Is it normal to wait HOURS on hold with CalFresh? Need alternatives to reach my worker

omg im right there with u!!! waited 2 hrs yesterday and got hung up on right when someone picked up. like why cant they just let us text our workers??? its 2025 for gods sake

This is unfortunately a common issue across almost all counties. Here are a few alternatives you can try: 1. If your county has a physical office, going in person can sometimes be faster (bring documentation of your address change) 2. You can submit the address change directly through BenefitsCal - click on "Report Changes" then "Housing Costs/Address Change" (make sure to complete all steps) 3. You can fax the address change to your county office with your case number clearly marked (keep the fax confirmation) 4. Some counties accept secure document uploads through their websites The most important thing is to document EVERY attempt you make to report this change. Save screenshots, call logs, fax confirmations, etc. This creates a paper trail showing you tried to report timely if there's ever an issue later.

hve u tried calling rite when they open? Thts wht I do & usually only wait like 20 min. They open at 8am in my county

The phone system is absolutely broken by design! I waited TWO HOURS last month trying to sort out an overpayment notice, only to be told I needed to speak to a different department and would need to call back and wait AGAIN. When I asked if they could transfer me, they said no! It's completely ridiculous how they expect people who work or have children to sit on hold for hours. And what makes me FURIOUS is when they send those threatening notices about losing benefits if you don't respond in 10 days... but then make it IMPOSSIBLE to actually reach them within 10 days! It's like they WANT people to lose benefits.

I work with CalFresh clients regularly, and this issue comes up constantly. The phone system is absolutely overloaded in most counties. For your specific situation with an address change before recertification, here are the most reliable methods: 1. Email your county directly. Many counties now have general inboxes for documents. For example: [yourcounty]calfresh@dss.ca.gov (format varies by county) 2. Use BenefitsCal's Report a Change function specifically (not the contact worker section) 3. If you have your worker's direct extension or number (should be on any notices they've sent), try that instead of the main line 4. Send your change via certified mail so you have proof of when it was received Documenting your attempts to report the change is critical. Take screenshots of online submissions and keep copies of anything you send. If your benefits are discontinued because they sent the recertification to the wrong address, you'll have grounds for an appeal.

Have you tried using Claimyr? Totally changed my experience with CalFresh phone calls. It keeps your place in line but calls you back when an actual human is about to pick up. Saved me HOURS of holding my phone. You can see how it works at https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 or just go to claimyr.com I was skeptical but it literally saved my benefits last month when I needed to get verification documents approved before my deadline and couldn't sit on hold all day because of work.

I know this feeling too well! I recently had a similar issue and discovered that our county actually has a "change of information" form on their website that you can download, fill out, and email directly to them. It's not well-advertised at all. Try googling "[your county] calfresh change of information form" and see if something comes up. For me, it was buried deep on their website but I was able to submit my address change without calling. Also, for your recertification - if you're really worried they'll send it to the wrong address, you might be able to download the recertification form from the county website or BenefitsCal and submit it early with your new address included. Better safe than sorry!

if u have snap ebt u should try the connectebt app its newer but my friend says u can message ur worker there sometimes but idk if all counties have it yet

The whole system is RIGGED to make us give up! My theory is they INTENTIONALLY make it hard to reach anyone so people miss deadlines and get kicked off. Then the county can brag about how they "reduced welfare fraud" or whatever. It's all about the statistics and budget, not actually helping people who need food assistance. I lost my benefits for 3 months last year because I couldn't reach anyone about a verification document they claimed they never received (even though I uploaded it TWICE). By the time I got through to a human, they said it was "too late" and I had to reapply from scratch. CRIMINAL!!!

UPDATE: I finally got through after trying the advice here! I called exactly at 8:00am when they opened and "only" waited 45 minutes. The worker updated my address and also noted in the system that my recertification packet should go to my new address. For anyone else struggling with this - try calling right when they open, and have all your info ready (case number, new address, etc) so you can get through the call quickly once you finally reach someone. I'm still frustrated it took FOUR days of trying to get through for something that should be simple to update online, but at least it's resolved now. Thanks everyone for the suggestions!

So glad you finally got through @Diego! The fact that it took 4 days and multiple hours of waiting just to update an address is absolutely ridiculous. I'm dealing with something similar right now - trying to report income changes and have been calling for a week with no luck. Your tip about calling exactly at 8am is gold though. I'm going to set an alarm and try that tomorrow morning. It's sad that we have to strategize like this just to access basic services, but thank you for sharing what worked! The system really needs to be modernized. Every other government service has moved online but CalFresh is still stuck in the stone age. At least you won't lose your benefits over this mess!

I'm dealing with this exact same nightmare right now! Been trying to reach my worker for over a week to report that I started a new job and the phone system is absolutely broken. Yesterday I waited 2 hours and 15 minutes only to get disconnected when someone finally picked up - I literally screamed at my phone lol. The worst part is they expect us to report changes within 10 days but make it impossible to actually reach anyone. How are we supposed to follow their rules when their own system doesn't work?? I'm definitely going to try that 8am sharp strategy tomorrow. And thank you @Sean for mentioning we can document our attempts - I had no idea that could help with appeals if things go wrong. This whole thread has been more helpful than anything I could find on the actual CalFresh website!

This is such a widespread problem and it's infuriating! I've been a CalFresh recipient for 3 years and the phone system has only gotten worse. Last month I literally had to take a sick day from work just to sit on hold for 3+ hours to report that my rent increased. What really gets me is that they have all this technology for tracking our spending and monitoring our accounts, but they can't implement a simple online portal for basic changes? My bank lets me update my address in 30 seconds online, but CalFresh makes it a multi-day ordeal. I'm saving this thread because the suggestions here are pure gold. The 8am strategy, documenting everything, checking for county-specific forms - this is the kind of practical advice that actually helps people navigate this broken system. Thank you everyone for sharing what's worked for you!

