CalFresh says they never received my online renewal - now at risk of losing benefits

this happens ALL THE TIME with the online system!! happened to me twice last year. they say they never got stuff even tho u have confirmation numbers. system is broken

Don't panic yet. This is a common issue with the BenefitsCal system - sometimes it shows as submitted on your end but doesn't transfer properly to the county's system. Here's what you should do: 1. Email your worker directly with your screenshots showing the confirmation number and date submitted 2. Ask them to check the BenefitsCal system logs on their end (they can do this) 3. If they still can't find it, request a 'good cause' extension due to technical error 4. As a backup, complete a paper SAWS2 form and submit it asap By law, they have to accept your good cause claim if you can prove you tried to submit on time. Don't let them discontinue your benefits without appealing.

Same thing happened to me in February! I submitted my SAR7 online, had the confirmation number, but they claimed they never got it. They cut my benefits off for March. I had to go into the office in person with my screenshots to prove I actually submitted it. They reinstated my benefits, but I missed a month and had to use my savings for food. The whole system is a mess.

If you call your worker you'll probably just end up waiting on hold forever anyway. I waited 3 hours last time I called about my recert and then got disconnected. Maybe just go in person if possible?

I work at a community organization that helps people with CalFresh applications. This is unfortunately a known issue with the BenefitsCal portal - there's sometimes a disconnect between what shows as "submitted" on your end and what actually transfers to the county's system. Do you remember if you clicked all the way through to the final confirmation page? Sometimes people think they've submitted but miss the last step. Either way, take your screenshots to the county office ASAP and request a supervisor if your worker isn't helping. They can verify in their logs whether the system shows any attempt at submission from your account.

my aunt had this happen and they cut her benefits even tho she had proof she submitted!!! she had to appeal and it took like 2 months to get fixed!! the whole system is designed to kick people off i swear

UPDATE: I went to the county office in person this morning (had to wait 2 hours but worth it). Turns out there was a glitch in their system where online submissions made last Thursday weren't properly transferred to their database. The supervisor I spoke with said several people had the same issue! They found my submission in their technical logs and marked my recertification as received on time. She said I should receive confirmation of approval within 3 business days. So relieved but still annoyed that I had to take time off work for their system error. Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions!

This is exactly why I always recommend doing a hybrid approach - submit online for convenience but also drop off a paper copy at the office the same day. Yes it's extra work, but it gives you double protection. I learned this the hard way after my benefits got cut off due to a "system glitch" two years ago. Now I do both every time and haven't had an issue since. The workers at my county office actually told me this is what they recommend to anyone who asks because they know their online system has problems.