Best times to call CalFresh without busy signals? Keeps saying 'too many calls'

Early morning is definitely best - but I mean REALLY early. I've had the most luck calling at exactly 7:58am, literally 2 minutes before they officially open at 8:00am. You get put in the queue before everyone else starts calling. Fridays are usually terrible because everyone's panicking about weekend issues. Wednesdays mid-morning (around 10:30am) can also work well in my experience.

i had the same problem last month!!! the phone system is GARBAGE. i ended up driving to the office and waiting 3 hours but at least i got my question answered. bring something to do if u go that route lol

After working with CalFresh clients for years, I've found the best time to call is Tuesday or Wednesday between 2-3pm. Most people call in the mornings or during lunch breaks, so mid-afternoon on those middle weekdays tends to have shorter wait times. Also, the first week of the month is always busier because of new applications and benefits being issued. If you're calling about recertification specifically, make sure you have your case number ready and ask specifically for the worker assigned to your case. Sometimes they can transfer you directly instead of waiting in the general queue.

Have you tried using Claimyr? It saved me so much time with my CalFresh recertification last month. Instead of calling over and over, you just enter your number on their website (claimyr.com), and they wait on hold for you with CalFresh and call you when a real person answers. Honestly life-changing when you're dealing with those ridiculous wait times. They have a video showing how it works too: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 I was skeptical at first but when I was in the same situation (needed to get verification docs cleared before my deadline), it actually worked.

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO MAKE PEOPLE GIVE UP!!!! They don't answer ON PURPOSE so people lose benefits and they save money. I've been on CalFresh for 3 years and EVERY SINGLE TIME there's some problem that requires calling, it's impossible to reach anyone. Then they blame US when paperwork doesn't get processed correctly. I lost benefits for 2 months last year because of their mistakes and my kids went hungry. The system is BROKEN!!!

try the website instead?? i did my whole recert online this year and didn't have to call at all

When I was dealing with BenefitsCal last month, I finally got through on Thursday around 11:15am. I tried for days just like you! The trick was hitting the option for 'apply for benefits' instead of 'question about existing case' - even though I had an existing case. Those queues seem shorter and once I got a person, they transferred me to the right department. Kinda sneaky but it worked!

my cousin works for the county and she said they're short like 25 workers right now. thats why nobody can get thru. not making excuses for them but yea its bad there

One more tip that's helped me: if you have any kind of case manager through another program (like housing assistance, WIC, or a community organization), sometimes they have direct lines or contacts at CalFresh. I've had my housing coordinator make calls on my behalf when I couldn't get through. Also, did you try the email option? Some counties have contact forms on their websites where you can submit questions about your case. It's slower (usually 2-3 days for a response) but at least you have documentation that you tried to contact them before your deadline.

I feel your pain! I went through the exact same thing last year. What finally worked for me was calling on Tuesday mornings at 8:02am sharp - not 8:00 or 8:05, but right at 8:02. I think there's a sweet spot where their system has fully loaded but before the flood of calls hits. Also, when you do get through, explain your deadline situation right away. They can sometimes expedite things or give you an extension if you're proactive about communicating the issue. Don't give up - you'll get through! Your family needs those benefits and you deserve to have your questions answered.

Here's another strategy that worked for me - try calling different county offices if your case allows it! I know it sounds weird, but sometimes neighboring counties have shorter wait times and can still access your case information in the state system. I live on the border between two counties and when my home county was impossible to reach, I called the neighboring one and they were able to help me with my recertification questions. Obviously this won't work for everyone depending on where you live, but if you have options it's worth a shot. Also, if you have a smartphone, consider using a callback app while you try the other suggestions - that way you can do other things instead of sitting on hold for hours.

I've been dealing with this exact same issue for weeks now! What's worked best for me is calling at 7:45am on Tuesdays or Wednesdays - even earlier than some others mentioned. I set my alarm and call the second I wake up. The key is being persistent but also having a backup plan. One thing that really helped was keeping a detailed log of every call attempt with timestamps. When I finally got through, I mentioned to the worker that I'd been trying for X days with Y attempts, and they were much more sympathetic and helpful. They even gave me a direct extension for future calls! Also, if you're running close to your deadline, don't be afraid to mention that multiple times during the call. I've seen them put rush processing on cases when people are upfront about timing issues. You've got this - don't let the system wear you down!

I'm going through the exact same nightmare right now! Been trying to reach someone about my renewal paperwork for over a week. What's really frustrating is that I work during most of the day, so I can only call during my lunch break or after 5pm, but of course that's when everyone else is calling too. One thing I discovered is that some counties have separate phone lines for different types of issues. I found out my county has a dedicated recertification hotline that's different from the main number - it's buried on their website under "Forms and Resources." The wait times are still brutal but slightly better than the main line. Might be worth checking if your county has something similar? Also, has anyone tried showing up at the office right when they open? I'm thinking of taking a morning off work to try that if the phone situation doesn't improve. This whole system makes it feel like they're trying to make us give up, but we can't let that happen when our families depend on these benefits.

