As someone new to this community, I'm so relieved you finally got this sorted out, Charlee! A "system glitch" that automatically marks interviews as completed when they never happened? That's not just a minor technical issue - that's a serious failure that could have cost you your food assistance benefits through absolutely no fault of your own. What really strikes me reading through all these responses is the incredible depth of practical knowledge everyone has shared. From Theodore's comprehensive step-by-step action plan to all the strategic advice about optimal calling times, social media outreach, and the critical importance of documenting everything - this community clearly knows how to navigate these bureaucratic nightmares. It's honestly frustrating that people have to become experts at working around broken government systems just to access basic services they're legally entitled to. But I'm genuinely impressed by how everyone rallied together with real, actionable solutions when you hit this roadblock. For your rescheduled interview next week, definitely get that confirmation in writing if at all possible, and maybe call the day before to triple-check everything is still on track. It's unfortunate we have to take these extra precautions, but your persistence in not giving up really shows others facing similar issues that it's worth fighting for what you're entitled to. Thanks for sharing both your struggle and the resolution - this thread is going to be incredibly helpful for anyone else who encounters these kinds of system failures. Wishing you the best of luck with your interview! 🤞

As a newcomer to this community, I'm so glad to hear you finally got this resolved, Charlee! What a roller coaster - from the stress of thinking you missed your interview to discovering it was a "system glitch" that marked it as completed when it never happened. That's exactly the kind of technical failure that shows how vulnerable people can be to bureaucratic errors beyond their control. Reading through all the advice shared here has been really eye-opening. The practical strategies everyone contributed - from Theodore's detailed action steps to suggestions about optimal calling times, social media outreach, and thorough documentation - really demonstrate the collective wisdom this community has developed for navigating these challenges. It's frustrating that accessing basic services requires becoming an expert at working around system failures, but I'm impressed by how everyone rallied with real solutions when you needed help. Your persistence in not giving up despite the runaround really paid off and will inspire others facing similar situations. For your rescheduled interview next week, definitely get written confirmation and maybe call ahead to verify - it's sad we have to take these extra steps, but better safe than sorry after what you've been through. Thanks for sharing your experience and the update - this whole thread is going to help so many people who encounter these kinds of administrative roadblocks. Best of luck with your interview! 🤞

I'm going through the same nightmare right now! Been trying for 2 weeks and it's beyond frustrating. One thing that helped me get a little further was calling right at 8am when they open - still got disconnected but at least I heard a human voice for like 30 seconds 😭 Also keeping a log of every call attempt with times/dates in case I need to escalate this mess. We shouldn't have to jump through hoops just to keep our benefits active!

I'm dealing with the exact same issue! It's absolutely maddening how broken this system is. I've been calling for over a week now and keep getting the runaround. What's helped me a little is calling multiple times throughout the day - sometimes I get through to the queue faster at random times like 2pm or 4pm when maybe fewer people are calling. Also, I started emailing my case worker directly (if you have their contact info) and that at least got me a response acknowledging my renewal is pending. The whole system desperately needs an overhaul - we shouldn't have to become full-time phone warriors just to keep our food assistance! Hang in there everyone, we'll get through this mess eventually. 💪

pro tip: if u get denied, appeal! i got denied first time but won my appeal. dont give up!

Hey Natasha! I just went through this process a few months ago. One thing that really helped me was practicing explaining my situation out loud beforehand - it made me way less nervous during the actual call. Also, have a glass of water nearby because talking for 30-45 minutes straight can make your mouth dry! The caseworkers are generally pretty understanding, so try not to stress too much. You've got this! 💪

This might sound crazy, but have you tried reaching out on social media? Some agencies actually respond pretty quick on Twitter or Facebook. Worth a shot! 🤷‍♂️

I had the exact same thing happen to me last month! So frustrating. What finally worked for me was calling the main number, but when they asked for my case number, I pressed 0 instead to get transferred to a human operator. Then I explained that I got disconnected during my renewal interview and asked them to put a note in my file about it. They were actually able to schedule me for a callback appointment instead of making me wait on hold again. Also, make sure you have all your documents ready and your phone fully charged before the next attempt - learned that the hard way! 📞

Ugh, the SNAP office is the worst. I swear they're understaffed on purpose. Have you tried emailing them? Sometimes that works better than calling.

Hey Anastasia! I totally feel your frustration - I went through the exact same thing when I had my daughter. One thing that worked for me was calling around lunchtime (11:30am-12:30pm) when there might be less call volume. Also, try pressing different menu options - sometimes the "general information" line has shorter wait times and they can transfer you to the right department. If you haven't already, make sure you have your case number ready and all your documents organized before calling. It sounds silly, but I also found that calling on Tuesdays or Wednesdays worked better than Mondays or Fridays. Hang in there mama, you've got this! 💪👶