Since you mentioned this was due to a fire, make sure to specify this is DISASTER-related emergency assistance on your paperwork. There are specific exemptions for disaster assistance that might not apply to regular rental assistance programs. Also, request a letter from the non-profit stating this is a one-time vendor payment related to a disaster. Having this documentation ready before you submit your SAR7 can prevent misunderstandings that lead to incorrect benefit reductions.

I'm so sorry you're going through this after losing your home in a fire. That's incredibly stressful. Based on what others have shared here, it sounds like you should be okay for CalFresh since the money goes directly to the landlord, but definitely get everything documented properly. Have you considered reaching out to a legal aid organization in Santa Clara County? They often have advocates who specialize in benefits issues and can give you county-specific guidance for both CalFresh and GA. Many offer free consultations for disaster victims. It might be worth having someone in your corner who knows the local rules inside and out, especially since you're dealing with multiple benefit programs.

As someone who just went through this process last month, I wanted to share a few additional tips that might help! First, if you're calling the 877-328-9677 number, try calling on Wednesdays or Thursdays - I noticed the wait times were shorter those days compared to Mondays when everyone calls after the weekend. Second, when you do get through, ask them to put a note in your file about any address changes or special circumstances. This saved me when I had to call back about a separate issue because the rep could see all the previous notes. Also, if you have multiple kids, you can request replacement cards for all of them in one call rather than calling separately for each child. The system can be really frustrating, but these little strategies made a huge difference for me. Hope this helps and you get your replacement card soon!

I went through this exact same situation back in January and it was such a headache! One thing that really helped me was downloading the ebtEDGE mobile app - you can actually check your card balance and see if new benefits have been deposited even without the physical card. This way you'll know if benefits are still being added to your lost card before you go through the hassle of requesting a replacement. Also, I found that calling right at 8:00 AM sharp on weekdays gave me the best chance of getting through. Still took about 30 minutes on hold, but way better than the 2+ hours I was waiting when calling later in the day. Make sure you have your kids' full names and dates of birth ready because they'll ask for that to verify your identity. The whole system definitely needs improvement, but don't give up - those benefits can really help with grocery costs!

I work for a nonprofit that helps families navigate CalFresh issues, and this sounds like a classic case of missing deductions. With your income and family size, you should definitely be getting more than $380. The childcare expense you mentioned ($850/month) is huge - that alone could increase your benefits significantly since it reduces your countable income. A few tips for when you call: 1. Have all your documents ready (pay stubs, rent receipts, childcare provider info) 2. Ask specifically for your "eligibility determination worksheet" - this shows exactly how they calculated your benefits 3. If the first worker can't help, ask to speak with a supervisor 4. Take notes on who you talk to and when Also, double-check that they have your household size correct (you + 3 kids = 4 people) and that they're applying the correct utility allowance for your area. These are common mistakes that can really impact your benefit amount.

I'm dealing with something similar right now! Just wanted to add that you should also make sure they applied the correct utility allowance - there's a standard utility allowance (SUA) that's supposed to be automatic if you pay any utilities separately from rent. For 2025 it's around $417 in most CA counties. If they forgot to include this or used a lower amount, that could definitely impact your shelter deduction calculation and bring down your benefits. When you call tomorrow, specifically ask if they included the SUA in your calculation. Sometimes workers forget to check that box in the system. Hope you get it sorted out - sounds like you're definitely entitled to more than $380 with those expenses!

I'm so sorry to hear about your sister's situation - EBT theft is unfortunately becoming way too common. I'm in San Diego but went through something similar last year when $425 was stolen from my card. A few things that might help speed up the process: 1) Make sure she gets a case tracking number for her theft claim (different from the police report number) so she can reference it in every call, 2) Ask the county office if they can put an "urgent need" flag on her case since she has children with no food, and 3) Document every phone call she makes - date, time, who she spoke with, and what they said. This helped me when I had to escalate my case. It took me 16 days to get my benefits back, but I know others who got theirs in under a week when they were persistent about calling daily. Also, many churches in Bakersfield have emergency food pantries that don't require any paperwork - just show up. Hope this helps and that she gets her benefits restored soon!

I'm so sorry your sister is dealing with this - EBT theft is absolutely devastating, especially when you have kids depending on those benefits. I'm a case manager in Riverside County and we've been seeing a huge spike in these cases lately. Here's what I always tell my clients: first, make sure she specifically asks for "expedited replacement benefits" when she calls - this is different from the regular theft claim process and can sometimes get benefits restored within 7-10 days for families with children. Second, have her contact the Kern County Board of Supervisors office and file a complaint about the delay - sometimes political pressure helps move things along faster. The number is (661) 868-3680. Also, if she hasn't already, she should apply for emergency CalWORKs cash aid while waiting - it's a separate program that can provide immediate assistance for families in crisis. Document everything - every call, every person she speaks with, every promise made. This creates a paper trail if she needs to escalate further. Sending strength to your family during this incredibly difficult time!

its so weird how different counties handle this stuff too!! my friend in alameda county gets more calfresh than me even tho we have almost identical income?? makes no sense

I'm dealing with the exact same situation! My SS went up $94 this month but my CalFresh dropped $85. It's so disheartening when you think you're getting a little help to keep up with rising costs, but then you end up barely ahead at all. Reading through these comments has been really eye-opening though - I had no idea about the medical expense deduction! I'm 63 and spend around $180/month on prescriptions and doctor visits. I've been struggling to reach my caseworker too, but I'm definitely going to try that Claimyr service someone mentioned and get the CW 62 form submitted. It really does feel like the system is working against us sometimes. The COLA is supposed to help us keep up with inflation, but when food costs have gone up so much this past year, having our food benefits reduced at the same time just doesn't make sense. At least now I know there might be some deductions I'm missing that could help offset this reduction.