I'm dealing with this same exact situation right now! Been trying to get through about my case review for almost two weeks. What's helped me is calling exactly at 7:59am on Wednesday mornings - seems like there's less competition than Mondays or Fridays. I also discovered that if you press option 2 for "report changes" instead of option 1 for "general questions," sometimes the wait is shorter and they can still help with recertification issues once you explain your situation. One trick that saved me last month was calling the CalFresh Customer Service line at 1-877-847-3663 instead of my local county office. It's a state-wide number and sometimes has better availability. They can't do everything a local worker can, but for basic questions about what documents you need or deadline extensions, they're usually pretty helpful. Don't give up! The system is frustrating but your family needs those benefits. Try the early morning approach and maybe that state number as a backup. You've got this!

I'm dealing with the exact same frustration right now! Been trying for over a week to get through about my recertification and it's making me so anxious about my deadline. Reading through all these strategies is giving me hope though - I had no idea about some of these tips like the 7:58am timing or the statewide customer service line. One thing I wanted to add that helped me in a different situation (with unemployment) was having all my paperwork and questions written down before calling. When you finally do get through, you want to make the most of that call and not forget anything important. I also screenshot or write down the name of whoever helps me in case I need to reference that conversation later. The email/contact form suggestion sounds really smart too - at least you'd have documentation that you tried to reach them before your deadline. That could be important if there are any issues with your case later. Stay strong everyone - this system is broken but we can't let it defeat us when our families depend on these benefits!

I'm so sorry you're going through this - the phone system really is incredibly frustrating! I've been in similar situations and it's that helpless feeling when you're trying to do everything right but can't even get someone on the line to help. One thing that worked for me recently was calling at 7:55am on Tuesday morning - even earlier than some others mentioned. I think there's a tiny window right before 8am where their system is ready but the call volume hasn't hit yet. Also, when the automated system asks what you're calling about, I've had better luck saying "application status" rather than "recertification" - seems to route to a less busy queue. If all else fails, definitely try that statewide number someone mentioned (1-877-847-3663). They helped me understand exactly which documents I needed when my local office was unreachable, and they were able to put notes in my case file about the communication attempts. Hang in there - you're being proactive by reaching out here and trying different strategies. Your family is lucky to have someone fighting so hard for them. You WILL get through eventually!

I've been in the exact same situation and it's so stressful! What finally worked for me was a combination of strategies. I tried the 7:58am approach on Wednesday mornings - seems like Tuesday/Wednesday are less crazy than Mondays and Fridays. But honestly, what saved me was discovering that my county has a "Client Services" email where you can send urgent requests with your case number and deadline info. I sent them a detailed email explaining my situation and they actually called ME back within 24 hours. Also, if you're really stuck, try contacting your local food bank or community assistance organization. Some of them have direct contacts at CalFresh offices and can help advocate for clients facing deadlines. The food bank in my area actually has a benefits specialist who helps people navigate these exact situations. Don't let this system defeat you - your family needs those benefits and you're doing everything right by being proactive. Keep trying those early morning calls but also explore the email/community organization routes as backup options. You've got this!

I've been through this exact nightmare multiple times! One strategy that's worked consistently for me is calling at 7:57am on Thursday mornings - seems like Thursdays get overlooked while everyone tries Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday. The key is to call EXACTLY at 7:57, not 8:00 when everyone else calls. Also, here's something I discovered by accident: if you call and get the "too many calls" message, hang up and immediately call back 3-4 times in a row. Sometimes their system has brief windows between the busy cycles and you can slip through. I know it sounds crazy but it worked for me twice last month. Another tip - when you finally do get through to someone, ask them to put a note in your case file about the difficulty reaching them and your upcoming deadline. This creates a paper trail showing you've been trying to comply, which can help if there are any issues later. Some workers will even give you their direct extension or best times to reach them personally. Don't give up! The system is absolutely broken but you're doing everything right by being persistent. Your family's benefits are worth fighting for, and these phone issues are NOT your fault.

I've been dealing with this same issue for months! What's been working for me lately is calling at exactly 7:56am on Tuesday mornings - seems like there's a sweet spot right before their system gets overwhelmed. I also learned that if you get the busy signal, wait exactly 3 minutes and try again. Their phone system seems to reset in cycles. One game-changer for me was finding my county's "Emergency CalFresh Contact" form online - it's usually buried in their FAQ section. You can submit urgent deadline situations and they're required to respond within 48 hours. I used it last month when I was 3 days from my recertification deadline and couldn't get through. They actually expedited my case! Also, if you have a local Legal Aid office, some have CalFresh advocates who can conference call with you to the county office. They know the system inside and out and can help navigate the bureaucracy. Don't lose hope - I know it feels impossible but there are ways through this maze. Your persistence will pay off!