CalFresh customer service line unavailable at multiple offices - need help reaching a worker!

omg same thing happened to me! called like 8 times yesterday and kept getting that automated thing. i think their phone system is broken or something. my friend said sometimes if u select the spanish option u can get thru faster and then they'll transfer u to english speaking worker. haven't tried it yet tho

The CalFresh phone systems have been overwhelmed lately due to the new verification requirements that started this year. Many county offices are experiencing technical difficulties with their phone systems, especially during peak hours (9-11am and 1-3pm). Your best bet is to try calling right when they open at 8am or after 4pm when call volume decreases. Also, check your most recent SAR7 or recertification for any missed verification documents they might have requested. Benefit reductions usually happen when verification is incomplete. Look for a Notice of Action that should explain exactly why your benefits changed.

have u tried the benefitscal website?? sometimes u can see notices there that never got mailed. happened to me and found out they needed my daughters school enrollment form that i never knew about!

The ENTIRE system is DESIGNED to be impossible to navigate!!! I've been dealing with this for MONTHS! They cut my benefits by $172 claiming I didn't submit verification I DEFINITELY submitted (twice!!). Every time I call it's either "unavailable" or I'm on hold for 2+ hours only to get disconnected. Then when you go in person they say "you need to call" - it's a sick joke at this point. They're hoping people just give up. DON'T GIVE UP YOUR BENEFITS!!

I was having the same problem last week trying to report my new address. I discovered this service called Claimyr that got me through to a CalFresh worker in about 15 minutes after trying for days on my own. They basically wait on hold for you and call you back when they get a real person. Saved me so much time and frustration! Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8

Here's what might be happening with your benefits reduction: CalFresh implemented the new standard utility allowance in 2025, which affected many households' benefit calculations. If your income stayed the same but your benefits went down, this is likely the cause. As for reaching someone, try these approaches: 1. Email your county office through their web portal rather than calling 2. Try calling the state-level CalFresh info line at 877-847-3663 (FOOD) 3. Contact your local legal aid society - they often have direct lines to CalFresh supervisors 4. Submit a formal complaint through the state CDSS website Keep documentation of all your attempts to contact them - dates, times, and what happened. This will help if you need to file for a state hearing later.

u know sometimes it depends on what county ur in too. like alameda county is ALWAYS busy but i heard san mateo is easier to get through. which county r u in?

One more thing to try: if you have your case number and client ID (should be on any notice you've received), you can try calling your specific eligibility worker if you have their direct extension. Sometimes the main lines are down but the direct lines still work. Also, many counties have implemented a callback system - when you call, instead of waiting on hold, you can request a callback when it's your turn in the queue.

UPDATE: Finally got through this morning! Called right at 8am like someone suggested and only waited about 30 minutes. The worker confirmed it was the utility allowance change that reduced my benefits. But she also found that they hadn't processed my most recent pay stubs showing my hours were cut back, so she's going to recalculate and I might actually get MORE benefits than before. Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions! For anyone else struggling to reach CalFresh, definitely try calling right when they open.