CalFresh EBT card showing zero balance after phone interview - approved but no benefits loaded?

This happened to me back in February after my recertification. The worker approved everything during the interview but forgot to actually process the benefit release in the system. Try calling early morning right when they open - I found I got through faster that way. Make sure to have your case number and approval letter info ready when you call. Sometimes the system glitches and they need to manually release your benefits.

somtimes they put a hold if theres missing verification. did they ask you to submit proof of income or anything? check your benefitscal account messages maybe theres something there they need

I HATE how they do this!!! Same exact thing happened to me 3 times last year. They approve you then don't load the benefits and expect us to waste hours on the phone. Then when you finally get through they act like YOU made a mistake. The system is designed to make people give up. My worker even admitted they're understaffed and things fall through the cracks. Keep calling and DOCUMENT EVERYTHING - times you called, who you spoke with, etc. You might need it for a fair hearing if they don't fix it soon.

quick question did u hit your IRT since ur last reporting period? that income reporting threshold thing? if your income went over that amount and u didnt report it maybe thats why

Based on what you've shared, this sounds like an administrative error rather than an eligibility issue. Since you received an approval letter with a specific benefit amount and start date, the county is obligated to provide those benefits. Here are some options: 1. Call the CalFresh Customer Service line (not your county office) at 1-877-847-3663 2. Check if your county has an online case status portal where you can send a secure message 3. If you've been approved, the benefits should be backdated to your eligibility date once the issue is resolved One thing to note - sometimes there's a 1-2 day processing delay between approval and when benefits actually load onto the EBT card, but it shouldn't be longer than that after your official start date.

Try using Claimyr to get through to a CalFresh worker. I had to call like 20 times about my missing benefits last month and kept getting disconnected. Then someone told me about this service that holds your place in line and calls you back when a real person is available. Saved me hours of frustration. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8. You still talk to the same county workers, but don't have to deal with the endless hold times and disconnections.

Have you checked if there's a recertification notice in your mail that you might have missed? Sometimes they send those separate from the approval letters, and if you don't complete it, they'll stop your benefits. Also, did you submit your SAR7 on time? If you were late with that form, even by a day, they might have stopped your benefits but still sent an approval letter for your interview. If you did everything right, then it's definitely their error and you should keep calling. Also check your EBT card itself - if it's expired or damaged, they might have sent a new one that you haven't received yet and the benefits could be on that new card.

Did you get anywhere with this? I'm having the same issue after my recertification - approved but no benefits loaded on the card. Been trying to reach someone for days.

This is such a relief to hear you got it resolved! I've been dealing with something similar for weeks and was starting to lose hope. That fraud detection system sounds like a nightmare - flagging people for having reasonable rent costs? I'm definitely going to try the Claimyr service tomorrow. Did they mention anything about how to prevent these system flags in the future, or is it just random bad luck when it happens?

I'm going through my first CalFresh recertification process and this thread is making me nervous about what might happen! @Ethan Wilson I'm so glad you got it sorted out - that fraud detection system flagging you for reasonable rent costs is absolutely ridiculous. It's scary how the system seems designed to create barriers instead of helping people. I've been keeping copies of everything just in case, but it sounds like even when you do everything right, their algorithm can still cause problems. Thanks to everyone who shared the Claimyr tip - I'm bookmarking that just in case I run into issues. The fact that so many people are experiencing these "system errors" makes it clear this isn't just bad luck, it's a broken system that needs fixing.

This whole thread really highlights how broken the CalFresh system can be. I'm a single parent and went through something similar last year - got approved, received my letter, but then had a "system hold" that took 3 weeks to resolve. During that time, my caseworker kept telling me it would be "fixed tomorrow" while my toddler and I were struggling to buy groceries. What really helped me was documenting every single phone call (date, time, who I spoke with, what they said) and also reaching out to my local food bank for emergency assistance while waiting. For anyone dealing with this, don't be afraid to contact your county supervisor's office or state assemblyperson if the regular channels aren't working - sometimes political pressure is the only thing that gets these "system errors" resolved quickly. It's ridiculous that families have to become advocates and investigators just to get benefits they're legally entitled to.

As someone new to this community, I'm really grateful for all the helpful information shared here! Reading through everyone's experiences with these "system errors" is both eye-opening and concerning. It seems like these administrative glitches are way too common for something as essential as food assistance. I'm planning to apply for CalFresh soon and I'm already bookmarking the Claimyr service and taking notes about keeping detailed documentation. It's unfortunate that we have to be so prepared for the system to fail us, but I appreciate how this community supports each other through these challenges. @Ethan Wilson I'm so glad you finally got your benefits resolved - having to worry about feeding your kids while dealing with bureaucratic errors must have been incredibly stressful. Thank you to everyone who shared practical tips and resources!