CalFresh phone nightmare - 3 weeks without getting through to fix EBT card issue
I've been trying to reach someone at my county CalFresh office for the past 3 weeks because my EBT card suddenly stopped working. I keep getting the 'high call volume' message and then it disconnects me automatically after 45 minutes on hold. I've called every morning at different times (7am, 8am, 10am) hoping to get through but no luck. I've tried the automated system but my issue requires talking to an actual worker. My kids and I are literally running out of food because I can't access our benefits. Does anyone have a working direct number where I can actually speak to a human being? Or any tricks to get through the phone system? Getting desperate here.
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Hazel Garcia
I had the same problem last month trying to report an income change. After wasting HOURS on hold over several days, I found out about Claimyr.com - it's a service that basically waits on hold for you with the CalFresh office and then calls you when a real person is on the line. Saved me a ton of frustration. There's a video that explains how it works here: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8. Definitely worth it when you're desperate to speak to someone.
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Salim Nasir
•Does this actually work? I'm desperate enough to try anything at this point but worried about giving my info to a third party.
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Laila Fury
have u tried goin in person?? sometimes thats the only way tbh
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Salim Nasir
•I've thought about it, but I work two jobs and can't take time off during their office hours without losing pay I desperately need. Was hoping for a phone solution first.
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Geoff Richards
I'm a former eligibility worker, and unfortunately the phone system issues are systemic. Here are some options that might help: 1. Try calling exactly at 8:00am when they open - that's usually when wait times are shortest 2. Use the BenefitsCal website to send a secure message about your EBT card issue (though responses can take 3-5 business days) 3. For EBT card specific issues, have you tried the direct EBT customer service line at 1-877-328-9677? They can handle many card-related issues without going through your county office 4. If you need emergency food assistance while waiting for this to resolve, call 211 to find local food banks that can help immediately The county phone systems are overwhelmed statewide, especially since recertification requirements resumed post-COVID. Don't give up - getting through can be frustrating but persistence usually works.
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Salim Nasir
•Thank you for all these suggestions! I did try the EBT customer service line, but they said my issue has to be handled by the county directly (something about a verification flag on my account). I'll try calling right at 8am tomorrow and also send a secure message tonight through BenefitsCal. Really appreciate the food bank suggestion too - I'll call 211 today.
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Simon White
The whole CalFresh system is DESIGNED to make us give up!!! I waited for 2+ hours last week just to be told I had the wrong department. Then another 90 mins to get the right one. They don't care if we can feed our families or not.
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Hugo Kass
•While I understand your frustration, I've found that most eligibility workers genuinely want to help but are overwhelmed with caseloads. The average worker manages 300-500 cases, and the system limitations aren't their fault. Approaching conversations calmly and having all your information ready (case number, verification documents, etc.) typically gets better results. When I needed help with my SAR7 processing issue, I was polite but persistent and the worker ended up spending extra time resolving several issues on my account.
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Nasira Ibanez
Try calling your county Board of Supervisors office and explain you're having a benefits emergency. They sometimes have connections to get urgent cases addressed. Also if you have a smartphone download the CalFresh Mobile app cause sometimes you can submit messages that way and get faster responses than the regular website. Good luck!!
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Salim Nasir
•I didn't know about either of these options! Will definitely try calling the Board of Supervisors tomorrow if I still can't get through. And downloading the app right now. Thank you!
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Khalil Urso
I had a similar thing happen in January and what finally worked was calling my local Assembly member's office. They have caseworkers who can do something called a "constituent services request" where they contact CalFresh directly on your behalf. I got a call back from CalFresh within 48 hours after my Assembly member's office got involved. Google "[your city] state assembly member" to find yours. They're usually super helpful with benefits issues.
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Salim Nasir
•This is genius! I'd never have thought of that. Looking up my Assembly member right now. Thank you so much for this tip!
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Geoff Richards
Just wanted to follow up - if you have a verification flag on your account (as you mentioned above), that often means there's a document they need from you. While you're waiting to get through by phone, I'd recommend uploading any possibly relevant documents to your BenefitsCal account - recent pay stubs, rent/mortgage receipts, utility bills, etc. Sometimes this clears the flag automatically and restores your benefits without needing to speak to someone. It's worth trying while pursuing other contact methods.
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Salim Nasir
•Update: Following everyone's advice, I called right at 8am AND contacted my Assembly member's office. The Assembly member's staff was amazing - they made some calls and got someone from CalFresh to call me back this afternoon! Turns out there was a glitch in their system that flagged my account incorrectly during the last batch processing. They fixed it and my benefits should be available again by tomorrow. THANK YOU all for your help - especially the Assembly member tip which really saved us!
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