Do CalFresh EBT benefits roll over to next month or expire monthly?

Good news! Your CalFresh benefits DO roll over month to month. They stay on your EBT card and don't expire monthly like some other benefit programs. The only time you need to worry about losing benefits is if you don't use your CalFresh EBT card at all for 9 months - then your account becomes inactive and benefits might be removed. But normal month-to-month rollovers are totally fine!

yep they roll over! i just spent some benefits from like 3 months ago lol. its actually nice cuz you can save up for bigger grocery trips sometimes

Just to add a bit more detail since I work with families on benefits - CalFresh benefits not only roll over month to month, but they're actually loaded onto your EBT card on the same day each month (based on the last digit of your case number). So you'll get a regular monthly deposit that adds to whatever you haven't spent yet. One thing to watch for though - if your case gets discontinued for some reason (like missing your recertification or SAR7), you'll lose access to ANY remaining benefits on your card until you get reapproved. I've seen clients with hundreds in rollover benefits lose access because they missed paperwork deadlines.

Be careful what everyone tells you on here. I had a friend who thought the same thing and went to use her "saved up" benefits and the store said she had zero dollars!!! The worker told her benefits DO expire after 90 days. I dont know who to believe anymore with this system.

Benefits DEF roll over. I've been on CalFresh since 2023 and sometimes save up for big Costco trips. BUT one warning - they can check your balance when determining continued eligibility. If you have a huge unused balance at recertification time (like thousands), the county might question why you need benefits if you're not using what you have. I try to keep my balance under $1000 just to be safe.

To add some clarification to what others have said: 1. CalFresh benefits roll over with no monthly expiration 2. Benefits remain available as long as your case stays active 3. You must use your EBT card at least once every 9 months to keep the account active 4. Your SAR7 (Semi-Annual Report) is due in the 6th month of your certification period 5. Recertification is required annually If you ever have trouble reaching someone at the county to answer these kinds of questions, I highly recommend using Claimyr (claimyr.com). They connect you directly to a live CalFresh worker and skip the hold times. Saved me hours of frustration when I had questions about my reporting requirements. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8

Off topic but im curious about your benefit amount - $575 for a single parent with 2 kids seems low for 2025. Did you report all your expenses like rent, utilities, and childcare? Those can really boost your benefit amount. My sister has 2 kids and gets almost $700/month!

theres an app called fresh ebt that lets u check ur balance anytime and see what u spend. makes it way easier to track whats left each month. totaly free

Just wanted to share my experience as someone who's been on CalFresh for 3 years - benefits definitely roll over! I actually prefer to shop every 2-3 weeks instead of weekly, so I regularly have benefits accumulate. Never had any issues with losing them. The only time I got nervous was when I accidentally let my balance build up to around $800 before a big family gathering, but even then my worker just asked if I was still needing the assistance (which I was) and everything was fine. The rollover feature is honestly one of the best things about CalFresh compared to other programs.

This is such helpful information for someone just starting out! I've been on CalFresh for about 8 months now and can confirm everything everyone is saying about rollover benefits. One thing I'd add is that it's actually really helpful to let some benefits accumulate if you can - I save up for monthly trips to ethnic grocery stores where I can get better prices on rice, beans, and other staples my family eats regularly. The rollover feature gives you so much more flexibility in how you shop and budget. Welcome to the program and don't stress about "losing" unused benefits each month!

I've been on CalFresh for about 2 years and can definitely confirm that benefits roll over! It's actually one of the things I really appreciate about the program. I usually get my benefits on the 15th of each month (my case number ends in 5), and whatever I don't spend just stays on my card. I've never had any issues with benefits expiring or disappearing. The only thing I'd add is to make sure you keep track of your spending patterns - I use a simple notebook to jot down what I spend each month so I can plan better. It sounds like you're already thinking smart about budgeting, which is great! And definitely look into reporting that childcare expense like others mentioned - that could really help increase your monthly amount.

Hey Zoe! Just wanted to add my voice to everyone else's - your benefits definitely roll over! I've been on CalFresh for about a year and a half now, and I regularly carry a balance from month to month. It's actually been a lifesaver because it lets me take advantage of sales and stock up when I find good deals on non-perishables. One tip I'd share is to keep your EBT card in a safe place and maybe write down your balance after shopping trips. I lost my card once and it took about a week to get a replacement, but all my accumulated benefits were still there when I got the new card. The county can look up your balance over the phone too if you ever need to check. Also, since you mentioned being a single mom with two kids - if you haven't already, definitely look into WIC too if your kids are under 5. It pairs really well with CalFresh and covers specific items like milk, eggs, and cereal that can help stretch your food budget even further. Good luck with everything!

