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This is exactly why I always keep a written record of my balance after each grocery trip! I learned this trick from my mom who's been on benefits for years. I write down the remaining balance on the receipt or in my phone notes so I have a rough idea even when the system goes down. Obviously it's not perfect since pending transactions can affect it, but it's helped me avoid those embarrassing moments at checkout. Also, pro tip: some smaller independent grocery stores are more flexible about letting you know if your card gets declined before running the full transaction - they'll often let you remove items if needed.
That's such a smart idea about keeping track of your balance manually! I wish I had thought of that before today's mess. I'm definitely going to start doing this - maybe I'll even create a simple spreadsheet to track my spending and remaining balance. Your mom sounds like she's got this system figured out! And thanks for the tip about smaller stores being more flexible. I usually shop at the big chains but maybe I should check out some local places too. It's so helpful when staff are understanding about these situations instead of making you feel bad about using benefits.
Just went through this same nightmare yesterday! The system was down for almost 6 hours in my area (San Bernardino County). What helped me was going to a smaller grocery store where the cashier was really understanding - she let me try my card first with just a few items to test if it would go through before I loaded up my whole cart. Turns out the actual payment processing was working fine even though I couldn't check my balance. Also learned that some 7-Elevens have EBT balance check on their ATMs that sometimes work even when the main system is having issues. Definitely keeping a written log of my balance from now on after reading Hannah's advice - such a simple but brilliant solution!
That's such a great approach with testing a small purchase first! I never thought of doing that but it makes total sense - way better than loading up a full cart and then finding out your card doesn't work. And thanks for the tip about 7-Eleven ATMs potentially working during outages, I'll definitely remember that. It's so refreshing to hear about cashiers and store staff who are understanding about EBT issues instead of making us feel embarrassed. This whole thread has been super helpful - I feel like I learned more practical tips here than I ever got from any official sources!
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This whole thread is so helpful! I'm new to both CalFresh and CalWORKs and honestly had no idea they were separate programs on the same card. Reading about everyone's experiences with missed forms and documentation is eye-opening - it sounds like the system really doesn't make it easy to stay on top of everything. I'm going to start opening ALL my mail from the county now, even if it looks like junk. Connor, I hope your benefits get sorted out quickly! It's really stressful when you're counting on that money and it just doesn't show up. Thanks to everyone sharing their tips about keeping copies and getting receipts - I'm definitely going to remember that for when I need to submit my next round of paperwork.
Welcome to the programs! You're absolutely right that the system can be confusing at first. One thing that really helped me when I started was creating a simple calendar reminder for myself to check for mail every few days - I used to let it pile up and then panic when I realized something important might be in there. Also, if you haven't already, I'd recommend calling the EBT customer service line just to get familiar with how to check your balances and transaction history. The number is on the back of your card and it's really helpful for keeping track of when benefits are deposited and making sure everything looks normal each month. Good luck with everything!
This is such a valuable thread for anyone dealing with benefit issues! I'm glad you figured out what happened, Connor. Your experience really highlights how important it is to carefully review ALL mail from the county - I know it can feel overwhelming when they send so many different notices, but missing even one form can have such big consequences. For anyone reading this who might be in a similar situation, I'd also suggest setting up a simple filing system at home for benefit-related paperwork. I use just two folders - one for "action needed" and one for "completed/filed" - and it's helped me stay more organized. It's frustrating that we have to jump through so many hoops, but sharing experiences like this really helps the community navigate the system better. Hope your reinstatement goes smoothly!
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To summarize for anyone else confused: 1. There is NO universal December 'bonus' for all CalFresh recipients 2. The School Holiday Nutrition Program (SHNP) provides supplemental benefits to families with children who receive BOTH CalWORKs AND CalFresh 3. The amount varies by county (typically between $40-$80 per child) 4. Distribution dates vary by county, usually between December 1-15 5. This is NOT the same as the pandemic emergency allotments which ended in March 2023 If you only receive CalFresh and not CalWORKs, you would not be eligible for this supplement. The best way to verify your specific case is to contact your county CalFresh office or check your BenefitsCal account for notices.
This is really helpful - thank you for breaking it down so clearly! I'm disappointed I won't be getting extra help for the holidays, but at least now I can plan accordingly.
