shelters, soup kitchens, etc.) will also let you use their address for mail - Keep your CA ID safe - it's really all you need for identity verification - If you have any medical conditions or disabilities, mention those too as they might qualify you for additional deductions The county workers are used to this situation and won't judge you for it. They're there to help you access the benefits you're entitled to. Don't let the paperwork intimidate you - there are people whose job it is to walk you through this process. You've got this!

Thank you everyone for all this great advice! I'm going to try going inside a bank first, and then use the grocery store cash back option as backup. I had no idea about the 4 free withdrawals either so I'll definitely start keeping track of those. Really appreciate all the help!

Another option that's worked well for me is using the EBT card at certain pharmacies like CVS or Walgreens - they often allow cash back up to $100-200 with just a small purchase, and there's usually no fee since it's processed as a debit transaction rather than an ATM withdrawal. Also, if you have a local credit union, they sometimes have partnerships with EBT programs that offer higher withdrawal limits and fewer fees than the big banks. It's worth calling around to ask about their EBT policies. The whole fee structure is definitely frustrating when you're just trying to access your own benefits!