CalFresh verification review delay - stuck in 'pending' for almost a month

Unfortunately this is more common than it should be in 2025. The county offices are severely understaffed right now. By law, they're supposed to process your application within 30 days of receiving it - so you're getting close to that deadline. A few things you can try:\n\n1. Call your county office again and specifically ask to speak with a supervisor about your application being close to the 30-day processing deadline\n\n2. If you submitted through BenefitsCal, check that all your documents show as 'received' not just 'submitted'\n\n3. If you have your case number, you can request an 'application status review' which sometimes pushes your case to the front of the queue\n\nThe good news is that when they do approve you, benefits are typically backdated to your application date, so you'll receive a larger initial payment to cover the waiting period.

Thanks for the detailed info. I checked BenefitsCal and it shows everything as 'received' with dates from almost a month ago. I'll try calling again tomorrow to request that application status review. Do you know if I should expect to get all the way back to day 30 before they actually process it? We're really struggling to make it without the food assistance.

same thing happend to me!! took them 42 days to approve mine and I had to call them like 7 times. they kept saying they were backed up and to be patient. u might want to ask for emergency expedited benefits if ur really struggling, i think theres a seperate process for that

42 days?? That's insane! Did you get the benefits backdated at least? I'll ask about expedited benefits, though I'm not sure if that applies after I've already applied. Just frustrating that they sent me an EBT card that's useless without benefits on it.

This exact thing happened to me! I swear they do this on purpose to discourage people from applying. I had to call EVERY SINGLE DAY for two weeks straight before someone finally

i mean they r probably just understaffed, not trying 2 be mean on purpose. but yeah calling everyday is prolly good advice

If you're approaching the 30-day limit, I suggest contacting your county's CalFresh ombudsperson. Every county has one - they're specifically there to resolve processing delays and other administrative issues. I used to work as an eligibility worker (not anymore) and I can tell you that cases flagged by the ombudsperson get immediate attention.\n\nAlso, since you mentioned having children, make sure you check if you're eligible for CalWORKs as well. The income limits are different than CalFresh, but it provides cash aid that might help while you're waiting for your food benefits to be approved.\n\nHang in there - the system can be frustratingly slow, but they have to process your application by the 30-day mark by federal regulations.

I didn't know about the ombudsperson option! Thank you so much for this information. I'll look up my county's contact info right now. And yes, I did apply for CalWORKs at the same time but that's also still pending. Really appreciate the insider perspective.

Have you tried using Claimyr? It saved me HOURS of waiting on hold when I was dealing with verification delays. It's this service that calls the county office for you and then connects you when an actual human picks up. You can watch how it works at https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 \n\nI was in almost the same situation - had submitted everything but my case was just sitting there for weeks. After using Claimyr to get through to a real person (not just the automated system), they found my documents and processed them within 48 hours. Worth checking out their website claimyr.com if you're desperate to speak to someone. Way better than calling and hanging up all day!

Never heard of this but I'll check it out! At this point I'll try anything to get through to a real person. The automated system is completely useless and I've wasted hours on hold only to get disconnected. Thanks for the suggestion!

does this actually work? seems sketchy to me but i might try it next time if it works for real

I'm a benefits advocate, and I can tell you that verification delays have gotten significantly worse in the past few months. But you do have rights in this situation:\n\n1. If your application has been pending for nearly 30 days, you can request an expedited administrative hearing. This is different from expedited services (which are only available at initial application).\n\n2. Document everything - dates you submitted documents, who you spoke with, etc.\n\n3. If you have any immediate needs, contact local food banks or 211 for emergency food assistance.\n\n4. For families with children who are waiting for CalFresh approval, the School Lunch Program can provide emergency certification with proof of pending CalFresh application.\n\nLet me know if you need specific resources for your county - the processes vary slightly depending on location.

This is incredibly helpful, thank you. I've started documenting everything after reading this. I'm in Los Angeles County - are there any LA-specific resources you recommend while we wait? My kids' school does have the lunch program thankfully, but weekends and dinners are really tough right now.

just curious did u submit ur stuff online or in person? when i applied in january i did it online and nothing happened for like 3 weeks but when i went in person they found my stuff right away and fixed it

I initially submitted everything online through BenefitsCal, but last week I got frustrated and took physical copies to the office too. They stamped them as received but said they couldn't tell me anything about the status. Maybe I need to go back and be more persistent about having them look it up while I'm there.

