Just got CalFresh approval today - will I get November benefits now or wait until December?
Super excited that I finally got approved for CalFresh today after waiting for almost 3 weeks! The worker called me this morning and said my application was approved, but I'm a little confused about when I'll actually receive my first benefits. Since it's already November 15th, will I still get the full November amount on my EBT card right away? Or do they skip this month and I have to wait until December 1st to get my first benefits? I'm trying to plan my grocery shopping and really need to know when I can expect to use these benefits. Thanks!
16 comments
Join the conversation
Connor Byrne
Congrats on your approval! You'll definitely get November benefits since you applied and were approved within the same month. When you're approved mid-month like this, you should receive your November benefits within 3 business days of approval - so check your EBT card by early next week. The amount will be prorated from your application date, not the full month. Starting December, you'll get the full monthly benefit amount on your regular issuance date (based on the last digit of your case number).
0 coins
Yara Abboud
•this is right! got mine 2 days after approval. check ur balance by calling the number on back of ur card
0 coins
PixelPioneer
When I got approved last year, they actually gave me benefits from the date I APPLIED, not the approval date! So if you applied on like November 1st, you should get the full month. Check your approval letter when it comes - it should tell you exactly what date range your first benefits cover. Don't assume you'll only get partial benefits!
0 coins
Zainab Ahmed
•That would be amazing if I get the full month! My letter hasn't arrived yet but the worker said something about it being processed right away. I'll keep checking my card. So you're saying I definitely don't have to wait until December 1st?
0 coins
Keisha Williams
To clarify what others have said - CalFresh benefits are issued based on when you applied, not when you were approved. This is called "entitlement date" in CalFresh terminology. You'll receive benefits back to your application date, so if you applied on November 1st, you'll get benefits for the entire month. If you applied on November 10th, you'll get benefits from November 10th-30th. Benefits should be loaded onto your EBT card within 3 business days of approval. After the initial issuance, you'll receive your monthly benefits on your regular issuance date based on the last digit of your case number (usually between the 1st-10th of each month). If your benefits don't appear within 3 business days, call your county office. Unfortunately, the wait times can be quite long during the holiday season.
0 coins
Paolo Rizzo
•^^^This is the correct answer. I process these applications daily. You'll get November benefits prorated from your application date, loaded within 3 business days. Don't expect it necessarily tomorrow - it can take the full 3 days depending on when they process the approval in the system.
0 coins
Amina Sy
Hey just so u know sometimes county offices take FOREVER to pick up. I had to call like 20 times trying to check on my benefits last month. Someone told me about this service called Claimyr that got me through to a live person in like 15 mins instead of being on hold all day. Just google claimyr.com - they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 - saved me a ton of frustration when my benefits weren't showing up and I needed to talk to someone.
0 coins
Oliver Fischer
•Does this actually work? I've been trying to call my county office for THREE DAYS and keep getting disconnected! So frustrating when you need to talk to an actual human being.
0 coins
Amina Sy
•Yeah it worked for me twice now. They call and wait on hold for you then connect you when a real person picks up. Def worth it when u need to get thru
0 coins
Natasha Ivanova
NONE of this is actually true!! The county workers NEVER backdate benefits to the application date! I had to fight for MONTHS to get my full benefits! They always try to shortchange you because they're hoping people don't know their rights! I would call IMMEDIATELY and DEMAND your full month benefits!!! Don't let them scam you!!!
0 coins
Paolo Rizzo
•This is misinformation. CalFresh regulations clearly state benefits are determined from the date of application, not approval. If you had issues, it was likely a processing error or misunderstanding, not county policy. Please don't spread incorrect information - it just confuses people who are already navigating a complex system.
0 coins
Natasha Ivanova
•I'm talking about REAL EXPERIENCE not just what the "regulations" say! The system is designed to confuse people so they don't get what they're entitled to! I worked in advocacy for 3 years and saw this happen ALL THE TIME!
0 coins
Zainab Ahmed
Update: Just wanted to let everyone know that my benefits showed up this morning! They did give me prorated benefits from my application date (Nov 5th) through the end of the month. The worker also told me that starting in December, my regular issuance date will be the 6th of each month. Thanks everyone for your help!
0 coins
Connor Byrne
•That's great news! Glad it worked out. Just a tip: make sure you know your Semi-Annual Report (SAR7) and recertification dates. Your first SAR7 will probably be due in about 5-6 months, and it's really important to submit it on time or your benefits could be delayed or stopped.
0 coins
Zainab Ahmed
•Thanks for the tip! The worker mentioned something about reports but I was so focused on when I'd get the benefits that I didn't really process it. I'll make sure to watch for those forms in the mail.
0 coins
Yara Assad
Congratulations on getting approved! That's such a relief after waiting 3 weeks. Just wanted to add that you should also keep an eye out for your CalFresh card in the mail if you haven't received it yet - sometimes people get so focused on when the benefits will load that they forget they need the physical card to actually use them. The card usually arrives within 7-10 business days of approval. You can also set up account alerts through your county's EBT website to get text notifications when your benefits are loaded each month. Really helps with planning your grocery trips!
0 coins