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Miguel Ramos

CalFresh benefits missing this month despite 'active' status on account - anyone else?

So I checked my account status on BenefitsCal yesterday and it clearly shows my CalFresh is 'ACTIVE' but my EBT card didn't get loaded with April benefits. It's already the 6th and nothing! Last month I got my deposit on the 1st like clockwork. Nothing has changed with my situation - still working the same part-time job (about $1,850/month), same apartment, same everything. I've tried calling the county office twice but just got stuck in this endless automated system. Has anyone had their benefits randomly skip a month even though everything shows active? Is there some delay happening right now? My kids and I really depend on this food assistance.

QuantumQuasar

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same thing happening 2 me right now!! shows active online but no money on my card for 8 days now... something must be wrong with their system this month

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Miguel Ramos

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Have you tried calling? I'm going to try again tomorrow morning right when they open. So frustrating!

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Zainab Omar

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This happened to me last year. There are a few possible reasons: 1. Your Semi-Annual Report (SAR7) might have been due. If you don't submit it on time, benefits can stop even if your account shows active. 2. Sometimes there's a verification they needed but the notice got lost in mail. Your case may be pending verification even if online status says active. 3. If your income went over the Income Reporting Threshold (IRT) even temporarily, benefits could pause. 4. Technical glitch - the online system sometimes doesn't update right away. Best thing to do is contact your caseworker directly. The EBT customer service line won't have this information - you need to speak with the county office.

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Miguel Ramos

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Thank you! You might be right about the SAR7. I remember getting something in the mail but I thought it wasn't due until next month. I'm going to check all my paperwork tonight.

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this is y i hate dealing with calfresh!!! system always messing up and then WE have to fix THEIR mistakes!!! i bet theyll blame u somehow even tho its their fault

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Yara Sayegh

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I know right? Every time something goes wrong they act like it's our responsibility to figure out their complicated system. Then they make us wait on hold for hours just to talk to someone who might not even be able to help.

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I've been on CalFresh for 3 years and I've noticed benefits sometimes get delayed when there's a system update or maintenance. But 6 days is definitely too long. You need to contact your county worker ASAP because if it's a paperwork issue, they might completely discontinue your benefits if not resolved quickly. One thing I've learned when trying to reach the county office: don't waste time with the general EBT customer service. I started using this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that gets you through to a real person at the county office without the wait. Saved me hours of frustration. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 Hope you get your benefits soon. Food insecurity is no joke, especially with kids.

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Miguel Ramos

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Thanks for the tip! I hadn't heard of that service before. I'll try calling once more on my own tomorrow, but if I can't get through I'll check that out. Getting pretty desperate at this point!

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QuantumQuasar

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does that thing really work?? i spent 45 min on hold yesterday and then got disconnected 😡

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Paolo Longo

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This is actually a common issue this month. There was a system update to the CalFresh issuance system statewide during the last week of March that's causing delays for some recipients. The benefits should appear within 10 business days, but you should still contact your county office to confirm your specific case. Make sure to check if you've received any Notice of Action letters recently. Even if your online account shows active, a recent decision could have changed your eligibility or benefit amount. Some common reasons for unexpected benefit changes include: 1. Income verification issues 2. Missed SAR7 or recertification deadlines 3. Household composition changes that weren't reported 4. Reaching the time limit for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) 5. System errors during the recent update If you need emergency food assistance while this is being resolved, contact your local food bank or ask your county worker about emergency CalFresh benefits.

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Miguel Ramos

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Thank you for this detailed info. I didn't know about a system update! I checked my mail again and I don't see any Notice of Action letters, so hoping it's just the system delay you mentioned. That makes me feel a little better, though 10 business days is still a long time when you're counting on that food assistance.

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CosmicCowboy

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Did you check your benefit balance by phone too? Sometimes the EBT app doesn't show the correct balance but when you call the EBT balance number (877-328-9677) it gives you the right amount. Worth a try before panicking!

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Miguel Ramos

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Yes, I tried the phone too. Same result - last deposit was March 1st, nothing for April yet. 😞

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QuantumQuasar

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just got mine 2day!!! finally!!! maybe check ur card again?

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Miguel Ramos

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OMG just checked and mine came through too!! What a relief! Looks like it was that system update that @EligibilityExpert mentioned. Thanks everyone for your help and support!

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Glad to hear your benefits came through! For future reference, if you ever have trouble reaching the county office again, definitely consider using Claimyr. It saved me so much stress during my recertification when I couldn't get through on the regular line. Nothing worse than food benefit delays when you're trying to feed your family.

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Yara Sayegh

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I second this! I used Claimyr when my benefits got cut off suddenly last year. Got through to a person in like 10 minutes when I had been trying for days on my own.

