CalFresh benefits reduced to $100 for family of 3 - desperate for budget meal ideas

I've been there and it's really tough! When our benefits got cut to $134 last year, these strategies helped us get by: 1. Eggs became our main protein - cheaper than most meat and versatile 2. Frozen vegetables instead of fresh (last longer and often cheaper) 3. Rice and beans in MANY different combinations (burritos, rice bowls, soups) 4. Make a meal plan based on sales at discount grocery stores 5. Check multiple food banks - in our area different ones have different offerings Also, did the county worker verify that all your deductions were counted? Make sure they have accurate childcare expenses, medical costs over $35/month, and utility costs. These can dramatically affect your benefit amount. Sometimes workers miss entering these deductions correctly.

omg this SAME thing happened to us!!! were a fam of 4 and we got dropped to $65!!! its impossible!! we basicly live on ramen and rice now, and i try to get the cheapest frozen chicken when its on sale. my kids r so sick of the same food all the time but what can u do?? its ridicoulsy how they calculate this stuff, like we make too much on paper but after bills were broke!!!

You absolutely should call back about the childcare expenses - that's a major deduction that could significantly increase your benefit amount. $1,250 is substantial and should be fully counted. Don't wait for your SAR7. But honestly, getting through to a worker who can actually make changes can be almost impossible these days. After spending weeks trying to get someone to fix my childcare deduction, I used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through the phone maze. They have this service that calls the county for you and gets a real worker on the line, then connects you. Saved me hours of hold time and hangups. Check out their video to see how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 The childcare deduction alone could add $100+ to your monthly benefits. Worth fighting for.

I know the struggle! Food budget tips from an old pro: - Whole chickens when on sale ($0.99/lb sometimes) = multiple meals - Lentils are more protein-rich than beans and cook faster - Oatmeal for breakfast stretches further than cereal - Carrots/cabbage last forever and are cheap per serving - Ask the food bank specifically when they get protein donations - Look for discount grocery outlets like Grocery Outlet Also check with local churches - many have separate food programs that aren't officially "food banks" but provide fresh food.

wait didnt they have to give u a Notice of Action before cutting ur benefits? they cant just change them without telling u why. u should appeal it if u think its wrong. you have 90 days to appeal after getting the notice!!!

For your immediate food situation, call 211 and ask about emergency food assistance. They can sometimes provide one-time emergency food boxes with more substantial items. Regarding your benefits calculation, ABSOLUTELY call back about the childcare expenses. This is a key deduction that many households miss out on. Some other deductions to verify they counted: - Are all utilities included in your calculation? If you pay heating/cooling separately, make sure you get the Standard Utility Allowance - Medical expenses over $35/month for any household member (including over-the-counter meds, transportation to appointments) - Child support payments if applicable If you're close to recertification (every 12 months), make sure you submit ALL these expenses with proper documentation. The difference can be hundreds in monthly benefits.

Just a thought - has your 7-year-old been approved for the school breakfast/lunch program? All California schools participate in free meals for eligible students. If your income qualifies you for even reduced CalFresh, your child should automatically qualify. That handles two meals a day during school days at least.

Most school districts in California do offer Summer Meal Programs! They're called Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) or Seamless Summer Option (SSO). You don't even need to register - kids just show up at designated schools, parks or community centers. Call your school district or check their website for locations near you. Also, regarding your childcare expenses - I had almost the exact same situation last year. When I finally got a knowledgeable worker on the phone and they correctly applied my $980 monthly childcare expense, our benefits went from $89 to $324! The system is not designed to detect these errors - you have to advocate for yourself.

The whole system is DESIGNED to confuse you so you don't get what you're entitled to!!! They train those workers to deny whatever they can and hope you don't know your rights. I went through FOUR different workers before finding one who actually knew how to apply all the deductions correctly. The first ones kept 'forgetting' to include my housing costs!!! DEMAND to speak to a supervisor if they don't help you correctly. Don't let them bully you!!!

Since several people have mentioned the childcare deduction - here's how it specifically works for CalFresh: - 100% of childcare costs are deductible (no cap) - This includes afterschool care, summer programs, babysitters, daycare - You need proof of payment (receipts, canceled checks, provider statement) - The deduction is applied BEFORE calculating your net income With $1,250/month in childcare, that could realistically bring your CalFresh up from $100 to possibly $300-400 for a family of 3, depending on your total household income. Call your county office, specifically ask for an 'income recalculation with childcare expenses.' Be persistent. If you get a worker who doesn't seem knowledgeable, politely ask to speak with a senior eligibility worker who can review these calculations.