I'm so sorry you're all dealing with this frustrating situation! I've been a CalFresh recipient for about 2 years and the phone system struggles are SO real. What worked for me when I had to update my address last year was actually going to the county office in person. I know it's not convenient for everyone, but I was able to walk in during their office hours, wait about 30 minutes, and get my address changed on the spot with a receipt showing it was processed. If you can't get there in person, definitely try that BenefitsCal "Report Changes" section that @Sean mentioned - I used it for a household composition change and it actually went through within 24 hours. Way better than the "contact worker" messaging that just sends you in circles. Also keeping screenshots of everything is clutch! I learned that the hard way when they said they never got a document I swore I uploaded. Now I screenshot literally every submission confirmation page. This whole system shouldn't be this complicated but at least we can help each other figure out the workarounds!

The phone system is absolutely broken and it's so frustrating that we all have to become experts at workarounds just to access basic services! I've been reading through all these suggestions and I'm amazed at how resourceful this community is. For anyone still struggling, here's what I've learned works in my county: I found that calling on Tuesdays and Wednesdays right at opening time has shorter wait times than Mondays/Fridays. Also, if you have multiple issues to address, write them ALL down beforehand with your case number ready - don't waste that precious phone time once you finally get through! One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that some counties have "emergency contact" procedures for urgent situations. If you're facing an immediate deadline (like benefits being discontinued), ask specifically about expedited processing when you do get through. They don't advertise it but sometimes there are faster channels for time-sensitive cases. Keep fighting everyone - our food security shouldn't depend on phone system lottery! 💪

This whole situation is infuriating and I'm so glad to see I'm not the only one dealing with this mess! I've been trying to reach my worker for over a week to report that my childcare costs changed (which affects my deductions) and it's been absolutely impossible. I've tried calling at different times of day, used the BenefitsCal messaging system (useless), and even tried calling the state hotline - same story everywhere. Hours of hold time just to get disconnected or have to hang up because life doesn't stop while we wait on their broken phone system. What really bothers me is that they threaten us with benefit cuts if we don't report changes within 10 days, but then make it literally impossible to actually report anything! It feels like they're setting us up to fail so they can kick people off the program. Thanks to everyone sharing their strategies - I'm going to try the 8am sharp approach tomorrow and also look for my county's direct email. It's ridiculous that we need a whole strategy guide just to update basic information, but at least this community helps us navigate the bureaucratic nightmare together! 🤬

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this Diego! The phone system is absolutely ridiculous. I had the same issue last month trying to update my employment status - spent literally 4 hours over 3 days on hold before finally getting through. One thing that saved me was finding out my county has a "priority line" for recertification-related issues. It's not advertised anywhere but when I asked the worker specifically about recert deadlines, she gave me a different number that had much shorter wait times. Might be worth asking about when you do get through! Also, I started using the "callback" option when available instead of staying on hold - some counties offer it where they'll call you back when it's your turn instead of making you sit there listening to that awful hold music for hours. Not all counties have it but worth checking if yours does. The system is broken and designed to make us give up, but don't let them win! Keep documenting everything and you've got a strong case if they try to discontinue you for "not reporting" when you literally couldn't reach anyone.

This is absolutely maddening! I've been dealing with the exact same issue trying to report that my kids aged out and are no longer in my household. Been calling for 6 days straight and the longest I waited was 3 hours and 12 minutes before getting cut off! What's even more frustrating is they sent me a notice saying I need to provide verification by next Friday or my benefits will be discontinued - but HOW am I supposed to provide anything if I can't reach a human being?? I'm definitely going to try all these suggestions - the 8am strategy, looking for county email, and documenting everything. It's absolutely insane that in 2025 we need a whole battle plan just to update basic case information. Thank you everyone for sharing what's worked, this thread is more helpful than anything on the official CalFresh website! The system is clearly designed to exhaust us into giving up. But seeing everyone's persistence and creative solutions gives me hope that I can get this resolved before losing my benefits over their broken phone system! 💪

I'm dealing with this same phone nightmare trying to report my work schedule change! Been calling for 5 days and the longest wait was 2 hours 38 minutes before I had to hang up for a doctor appointment. Reading through everyone's suggestions here - this community is amazing! I had no idea about calling exactly at 8am or that some counties have direct email addresses. Going to try the early morning strategy tomorrow and also hunt down my county's contact info online. It's absolutely ridiculous that we need to become phone warriors just to stay compliant with their reporting requirements. The fact that they can track every penny we spend instantly but can't give us a simple way to update basic info online shows how backwards this whole system is. Saving this thread as my CalFresh survival guide! Thank you everyone for sharing what actually works instead of the useless "contact your county" advice we get everywhere else. We shouldn't have to crowdsource solutions to access basic services but I'm grateful this community exists! 🙏

This whole thread is incredibly valuable! I'm relatively new to CalFresh and had no idea the phone system was THIS broken until I tried to report a simple address change last week. Waited 90 minutes just to get disconnected - I was ready to throw my phone across the room! The strategies everyone's shared here are gold. I especially appreciate the tip about calling right at 8am and documenting everything. It's absolutely ridiculous that we need a whole playbook just to update basic information, but I'm so grateful this community exists to help each other navigate the bureaucracy. One thing I'll add - I discovered my county has a "CalFresh updates" email buried on page 3 of their website. Took some digging but I found it and was able to email my address change with my case number. Got a confirmation within 2 business days! Sometimes these alternate contact methods exist but they're just not well advertised. Keep fighting everyone - we shouldn't have to jump through these hoops for basic services, but together we can figure out the workarounds! 💪