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Rachel Tao

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I'm so glad you got your benefits sorted out! This whole thread has been really helpful for me too since I'm new to CalFresh and wasn't sure what to expect with timing. It's reassuring to know that delays can happen due to system updates and it's not necessarily something we did wrong. I'll definitely keep that Claimyr service in mind if I ever have trouble getting through to the county office. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and advice!

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Welcome to the community! This thread really shows how helpful everyone is here. I'm still pretty new to CalFresh myself (about 8 months now) and I've learned so much from reading other people's experiences. It's definitely nerve-wracking when benefits don't show up on time, but like you said, it's good to know that system delays happen and it's not always our fault. The people here really know their stuff and are always willing to help each other out!

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Melody Miles

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This is such a great example of why community support matters! I've been on CalFresh for about 2 years now and I've learned that these system hiccups happen more often than you'd think. What I find most frustrating is that they rarely send out notices when there are widespread delays like this - we're all left wondering if it's just us or a bigger issue. I always keep the county office number saved in my phone and try to call first thing in the morning when wait times are usually shorter. It's also worth noting that if you ever have an emergency food situation while waiting for benefits, most counties have emergency food assistance programs that can provide temporary help. Thanks for sharing your experience - it helps all of us know we're not alone in dealing with these challenges!

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Aisha Rahman

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You're absolutely right about the communication issue! It would save everyone so much stress if they just sent out a simple notice saying "hey, there's a system delay this month, benefits may be 5-10 days late." Instead we're all here wondering if our cases got messed up somehow. I'm definitely going to remember your tip about calling first thing in the morning - I always seem to call during peak hours and then wonder why I'm on hold forever. And thanks for mentioning the emergency food programs, I had no idea those existed! Really appreciate all the helpful info in this thread.

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Millie Long

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I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who contributed to this thread! I'm relatively new to CalFresh (started about 6 months ago) and seeing how supportive this community is really means a lot. When I first applied, I was so overwhelmed by all the paperwork and requirements, but reading threads like this helps me understand that these issues are normal and there are people willing to help. It's especially helpful to learn about resources like Claimyr that I never would have known about otherwise. I'm bookmarking this thread for future reference - the tips about calling early in the morning, checking for SAR7 deadlines, and knowing about emergency food assistance are all things I'll remember. Miguel, I'm so glad your benefits came through! Stories like yours help the rest of us know that persistence pays off and these delays usually do get resolved.

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Malik Davis

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This community really is amazing! I just joined a few weeks ago and I'm blown away by how willing everyone is to share their knowledge and support each other. When I first got approved for CalFresh, I had no idea what to expect or who to turn to when things went wrong. Reading through all these experiences and tips has been so educational - from learning about system updates causing delays to discovering services like Claimyr. It's reassuring to know that when issues come up (and apparently they do!), there's a whole community of people who've been through similar situations and can offer real, practical advice. Miguel's story is a perfect example of why we shouldn't panic right away when something seems off - sometimes it really is just a system glitch that resolves itself. Thanks everyone for making this such a welcoming and helpful space for those of us still figuring everything out!

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As someone who just started receiving CalFresh benefits last month, this thread has been incredibly eye-opening! I had no idea that system updates could cause delays like this - when I got my first deposit right on time, I assumed it would always be that predictable. Reading about everyone's experiences here makes me feel much more prepared for potential hiccups in the future. The tip about keeping the county office number saved and calling first thing in the morning is brilliant - I'm definitely doing that. And learning about resources like emergency food assistance and services like Claimyr gives me confidence that there are solutions when problems arise. Miguel, I'm so relieved your benefits came through! This whole conversation really highlights how valuable this community is for newcomers like me who are still learning the ropes. Thank you everyone for sharing your knowledge and supporting each other through these stressful situations!

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I'm also pretty new to CalFresh (just got approved about 3 months ago) and this thread has been such a learning experience! Like you, my first couple deposits came through right on schedule so I had no idea that delays could happen due to system issues. It's both reassuring and nerve-wracking to know that these things are somewhat normal - reassuring because it means we're not doing anything wrong, but nerve-wracking because food assistance is so critical when you're depending on it. I really appreciate everyone who took the time to explain the different reasons benefits might get delayed and share practical solutions. The community knowledge here is incredible - from knowing about SAR7 deadlines to understanding system update impacts. I'm definitely saving all these tips for future reference and feeling much more confident about navigating any issues that might come up. Thanks to everyone for making this such a supportive space for those of us still figuring everything out!

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This thread has been such a lifesaver! I'm about 4 months into receiving CalFresh and just went through my first real scare when my benefits were 3 days late last month. I was panicking thinking I'd done something wrong with my paperwork, but it turned out to be a minor processing delay at the county level. Reading everyone's experiences here really shows how common these hiccups are and how important it is to stay calm and work through the system. The advice about calling early in the morning is spot on - I finally got through to my caseworker on the second try at 8 AM and she cleared everything up in 5 minutes. Miguel, I'm so glad your situation got resolved! It's stories like yours that help the rest of us remember that persistence and community support really make a difference. Thanks to everyone who contributes their knowledge here - it makes navigating these challenges so much less stressful when you know you're not alone!