Quick update for you - CalFresh just released their processing times for March 2025, and the average processing time is now up to 24 days (was 18 days in 2024). So while your wait time is longer than average, it's unfortunately not unusual right now. \n\nOne thing I forgot to mention: if you reach the 30-day mark without a determination, you can file for what's called a \

Thank you for the update and additional information. Today is day 29, so I'll definitely look into filing for that administrative hearing if I don't hear anything by tomorrow. I've left another message with my worker today specifically mentioning the 30-day deadline.

UPDATE: Finally got approved today after 31 days!!! Had to call every day for the last week but finally got through to someone who actually helped. They said my documents were \

That's awesome! Congratulations! This gives me hope. I'm going to keep calling daily too. Did they backdate your benefits to when you first applied?

Yes! They backdated to my application date so I got the full amount I was supposed to receive. Honestly I think the only reason they finally processed it was because I mentioned filing for that administrative hearing thing someone else talked about on here. Suddenly they found my \

Wow, reading through all these responses really shows how broken the system is right now. I'm dealing with something similar - applied for CalFresh 3 weeks ago and still nothing. The fact that mentioning an administrative hearing suddenly makes them "find" documents that were supposedly lost is pretty telling about how they prioritize cases. @Sienna Gomez - since you're in LA County, I'd also recommend checking out the LA Regional Food Bank's mobile food pantries while you wait. They have locations throughout the county and don't require income verification. You can find their schedule at lafoodbank.org. Also, 211 LA has a really good database of emergency food resources if you call or text them. The backdating thing gives me hope too - at least when they finally get their act together, you'll get the full amount you're owed. Hang in there, sounds like you're doing everything right by being persistent with the calls and documenting everything.

I'm so sorry you're going through this - the CalFresh system really shouldn't make families wait this long for basic food assistance. Reading through all these responses, it's clear this is a widespread problem that needs serious attention. Since you're at day 30 tomorrow, I'd suggest being ready with multiple approaches: 1. Call first thing in the morning and specifically mention you're at the 30-day federal deadline 2. Have your ombudsperson contact info ready as backup 3. Keep that administrative hearing option in your back pocket The fact that people are getting results when they mention legal deadlines shows the system CAN move faster when there's accountability. It's just wrong that it takes threatening legal action to get basic services processed. In the meantime, definitely hit up those food pantries and mobile food banks that others mentioned. No family should have to choose between paying rent and buying groceries while waiting for benefits they're entitled to. Keep us updated on what happens tomorrow - your experience could help other families in similar situations. And remember, when you do get approved, those backdated benefits should help you restock and get back on your feet. You're being an amazing advocate for your kids by staying persistent through all this bureaucratic nonsense.

This thread has been so helpful to read through! I'm in a similar situation - day 25 of waiting for CalFresh verification review in Orange County. Seeing everyone's experiences and the concrete steps you can take (ombudsperson, administrative hearing, daily calls mentioning the 30-day deadline) is really empowering. @Sienna Gomez - really hope you get good news tomorrow on day 30! The fact that multiple people here got backdated benefits after long waits is encouraging. It shouldn't take this long, but at least you'll get what you're owed. For anyone else dealing with this, I wanted to add that some counties also have "same-day CalFresh" programs for emergency situations. I just found out Orange County has one where if you can prove immediate need (like empty fridge, no money for food), they can sometimes process emergency benefits within 24-48 hours even if your regular application is still pending. Might be worth asking about if you're really struggling while waiting. The system is clearly broken when families have to become experts in bureaucratic pressure tactics just to get basic food assistance, but I'm grateful for communities like this where people share what actually works. Keep fighting for what you're entitled to!

