Need help applying for CalFresh/EBT - tried but confused about process

You don't need to go in person! The easiest way to apply for CalFresh (that's what food stamps are called in California) is through the BenefitsCal website at www.benefitscal.com. You can complete the whole application online and upload verification documents like pay stubs, ID, and rent/utility bills directly through the portal. Make sure you have your income information from the last 30 days ready when you apply. If you got stuck on the verification part, you can actually submit the application first without all the documents, and then provide them later when requested. The important thing is to get your application date established ASAP so your benefits can start sooner. Once you submit, you'll get an interview scheduled within about 10 days.

i applied last yr and the website kept crashing on me!!! had to call like 20 times b4 i got thru to someone. such a mess honestly

I help families apply for CalFresh regularly as part of my job. Here are some practical tips: 1. Yes, apply on BenefitsCal as others mentioned, but if you have a smartphone, the BenefitsCal mobile app is actually easier to use and lets you take photos of documents directly. 2. For income verification: Last 4 weeks of pay stubs, or if you don't have those, a letter from your employer stating your hours and pay rate works too. 3. For your kids: You'll need their social security numbers and birth certificates if you have them. If not, school enrollment records can sometimes work. 4. For housing costs: Bring a copy of your lease or a rent receipt and a recent utility bill. 5. Since your hours were recently cut, make sure to explain that in the application so they use your current income, not past income. After you apply, you'll need to complete a phone interview. This is where many applications get delayed because people miss the call. Make sure you answer calls from unknown numbers for a few days after applying.

To answer your questions: You should receive a decision within 30 days of your application date by law, though many counties process faster (around 10-14 days if all your verification is in order). The EBT card is mailed automatically once you're approved - it comes in a plain white envelope, so watch your mail carefully. Benefits are loaded based on the last digit of your case number, usually between the 1st-10th of each month. And yes, child support IS counted as income, even if it's inconsistent. Report what you actually receive, not what you're supposed to get. If some months you get it and others you don't, you can explain that in your interview.

Just want to share something that worked for me when I had trouble with the application and couldn't get through on the phone lines - I used this service called Claimyr to reach an actual person at the CalFresh office. It basically gets through the phone queue for you and calls you back when there's a real person on the line. I was skeptical but it worked great and saved me literally hours of waiting on hold. You can check it out at claimyr.com and there's a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 I was able to get all my application questions answered in one call that way. My application got approved way faster because I didn't have to wait days between trying to call.

Yeah, it really worked for me. I was surprised too. They call the office for you and then call you when they get a real person on the line. Saved me from having to sit with my phone on speaker for hours. The county worker I got was actually surprised when I said I only waited like 5 minutes to talk to her lol

One more important tip - when you're approved for CalFresh, you'll need to complete a SAR7 form (Semi-Annual Report) every 6 months and a full recertification every 12 months. Mark your calendar for these because if you miss them, your benefits will stop automatically. The SAR7 is pretty simple - just updating your income and household info. The recertification is basically reapplying. Also, if your income increases by more than $100/month before your SAR7 is due, you're required to report that within 10 days. But if your income decreases, report it right away so they can increase your benefits!

I applied for CalFresh back in January and just to let you know, they're giving higher benefits now in 2025 because they adjusted for inflation. The maximum for a household of 3 (like you and your kids) is around $750/month now I think? My sister gets almost that much for her and her two kids. But it really depends on your income and expenses. Make sure you tell them about your rent, utilities, childcare costs if you have any - all that can help increase your benefit amount because they're deductions from your income calculation.

Yes, you can definitely claim cash childcare payments as an expense! Just be prepared to provide a written statement from your childcare provider (your neighbor) that includes: - Their name and contact information - How much you pay them per week/month - Which children they care for and when It doesn't need to be anything fancy - just a signed note with this info. This expense can significantly increase your benefit amount since childcare is fully deductible for CalFresh calculations when it's necessary for work or school. Also, with rent that high, make sure you're claiming all utilities separately (even if some are included in rent). There's a standard utility allowance that can help increase benefits too.