CalFresh payment confusion - got $641 instead of $424 approved amount - is this normal?

This is actually normal! When you first get approved for CalFresh, they often issue what's called 'prorated benefits' for your first month plus the full amount for your second month in one payment. The $641 likely includes your full October benefit ($424) plus a partial amount for September (about $217) depending on when you applied. Your next regular payment should come in November, around the same date as when you first received benefits.

the same thing happened 2 me when i got approved!! first payment was bigger than what they said id get monthly. its totally normal, ur next payment will come next month. CalFresh always pays on the same day each month based on the last digit of ur case number

i dunno but my worker told me they always pay on the 1st day of the month now, and if u didnt get OCTOBERS yet then somethings wrong. maybe call them and double check???

When I first got CalFresh it was SO CONFUSING. But yes, what the others said is right - your first payment is usually bigger because it covers part of your first month plus all of your second month. Then after that, you'll get your regular amount on the same day each month. Use the BenefitsCal website or app to track your payments - super helpful for seeing exactly when deposits happen. The county workers never seem to explain this stuff!!

This is a standard process with CalFresh. To be specific: when you apply mid-month, benefits are prorated from your application date for that first month. Then they often combine that partial month with your next full month's benefits in one payment. For example, if you applied on 9/10 and were approved for $424/month: - Prorated September: ~$217 (for 9/10-9/30) - Full October: $424 - Total first payment: ~$641 Your next regular payment of $424 will be in November. The exact date depends on the last digit of your case number (check your approval letter). For future reference, you can always check your EBT balance and transaction history by calling the number on the back of your card or using the BenefitsCal app.

Exactly what happened to me. The system is designed this way on purpose but THEY NEVER EXPLAIN IT PROPERLY!! I freaked out thinking I was overpaid and was going to get in trouble. Spent hours trying to reach someone at the county office about it too, just to be told "that's normal." 🙄 Why don't they just say this in the approval letter? Would save everyone so much stress!!

if u need to talk to ur worker about anything else with ur case, try using claimyr.com to get thru to a human at calfresh. i was getting disconnected for DAYS trying to reach someone about my SAR7, then i used this service and got thru in like 20 mins. they have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8

u should check ur balance on the app every day!! sometimes they mess up and skip payments and if u dont notice right away its a NIGHTMARE to get them to fix it. i always screenshot my balance history just in case

One other thing to keep in mind - don't forget you'll need to complete a SAR7 form after 6 months and recertification after a year to keep your benefits going. I learned this the hard way when my benefits suddenly stopped because I missed my SAR7 deadline. They don't always send reminders, so mark your calendar now for these important deadlines!

Welcome to CalFresh! What you experienced is completely normal and happens to most new recipients. The extra amount you received ($641 vs your monthly $424) was intentional - it included your prorated September benefits plus your full October benefits in one payment. Since you applied mid-September, you got partial benefits for those remaining days in September, plus the full October amount all at once. Your next regular payment of $424 should come in November on the same date of the month as your first payment (likely around the 20th based on when you received your first deposit). Don't worry about paying anything back - this is just how the system works for new applicants!