BenefitsCal website glitching repeatedly - can't complete CalFresh renewal
Is anyone else having major issues with the BenefitsCal website this week? I've been trying to complete my CalFresh recertification for the past 3 days but the site keeps freezing when I upload my pay stubs. I get to the document upload page, select the files from my phone, click 'upload' and then nothing happens. Just a spinning circle forever! My recert is due in 6 days and I'm freaking out because last time I was late they discontinued my benefits and I had to reapply from scratch. Tried different browsers, cleared cache, even borrowed my sister's laptop. Nothing works! County office phones just put me on eternal hold. Any workarounds or is the entire system down?
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Sean O'Donnell
omg YES!!! thought it was just me! been trying since monday to report my new address and the stupid site keeps logging me out randomly. tried calling too and gave up after 45 mins on hold
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StarSeeker
AuthorUgh, that's so frustrating! Did you try going in person to the county office? I might have to do that tomorrow, but I'd have to miss work.
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Zara Ahmed
I'm experiencing the same issues with document uploads on BenefitsCal. It seems to be a system-wide problem affecting multiple counties. Here's what you can try: 1. Use the BenefitsCal mobile app instead of the website - some people report better success there 2. Try uploading between 6-8 AM when the server load is lower 3. Make sure your documents are PDFs under 10MB 4. If all else fails, you can submit your recertification without the documents first to meet the deadline, then add the verification later Most importantly, document your attempts (screenshots with dates/times) in case they try to discontinue your benefits. This proves you were trying to comply with the deadline despite technical issues.
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StarSeeker
AuthorThank you! I didn't know there was a mobile app. Going to try that right now. And great tip about submitting without documents first - I didn't realize that was an option. Do you know if there's a specific way to note that I'm having technical issues when I submit?
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Luca Esposito
have u tried calling right when they open? thats when i always get thru
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StarSeeker
AuthorI tried calling at 8:02 AM yesterday and still waited 30 minutes before I had to hang up for work. Maybe I need to try exactly at 8:00?
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Nia Thompson
The ENTIRE system is garbage!! This happens EVERY SINGLE MONTH around the 15th when everyone's trying to submit reports and recerts at once. The county KNOWS the servers can't handle it but they do NOTHING to fix it!!! Last year I lost 3 months of benefits because their stupid website crashed and they claimed they "never received" my SAR7 even though I had confirmation screenshots!!! Had to do a hearing to get retroactive benefits. DOCUMENT EVERYTHING!!!!!
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Mateo Rodriguez
This happened to me too last year! I thought I was the only one. I ended up having to go to the office in person and wait for 4 hours just to submit a simple SAR7. Ridiculous.
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GalaxyGuardian
I was having this exact same problem last week trying to submit verification documents for my CalFresh recertification. After hours of frustration, I found a service called Claimyr that helped me actually reach a live CalFresh worker on the phone in about 10 minutes. They got me a temporary workaround for my documents and noted in my case that I had been trying to upload them. Saved me a trip to the office! You can see how it works at https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 or go to claimyr.com. Honestly, it was a lifesaver with my recert deadline approaching.
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Sean O'Donnell
rly?? does this actually work? seems to good to be true lol. tired of being on hold for literal hours
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GalaxyGuardian
Yes, it worked for me! The worker I spoke with said they were aware of the website issues and gave me an email address where I could send my documents directly. She also put a note in my file about the technical problems so my benefits wouldn't get cut off while they processed everything.
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Aisha Abdullah
The BenefitsCal site is experiencing technical difficulties due to server upgrades they're implementing this month. I work with a community organization that partners with the county, and we received a notice about this yesterday. The good news is that there's an official workaround: 1. You can email your documents directly to your county office with your case number in the subject line 2. For Los Angeles County: DPSS.Recertification@lacounty.gov 3. For other counties, check their website for the email address Most importantly, they're being instructed to not penalize clients for late submissions if they're due between May 10-20, 2025, due to these known technical issues. Still try to submit on time, but know there's some flexibility built in right now.
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StarSeeker
AuthorThis is incredibly helpful information! Thank you so much. I'm in LA County, so I'll try emailing my documents today. Such a relief to know they're aware of the problem and won't penalize us.
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Nia Thompson
They ALWAYS say they won't penalize people and then do it anyway! Make sure to save the confirmation email if you send documents this way!!!
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StarSeeker
UPDATE: I finally got it to work! For anyone else having this problem, here's what worked for me: 1. I used the BenefitsCal mobile app like someone suggested 2. Tried at 6:30 AM before work 3. Converted my photos to PDF first using a free online tool 4. Made sure each file was under 5MB (even though they allow up to 10MB) The upload went through instantly this time! And I received a confirmation email right away. So relieved! Also emailed copies to the county address shared above just to be double safe. Thank you everyone for your help! This community is amazing.
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Zara Ahmed
Great work! Smart move to submit through multiple methods. Always keep those confirmation emails/screenshots for at least 90 days after any submission. Glad it worked out!
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Mateo Rodriguez
just wanted to say i had a similar problem with BenefitCal last month when i tried to add my newborn to my calfresh case and i ended up going to the office in person which was actually way faster than i expected. went at 2pm on a wednesday and was in and out in 40 min. sometimes in person is actually easier than dealing with the site!
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Luca Esposito
wow thats lucky! my local office is always packed with like 3hr waits minimum!!
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Brooklyn Foley
This is such a widespread issue! I'm dealing with the same thing trying to upload my rent receipts for my annual review. The site keeps timing out after I select my files. I've been stressed about missing my deadline too. Based on what everyone's sharing, I'm going to try the mobile app first thing tomorrow morning, and also email my documents to the county address that @Aisha Abdullah shared. It's so frustrating that we have to jump through all these hoops just to maintain our benefits, but I'm grateful this community exists to help each other navigate these problems! Has anyone tried using a different device entirely? Like maybe the issue is more common on certain phones/computers?
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