CalFresh benefits not loaded on EBT card - Fresno County delays?
Has anyone else in Fresno County not gotten their CalFresh benefits loaded yet this month? It's already the 7th and nothing's showing up on my EBT card. Usually deposits by the 3rd based on my case number. Called the automated line and it just says benefits are "pending" but no explanation why. My kids are hungry and I'm seriously stressing out. Already checked BenefitsCal and my case shows active. Anyone know what's going on with Fresno County right now or experiencing the same thing??
17 comments
Join the conversation
Javier Cruz
I'm in Fresno too and mine just loaded about 20 minutes ago!! Been checking all day. I think they're doing some kind of system update because the worker told me last month they were switching something in their computer system. Check again in a few hours maybe?
0 coins
Natasha Orlova
•Omg thank you!! Just checked again and mine actually loaded too! What a relief. Wish they would've sent a notice about delays instead of making everyone panic.
0 coins
Emma Thompson
mine aint loaded either and im in fresno. this happens like every 3 months i swear. county office nevr tells us nuthin and then acts surprised when everyone calls freaking out. typical.
0 coins
Malik Jackson
•It's actually because Fresno County is migrating to the new CalSAWS system this month. They sent notices about possible delays in March, but they didn't specify exactly which issuance dates would be affected. All benefits should be loaded by midnight tonight according to their website.
0 coins
Isabella Costa
This happened to me back in January - benefits were delayed by almost 4 days. Turns out there was a county-wide system issue they were working on. Have you tried calling your caseworker directly? Sometimes they can tell you if there's a specific issue with your case or if it's affecting everyone.
0 coins
Natasha Orlova
•I tried calling but got stuck in that awful phone tree and eventually got disconnected after waiting 40 minutes. So frustrating!!
0 coins
StarSurfer
•If you're having trouble getting through to your caseworker, you might want to try Claimyr (claimyr.com). I was in the same situation last month and used their service to get through to a human at Fresno County within 20 minutes instead of waiting on hold all day. They have a demo video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8. Saved me a lot of stress when my benefits didn't load on time.
0 coins
Ravi Malhotra
This is EXACTLY why I always keep some emergency food on hand. The county NEVER gets it right on time anymore. I've been on CalFresh for 7 years and it's gotten worse every year. Did you submit your SAR7 on time? Sometimes even if you did, they mark it as late in their system and that causes delays.
0 coins
Natasha Orlova
•Yes, I submitted my SAR7a month early actually! That's why I'm so confused. And I usually do keep extras but with three kids home for summer break, we go through food so fast...
0 coins
Freya Christensen
hey just saw ur update glad u got it!! the same thing happens to me like every other month lol. the worst is when it happens on a weekend and u cant even call nobody 😩
0 coins
Natasha Orlova
•Thanks! Yeah weekend delays are the WORST. Gonna start setting aside more emergency food for these situations.
0 coins
Malik Jackson
For future reference: Fresno County benefits typically load between the 1st and 10th based on the last digit of your case number. However, system maintenance or updates can cause delays like what happened today. If you experience this in the future and it's past your normal issuance date, you can request an expedited replacement if you have an emergency food need - just ask specifically for an "expedited issuance due to system delay" when you call.
0 coins
Natasha Orlova
•That's really helpful information, thank you! I didn't know we could request expedited replacement for system delays. Will definitely remember that for next time.
0 coins
Javier Cruz
•Does that work even if the delay is only a few days? I thought expedited was only for when benefits are delayed for weeks or when you first apply?
0 coins
Emma Thompson
this happens every time they do updates i swear. my cousin works for the county and says theyre always doing these "upgrades" that just mess everything up worse lol
0 coins
Omar Hassan
•Same in Sacramento! County IT systems always causing problems. When they upgraded in 2023 my EBT card got completely deactivated somehow and I had to get a whole new one. Took 10 days!
0 coins
AstroAdventurer
I'm new to CalFresh and this is exactly what I was worried about! I just got approved last month in Fresno County and my benefits loaded fine then, but seeing posts like this makes me nervous. Is there anywhere we can sign up for notifications when there are system delays? It seems like they should have better communication about these issues, especially when families with kids are depending on these benefits for food.
0 coins