Welcome to CalFresh, Zoe! Everyone here has given you great advice - benefits absolutely do roll over month to month, which is such a relief when you're trying to budget carefully. I've been receiving CalFresh for about 6 months now and love that I can plan my grocery shopping around sales and my family's needs rather than worrying about losing benefits. One thing I wanted to add that hasn't been mentioned yet - if you ever move to a different county in California, your benefits will transfer with you automatically, and any rolled-over balance stays on your card too. I had to relocate for work a few months ago and was worried I'd lose everything, but the transition was seamless. Also, since you're new to the program, make sure to save all your paperwork in one place! I keep a folder with my approval letter, EBT card info, and any correspondence from the county. It makes things so much easier when you need to reference something or when recertification time comes around. You've got this, and this community is always here to help answer questions!

Hi Zoe! Welcome to CalFresh! I'm so glad you found this community - everyone here has given you such thorough and helpful answers. I've been on the program for about 4 years now and can absolutely confirm that benefits roll over without any monthly expiration. It's honestly one of the best features of CalFresh compared to other assistance programs. I wanted to add one more practical tip that's helped me a lot: consider keeping a small notepad or using your phone to track which stores in your area accept EBT and have the best prices for items you buy regularly. Some places like Walmart, Target, and even farmers markets accept EBT, and you might find better deals than you expect. Also, if you have an Aldi near you, they often have amazing prices on basics like bread, milk, and produce. The rollover feature has been a game-changer for my family's budgeting. Sometimes I save up benefits for back-to-school shopping when my kids need more snacks and lunch items, or during summer when they're home all day eating more. You're going to do great with this program, and don't hesitate to ask questions here - this community is incredibly supportive!

Hi Zoe! Welcome to the CalFresh program! I'm so happy to see how helpful everyone has been in answering your question. As someone who's been receiving CalFresh for about 18 months, I can definitely confirm what everyone else is saying - your benefits absolutely roll over from month to month with no expiration! I wanted to add something that really helped me when I first started: don't feel pressured to spend all your benefits right away just because you have them. I used to feel guilty having money left on my EBT card, but then I realized that's exactly what the rollover feature is designed for - to give you flexibility in your food budgeting. Also, since you mentioned being confused by the paperwork (totally understandable - it can be overwhelming!), I'd suggest calling your local CalFresh office to ask them to explain anything that's unclear. Most workers are really helpful once you get through to them, and it's better to ask questions upfront than worry about doing something wrong. You're already showing great instincts by wanting to budget carefully and not waste any assistance. That mindset will serve you well with CalFresh. Best of luck to you and your kids!

Hi Zoe! Welcome to CalFresh! I've been on the program for about 2 years now and can absolutely confirm that your benefits roll over month to month - no need to worry about losing them! I wanted to share something that's been really helpful for me as a fellow parent: I actually use the rollover feature to build up a small "emergency food fund" on my EBT card. If one of my kids gets sick and I can't make it to the store, or if there's an unexpected expense that month, I have a buffer of benefits saved up. It's given me so much peace of mind knowing I don't have to stress about perfect timing with grocery shopping. Also, since you're new to this, I'd recommend downloading the Fresh EBT app that someone mentioned earlier - it's been a game changer for keeping track of my balance and spending. And definitely look into that childcare deduction! That could make a real difference in your monthly benefit amount. This community has been such a lifesaver for navigating CalFresh questions, so don't hesitate to ask if anything else comes up. You're going to do great! 💪

Hi Zoe! Welcome to CalFresh and to this amazing community! 🎉 I've been on the program for about 10 months now and everyone here is absolutely right - your benefits definitely roll over month to month! It was such a relief when I first learned this too. I wanted to share something that's really helped me as a single parent: I actually created a simple spreadsheet to track my EBT balance alongside my regular budget. Each month I note how much gets added, what I spend, and what carries over. It's helped me identify patterns in my spending and plan better for things like school holidays when my grocery bill goes up. Also, since you're just starting out, here's something I wish someone had told me earlier - many stores have their own apps that let you browse weekly sales and plan your shopping trips. When you combine that with your rollover benefits, you can really maximize your purchasing power by timing your shopping around the best deals. And definitely follow up on that childcare deduction everyone mentioned! That could be a significant increase to your monthly amount. You're asking all the right questions and clearly care about making the most of this assistance for your family. Welcome aboard! 🌟

