Can't find CalFresh customer service number - waited 3 hours and got disconnected!

the main LA county DPSS number is (866) 613-3777 but good luck getting through!! I had to call like 50 times last month for my SAR7 issue. they always hang up saying 'call volume too high' 🙄

For EBT card issues specifically, try 1-877-328-9677. That's the EBT customer service line that handles card problems like balance issues, lost cards, or PIN resets. It's separate from the county CalFresh office number. For benefit amount questions, you unfortunately do need to reach your actual county worker through the DPSS number the previous commenter shared.

this happens ALL THE TIME with LA county!! so frustrating!! i swear they do it on purpose to save money by not giving ppl their benefits on time!!! the system is BROKEN!!!

Have you tried checking your case status on the BenefitsCal website? Sometimes there are notices there explaining benefit delays that don't get mailed out. I had a similar issue last quarter when my verification documents were "pending review" even though I'd submitted everything.

I had something similar happen to me back in January and I was pulling my hair out trying to reach someone. I finally found this service called Claimyr that got me through to a CalFresh worker in about 15 minutes after I had been trying for days. You can check them out at claimyr.com - they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8. They basically wait on hold for you and call you when a real person answers. Saved me when my kids were hungry and I couldn't get through on my own.

Since you mentioned you just recertified last month, this sounds like a system timing issue. Here are a few specific steps to try: 1. Double-check your approval letter for any conditions or additional verification requirements (sometimes there are pending items even with an approval) 2. Check if you exceeded the Income Reporting Threshold (IRT) recently - in 2025 for a household of 4, that's around $4,250 monthly 3. Call early morning (right when they open at 7:30am) or late afternoon (around 4pm) when call volumes tend to be lower 4. If you have a specific caseworker's direct number or extension from previous communications, try that 5. If all else fails, consider going in person to your local DPSS office with your approval letter and EBT card If your online account shows active status but no benefits loaded, this is likely a technical issue they can resolve quickly once you reach someone.

omg i just noticed u said LA county. good luck!!! their phone system is the WORST in california!!!

Did you get the letter saying your recertification was approved or did you just complete the interview? Sometimes there's a delay between the interview and when the final approval processes through the system. Also, what day of the month are your benefits normally issued? Each case has a specific issuance date based on the last digit of your case number.

try calling ur local office instead of main number my cousin works at dpss and says nobody answers main line lol

Based on your situation, I'd recommend two things: 1. Since you have an approval letter showing your benefit amount and your BenefitsCal account shows active status, this is clearly a technical issue with benefit issuance, not an eligibility problem. 2. If you've tried calling during off-peak hours without success, you might need to visit your local DPSS office in person. Bring your approval letter, ID, and EBT card. They can often resolve benefit issuance problems on the spot. One last option - if you can't take time off work to visit an office, check if your local DPSS office has an email address for emergencies. Some counties have implemented this since 2024.