When do CalFresh benefits deposit each month? First time EBT user confused

Congrats on your approval! Your CalFresh benefits are deposited on a specific day each month based on the last digit of your case number. Look at your approval notice for your case number (usually 9-10 digits). The deposit schedule is: - Case ending in 1: benefits available on the 1st - Case ending in 2: benefits on the 2nd - Case ending in 3: benefits on the 3rd And so on up to 0, which gets benefits on the 10th. If you can't find your case number, it should be on your EBT card or any notice you received from the county.

mine always comes on the 6th its diffrent for everone. chekc the back of ur card maybe

If you need your benefits right away and can't wait until your deposit date, you might want to call your caseworker. Sometimes they can do an emergency release of funds, especially for new applicants who haven't received their first payment yet. Just explaining that you're out of food might be enough for them to help speed things up.

Just FYI - the first month's benefits can sometimes be prorated depending on when in the month you applied. So if you applied mid-month, your first payment might be less than the full $375. The full amount will start the following month. Just so you're not surprised if the amount seems off!

Everyone's given good advice about the deposit schedule based on your case number. One additional tip: download the ConnectEBT app or register at www.connectebt.com - you can check your balance anytime and see when deposits happen. It's super helpful for tracking your benefits and purchases. Way easier than calling the number on the back of the card every time.

ya and be carful what u buy with calfrwsh... no hot foods or prepared stuff!!! learned that the hard way lol

I was super stressed my first month on CalFresh too! One thing that confused me was that I got a letter saying I was approved for $237 but then actually received $422 on my card. Turns out they gave me benefits retroactive to when I applied. So don't be surprised if your amount is different from what your approval letter says - could be more if they're including benefits from your application date!

Also, make sure to submit your SAR7 form when they send it to you around the 5th month! So many people lose their benefits because they forget to return that form. It's a simple income report but if you don't send it back, they'll cut off your benefits and you'll have to reapply from scratch. Ask me how I know...😩

Welcome to the CalFresh community! Sounds like you've gotten some really solid advice here. Just wanted to add that if you're ever unsure about whether something is EBT-eligible at the store, most items will show "EBT" on the receipt or shelf tag. Also, farmer's markets often accept EBT and some even have matching programs where they'll double your benefits for fresh produce - definitely worth looking into in your area. You've got this! The first month is always the most confusing but it gets much easier once you get into the routine.

Hey Keisha! Congrats on getting approved - that's awesome! Just wanted to add one more helpful tip that I wish someone had told me when I first started: if you shop at certain stores like Walmart or Target, you can actually check which items are EBT-eligible right in their apps before you go shopping. Just search for an item and it'll show an "EBT" label if it's covered. Super helpful for meal planning and avoiding any awkward moments at checkout! Also, don't feel bad about asking the cashier if you're ever unsure about an item - they deal with EBT transactions all day and are usually pretty helpful. Welcome to the community! 🙂

Hey Keisha! Congrats on getting approved for CalFresh! 🎉 I see you've gotten tons of great advice here about deposit dates and the ConnectEBT app. One thing I'd add is to keep all your CalFresh paperwork organized in one place - approval letters, case number info, any correspondence from your county office. You'll need to reference these documents pretty regularly, especially when it comes time for recertification. Also, if you're looking to stretch your benefits further, check if your area has any food banks or pantries that complement CalFresh - many people don't realize you can use both resources together. The combination can really help make your food budget work better. Good luck with everything, and don't hesitate to ask questions here - this community is super supportive!

Hey Keisha! Welcome and congrats on your approval! 🎉 I see you've gotten amazing advice here already. Just wanted to add that you can also call the EBT customer service number on the back of your card (1-877-328-9677) to check your balance and transaction history once your benefits load. They have an automated system that's available 24/7, so you don't have to wait for business hours. Also, pro tip: benefits usually load overnight, so if your deposit date is the 7th, check your balance early morning on the 7th rather than staying up late on the 6th waiting for it! The system typically updates between 12-6 AM. You're going to do great - the first month feels overwhelming but it becomes second nature pretty quickly!