When do CalFresh EBT benefits get deposited each month? My schedule seems random
I got approved for CalFresh about 3 months ago, but I can never figure out when my EBT card actually gets loaded with benefits. It seems totally random! Sometimes I go to buy groceries and there's nothing on the card, other times money appears when I wasn't expecting it. Is there a specific schedule for when benefits get deposited? Do they tell you this somewhere on the approval letter that I missed? I'm tired of going to the store and being embarrassed when my card gets declined because I thought the money would be there. Any help appreciated!!
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Aurora Lacasse
CalFresh benefits are loaded on the same day every month based on the last digit of your case number. Check your approval letter or EBT card packet - it should tell you which day of the month you'll receive benefits. The schedule ranges from the 1st to the 10th of each month. Mine is the 6th because my case number ends in 5.
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Daniel Washington
•Ohhh that makes sense! I think my case number ends in 8 but I'll have to double check. So that would mean I get benefits on the 9th? I must have missed that info in all the paperwork they sent.
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Anthony Young
it depends on last # of ur case # mine comes on 4th cuz mine ends in 3... if u lost ur papers just call ur worker they can tell u
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Aurora Lacasse
•This is correct! Here's the exact schedule for 2025: - Case number ending in 1: Benefits on 2nd day of month - Case number ending in 2: Benefits on 3rd day of month - Case number ending in 3: Benefits on 4th day of month - Case number ending in 4: Benefits on 5th day of month - Case number ending in 5: Benefits on 6th day of month - Case number ending in 6: Benefits on 7th day of month - Case number ending in 7: Benefits on 8th day of month - Case number ending in 8: Benefits on 9th day of month - Case number ending in 9: Benefits on 10th day of month - Case number ending in 0: Benefits on 1st day of month
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Charlotte White
You can also check your balance by calling the number on the back of your EBT card or using the BenefitsCal website/app. That way you know before going to the store if you have money on your card yet. I always check before shopping!
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Daniel Washington
•I've been meaning to set up the BenefitsCal app but got confused during registration. But checking before shopping is smart, I should definitely start doing that to avoid embarrassment at checkout!
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Admin_Masters
When I first got CalFresh I had the SAME PROBLEM!!! It's so frustrating they don't make this clear when you get approved. I kept thinking my benefits were loaded on the 15th (like my old state) but would go to the store and have nothing. I was so mad I called the county office but sat on hold for 45 minutes before hanging up. I finally had to ask the cashier at the grocery store who told me about the schedule based on case number. Why don't they put this information somewhere OBVIOUS??
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Daniel Washington
•RIGHT?? They give you like 20 pages of information but somehow miss the most important part - when you'll actually get your food money! Sorry you went through that too, but glad I'm not the only one confused by this.
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Matthew Sanchez
•I know how frustrating those long hold times can be! I've been using a service called Claimyr when I need to reach my CalFresh worker. They call the county office for you and only connect you when a real person answers - no more waiting on hold for hours. I used their video demo (https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8) to see how it works, and it's been a lifesaver for getting quick answers about my benefits. You can check them out at claimyr.com if you ever need to contact the office again.
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Ella Thompson
They actually just changed the deposit schedule slightly for 2025. Your deposit date is still based on the last digit of your case number, but there's also a secondary deposit day if you're in certain counties participating in the new CalFresh Plus program. Have you received any notices about being enrolled in CalFresh Plus? That would affect your deposit schedule.
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Aurora Lacasse
•I haven't heard about this CalFresh Plus program or schedule change. Where did you get this information? I work with several clients on CalFresh and want to make sure I'm giving them accurate information about their deposit dates.
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Ella Thompson
•I may have confused it with a pilot program my county is testing. Sorry for any misinformation - the standard schedule (days 1-10 based on last case digit) is still in effect statewide. Always best to verify with your specific county office.
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JacksonHarris
I had this exact same problem my first few months! What helped me was setting a reminder on my phone for my deposit day. I also signed up for text alerts through the EBT customer service line. Now I get a text the moment my benefits are loaded (plus my balance) which helps a ton. Just call the number on the back of your card and follow the prompts to set up alerts.
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Daniel Washington
•Text alerts sound perfect! I didn't know that was an option. Going to call right now to set that up. Thanks for the tip!
