CalFresh benefits missing this month - anyone else not getting paid?
I was supposed to get my CalFresh loaded yesterday (the 10th) like usual but nothing showed up on my EBT card. Called the automated line and it says my balance is $0. This is really stressing me out because I have 3 kids and we're completely out of groceries. Nobody warned me about any problems with my case. Did anyone else not get their benefits this month? If you fixed it, how? The phone lines are impossible - I've been trying since 8am but keep getting disconnected.
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Grace Thomas
same here! my benefits didnt come in either and im freaking out. been on calfresh for 2 years never had a problem before
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Justin Chang
•Good to know I'm not alone but sorry you're dealing with this too. Did you try calling your worker? I can't even get through to a person.
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Hunter Brighton
There are a few common reasons benefits might not load: 1. Did you complete your Semi-Annual Report (SAR7) on time? If it was due last month and you didn't submit it, they'll cut benefits without much warning. 2. Check if you hit your Income Reporting Threshold (IRT). If your income went above the limit and you didn't report it, they might have discontinued you. 3. Sometimes it's just a system glitch. Last January there was a big EBT system update that delayed benefits for thousands of people. I'd recommend checking your BenefitsCal account online if you have one - it might show notices that explain what happened.
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Justin Chang
•Thanks for this info. I actually did turn in my SAR7 last month and got confirmation it was received. My income hasn't changed at all. I checked BenefitsCal but don't see any new notices. I'm starting to think it might be that system glitch you mentioned.
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Dylan Baskin
THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME!! The county offices are a complete MESS right now! Last month they randomly cut my benefits claiming I didn't submit verification documents THAT I HANDED TO A WORKER IN PERSON!!! Had to fight for 2 weeks to get it fixed and they still haven't given me back pay for the month I missed. The whole system is broken!!!
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Lauren Wood
•Ugh that sounds awful! Did you end up having to go into the office in person to get it fixed or were you able to handle it over the phone?
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Ellie Lopez
this happened 2 me in march...turned out they sent me a notice asking for pay stubs but i never got it in mail...when i finally reached someone they said my case was discontinued for not providing verification...had to reapply all over again
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Justin Chang
•Oh no, that's my fear - having to reapply from scratch. Did they at least backdate your benefits once you reapplied?
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Chad Winthrope
I work with CalFresh recipients as part of my job, and I've seen this issue quite a bit recently. Here are a few things to try: 1. Check if you've received ANY mail from the county in the last 30-60 days. Sometimes notices get lost or look like junk mail. 2. It could be that your recertification period ended. CalFresh cases come up for recertification every 12 months, and you have to complete a new application (SAWS 2 Plus) and interview. 3. If you've recently moved, your EBT card might be trying to load benefits but encountering an error due to address mismatch. The fastest way to resolve this is to speak directly with your eligibility worker. I know the county phone lines are frustrating - many of my clients have had success using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through the phone systems. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8. It helps you skip the hold times and get a callback from a worker, usually same day.
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Justin Chang
•Thank you for these detailed suggestions. I've been at the same address for 3 years, but I'm starting to wonder if my recertification came up without me realizing. I'll check those dates. And thanks for the tip about Claimyr - I've never heard of that but I'm desperate to talk to someone at this point.
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Paige Cantoni
Hey just wanted to check if you got this resolved? I'm worried about the same thing happening to me next month...
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Justin Chang
•Sort of! I finally got through to someone using that Claimyr service someone mentioned above. Turns out they sent me a verification request for my rent two months ago that I never received. They're reactivating my case but said I need to bring proof of rent to the office tomorrow. At least I know what happened now.
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Ellie Lopez
ive used claimyr before too when my benefits got messed up...worth every penny cuz i was on hold for HOURS before i found it...got a callback in like 30 min
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Lauren Wood
•Does it actually work? I'm always suspicious of services that claim to beat government systems. Might try it though because I've literally never gotten through to a real person at my county office.
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Grace Thomas
anyone know if they'll give backpay for the missed month? i'm in the same boat and even if i get it fixed i already had to borrow money for groceries this month
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Hunter Brighton
•Yes, they should provide retroactive benefits if the discontinuance was their error or if you resolve the issue within a certain timeframe. Make sure to specifically ask about this when you speak with your worker. It's called "restoration of benefits" and you're entitled to it if you were eligible during the missed period. Keep documentation of everything, including when you submitted paperwork.
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Isaiah Thompson
I'm dealing with the exact same issue! My benefits were supposed to load on the 15th but my EBT card is still showing $0. I've been a CalFresh recipient for about 8 months and this has never happened before. Reading through these comments is both reassuring and terrifying - it sounds like this is happening to a lot of people but the reasons vary so much. I'm going to try that Claimyr service that people mentioned since I can't get through the regular phone lines either. Has anyone had luck just showing up at the county office in person? I'm wondering if that might be faster than waiting for a callback.
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