CalFresh benefits not showing up on EBT card despite worker saying it would be loaded
Anyone else having issues with their CalFresh not being loaded when promised? I called the county office last week because my regular deposit wasn't showing up, and the worker I finally reached PROMISED the money would be loaded by the 1st. Well, it's now the 3rd and still nothing on my card! Normally my EBT app shows a pending deposit like 3 days before it actually posts, but there's nothing showing at all this month. I've tried calling my assigned worker multiple times but she never picks up. I'm working full-time so I can only call during my lunch break or after 3:40 when I get off. By then it feels like everyone at the county office has gone home? I'm getting really worried because my fridge is basically empty and I have two kids to feed. Does anyone know if there's some kind of system delay happening this month or if there's a better way to reach someone who can actually help?
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Molly Chambers
I had something similar happen in January. Turns out there was some verification they needed but never told me about. Did you get any notice in the mail? sometimes they send these really vague letters that don't even look important but actually are. also check your BenefitsCal account online if you have one setup, sometimes notices show up there that never make it to your mailbox.
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Adrian Hughes
•I haven't gotten any mail from them in weeks! I did check my BenefitsCal account yesterday but there's nothing new there either. I'm so frustrated because my recertification isn't even due until next month, so everything should be fine!
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Ian Armstrong
this happens every few months tbh... the system is messed up. they'll probably backdate it when they finally fix it but that doesn't help when you need food TODAY. try calling right at 8am thats when i usually get through
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Eli Butler
•Unfortunately, calling at 8am isn't always a solution - the county offices are overwhelmed first thing in the morning. What's likely happening is that there's either a hold on the account that needs to be resolved or there was an income report that triggered a review. The system should send notifications, but those often fall through the cracks. The fastest way to resolve this is to actually speak with a worker who can check the specific status. Did you report any changes recently? Even small income changes can sometimes trigger a full review if they put you near the Income Reporting Threshold (IRT).
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Marcus Patterson
my cousin had the EXACT same problem last month and they said it was because of a "system update" whatever that means!! took her almost 2 weeks to get her benefits and they didn't even apologize smh
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Lydia Bailey
This is unfortunately a common issue with CalFresh benefits. First, check if you've hit your Income Reporting Threshold (IRT) - if you earned more than your IRT amount and didn't report it, that could trigger a hold. Second, call the EBT customer service line directly (not the county office) at 1-877-328-9677 to confirm if benefits were actually issued but just not showing up on your card. Regarding reaching a worker - I was in this exact situation last year and discovered a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually calls the county office for you and holds your place in line, then calls you back when a real person answers. Saved me from having to stay on hold for hours. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 Did you check if there's a discontinuance notice in your BenefitsCal message center? Sometimes those don't come through the mail but will be in your online account.
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Adrian Hughes
•Thank you for this info! I'm pretty sure I haven't gone over my IRT - actually my hours got cut a little last month so I'm earning less. I'll try that EBT customer service number right now. That Claimyr service sounds amazing actually. I'm going to check out the video because I literally can't sit on hold for hours with my work schedule. I checked BenefitsCal again and there's definitely no discontinuance notice. This is so weird!
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Mateo Warren
Maybe its a technical issue?? I remember back in 2023 there was a whole month where benefits were delayed because of some computer upgrade thing. Did you try asking your neighbors or friends if their CalFresh is delayed too? Might be a county-wide problem.
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Eli Butler
•This is a good point. There are occasionally county-wide issues that affect benefit issuance, especially around the beginning of the fiscal year. If you're in a county where many recipients are experiencing delays, it could be a system update or similar technical issue. One important thing to know: if there's an administrative delay (meaning it's the county's fault, not because of missing verification or something on your end), they legally have to issue emergency CalFresh benefits if you request them. Call and specifically ask for emergency benefits if you're in immediate need.
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Sofia Price
Something similar happened to me and turned out I missed my SAR7 deadline! Check if you were supposed to submit a Semi-Annual Report last month. If you missed it, they sometimes cut benefits without much notice. The good news is that if that's the case, you can submit it late and they'll usually restore benefits within 3-5 days. I was freaking out too but got it fixed pretty quickly once I figured out what happened.
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Adrian Hughes
•I just double-checked my paperwork and my SAR7 isn't due until July, so I don't think that's the issue. But thanks for mentioning it because I'm going to put a reminder in my phone right now so I don't forget when it is due!
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Marcus Patterson
have u tried going in person?? sometimes thats the ONLY way to get answers honestly
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Adrian Hughes
•I really wish I could but I can't take time off work right now - I'm still in my probation period at my new job and don't want to risk it. That's why I'm so frustrated with the phone situation!
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Ian Armstrong
update?? did u ever get your benefits?? i'm curious what happened cuz i might be in the same boat next month lol
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Adrian Hughes
•Yes!! Finally got it fixed. Used that Claimyr service someone mentioned and actually got through to a supervisor. Turns out they had flagged my account for verification because I started a new job in March, even though my income is actually LOWER. Had to send my last 2 pay stubs through the BenefitsCal app and they released my benefits same day. They're also giving me backpay for the days I missed. Thanks everyone for your help!!
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