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Charlotte White
Quick question - does anyone know if the deposit days change if it falls on a weekend or holiday? Like if my normal day is the 10th but that's a Sunday, do I get it on Friday before or Monday after?
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Aurora Lacasse
•CalFresh benefits are deposited on your assigned day regardless of weekends or holidays. The EBT system is automated and runs 24/7, so if your deposit day is the 10th, you'll receive benefits on the 10th even if it's a Sunday or holiday. This is different from some other benefits that might adjust for non-business days.
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Daniel Washington
Thank you all so much for the help! I checked my case number and it does end in 8, so now I know my benefits come on the 9th of each month. I'm setting up a calendar reminder and got those text alerts set up too. Sorry for such a basic question but this makes my life so much easier!
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Anthony Young
•no worries we all had to figure it out 1st time. good luck!
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Cole Roush
So glad you got it figured out! I had the exact same confusion when I first started receiving CalFresh. One tip that really helped me was downloading the ebtEDGE mobile app - it's the official app for checking your EBT balance and transaction history. You can see exactly when your benefits are loaded and track your spending throughout the month. It's been super helpful for meal planning and budgeting. Welcome to the community and don't hesitate to ask questions - we've all been there!
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Sofia Morales
•Thanks for the app recommendation! I just downloaded ebtEDGE and it's so much better than calling the number every time. Being able to see my transaction history is really helpful too - I can actually track where my money is going each month. This community has been amazing, everyone is so helpful and understanding. Really appreciate all the support!
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Mei Chen
Just wanted to add that if you ever need to speak with someone at your county office about your CalFresh case, you can also try visiting in person if the phone wait times are too long. Most county offices have walk-in hours for CalFresh questions, and sometimes it's faster than waiting on hold. Also, if you're ever in a situation where your benefits don't show up on your expected day, don't panic - there can occasionally be system delays, but the money will get there within 24 hours usually. Keep that customer service number handy just in case!
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Zoe Gonzalez
•That's really good advice about visiting in person! I didn't even think about that option. The phone wait times can be so frustrating, and sometimes it's easier to just talk to someone face-to-face. I'll definitely keep that in mind if I run into any issues with my benefits not showing up on time. Thanks for mentioning the 24-hour buffer too - that's reassuring to know there might just be a delay rather than a bigger problem.
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Sophia Miller
I'm so glad I found this thread! I've been having the exact same issue for the past few months and was starting to think there was something wrong with my case. It's such a relief to know that there's actually a predictable schedule based on your case number - I had no idea! I'm going to dig out my paperwork tonight and figure out what day mine should come. It's honestly kind of frustrating that they don't make this information more prominent when you first get approved. Like others mentioned, you get so much paperwork but somehow miss the most important detail about when you'll actually receive your benefits. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and tips!
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Jamal Anderson
•I totally feel you on this! When I first got CalFresh, I was so overwhelmed by all the paperwork that I completely missed the deposit schedule info too. It really should be highlighted better - maybe on the front page or in bold letters! Once you find your case number and figure out your day, I'd recommend doing what others suggested and setting up those text alerts. It made such a huge difference for me. You're definitely not alone in being confused about this - seems like it's a common experience for new recipients. Hope you get it all sorted out!
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Mateo Perez
I'm new to CalFresh and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I just got approved last week and was wondering about this exact thing. My case worker mentioned something about a deposit schedule but I honestly zoned out during that part of the conversation because there was so much information to process. Reading everyone's experiences makes me feel so much better - it sounds like being confused about the timing is totally normal when you're starting out. I'm going to look up my case number tonight and figure out my deposit day. Thanks to everyone who shared the schedule breakdown and app recommendations!
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Sophia Clark
•Welcome to CalFresh and to the community! Don't worry about zoning out during that conversation - there really is SO much information thrown at you during the approval process that it's impossible to remember everything. I think most of us here had that same experience of feeling overwhelmed by all the details. The good news is that once you find your case number and figure out your deposit day, it becomes second nature. And like others mentioned, those text alerts and apps really do make a huge difference in keeping track of everything. Feel free to ask questions here anytime - everyone is super supportive and we've all been in your shoes!
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