Only received EBT once for toddlers but nothing since - CalFresh app questions

did u submit ur SAR7??? they send it after 6 months and if u dont send it back they cut u off. happened to me 2x now lol

The EXACT same thing just happened to a friend of mine!!! She got benefits for her kids for January but nothing after. Turns out they NEVER TOLD HER she needed to verify income within 30 days after approval! Just one letter that she thought was a duplicate of her approval. The system is SO BROKEN and they don't care that children aren't getting food!!! Her worker literally told her "it's your responsibility to know the rules" when she finally got through on the phone. DISGUSTING how they treat parents!

There are a few possibilities here: 1. You may have missed submitting a required verification document after initial approval. They usually give you 30 days to submit things like proof of rent, utilities, childcare expenses, etc. 2. Your Semi-Annual Report (SAR7) might have been due. These are sent around the 5th month of your certification period and must be returned or benefits stop. 3. There could be a system error with your EBT card or account. I suggest checking the BenefitsCal app or website (not the EBT app, they're different). Log in and check your "Dashboard" and "Documents" sections to see if there are any pending requirements. Also look for notices in the communications section. You should also request a case status review by reaching your county worker directly.

I had the exact same problem trying to get through to someone at CalFresh when my benefits unexpectedly stopped. After spending hours on hold and getting disconnected repeatedly, I found this service called Claimyr that completely solved the problem. You just enter your phone number on their website (claimyr.com) and they hold your place in line and call you back when a real person is available. They actually have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 It saved me so much time and frustration - I finally got to speak with someone who explained that I missed submitting my income verification within the timeframe. They reopened my case that same day after I explained the situation.

sometimes the EBT card itself is defective or your account isnt linked right. happened to me last year, they were depositing benefits but they werent showing up on my card. had to go in person to the county office to get it fixed cause no one would help on phone

Based on what you've described, it sounds like you may have missed submitting required verification documents after your initial approval. This is extremely common with CalFresh. Here's what you need to do: 1. First, log in to BenefitsCal.com (not the EBT card app). Go to your dashboard and check for any needed documents or notices. 2. Check the "Documents" section to see if there are any pending requirements or if something is marked "overdue". 3. Look through any mail you've received from the county in the past few months. Look specifically for a "Verification Checklist" or "Notice of Action". 4. Contact your county CalFresh office directly. For 2025, most counties now allow you to request a callback through the BenefitsCal portal instead of waiting on hold. If your benefits were discontinued due to missing verification, you can often have them restored if you provide the documents within 30 days of discontinuance. Don't reapply - that would be a new application. Instead, ask about "restoration of benefits" or "rescinding the discontinuance". For families with children under 5, you may also qualify for WIC which is completely separate from CalFresh. You should apply for that while sorting out your CalFresh situation.

UPDATE: I want to thank everyone for their help! I finally got into BenefitsCal (had to reset my password) and found the problem. There were verification documents they needed back in February that I never submitted. I used that Claimyr service someone mentioned and actually got through to a real person at the county office today. The worker said since I have children under 5, they might be able to restore some of the missed benefits if I submit all my verification documents this week. I'm gathering everything now - rent receipts, childcare costs, etc. Feels so good to finally understand what happened. Lesson learned - check BenefitsCal regularly and open ALL mail from the county!

So glad to see this got resolved! Your story is unfortunately super common - I work with a local food bank and we see families in this exact situation all the time. The verification process is honestly designed to be confusing and they don't make it clear what documents are needed or when. One thing I'd add for anyone else reading this - if you're struggling with food costs while waiting for CalFresh to get sorted out, look into local food pantries and the WIC program. WIC specifically covers formula, baby food, and other essentials for kids under 5, and it's completely separate from CalFresh so you can get both. Most counties also have emergency food assistance programs that can help bridge the gap. Also, pro tip: screenshot or print out your BenefitsCal dashboard regularly so you have a record of what they're asking for and when. The system sometimes "forgets" that you submitted things, so having your own documentation helps a lot when you need to call and straighten things out. Hope you get those retroactive benefits! Your kids deserve to eat regardless of paperwork mix-ups.