CalFresh workers NEVER return calls - 3 weeks with no response about my pending benefits

same here, left 6 msgs last month and nobody ever called back. finally went down in person and waited 4 hours but at least got my issue fixed. the whole system is broken tbh

Unfortunately this is extremely common with the county offices right now. They're severely understaffed and each worker is handling hundreds of cases. That doesn't excuse it, but explains why it's happening. Here are some strategies that might help: 1. Call the main CalFresh customer service line (not your direct worker) and explain you've been waiting beyond the 30-day limit 2. Ask specifically for an "expedited processing review" which can flag your case 3. Send a detailed message through your BenefitsCal online account 4. Request a supervisor review by name if possible 5. Contact your county's ombudsperson (every county has one) You do have rights as an applicant - they must process your application within the 30-day timeline unless they've requested additional verification from you.

I was in your EXACT situation last month and wasted so much time leaving messages. I finally used this service called Claimyr that got me through to a real person at the county office in like 15 minutes. They basically call for you and when they reach a real person, they connect you. Saved me days of frustration. Check out their demo at https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 and website claimyr.com. It was totally worth it to get my benefits unstuck.

The system is INTENTIONALLY designed this way!!! They want us to give up so they don't have to provide benefits. I've been on CalFresh for 3 years and NEVER ONCE has a worker returned my call. Not once!!! The only way to get anything done is to physically go to the office and refuse to leave until someone helps you. Bring water and a phone charger because you'll be there all day. They won't even let you schedule appointments anymore in my county.

Have you tried calling exactly at 8:00am when they open? That's the only time I can ever get through. If you call even 5 minutes later, forget it. Also try pressing different options in the phone menu - sometimes I pretend I'm a new applicant instead of selecting the option for existing cases and I get through faster. Good luck!

Two things that helped me: 1. I wrote down the exact wording on my application/case number/last 4 of SSN when leaving messages 2. I specifically said in my message "My family has no food and I'm requesting expedited service under CalFresh regulations section 63-301.5" When you cite the actual regulations, suddenly they find time to call you back! My worker called me within 2 hours after I left that message, after ignoring me for weeks before.

does ur county have the text option? my county added a text line & i get responses way faster than phone

Quick update to my earlier response - I wanted to clarify that if your application has been pending for 3 weeks, that's actually still within the standard 30-day processing timeframe. However, if you indicated on your application that you meet expedited service criteria (very low income/resources or high housing costs compared to income), they should process your application within 3 days. If you didn't request expedited service initially, you can still request it now. Make sure to mention if your household income is less than $150/month and your resources are under $100, OR if your housing costs exceed your income/resources.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this - it's incredibly frustrating when you're struggling to feed your family and can't get anyone to respond. Since you're now past the 30-day processing deadline, I'd recommend escalating this immediately. Contact your county's CalFresh program supervisor or director directly (you can usually find their contact info on the county website). Also try reaching out to your local legal aid organization - they often have advocates who specialize in CalFresh issues and can make calls on your behalf that get faster responses. Some counties also have client advocates or ombudsmen specifically for social services. Don't give up - you have every right to receive a timely response, especially when you're past the legal processing timeline!

Have you tried filing a complaint with your state representative's office? I was in a similar situation last year where my worker wasn't responding and my benefits were delayed for over 6 weeks. I contacted my assemblymember's constituent services office and they have staff who specifically deal with state agency issues. They made some calls on my behalf and suddenly my worker called me back within 24 hours. Most people don't realize that elected officials' offices can be really effective at cutting through bureaucratic delays. You can usually find your representatives' contact info on the state legislature website and just explain that you're past the processing deadline with no response. It's a free service and they're motivated to help constituents with exactly these kinds of problems.

This is absolutely unacceptable - I'm dealing with the exact same thing right now! My worker hasn't returned a single call in over 2 weeks and my recertification is due soon. I've tried everything - calling different times, leaving detailed messages, even tried calling the main county number. It's like they've all just disappeared. The worst part is you can't even get through to a supervisor half the time because their voicemail boxes are "full." How is this legal when people are depending on these benefits to eat? I'm starting to think the only solution is showing up in person and refusing to leave until someone helps, but that means taking time off work I can't afford. This whole system needs a complete overhaul - we shouldn't have to jump through hoops just to get basic communication from our caseworkers!

I'm going through something very similar and it's absolutely maddening! What finally worked for me was a combination approach: I called the California Department of Social Services state hotline (1-877-847-3663) to file a formal complaint about my county office not responding within the required timeframe. They document these complaints and forward them to county supervisors, which creates a paper trail. I also sent a certified letter to my county's CalFresh program manager (found their name/address on the county website) explaining that I was past the 30-day deadline with no worker contact. Having something in writing with delivery confirmation seemed to get their attention faster than voicemails. The state hotline rep also told me that if you're past 30 days without a decision, you can request an "administrative review" which forces them to prioritize your case. It took about a week after doing all this, but my worker finally called me back. Don't give up - there are ways to make them accountable even when they're ignoring you!

