Called by (858)812-6564 for CalFresh renewal - is this legitimate?
I got a missed call from (858)812-6564 yesterday claiming to be about my CalFresh renewal. Left a voicemail saying they need to verify some info or my benefits might get discontinued next month. I'm nervous about returning calls to numbers I don't recognize - too many scams these days! Has anyone gotten legitimate calls from this number for EBT/CalFresh renewals? My recertification isn't due for another 3 months according to my last approval letter, so this seems fishy. Don't want to ignore if it's real though!
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Amina Sy
omg i got same call last week!! didnt answer but they left message about verification. i was scared to call back too
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QuantumQuest
•Did you end up calling them back? I'm worried they might cut my benefits if I don't respond, but also worried about giving my info to scammers.
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Oliver Fischer
That's actually a San Diego County HHSA number. It's legitimate - they're probably doing early outreach for your recertification or there might be a verification they need before your actual recertification date. It's worth calling back, but you can also log into your BenefitsCal account to check if there are any pending tasks or notices that explain what they need.
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Natasha Petrova
•yep this is correct. i work with benefits and thats definitely a county number. they sometimes call early if theres backlog or staff shortages so they can start processing ahead of time.
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Javier Morales
I NEVER return those calls directly!!! They always say it's urgent but half the time they're just doing random checks. Always call the main CalFresh number on your approval letter instead (the one on your county's official website). That way you KNOW you're talking to the right people. The system is SO BROKEN they'll discontinue you for not responding to a call you didn't even know was legitimate!!!!
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Emma Davis
•This is good advice. I had a similar situation last year with a call about my EBT card expiring, but when I called the main CalFresh number, they had no record of trying to reach me. Turned out it was someone trying to get my card information. Better safe than sorry!
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GalaxyGlider
•i always just go into my benefits office in person if i can. hate phones anyway and they always have me on hold forever. rather just talk face to face
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Malik Robinson
I've had experience with this exact situation. The number is legitimate (San Diego County uses that prefix), but here's what I recommend: 1. Check your BenefitsCal portal first for any notices 2. If you don't see anything there, call the main CalFresh customer service line (not the number that called you) 3. When you reach them, explain you received a call from this number and want to verify what's needed Sometimes they do early outreach for missing verification documents or income changes that might affect your eligibility before your actual recertification date. Better to address it now than wait until you're at risk of discontinuance.
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QuantumQuest
•This is exactly what I needed to know, thank you! I'll check BenefitsCal first thing tomorrow. Makes sense they might need something before my actual recertification date.
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Emma Davis
I tried calling the main CalFresh number (not this specific one) last month about my SAR7 and was on hold for 2 hours before getting disconnected. So frustrating! I ended up using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through - they held my place in line and called me back when an agent was available. Saved me so much time! They have a video demo if you want to see how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8
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QuantumQuest
•I've never heard of this service before. Does it actually work? The hold times are ridiculous lately.
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Emma Davis
•It worked for me! I was skeptical too but it saved me from being on hold all day. You still talk directly with the CalFresh worker when they connect you - the service just handles the waiting part.
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Amina Sy
my sister had someone call her from a county number but it was for her calfresh quarterly report form thing not recertification... maybe they confused u for someone else or ur dates got mixed up in there system??
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Oliver Fischer
•You're thinking of the SAR7 (Semi-Annual Report). The county will sometimes call if they're missing information on those forms or if the deadline is approaching. It's different from the annual recertification but both are required to keep benefits active.
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Natasha Petrova
i had something similar happen last month. turns out i had crossed the IRT (Income Reporting Threshold) without realizing it because of some overtime at work. they were calling to tell me i needed to update my income info. worth checking if anything has changed with your income or household recently.
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QuantumQuest
•That's a good point! My daughter did start a part-time job recently. Maybe that's why they're calling. I didn't think I needed to report it until my next SAR7 since it's under the $100 change threshold.
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Oliver Fischer
•If your household income goes over the IRT (Income Reporting Threshold) for your household size, you need to report it within 10 days, even outside your regular SAR7 reporting period. For a household of 3 in 2025, the IRT is around $3,750 monthly gross income. If your daughter's job pushed you over that limit, that's likely why they're calling.
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