If you're looking for extra food assistance during the holidays even without the CalWORKs supplement, there are other resources that might help! Many food banks do special holiday distributions in December with extra items like turkeys or holiday meal fixings. Also check if your local churches or community centers are doing holiday food drives. Some counties also have special senior food programs if you're over 60, or WIC supplemental foods if you have young kids. I know it's not the same as extra EBT benefits, but it might help stretch your December budget for holiday meals. You can search for local food banks at feedingamerica.org or call 211 for other local resources.
Thanks for these suggestions! I hadn't thought about calling 211. Do you know if the holiday food distributions at food banks require any special paperwork or can you just show up? I'm already registered with my local food bank but wasn't sure if the holiday stuff works differently.
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btw if u ever need emergency food before ur benefits come the food banks dont ask questions. saved me last month when my car broke down and i had to use grocery $$ for repairs
That's really good to know - thank you! Is there a way to find local food banks?
yea google 'food bank' plus ur city or call 211 they can tell u whats nearby
Welcome to CalFresh! 🎉 Just want to add that you can also check your balance anytime by calling the number on the back of your EBT card or going to www.ebt.ca.gov - super helpful when you're at the store and not sure how much you have left. Also, don't stress if your first deposit seems to take forever - I remember checking my card like 50 times on my first deposit day lol. The anticipation is real! You've got this! 💪
Thank you so much! I definitely relate to checking the card multiple times 😅 I've already bookmarked the ebt.ca.gov site and downloaded the app someone else mentioned. This community is so helpful - I was really nervous about navigating all this but everyone's been so welcoming and informative!
Madeline Blaze
Hey there! I understand your concern about this situation. Here's what you should know: **Regarding payback (overpayment):** Yes, you may be liable to repay benefits you received after becoming ineligible due to your income increase. The state can determine you received an "overpayment" for the months you didn't report your new job income, even if you weren't using the benefits. **About the unused balance:** I'd strongly recommend NOT touching that balance right now. Using benefits you may not have been eligible for could complicate your situation further. **What you should do:** 1. Contact your local CalFresh office immediately to discuss your situation 2. Be honest about when your income changed and why you didn't report it 3. Ask about setting up a repayment plan if an overpayment is determined 4. Get everything in writing The good news is that overpayments can often be resolved through manageable payment plans, and being proactive about addressing this shows good faith. Don't wait - the sooner you contact them, the better your options may be. Hope this helps! 🙏
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Geoff Richards
•This whole thread has been incredibly helpful - thank you all for sharing such detailed information! As someone who's new to navigating CalFresh issues, I had no idea about so many of these nuances. @Nathan Dell, your point about emphasizing the timeline when @Rusty Shackleford contacts the office is really smart. The fact that he stopped using the card right when he got the job does show he wasn t'trying to game the system, just didn t'know the proper reporting procedures. I m'wondering - for those who have gone through overpayment situations, how long did the process typically take from initial contact to resolution? And @Madeline Blaze, do you know if there are any resources or advocates that can help people navigate these conversations with their local offices? Sometimes having someone who knows the system can make a big difference in getting a fair outcome. It s'really reassuring to see how supportive this community is. Dealing with benefit issues can feel overwhelming and isolating, but threads like this show there are people willing to help and share their knowledge. Thank you everyone! 🙏
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Darren Brooks
•@Geoff Richards, great questions! From my experience, the timeline can vary quite a bit - I've seen cases resolved in 4-6 weeks when people are proactive, but it can take longer if there are complications or appeals involved. As for advocacy resources, many counties have Legal Aid organizations that offer free help with CalFresh issues, including overpayments. In some areas, there are also community organizations that specialize in benefits advocacy. I'd recommend calling 211 to find local resources - they can usually connect you with someone who knows the system. @Rusty Shackleford, one practical tip I forgot to mention earlier: when you do call your local office, try to get the name and direct number of the specific caseworker handling your case. Having one point of contact can make the whole process much smoother and less stressful. It's really heartwarming to see how this community comes together to help each other navigate these complex situations. We're all just trying to make ends meet and understanding these programs shouldn't be so complicated! Keep us posted on how things go - your experience could help the next person facing a similar situation. 💙
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