CalFresh benefits deposit date confusion - is the 26th the last day for this month?

The date your benefits are deposited is based on the last digit of your case number and doesn't change month to month. If you normally get them on the 11th, that's your regular date. The 26th is just the last possible day anyone gets their benefits each month (for people whose case numbers end in 9). It's not a deadline for using benefits or anything like that. Your benefits will stay on your EBT card for 274 days before they expire, so you don't need to worry about using them immediately.

Omg thank you so much! I was freaking out thinking I had to spend all my benefits by the 26th or lose them. So the money just stays on the card? That's a huge relief. I'd rather spread it out over the month.

the 26th is just the last day ppl get their benefits depending on ur case # mines on the 8th my neighbors is the 14th its different for everybody

Thank you! I think I misunderstood what the person was saying completely lol. Glad I asked here instead of panicking.

This is why the CalFresh system is so frustrating!!! They never explain these things clearly and expect everyone to just KNOW how it works. When I first got benefits I thought I had to use them all each month or lose them too! They should give better instructions when they approve you instead of making everyone confused. I've been on CalFresh for 3 years and still discover new things about how it works all the time.

Totally agree. It took me forever to figure out even basic stuff like when my benefits would appear each month. The welcome packet they send is so full of complicated language that doesn't actually tell you what you need to know.

Just to add a bit more clarity - CalFresh benefits in California are distributed from the 1st through the 26th of each month based on the last digit of your case number:\n\n0 = 1st\n1 = 2nd\n2 = 3rd\n3 = 4th\n4 = 5th\n5 = 6th\n6 = 7th\n7 = 8th\n8 = 10th\n9 = 11th\n\nSo if you get yours on the 11th, your case number likely ends in 9. The latest anyone gets their benefits is the 26th. And as others mentioned, once deposited, benefits stay on your card for 274 days before they expire. Nothing special happens on the 26th except it's the last issuance date for the month.

wait no thats not right! my case # ends in 6 and i get mine on the 16th not the 7th

Sorry for any confusion. You're right that the schedule I posted isn't accurate. The actual schedule can vary by county in California. Some counties use different distribution schedules. The important thing for the original poster to know is that their benefits will always come on the same day each month (their assigned day), and that day won't change unless they get a new case number.

Thank you for clarifying! My worker never really explained the schedule to me, just told me when my day was. Good to know it stays consistent each month.

If you're having trouble reaching your CalFresh worker to get questions like this answered, I've had really good luck using Claimyr. It's this service that gets you through to a live person at the county office without waiting on hold forever. I used it last month when my recertification was delayed and got through in minutes instead of hours. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8. Seriously saved me so much frustration.

Oh that's good to know! I tried calling the county office last month and gave up after being on hold for 40 minutes. Does it actually work? I'll check out that video.

Yes, it actually does work! I was skeptical too but was desperate when my benefits didn't come through. It connected me to a real person who fixed my case on the spot. Definitely worth it rather than spending half your day on hold or trying to go to the office in person.

I've heard about this too. My cousin used it when her account got locked and she couldn't access her benefits. Said it saved her hours of waiting.

Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through the same confusion when I first got CalFresh! The system really isn't intuitive at all. Your benefits will always come on the same date each month (the 11th in your case) and they don't expire for almost 9 months, so you have plenty of time to use them. I actually keep a little calendar now marking my deposit date so I can plan my grocery trips better. Don't feel bad about not knowing - I think most of us had to learn this stuff the hard way through trial and error rather than getting clear explanations upfront.