Fresh EBT app is what I've been using for about 2 years now. It lets you check your balance, see transaction history, and even find stores that accept EBT near you. The app also sends notifications when your benefits are loaded each month. Super helpful for budgeting! Much more reliable than BenefitsCal which seems to be down half the time.

Update: I was able to get the card number from my mom and downloaded the Fresh EBT app. It worked perfectly! Could see that my May benefits did load ($835 for my household of 3). Thanks everyone for the suggestions!

Great news that you found the paperwork! Just wanted to add - when you go to drop off those child support documents tomorrow, bring multiple copies and ask them to stamp one copy as received for your records. Also, if the father truly isn't providing any support, you might need to sign a "good cause" waiver if you don't want to pursue child support through the county (some people have safety concerns about this). The caseworker should explain your options when you turn in the paperwork. Hope your CalWORKs gets approved soon - sounds like you really need that assistance right now!

I'm so glad you found the missing paperwork! This is exactly why so many people get confused about their benefits status. Just to add to the excellent advice already given - when you go to submit those child support documents tomorrow, also ask your caseworker to explain the timeline for when CalWORKs benefits would start if you're approved. Sometimes there's still a waiting period even after you submit everything. Also, if you do end up needing emergency assistance while waiting for CalWORKs to process, ask about county emergency aid programs - some counties have short-term help for families in crisis situations like yours with rent and utilities. Good luck tomorrow!

To clarify for anyone reading this thread later - the official CalFresh policy is that benefits are available at midnight on your assigned day (based on the last digit of your case number), but due to system processing, there can sometimes be delays. If you're in an emergency situation, you can request expedited services (3-day processing) when you apply, or if you're already a recipient, contact your county office about emergency food resources.

Glad you got your benefits figured out! Just wanted to add for anyone else reading this - if you're ever unsure about your specific benefit date, you can also check the EBT Edge mobile app or call the customer service number on the back of your EBT card. They'll tell you exactly when your benefits are scheduled to be loaded. Also, some grocery stores will let you check your EBT balance at the customer service counter without having to make a purchase, which can save you the embarrassment of a declined transaction at checkout.

This whole conversation has been incredibly helpful for understanding the CalFresh timeline! I'm actually in week 3 of my application process and just received my EBT card yesterday with no benefits loaded yet. Reading Sofia's experience and everyone's responses really put my mind at ease - I was starting to think something went wrong with my case. The fact that the card arrives before approval seems to confuse so many people (myself included!). I'm definitely going to log into my BenefitsCal account first thing tomorrow to double-check that all my verification documents went through properly. It sounds like missing or unclear documents are the biggest cause of delays. Thanks to everyone who shared their timelines and experiences - this community is such a valuable resource for navigating this complex system!

This thread is exactly what I needed to read! I'm on day 18 of my CalFresh application and got my EBT card 3 days ago with zero balance. Like everyone else here, I was starting to panic thinking something went wrong. It's so frustrating that they don't clearly explain that the card comes BEFORE approval - I wasted so much time worrying for nothing! Reading Sofia's update about the missing ID document really opened my eyes. I thought I had uploaded everything perfectly, but now I'm wondering if one of my documents didn't go through properly. Definitely calling my worker tomorrow to double-check my verification status. This community is amazing for helping us understand what's actually normal in this confusing process!

Just went through this exact same stress last month! You definitely don't need to write your case number on the envelope - the pre-addressed envelope they give you is already set up to route correctly to their processing center. I was overthinking it too but my worker confirmed that as long as your case number is on all the forms inside (which sounds like you've got covered), you're good to go. The most important thing is making sure you didn't miss any required signatures or documents they asked for. Sounds like you're being super careful which is great - that attention to detail will serve you well! Hope your renewal goes smoothly.

Just wanted to chime in as someone who's been through multiple renewals - you're absolutely right not to stress about the envelope! The case number goes on the forms inside, not the envelope itself. One thing I learned that might help others too is to write "DO NOT BEND - CALFRESH DOCUMENTS" on the envelope if you're including any photos or documents that could get damaged. Also, if you're ever unsure about timing, remember that you can submit your renewal up to 45 days before your current certification expires, so you don't have to wait until the last minute. Sounds like you handled everything perfectly though!