I'm so sorry you're going through this - the lack of communication from CalFresh workers is unfortunately way too common and incredibly stressful when you're already struggling. Since you're past the 30-day processing deadline, you have some additional options beyond just calling your worker. I'd recommend trying multiple approaches at once: 1) Call the state CalFresh hotline at 1-877-847-3663 to file a formal complaint and request an administrative review since you're past the deadline, 2) Contact your county's social services director or ombudsman directly (their info should be on the county website), and 3) Reach out to your local legal aid organization - they often have advocates who can make calls on your behalf that get faster responses than individual clients. You might also try sending a message through your BenefitsCal online account mentioning that you're past the 30-day timeline and requesting expedited processing. Don't give up - you have rights as an applicant and there are people who can help advocate for you when the system isn't working as it should!

I've been following this thread and wanted to share another strategy that worked for me when I was in a similar situation. Try calling your county's main switchboard (not the CalFresh direct line) and ask to be transferred to the "CalFresh supervisor on duty." Don't say you're trying to reach your specific worker - just say you need to speak with whoever is supervising CalFresh cases today because you're past the processing deadline. Sometimes the main switchboard operators have different access and can get you to someone who will actually pick up. Also, if your county has a Board of Supervisors meeting coming up, you can sign up for public comment and mention your case number and the lack of response - county officials hate being called out publicly and it often results in immediate action. I know it sounds extreme, but when you're struggling to feed your family and the system is failing you, sometimes you have to get creative to be heard!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this - it's absolutely infuriating when you're struggling to put food on the table and can't get anyone to acknowledge you exist! I went through something similar last year and what finally worked was a multi-pronged approach. First, I called the California Department of Social Services complaint hotline (1-877-847-3663) and filed a formal complaint since you're past the 30-day deadline - they actually follow up with the counties on these. Second, I found my county's social services director's email on their website and sent a detailed message explaining the situation with dates and times of my call attempts. The combination of the state complaint and direct contact with county leadership got me a callback within 48 hours after weeks of being ignored. Also, when you do get through to someone, ask them to put a "priority flag" on your case due to the processing delay. Don't give up - the system is broken but there are ways to make them accountable. You deserve better than this runaround when you're just trying to feed your family!

I'm a CalFresh recipient who's had success getting through to workers, and I wanted to share what's worked for me. The key is being persistent but strategic. I keep a detailed log of every call attempt (date, time, who I spoke with or left message for) because this documentation becomes crucial if you need to escalate. When leaving voicemails, I always include: my full name, case number, callback number, AND a specific deadline like "I need a response by [date] or I will be contacting your supervisor." I also send follow-up messages through the BenefitsCal portal referencing my phone attempts. Most importantly - and this took me a while to learn - you have to escalate quickly. If you don't hear back within 2-3 business days, immediately call and ask for a supervisor. Don't wait weeks like I used to. The squeaky wheel really does get the grease in this system, unfortunately. Also, if you're comfortable with it, mention that you're documenting the lack of response for potential complaint purposes - that often motivates quicker action. Hang in there and don't let them wear you down!

I'm so sorry you're going through this nightmare - 34 days with no response is completely unacceptable and unfortunately way too common. Since you're now past the legal processing deadline, you have some powerful tools at your disposal. Here's what I'd do immediately: 1) Call the state CalFresh hotline at 1-877-847-3663 FIRST THING tomorrow morning and file a formal complaint - emphasize that you're past 30 days with zero worker contact, 2) Email your county's social services director directly (find their contact on the county website) with a detailed timeline of your attempts to reach your worker, and 3) Contact your state assemblymember's constituent services office - they have staff specifically for cutting through bureaucratic delays like this. Also try calling your county's main switchboard and asking for the "CalFresh supervisor on duty" rather than your specific worker. The combination of state pressure, county leadership awareness, and elected official involvement usually gets results within 24-48 hours. Document everything and don't let them make you feel like you're asking for too much - timely communication about basic food assistance is your right, not a favor!

I've been reading through all these responses and I'm amazed at how many creative solutions people have found to deal with this broken system! As someone who's also struggled with unresponsive workers, I wanted to add one more strategy that worked for me: if your county has a social media presence (Facebook, Twitter), try posting a polite but firm public comment about being past the processing deadline with no worker response. Include your case number if you're comfortable. Counties HATE negative public attention and often have dedicated social media staff who can escalate issues quickly. I got a call back within 6 hours of posting on my county's Facebook page after 3 weeks of ignored voicemails. It shouldn't have to come to public shaming, but sometimes that's what cuts through the bureaucracy. Also, keep screenshots of everything in case you need to file additional complaints. You've got this - don't let them wear you down!

I'm so frustrated reading your story because it mirrors exactly what I went through 6 months ago! I was also past the 30-day deadline with zero response from my worker despite leaving countless messages. What finally broke through was calling the county's main number at exactly 8:00 AM and asking to speak with the "duty supervisor" for CalFresh - not my assigned worker, but whoever was supervising cases that day. I explained I was past the legal processing timeline and needed immediate assistance. They connected me to someone who could actually access my case and resolve the issue within 24 hours. Also, when you do get someone on the phone, ask them to add a "priority processing note" to your case file so this doesn't happen again with future interactions. The system is absolutely broken and understaffed, but there are people in supervisory roles who can cut through the red tape when pressed. Don't give up - your family deserves better than this runaround!