Kern County sent me CalFresh paperwork but no interview yet - what does this yellow envelope mean?

This doesn't mean you're approved yet. What you received is the standard paperwork package that Kern County sends out after they receive your application. The EBT card information is sent to everyone as part of the standard packet, regardless of approval status. You still need to complete and return those forms ASAP, especially the signature packet. Without those signed documents, your application can't move forward. The fact that they sent this means your second application is in their system, but you're right to be concerned about not having an interview yet. Kern County is required to interview you within 30 days of your application date for regular processing. I'd recommend you call them immediately to ask about scheduling your interview. Their delays don't remove your responsibility to complete the interview, and they could deny your application if you don't have one.

they never do the interveiw calls when they say they will lol. i applied 3 times before i finally got benefits cus nobody ever called me for the interview. just keep calling them every single day until u talk 2 a real person

I work for a community resource center in Kern County, and we see this situation all the time. Here's what's happening: 1. The yellow envelope is their standard application follow-up packet. It's not approval - it's paperwork they need returned before they can process your application further. 2. You absolutely must return the signature packet - without those signatures, they won't process your case. 3. For the missing interview: Kern County should have sent you a notice with your interview date and time, or called you. Since that didn't happen, you need to be proactive. 4. The first application disappearing from the system is unfortunately a known glitch with the BenefitsCal system that sometimes happens when there are technical issues during submission. The most important thing right now is to get that interview scheduled. Based on your timeline, you're approaching the 30-day processing deadline, and your application could be denied without an interview. I'd recommend using Claimyr to reach a real person at Kern County. It's a service that calls the benefits office for you and gets you connected directly to a live worker - saves hours of waiting on hold. Check out their demo at https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 or go to claimyr.com. Many of our clients have used it successfully to resolve exactly this kind of situation. Once you talk to a worker, be sure to mention that this is your second application after the first one disappeared from the system. Ask them to note this in your case file.

Omg I went through the EXACT same thing with Kern County last month!!! They are so disorganized! I got that same yellow envelope with all the papers and was super confused too. What I learned is that this is NOT an approval - it's just step 2 in their process. I waited 3 weeks after sending back the papers and no interview call, so I finally went down to the office in person (the one on Roberts Lane). Had to wait 4 hours but finally got to speak to someone who told me my application was "pending interview" but nobody had scheduled it! They did my interview right there and I was approved a week later. DON'T wait for them to call you. Either go in person or keep calling until you get a human. The automated phone system is absolute garbage.

your probably approved but not necessarily. that packet is what i got when i was approved but i had already done the interview. did u check ur mail regularly? they might have sent the interview date but u missed it. kern county be sending important stuff in plain envelopes sometimes

Update after reading all the replies: you have a relatively common situation in Kern County, and it requires immediate action. Here's what you should do: 1. Fill out ALL the signature forms tonight 2. Return them via the provided envelope tomorrow (priority mail if possible) 3. Contact the office ASAP about your interview - either using Claimyr as suggested above, or by visiting in person 4. Bring ALL your verification documents with you if you go in person (ID, income proof, housing costs, etc.) 5. Make sure to explain this is your second application after the first disappeared Kern County has 30 calendar days from your application date to make an eligibility determination. If you submitted in early January, you're already close to that deadline. The good news is that if you're approved, benefits are retroactive to your application date. Don't assume anything is happening automatically with your case. Be proactive and document all your contacts with the office (dates, names of workers, what was discussed).

The packet you got means your application is IN PROCESS, not approved or denied yet. Kern County is NOTORIOUS for application problems! I literally had to file a fair hearing request before they would process my application correctly. Also - MAJOR WARNING - even if you send back those forms, DON'T assume they received them! I mailed mine back and they claimed they never got them. Take pictures of EVERYTHING before you send it, and if possible, drop it off in person and get a receipt!! The whole Kern County system is designed to make you give up. DON'T GIVE UP!! Keep calling, keep documenting, and if necessary, contact the Kern County Board of Supervisors office if your 30 days passes with no interview or decision. They hate when people complain to the Board!

I had the same confusion with my CalFresh application in Kern last year! That yellow packet is definitely not an approval. The EBT info is just standard stuff they send everyone. Here's what worked for me when I couldn't get an interview scheduled: I called the main number but instead of selecting the CalFresh option, I selected the General Questions option. Got through to a person in 10 minutes who was able to connect me to a worker. Try that instead of the direct CalFresh line which is always jammed.

Just to clarify one important point based on some of the comments here: Even if you miss the 30-day processing deadline due to Kern County not scheduling your interview, your case doesn't automatically close. You have rights in this situation: 1. They should send you a Notice of Delayed Action explaining why they couldn't process your case in 30 days 2. If they fail to process your application in time due to THEIR delay (not providing an interview is their delay), they cannot deny your application for that reason 3. If they do deny it incorrectly, you have 90 days to appeal and request a fair hearing Priority now should absolutely be getting that interview scheduled and returning the forms. But don't panic if the 30-day mark passes - your application should still be valid, and if approved, benefits would be retroactive to your application date.

Quick follow up on my earlier comment - when you go in person, make sure you're prepared to wait ALL DAY. Seriously, bring a phone charger, water, snacks, etc. The Kern County office on Roberts Lane is usually packed, especially in the morning. I'd recommend going right when they open (I think it's 8am) or after lunch around 1:30-2pm when it sometimes gets a little less crowded. Also, the security guards at the entrance can sometimes give you good tips about which line to get in if you explain your situation nicely!

wait i just reread ur post, did ur first application have a case number before it disappeared? becuz the same thing happened to me one time and it turned out they just merged my applications together without telling me. u should ask if thats what happened when u call

I've been through this exact situation with Kern County! That yellow envelope is just their standard paperwork packet - definitely not an approval. You're right to be confused because they send EBT information to everyone regardless of status. Here's what you need to do immediately: 1. Complete and return ALL those signature forms ASAP - your application can't move forward without them 2. Call or visit the office to schedule your interview - they won't do it automatically For calling, try early morning (8-9am) or use the tip someone mentioned about calling the General Questions line instead of the direct CalFresh line. I've also heard good things about that Claimyr service for getting through. The fact that your first application disappeared is unfortunately common with the BenefitsCal system glitches. When you talk to a worker, definitely mention that this is your second application and ask if they merged them somehow. Don't wait for them to contact you - Kern County requires you to be proactive or your application will just sit there. You're getting close to that 30-day deadline, so time is critical. Good luck!