How long for CalFresh dispute resolution? Been waiting 3 weeks after filing claim

Typically, CalFresh dispute resolutions should take 10-15 business days according to regulations. However, county offices are extremely backlogged in 2025, so many are taking 30-45 days. A few things that might help speed things up: 1. Ask specifically for a 'Statement of Facts' form to supplement your dispute 2. Request an expedited review if you're facing financial hardship (which it sounds like you are) 3. Make sure you've provided all verification documents they might need (last 30 days of paystubs showing reduced hours) Also, your county worker should have documented your income change when you submitted your SAR7. Did you get any confirmation they received it?

i had something similar happen last year took almost 2 months to fix and they never gave me backpay for the months they underpaid me even tho it was their mistake!!! the system is so broken

While waiting for your dispute to process, you should also file for a State Hearing. You have 90 days from when your benefits were incorrectly calculated to request this. The hearing process is separate from the county's internal dispute resolution and often gets faster attention. The form is called DPA 479, or you can request it by calling the State Hearings Division at 1-800-952-5253. Also, check your original SAR7 submission. If you didn't check the box indicating it was a reportable change (income decrease over 10%), they might have just filed it without processing the change. In that case, request a case review specifically for 'failure to act on reported change' rather than a general dispute.

The whole benefits system is DESIGNED to be confusing and slow!!! They HOPE you'll give up and not get what you're entitled to. I'd call EVERY SINGLE DAY until someone helps you. That's what I had to do. Don't let them ignore you!!!

Have you tried calling early in the morning? I've found that if I call the CalFresh office right when they open (usually 8am), I have a much better chance of getting through to an actual person instead of the automated system. When I had a dispute last year about verification documents, I was stuck in limbo for weeks until I finally got a real person on the phone who resolved it in minutes. If you're having trouble getting through on the phone, I recently discovered a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me tremendously. They basically wait on hold with the CalFresh office for you and call you when a real person picks up. Saved me hours of frustration! They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8

When you filed the dispute, did you keep a copy of the paperwork? And did they give you a case number or reference number for the dispute? Always document EVERYTHING with CalFresh - dates, times, who you spoke with. I learned this the hard way when they claimed they never received my income verification twice in a row.

btw if ur income went down by more than 10% u should have reported that within 10 days not wait for sar7 thats probably why they didnt increase ur benefits right away

Just to follow up, have you tried visiting your county office in person? Sometimes disputes that have been sitting for weeks get resolved on the spot when you show up in person. Bring all your documentation (pay stubs showing reduced hours, confirmation of SAR7 submission, and your EBT card). Ask specifically to speak with a supervisor about the status of your dispute.

After my second dispute took forever to resolve, my worker told me something helpful. She said to specifically ask for an "Administrative Review of Benefits Calculation" rather than filing a generic dispute. Apparently this triggers a faster review process because it's specifically about the benefit amount calculation. Worth trying if your first dispute isn't getting attention.

Just to give you some hope - once your dispute is resolved, they should provide retroactive benefits back to when your income change should have been processed. So even though it's frustrating now, you should eventually receive the increased benefits you're entitled to for these months. Make sure to specifically request this retroactive adjustment when speaking with your worker.

I'm going through something similar right now! Filed my dispute 2 weeks ago and also getting the runaround. One thing that helped me was contacting my local Legal Aid office - they have advocates who specialize in CalFresh issues and can sometimes make calls on your behalf to get things moving faster. Also, if you haven't already, document every single interaction you have with the county office (date, time, who you spoke with, what they said). This documentation becomes really important if you end up needing to escalate further. Hang in there - the system is definitely frustrating but you deserve those benefits!

I went through a similar situation last year and it was incredibly frustrating! Here's what finally worked for me: I called the CalFresh office every Tuesday and Thursday at exactly 8:00 AM for two weeks straight. Each time I called, I asked to speak with a supervisor and referenced my dispute case number. The key was being polite but persistent - I explained that my family was struggling financially and needed the increased benefits. What really made the difference was when I mentioned that I was considering filing a State Hearing (which @Aaliyah Jackson mentioned above). Suddenly they found my paperwork and processed my dispute within 3 days! I also kept a detailed log of every call - date, time, person's name, and what they told me. This documentation helped when I finally got someone who could actually help. Don't give up! The system is definitely broken, but you're entitled to those benefits. Keep pushing and consider that State Hearing option if you don't see movement soon. Sending good vibes your way!

I'm dealing with a CalFresh dispute right now too and wanted to share something that just worked for me yesterday! After reading through all these comments, I decided to try a combination approach. I called first thing in the morning (8 AM sharp like @Sasha Ivanov suggested) and specifically asked for an "Administrative Review of Benefits Calculation" (thanks @Miguel Hernández!). The key was when I got someone on the phone, I politely but firmly explained that I had been waiting 3+ weeks and asked them to pull up my case while I was on the line. I had my dispute reference number ready and mentioned that I was prepared to file a State Hearing if needed. The worker actually found my paperwork that had been "misplaced" and told me it would be processed within 5 business days! @Jamal Brown - definitely try calling early morning and use that specific language about "Administrative Review." Also, if you can swing it, going in person with all your documents might be your best bet. The squeaky wheel really does get the grease with this system. Don't let them wear you down - you deserve those benefits!

I'm so sorry you're going through this frustrating situation! Three weeks is way too long to wait for a dispute resolution. Based on what others have shared here, I'd definitely recommend trying the early morning call strategy (8 AM sharp) and specifically asking for an "Administrative Review of Benefits Calculation" rather than just checking on your general dispute status. Also, since you mentioned your family is really counting on those extra benefits, you should absolutely request an expedited review due to financial hardship. The county is supposed to prioritize cases where people are struggling to meet basic needs. When you call, emphasize that your reduced work hours are causing financial difficulties and that you need the increased benefits urgently. One more thing - if you haven't already, consider reaching out to your local Legal Aid office or food assistance advocacy groups. They often have direct contacts at the county offices and can sometimes cut through the bureaucratic delays. Some organizations even have "benefit advocates" who can make calls on your behalf. Keep pushing - you're absolutely entitled to those benefits and shouldn't have to wait this long for something that should be straightforward. The system is definitely broken, but don't let them wear you down!