This entire thread is exactly why I joined this community - real people sharing real solutions that actually work when dealing with CalFresh delays. I'm currently on day 18 of waiting for my verification review in San Bernardino County, and reading everyone's experiences has been both eye-opening and helpful. The pattern is so clear: people wait weeks with no communication, then suddenly when they mention legal deadlines or administrative hearings, their cases get "found" and processed quickly. It's infuriating that the system works this way, but at least now I know what tools I have if I hit the 30-day mark. @Sienna Gomez - really hoping today brings you good news! You've been such an advocate for your family through this whole process. The combination of persistence, documentation, and knowing your rights that you've shown here is exactly what other families need to see. I'm bookmarking this thread for reference and will definitely update if I end up needing to use any of these strategies. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and concrete action steps - this is the kind of community support that makes a real difference when you're navigating these broken systems. Also adding my voice to say that the backdated benefits policy is one of the few things that works in favor of applicants. At least when they finally get their act together, you get the full amount you should have received from day one.

I'm really sorry you're going through this - the stress of waiting almost a month for food assistance while feeding two kids must be overwhelming. Unfortunately, your experience is becoming way too common with the current staffing shortages at county offices. Since you're at day 28 and approaching the federal 30-day deadline, here's what I'd recommend doing immediately: 1. Call first thing tomorrow morning and specifically say "My CalFresh application has been pending for 28 days and I'm approaching the 30-day federal processing deadline." Don't just ask about status - mention the deadline. 2. If they give you the runaround, ask to speak with a supervisor and request an "expedited review due to approaching the 30-day limit." 3. Have your case number ready and ask them to confirm they can see all your submitted documents in their system while you're on the call. The good news is that CalFresh benefits are backdated to your application date, so when you do get approved, you'll receive a larger payment to cover the entire waiting period. I've seen people in similar situations get $400-600 in their first payment because of the delays. Also, while you're waiting, check if your kids' school offers weekend food backpacks or if there are any local food pantries nearby. Many don't require income verification and can help bridge the gap. Keep documenting every call and interaction - if you do hit day 30 without approval, you have options like contacting your county's CalFresh ombudsperson or filing for an administrative review. Stay persistent!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this - 28 days is absolutely unacceptable, especially with two kids depending on you. The system is completely broken when families have to wait this long for basic food assistance. Reading through everyone's advice here, it's clear that being strategic and persistent is unfortunately necessary. Since you're hitting day 29 tomorrow, I'd definitely recommend calling first thing and using that specific language about the "30-day federal deadline" that others mentioned. The pattern seems consistent - once you demonstrate knowledge of their legal obligations, cases suddenly get "found" and processed. Also wanted to mention that if you're in LA County, the Department of Public Social Services has a specific escalation line for cases approaching the 30-day mark: (877) 481-1044. I had to use it last year for a delayed Medi-Cal application and they actually followed up within 24 hours. The backdated benefits will definitely help once you finally get approved, but I know that doesn't make the current struggle any easier. Have you looked into WIC as well? It's a separate program with different eligibility requirements, and sometimes you can get approved faster since it's federally funded directly rather than going through county processing. Keep documenting everything and don't let them wear you down. You're doing everything right - the system is failing you, not the other way around. Really hoping tomorrow brings you the approval you deserve!

This thread has been incredibly eye-opening and helpful! I'm currently dealing with a similar situation - my CalFresh application has been pending verification review for 22 days now in Riverside County. Reading everyone's experiences and the concrete strategies you've all shared gives me hope and a real action plan if I hit that 30-day mark. @Sienna Gomez - I'm really hoping you got your approval today! Your persistence and willingness to document your experience here has been so valuable for other families going through the same struggle. The stress of waiting this long for basic food assistance while caring for kids is just unimaginable. What strikes me most about this thread is how consistent the pattern is across different counties - people wait for weeks with no progress, then suddenly when they mention legal deadlines or administrative hearings, their cases get processed within days. It really shows that the system CAN move faster when there's proper accountability, which makes the normal delays even more frustrating. I'm bookmarking all the resources and strategies mentioned here: the ombudsperson contacts, county-specific escalation lines like the LA one Fatima shared, the administrative hearing option, and that specific language about the "30-day federal processing deadline." It's unfortunate that families have to become experts in bureaucratic pressure tactics just to get basic services, but I'm grateful this community exists to share what actually works. The backdated benefits policy is at least one thing that works in applicants' favor - knowing that you'll get the full amount from your application date when finally approved helps mentally, even though it doesn't solve the immediate need. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and advice. This is exactly the kind of community support that makes a real difference when navigating these broken systems!