BenefitsCal website font suddenly changed to cursive - can't read my CalFresh info!
Has anyone else noticed the BenefitsCal website looks different lately? When I logged in yesterday to check my CalFresh balance, all the text was in this weird cursive font that's super hard to read. I can barely make out my benefit amount or when my SAR7 is due. Is this happening to everyone or just me? I tried using a different browser (went from Chrome to Edge) but it's still the same. My eyes aren't great to begin with and this is making it impossible to manage my benefits online! Do I need to change some setting or is the site broken?
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Amara Chukwu
I just checked mine and the font looks normal - it's still the regular sans-serif font they've always used. It sounds like something might be wrong with your computer settings rather than the BenefitsCal site itself. Try checking if you have any font settings or accessibility features turned on in your browser that might be overriding the website's default font.
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Liam O'Sullivan
•omg thank u! i just looked and somehow my kid must have downloaded a browser extension that changes all fonts to cursive!! deleted it and now its back to normal. feeling so dumb right now lol
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Giovanni Conti
THIS HAPPENS TO ME TOO!!! The whole BenefitsCal site has been a NIGHTMARE since they updated it last month. Not just the font - my account keeps showing my CalFresh is "pending" when I was already approved in January!!! Called the county 7 TIMES and either get disconnected or they say "it's just a display issue" but I STILL HAVEN'T GOTTEN MY MARCH BENEFITS!!!
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Fatima Al-Hashimi
•I think you're dealing with a different issue than the original poster. Sounds like your benefits are actually delayed while they're just having a display problem. Have you tried looking at your EBT card balance on the CalFresh app or calling the EBT customer service number? Sometimes the website shows wrong info but your benefits are actually there.
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NeonNova
I was having weird display issues with BenefitsCal too, but for me it was showing everything super tiny, not cursive. I figured out it was because my browser zoom was set to 80% for some reason. Try checking your zoom level (Ctrl and + will increase it). Also, if you're on Windows, check if you accidentally turned on any accessibility features. Press Windows key + U to open those settings.
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Dylan Campbell
I work with a nonprofit that helps people access CalFresh, and we've seen occasional display issues with the BenefitsCal website. Here are a few things to try: 1. Clear your browser cache and cookies 2. Try a completely different browser (if you tried Chrome and Edge, maybe try Firefox) 3. Check if you have any font-changing extensions or accessibility settings enabled 4. Try accessing the site from a different device like a phone If none of that works, you might need to contact the BenefitsCal technical support directly at 1-800-952-5253. They can help reset your account display settings from their end.
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Liam O'Sullivan
•thanks for all the tips! i got it fixed - it was a browser extension my kid installed (some kinda comic font thing). but calling that number would have taken forever if i hadnt figured it out myself!
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Sofia Hernandez
The website is so confusing even with normal fonts tbh. I just got approved for CalFresh last month and I still don't understand half the stuff on there. What's the difference between the SAR7 and recertification? And why do I need to report changes before my SAR7 is due? The whole system seems designed to trip people up!
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Dylan Campbell
•Great questions! SAR7 is a Semi-Annual Report you submit every 6 months to update your household information. Recertification happens once a year and is more comprehensive - you basically reapply for benefits. As for reporting changes before your SAR7, you're only required to report if your income goes above 130% of the Federal Poverty Level (the Income Reporting Threshold or IRT). This amount should be listed on your approval notice. Other changes can usually wait for your SAR7 unless they would increase your benefits (like someone moving out). You're right that it can be confusing - the system definitely has a learning curve!
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Dmitry Kuznetsov
If you're having trouble with the BenefitsCal website, you might want to try Claimyr to speak directly with a CalFresh worker. I was having issues last month viewing my verification documents on the site (everything was showing as "pending review" even though I'd submitted them weeks ago). Spent days trying to get through on the regular line with no luck. Then I tried this service called Claimyr that got me through to a real person at the county in about 10 minutes. They connected me with someone who could actually see my case and fix it right away. They have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 and their website is claimyr.com. Definitely worth it when you need to actually talk to someone instead of dealing with the website issues.
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Liam O'Sullivan
•i didn't know something like that existed! bookmarking for next time. i fixed my font issue but i still need to talk to someone about updating my address. been trying to call for 2 weeks with no luck
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Giovanni Conti
•Does this actually work??? I've been trying to reach someone about my missing benefits for WEEKS!
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Fatima Al-Hashimi
This is kinda off topic but speaking of the BenefitsCal website... does anyone know why it always logs me out after like 2 minutes? I'll be in the middle of uploading verification docs and suddenly I'm logged out and have to start over. So frustrating!
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NeonNova
•It has a really short timeout period for security reasons. I think it's like 3-5 minutes of inactivity. What I do is prepare everything BEFORE I log in - have all my documents scanned and ready to upload, info written down, etc. Then I can quickly do what I need to before it times out.
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Amara Chukwu
@OP glad you got your font issue resolved! For anyone else experiencing display problems with BenefitsCal or other government websites, I recommend checking these settings: 1. Browser zoom (Ctrl+ or Ctrl- to adjust) 2. Font settings in your browser (usually in Settings > Appearance) 3. Extensions or add-ons that might modify web content 4. Windows/Mac accessibility settings that override website fonts 5. Check if your browser needs updating Also, the BenefitsCal mobile app sometimes works better than the website for basic tasks like checking your balance or uploading verification documents.
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Liam O'Sullivan
•i didnt even know there was a mobile app!! downloading that right now, thanks!
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