When do CalFresh extra allotments drop in Southern California? Heard about 12pm on the 16th
Hi everyone, I'm super confused about when exactly the extra CalFresh allotment is supposed to hit our EBT cards this month. My neighbor told me it's supposed to be at noon on the 16th in Southern California, but my sister-in-law got hers on the 11th last month. Does anyone know for sure? I've got three kids and I'm trying to plan our grocery shopping trip. Called the EBT customer service number but got stuck in that automated system forever. Really need this extra money to stretch our food budget through the end of the month!
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Paolo Ricci
There's actually no set time when benefits load on your card on your issuance day. The 'noon on the 16th' is just a myth that keeps circulating. CalFresh supplemental allotments are distributed over the first 10 days of each month based on the last digit of your case number. The regular monthly benefits come between the 1st and 10th of each month based on the last digit of your case number. So if your case ends in 6, you'd get it on the 6th. The regular schedule is posted on the CDSS website, but there's no specific time of day when funds are loaded.
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Keisha Williams
•Thanks for clarifying! My case number ends in 7, so I guess I should get it on the 7th? But today is the 16th and I still haven't received anything extra... I'm just confused because I thought there was supposed to be an extra payment this month?
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Amina Toure
Just to clarify something important - the "extra allotments" you're asking about were temporary emergency allotments during COVID that ended in April 2023. There are NO extra pandemic allotments anymore in 2025. If you're expecting an "extra" payment beyond your regular monthly benefit, that's not a thing anymore unless there's some new county-specific supplement I haven't heard about. Your regular benefits should come on your normal issuance date based on your case number as mentioned above.
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Keisha Williams
•Oh no!! I had no idea those ended! My cousin told me we were getting extra this month. That explains why I haven't seen anything additional. Thank you for explaining - wish the county office had made this clearer to people.
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Oliver Zimmermann
i thot they were giving xtra in san diego county this month becuz of the fires?? my worker said somethin about emergency supplements but idk when it comes
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Paolo Ricci
•That would be a Disaster CalFresh supplement (D-CalFresh), which is different from the regular pandemic emergency allotments. If there was a federally declared disaster in your area, and you're eligible, you'd receive specific communication about that with application instructions and issuance dates. These are very targeted to affected areas, not all of Southern California. Your county website would have information if this applies to you.
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CosmicCommander
I HATE how they just stop programs without properly informing people!! I was counting on those extra payments too and had NO IDEA they stopped. Called the county office back in March about something else and they never mentioned it. Then April comes and suddenly my benefits are cut in HALF with zero warning!!! How are families supposed to budget when the system doesn't even communicate properly???
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Natasha Volkova
•I had the exact same problem trying to reach anyone at the CalFresh office about this. Spent THREE HOURS on hold last month only to be disconnected. Finally I tried using this service called Claimyr that got me through to a real person at the county in about 15 minutes. They explained the whole situation about the emergency allotments ending. Saved me so much frustration. Their site is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8. It's the only way I've found to actually talk to a real person without the endless hold times.
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Javier Torres
my benefits always come at night like between 11pm-1am on my day, not at noon. each county might be different tho
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Keisha Williams
•Thanks for sharing! I'll check tonight then. This whole thread has been eye-opening - I didn't even realize the extra COVID benefits had ended. Explains a lot though.
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Emma Davis
If you're really struggling without the extra allotments, make sure you report ALL your expenses on your SAR7 and recertification. A lot of people don't know they can deduct childcare costs, excess medical costs (for elderly/disabled household members), and a homeless shelter deduction if applicable. Also, if your income dropped, report it right away - don't wait for your next SAR7. You might qualify for more regular benefits that way.
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Keisha Williams
•This is really helpful advice. I pay $950/month for childcare for my youngest and wasn't sure if that counted. I'll make sure to include that on my next report. Do you know if after-school programs count as childcare expenses too?
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Emma Davis
•Yes! After-school programs definitely count as childcare expenses if they allow you to work or attend school/training. Make sure you have receipts or some documentation. It can make a big difference in your benefit calculation!
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Malik Johnson
just want to add that you should check your EBT card balance regularly using the app or calling the number on the back of your card. sometimes they load benefits without any notification. and ya the pandemic extra benefits are over - my family really misses those too. made a huge difference for us.
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Keisha Williams
•Thanks for the tip about checking regularly. I'm downloading the app now. And yeah, sounds like those extra benefits were really helping a lot of families.
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