Hi Zoe! Welcome to CalFresh! 🌟 As someone who's been on the program for about 14 months, I can definitely confirm what everyone else is saying - your benefits absolutely roll over from month to month! There's no "use it or lose it" rule like with some other programs. I just wanted to add a couple of practical tips that have helped me as a parent on CalFresh: 1. Keep your original approval letter somewhere safe - you might need it for other assistance programs or if there are ever any questions about your case. 2. If you ever have issues with your EBT card at a store (sometimes the card readers are finicky), don't be embarrassed to ask the cashier to try running it again or to call a manager. It happens to everyone and most store employees are very understanding. 3. You can check your balance by calling the number on the back of your EBT card anytime, or by looking at your receipt after a purchase - it shows your remaining balance. You're clearly thinking carefully about budgeting and making the most of your benefits, which is awesome! And definitely call about that childcare deduction - $950/month in childcare costs could significantly increase your benefit amount. This community is always here if you have more questions down the road. You've got this! 💪

Hi Zoe! Welcome to CalFresh and congratulations on getting approved! 🎉 Everyone here has given you such wonderful and accurate information - your benefits absolutely DO roll over month to month, so you can breathe easy about that! As someone who's been on CalFresh for about 8 months, I just wanted to add a few things that might be helpful: 1. Don't stress if your first few months feel like you're still figuring out the best shopping rhythm - it takes time to learn how to budget with the rollover system, but it's so worth it once you get the hang of it! 2. Since you mentioned the paperwork was confusing (totally normal!), I'd suggest taking photos of all your important CalFresh documents and storing them in a folder on your phone. That way you always have them handy if you need to reference something or if the county asks for information. 3. One thing that surprised me was how many different places accept EBT - not just grocery stores but also some farmers markets, certain online retailers, and even some meal delivery services for seniors/disabled folks if that ever becomes relevant. You're asking all the right questions and clearly want to make the most of this assistance for your family. Definitely follow up on that childcare deduction - that could make a real difference! This community has been so helpful for me in navigating CalFresh, so don't hesitate to come back with any other questions. Welcome to the program! 😊

Hi Zoe! Welcome to CalFresh! 🎉 I've been on the program for about 6 months now and can absolutely confirm what everyone else is saying - your benefits definitely roll over month to month! No need to worry about losing them. One thing that really helped me when I first started was setting up a simple system to track my spending. I use a small notebook where I write down my starting balance each month, what I spend, and what's left over. It's helped me get comfortable with the rollover feature and plan better for weeks when I know I'll need more groceries (like when my kids have friends over during school breaks!). Also, since you mentioned the paperwork being confusing - totally normal! The CalFresh system can be overwhelming at first, but you'll get the hang of it. And definitely look into that childcare deduction everyone mentioned. $950/month is a significant expense that should absolutely be factored into your benefit calculation. This community has been such a lifesaver for navigating CalFresh questions. Everyone here is so helpful and knowledgeable. Don't hesitate to ask if you have any other questions as you get more familiar with the program. You're going to do great! 💪

Hi Zoe! Welcome to CalFresh! 🌟 I've been receiving benefits for about a year now and can absolutely confirm what everyone else is saying - your benefits DO roll over month to month! It was such a relief when I first learned this too. Just wanted to add a couple of tips that have really helped me: 1. Consider shopping at discount grocery stores like Food 4 Less or WinCo if you have them in your area - your CalFresh dollars can stretch so much further there, especially for pantry staples. 2. Don't feel guilty about letting benefits accumulate! I used to worry I was "doing it wrong" if I didn't spend everything each month, but now I see it as smart budgeting. 3. If you ever need to replace a lost EBT card, you can usually get a temporary one issued the same day at your county office, and your full balance transfers over. And yes, definitely call about that childcare expense! That's a huge deduction that could significantly increase your monthly benefits. You sound like you're already thinking about this so thoughtfully - your kids are lucky to have such a careful planner for a mom. This community is amazing for ongoing questions, so don't hesitate to ask anything else that comes up! 💕