This is happening to so many families and it's absolutely unacceptable! I'm a working single mom with two kids and just discovered that $890 in P-EBT funds disappeared from my card last Thursday. Like everyone else, I never received any notification letter about this policy change. I had been specifically saving those benefits for summer when my kids would be home from school and need more meals throughout the day. Reading through everyone's experiences has been both heartbreaking and helpful - it's clear this is affecting families across the board who were trying to budget responsibly. I'm definitely going to call my county office first thing Monday morning and use the "Administrative Error Restoration" language that Myles provided. It's encouraging to see that people like Khalil and others have actually gotten most of their benefits back through this process. I'll make sure to document everything, get case numbers, and be persistent like everyone suggested. Thank you all for sharing your stories and advice - it really helps to know we're not alone in this fight. Will definitely update everyone on how my call goes!

I'm so frustrated and scared right now - just discovered that $1,200 in P-EBT funds disappeared from my card yesterday! I'm a single mom with four kids and was counting on those benefits to help get us through the summer when they're all home from school. Like everyone else here, I never received any notification letter about this policy change. I had been deliberately saving those funds because I knew summer would be our hardest time financially. Reading through all of your experiences has been both devastating (seeing how many families are affected) and incredibly helpful - especially the specific advice about "Administrative Error Restoration" that Myles shared. I'm definitely going to call my county office first thing tomorrow morning and use that exact language, along with all the documentation tips Simon and Geoff provided. It's really encouraging to see that people like Khalil got most of their benefits back through this process. Thank you all so much for sharing your stories and advice - it helps to know I'm not fighting this alone. I'll make sure to document everything, get case numbers, and be persistent. Will absolutely update everyone on how it goes!

This whole thread is so helpful! I'm dealing with something similar right now - my benefits got cut from $580 to $23 this month and I've been panicking. Reading through everyone's experiences, I'm realizing I probably missed responding to a verification request too. It's such a relief to know this can usually be fixed and that you can get back benefits restored. Going to dig through my mail pile tonight and check my BenefitsCal account. Thanks for sharing your story and the resolution - gives me hope that I can get this sorted out too!

This whole situation really highlights how confusing the CalFresh system can be! I'm glad you were able to resolve it, but it's frustrating that a simple employer name change can cause such a massive disruption in benefits. For anyone else reading this - I've learned that it's also worth keeping a paper trail of everything you submit. I always take screenshots when uploading documents to BenefitsCal and keep copies of any letters I send. It's saved me a couple times when they claimed they never received something I definitely sent. The system has its flaws, but at least there are ways to navigate it once you know what to look for!

This is such valuable information for anyone dealing with EBT issues! As someone who works with families navigating these systems, I see how much anxiety unexpected changes can cause. Paolo's experience is a perfect example of why it's so important to reach out for help rather than trying to figure things out alone. The fraud protection triggering automatic card replacement is actually pretty common - I've seen it happen when people shop at unfamiliar locations, make large purchases, or even just when their card gets skimmed somewhere. The system errs on the side of caution, which is good for security but can be really stressful when you're not expecting it. For future reference, if anyone finds themselves in a similar situation and can't get through to the county office, many counties also have online portals where you can send secure messages about benefit issues. It's not as fast as calling, but it's another option when phone lines are busy. Thanks for sharing this whole journey - stories with happy endings like this really help build community knowledge!

This thread is such a great resource! I've been on CalFresh for about 6 months and had no idea that the fraud protection system could trigger automatic card replacements like this. Paolo, your experience really shows how important it is to stay calm and work through the proper channels when something unexpected happens with your EBT card. One thing I learned from my caseworker that might help others: if you ever suspect your card has been compromised or you notice unauthorized transactions, you can actually request a new card proactively by calling your county office. They'll deactivate the old one immediately and rush-deliver a new card, usually within 2-3 business days. It's much less stressful when you're the one initiating the process! Also, for anyone worried about fraud - I started checking my EBT balance every few days just to keep track of my spending and catch any issues early. The automated balance check is quick and gives you peace of mind. Thanks everyone for sharing your knowledge and experiences - this community is so helpful for navigating these systems!

That's a great tip about the Kirkland brand! And I didn't know the benefits roll over - that's a relief. I was worried I'd have to spend everything by the end of each month or lose it.

Welcome to CalFresh! I've been using these benefits for about 2 years now and wanted to share a few practical tips that helped me when I was starting out: 1. Download your store's app before shopping - many grocery stores (Safeway, Vons, etc.) let you add digital coupons that stack with EBT, helping you stretch your benefits further. 2. Check your balance regularly by calling the number on your card or using the eConnectCA app. I got caught short at checkout once because I thought I had more than I did. 3. If you're planning to shop at multiple stores in one trip, ask the cashier to split your payment if needed. You can use EBT for eligible items and pay cash/card for everything else. 4. Keep your receipts! They show your remaining balance and help you track what's EBT-eligible vs what isn't. The learning curve is real but you'll get the hang of it quickly. Don't be embarrassed to ask cashiers questions - most are very helpful and understanding. Good luck with your first shopping trip!

Reading through this entire thread as someone who works in community advocacy, I'm struck by how this conversation perfectly illustrates both the flaws and the resilience in our social safety net system. @Liam Sullivan, your journey from panic to relief is something so many families experience, and it really highlights how the uncertainty around recertification can be almost as stressful as potential food insecurity itself. The fact that you did everything right - submitted early, provided all documents - and still had weeks of anxiety shows how much the system needs better communication and transparency. What I find most valuable here is how this community has created a knowledge base that's honestly more helpful than most official resources. From @Dylan Cooper's breakdown of the actual policies to @Fatima Al-Qasimi sharing practical solutions like Claimyr, to @Anita George's timing tips for phone calls - this is the kind of peer support that makes a real difference. The county-by-county inconsistency that @Giovanni Colombo and others mentioned is a systemic issue that needs addressing at the state level. No family should have to guess whether their basic food assistance will continue based on which county they live in. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this thread is going to help so many people navigate this process with less stress and better outcomes!

As a newcomer to this community, I just wanted to say how incredibly helpful this entire thread has been! @Liam Sullivan, congratulations on getting your recertification approved - I can only imagine the relief you must have felt after weeks of anxiety. What really stands out to me is how this discussion captures both the human side of navigating CalFresh (the stress, the uncertainty, the fear of not being able to feed your family) and the practical realities of a system that seems to work differently for everyone. The fact that you submitted everything properly three weeks in advance and still had to endure weeks of not knowing is really telling about how much transparency is lacking in the process. I'm taking notes on all the advice shared here - submitting early through BenefitsCal, checking regularly, calling right at 8am if needed, setting up text notifications. It's unfortunate that families have to become experts in navigating bureaucracy just to access basic food assistance, but I'm grateful this community exists to share that knowledge. The county-by-county inconsistency that multiple people mentioned is particularly frustrating. It seems like such a fundamental fairness issue that your experience with the same program can vary so dramatically based on geography. Thanks to everyone who contributed their experiences and advice - this thread is going to be a valuable resource for anyone facing CalFresh recertification anxiety!