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Emma Thompson

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I'm so glad you found this thread helpful! It's amazing how much anxiety we can save each other just by sharing these experiences. I've only been on CalFresh for about 2 months now, and honestly, before reading this discussion I would have probably panicked if my benefits were even one day late. It's such a relief to learn that delays happen for legitimate system reasons and there are actual steps we can take to resolve issues quickly. Your tip about calling at 8 AM is definitely going in my notes - I never thought about timing my calls strategically like that. This whole conversation really demonstrates why communities like this are so valuable for people navigating government assistance programs. We're all just trying to make sure our families have food on the table, and having knowledgeable, supportive people to turn to makes such a huge difference. Thank you for sharing your experience, and thanks to everyone else who's made this such an informative discussion!

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I'm brand new to CalFresh (just got approved 3 weeks ago) and this entire thread has been incredibly educational and reassuring! When I saw the title of Miguel's post, my heart sank because I was worried this might happen to me too. But reading through everyone's responses - especially learning about system updates, SAR7 deadlines, and services like Claimyr - has given me so much valuable information I never would have known otherwise. Miguel, I'm thrilled your benefits came through! It's such a relief when these scary situations resolve themselves. What really strikes me about this community is how everyone jumped in to help with practical advice instead of just sympathy. The tip about calling county offices first thing in the morning is brilliant, and I had no idea emergency food assistance programs existed if benefits get delayed. As someone still figuring out all the ins and outs of the system, threads like this are invaluable. Thank you to everyone who shared their knowledge and experiences - it makes the whole process feel so much less overwhelming when you know there are people who understand what you're going through and are willing to help!

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Isaac Wright

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Welcome to the community, Annabel! I'm also really new to CalFresh (just started about 6 weeks ago) and this thread has been such a goldmine of information. Like you, I would have been terrified if my benefits didn't show up on time, but now I feel so much more prepared knowing that system delays happen and there are actual steps to take. The way everyone rallied around Miguel with practical solutions instead of just "that sucks" responses really shows what makes this community special. I'm definitely saving all these tips - the early morning calling strategy, knowing about Claimyr, understanding that SAR7 deadlines can cause issues, and being aware that system updates can delay benefits. It's such a relief to know we're not navigating this complicated system alone! Miguel's happy ending gives me hope that even when scary things happen, they usually work out if you stay persistent and reach out for help.

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Freya Collins

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As someone who's been on CalFresh for about a year now, I just wanted to add that this thread perfectly captures why I love this community! Miguel, I'm so happy your benefits came through - those few days of uncertainty must have been really stressful, especially with kids depending on the food assistance. For all the newcomers reading this, one thing I've learned is to always keep documentation of everything - screenshots of your online account showing "active" status, copies of any forms you submit, notes about phone calls with dates and times. It sounds excessive, but when issues like this come up, having that paper trail can really speed up the resolution process. Also, don't be afraid to ask your caseworker for their direct phone number or email if possible. Some workers are willing to give you direct contact info, which can save you from those awful automated phone trees when you really need help quickly. The system definitely has its quirks and delays happen more often than they should, but seeing how everyone here supports each other and shares practical solutions gives me so much hope. This is exactly the kind of community knowledge that makes navigating government assistance programs manageable instead of overwhelming!

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Maria Gonzalez

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This is such great advice, Freya! I just got approved for CalFresh about a month ago and I definitely haven't been keeping good documentation - I never thought about taking screenshots of my account status or keeping notes from phone calls. That's really smart and I'm going to start doing that right away. The tip about asking for direct contact info from your caseworker is brilliant too - I've been dreading having to call that main number if I ever have issues because everyone talks about how hard it is to get through. It's so reassuring to see people like you who've been in the system longer sharing these practical tips with us newcomers. Miguel's story and all the responses really show how much this community cares about helping each other succeed. Thank you for adding even more helpful advice to an already amazing thread!

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Evelyn Kim

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Freya, this is incredibly helpful advice! I'm only about 2 weeks into receiving CalFresh benefits and I had no idea about keeping documentation like this. Reading through Miguel's experience and everyone's responses has been such an eye-opener - I never realized how many different things could cause delays or issues. The screenshot tip is so smart, especially since Miguel mentioned his account showed "active" even when benefits weren't coming through. I'm definitely going to start a folder with all my CalFresh paperwork and start taking screenshots regularly. And I love the idea of trying to get direct contact info from my caseworker - dealing with those automated phone systems sounds like a nightmare! This whole thread has made me feel so much more prepared and confident about navigating any potential issues. Thank you for sharing your experience and adding even more practical wisdom to help us newcomers!

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