CalFresh/SNAP benefits finally loaded in weird order - Riverside County payment schedule confusion

Yep riverside is all messed up rn. My issuance group is C and it took 4 extra days to get mine. I think theres a new schedule but nobody told anyone!!! Typical county bs lol. Just be glad u got ur benefits at all some people still waiting from last month!!

OMG 4 days?? That's so stressful! I panicked when mine was just 2 days late. Do you know if the Medi-Cal is following the same delay pattern? I need to refill some prescriptions next week.

There's been a significant system update in Riverside County that's affecting both CalFresh and Medi-Cal processing. The issuance groups (letters A-J) are still the same for CalFresh, but there's a temporary processing delay affecting all benefits. According to the county notice sent out last month, CalFresh benefits may be issued up to 5 days later than normal through June 2025 while they transition to the new system. \n\nMedi-Cal renewals are being processed separately from CalFresh now, which explains why they're coming in a different order than you're used to. If your Medi-Cal renewal is still pending but you need medications, you should still be covered - eligibility is extended during the renewal processing period. You can check your Medi-Cal status on the BenefitsCal portal or by calling the Medi-Cal helpline.

Thank you so much for the detailed explanation! I must have missed that county notice completely. Is there a way to sign up for text alerts about these kinds of changes? The BenefitsCal portal is so confusing to navigate sometimes.

got mine 2 days early this month (group H) so who knows whats going on lol. maybe they just throwing darts at calendar to decide when to load benefits these days 🎯

I've been dealing with the exact same issue in Riverside County! My CalFresh came through (I'm group G), but my Medi-Cal renewal is still

Does this actually work? seem sketchy tbh. why would i pay something to call gov office??

I was skeptical too but honestly after being disconnected multiple times I was desperate. My kid needed his medication and I couldn't wait another week for them to maybe process my renewal. It just connects you faster than waiting on hold forever. But do whatever works for you!

There's currently a massive CalFresh backlog in Riverside County due to understaffing and the system migration. I work for a community organization that assists with benefits, and we've seen processing times increase by 35-40% since December 2024.\n\nA few important points for everyone in Riverside County:\n\n1. The issuance schedule (A-J) remains the same, but temporary delays of 1-5 days are occurring\n\n2. Medi-Cal and CalFresh now process on separate timelines - this is permanent\n\n3. If you need urgent access to your benefits, you can request an expedited processing by submitting form ABD 1221-EXP \n\n4. System notifications are inconsistent right now - just because you don't get a notification doesn't mean your benefits won't load\n\n5. For Medi-Cal specifically, coverage continues during renewal processing even if it shows \

This is incredibly helpful! Where can I find that expedited processing form? My sister is still waiting on her benefits and has 3 kids to feed.

You can download the ABD 1221-EXP form directly from the Riverside DPSS website under \

sun bucks lol thats cute. my kids call it rectangle money cuz of the card

I've experienced this same problem ALL YEAR in Riverside County! It's beyond frustrating. They told me it was because of the \

I understand your frustration, but it's important to note that Medi-Cal has continuous coverage while your renewal is processing. Did you show your BIC card at the pharmacy? Even with a pending renewal status, your coverage should remain active. If you were charged, you may be eligible for reimbursement. You can submit receipts to your Medi-Cal managed care plan for review.

My pharmacy said my coverage was \

Update: My Medi-Cal just processed this morning! So it was only about a 3-day delay. Seems like everyone was right about the system being a bit wonky right now. Thanks for all the helpful info - this community is amazing ❤️

lucky u!!! mine still pending after 2 weeks 😭

I'm in Riverside County too and just got approved for CalFresh last week! This is all really helpful info as a new recipient. I'm in group E and was wondering why my first payment seemed to come later than expected. Good to know it's not just me and that there's an actual reason for the delays. @Isaiah Sanders thank you for mentioning the expedited form - I'll definitely keep that in mind if I run into issues. Hope everyone gets their benefits sorted out soon! 🙏