Can I fax my CalFresh recertification paperwork or is online submission required now?
I've got my CalFresh recertification due next week and I'm stressing out about how to submit it. My internet at home is super unreliable right now (thanks to my lovely neighbors who keep "borrowing" my wifi). I'm wondering if I can still fax my recertification forms like I used to do before the pandemic? The packet I got in the mail mentions BenefitsCal online but doesn't clearly say if faxing is still allowed. I'd prefer to fax since I have access to a free fax machine at work. Has anyone successfully submitted their recertification by fax recently? Do they actually process faxed forms or will this delay my benefits?
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Zainab Ismail
Yes, you can absolutely still fax your CalFresh recertification! I'm a benefits counselor and help clients with this all the time. Online through BenefitsCal is encouraged but definitely not required. You can still submit your recertification by: - Fax - Mail - In person at your county office - Online through BenefitsCal Just make sure to include a cover sheet with your case number and keep the fax confirmation as proof of submission. Also take pictures of everything you submit just in case they claim they never received it (happens more than it should).
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Miguel Silva
•Thank you SO MUCH! That's a huge relief. My case worker never called me back and I was getting really worried. Do you know if there's a specific fax number I should use? The one on my paperwork is kinda smudged and I can't read all the digits clearly.
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Connor O'Neill
i did mine by fax last month and they processed it fine but took forever. like 2 weeks to update in the system!! my friend did hers online and it was processed in 3 days so online is def faster if u can
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Miguel Silva
•Ugh, 2 weeks is a long time! I might try to find somewhere with reliable internet then. Did they at least backdate your benefits when it finally processed?
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Yara Nassar
I've had major issues with faxing recently. Sent my SAR7 twice by fax and they claimed they never got it. Ended up with my benefits discontinued and had to reapply. If you do fax, call the next day to confirm they received it. The whole system is designed to make you fail I swear.
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Miguel Silva
•Oh no, that's exactly what I'm afraid of! I really can't afford to have my benefits cut off even temporarily. Maybe I'll try to use my sister's internet instead.
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Keisha Robinson
Just a quick tip - if you fax your recertification, make sure to number the pages (like "page 1 of 5") on each page. That way they can't claim they only received partial documents. And don't forget to include ALL verification documents they asked for! They're super picky about verification these days.
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GalaxyGuardian
Friend, I went through the EXACT same situation last month! Unreliable internet and couldn't submit online. I tried calling my worker 8 times to ask about faxing but couldn't get through - kept getting disconnected or stuck on hold forever. Finally I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to a real person at my county office in less than 20 minutes! Their video shows how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8. They confirmed I could fax my recert and gave me the correct fax number. Saved me from having to take a day off work to go to the office in person.
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Miguel Silva
•Oh wow, I've never heard of that before! Getting through to a real person has been impossible. I'll check out that link, thank you!
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Connor O'Neill
•does that thing actually work?? ive spent HOURS on hold before
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Paolo Ricci
you can also drop it off in person? thats what i always do bc then they give you a receipt and you KNOW they got it!!! the lobby has a dropbox usually
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Zainab Ismail
To answer your question about the fax number - each county office has their own number. If yours is smudged, you can: 1) Call the main CalFresh customer service line (1-877-847-3663) 2) Check the county website 3) Or use BenefitsCal.com to find your local office contact info without having to log in Also important - if your recertification is due next week, remember that it needs to be RECEIVED by the due date, not just sent. Faxing on the due date is cutting it close!
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Miguel Silva
•You're right, I should definitely not wait until the last day. I think my recert is due on the 15th so I need to get on this ASAP. Thank you for the reminder!
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Yara Nassar
BTW don't confuse recertification with the SAR7! They're different forms. Recertification is the annual review (SAWS 2 form) and SAR7 is the Semi-Annual Report. Make sure you're filling out the right paperwork or they'll discontinue your benefits for sure.
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Miguel Silva
•It's definitely the recertification - the big packet with the SAWS 2 Plus form. I did my SAR7 about 5 months ago. But thanks for pointing that out!
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Amina Toure
I had to do my recertification last month and I chose to mail it in. BIG MISTAKE! They claimed they never got it and I lost benefits for a month. My advice is if you can't do online, go in person. Yeah it takes time but at least you get a receipt. Faxing is like mailing - no real proof they actually process what you send.
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GalaxyGuardian
One more thing about faxing - make sure to KEEP YOUR FAX CONFIRMATION PAGE showing it went through successfully. I learned this the hard way. If they claim they never received it, you need that proof. I take a picture of the confirmation with my phone right away now so I don't lose it.
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Connor O'Neill
•yessss this!!! they tried to tell me they didnt get my stuff once but i had the paper that showed it went thru and they magically "found" my paperwork lol
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Miguel Silva
Update: I took everyone's advice and decided not to risk the fax route. I went to my sister's house to use her internet and submitted through BenefitsCal. It was actually easier than I expected! The website even gave me a confirmation number and email. Thanks everyone for your help - definitely saved me from potential benefit delays!
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Zainab Ismail
•That's great news! Online submission is definitely the most reliable method these days. Make sure to check your BenefitsCal account in about a week to see if they need any additional verification documents from you. Glad it worked out!
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Eli Butler
•So glad you got it submitted! I was stressing reading your original post because I know how nerve-wracking those deadlines can be. Online really is the way to go when possible - faster processing and you get that instant confirmation. Hope your recertification goes smoothly and your benefits continue without any hiccups!
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Max Knight
Awesome that you got it submitted online! Just wanted to add for anyone else reading this thread - if you're ever in a similar situation where your home internet is unreliable, most public libraries offer free computer and internet access. They usually have printers too if you need to print confirmation pages. Many libraries also have staff who can help you navigate government websites if you're not super tech-savvy. It's another good backup option besides going to family/friends' houses!
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