Unexpected September CalFresh payment on 9/4 - early deposit or back benefits?
Confused about an extra CalFresh deposit! I applied at the end of July and got approved for August benefits, which loaded on my EBT card as expected. Then yesterday (9/4), I checked my balance and there's another deposit for almost the same amount as August! My regular issuance date is supposed to be the 7th of each month according to my approval letter. I'm trying to figure out if this is just my September benefits coming 3 days early, or if it's some kind of retroactive payment for part of July (since I applied late July)? Or could it be a duplicate August payment by mistake? I don't want to spend it if it's an error they'll make me pay back later. Has anyone experienced something similar with their CalFresh timing?
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Ryan Young
This is most likely your September benefits. CalFresh benefits are sometimes issued early when the regular issuance date falls around a weekend or holiday. Since the 7th is this Saturday, they probably processed yours early so you'd have it before the weekend. This happens pretty regularly around holidays too. You're fine to use it - it's your September allotment.
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Samantha Hall
•Oh that makes sense! I didn't realize they did early deposits for weekends. Such a relief because I was worried about spending it. Thank you!
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Sophia Clark
did you check your ebt accoutn online? it should tell u if its sept benefits. i get mine on the 10th and sometimes it comes ealry too. system is weird sometimes lol
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Samantha Hall
•I checked the EBT app but it just shows the deposit amount without saying what month it's for. Guess I need to look more carefully at the transaction history part.
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Katherine Harris
They would NEVER give you extra benefits without telling you specifically. Trust me I've been on CalFresh for 3 years and EVERY TIME there's a change they send a Notice of Action. If you got no letter saying you're entitled to retroactive benefits, then it's definitely just your September payment coming early because of the weekend. The county LOVES taking money back if you spend something you shouldn't have!!!
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Samantha Hall
•That's really good to know! I haven't received any Notice of Action about retroactive benefits, so you're probably right. I'll assume it's September's payment then.
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Madison Allen
It's definitely your September issuance. The EBT system in California distributes benefits from the 1st through the 10th of each month, based on the last digit of your case number. When your regular issuance date falls on a weekend or holiday, benefits are deposited on the business day before. In your case, since the 7th is Saturday, you received your benefits on the 4th (Wednesday). Regarding retroactive benefits (which this isn't): If you were eligible for partial July benefits, that would have been included with your August issuance and would have been clearly stated in your approval Notice of Action. You would see two separate deposits for August - one for August and one for the partial July amount.
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Joshua Wood
•My issuance date is also the 7th and I freaked out when I saw my deposit early. Thank you for explaining this so clearly! I wish the county workers would tell us these things when we apply.
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Justin Evans
This happened to me too this month! I was totally confused because my regular day is the 6th (Friday) and it came on the 4th instead. I called the EBT customer service number and waited FOREVER but never got through, so just spent it anyway lol. Good to know it's normal!
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Emily Parker
•If you ever need to get through to an actual person at the county, I discovered this service called Claimyr that's been a lifesaver. You go to claimyr.com and they get you through the phone system to a real worker without the usual hold times. There's a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8. I used it when I had a similar issue with unexpected benefits and needed clarification. Much better than waiting for hours or getting disconnected!
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Ryan Young
Also, just to clarify how CalFresh works for new applicants: Benefits are prorated from your application date. So if you applied on July 30th, you'd only be eligible for 2 days worth of July benefits. For such a small amount, they often just add it to your first regular issuance. Check your approval letter - it should specify the exact benefit amount you're approved for monthly and any retroactive amount.
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Samantha Hall
•I just dug out my approval letter and you're right! It does mention my monthly benefit amount going forward would be $343, but there's nothing about any retroactive payment for July. I only applied on July 28th so maybe it was too small an amount to bother with? Anyway, I'm convinced now it's just my September payment coming early because of the weekend. Thanks for all the help everyone!
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Sophia Clark
my frend got double benefits once and spent it all and then they made her pay it back over like 6 months by taking some from each months benefits so dont spend it if ur not sure!!!!!
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Madison Allen
•While it's true that overpayments need to be repaid, in this specific situation, the OP is just receiving their regular September benefits a few days early due to the weekend. This is standard practice and not an overpayment. However, your friend's experience highlights why it's always good to verify unexpected deposits before spending them.
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