Just wanted to add my voice to this - I'm currently in week 3 of trying to get through for my interview and it's absolutely exhausting! The system is so broken when people in genuine need have to spend entire days just trying to reach someone. Maya, huge congratulations on finally getting through! That gives me hope that eventually I'll succeed too. I've been following some of the tips mentioned here like calling Tuesday/Wednesday mornings and having all my documents ready, but those wait times are still brutal. It's frustrating that we have to become strategic about something that should be straightforward assistance. Thanks for sharing your experience - this community has been such a lifeline during this stressful process! 💪

I'm so grateful I found this thread! Just submitted my SNAP application last week and was dreading the interview process after hearing horror stories from friends. Reading Maya's success story and everyone's experiences here is both eye-opening and encouraging. The fact that we need survival strategies just to access basic food assistance is honestly heartbreaking, but I'm taking notes on all the tips shared here - calling Tuesday/Wednesday mornings, having all documents ready, and maybe budgeting for that calling service if I get desperate enough. It's incredible how supportive this community is despite everyone dealing with the same broken system. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and creating a space where we can help each other navigate this mess! Wishing everyone patience and success in getting the help they need. 🙏

I'm in the middle of this exact same situation and it's so frustrating! I've been trying to get through for my SNAP interview for over a week now with no luck. Reading through all these strategies has been incredibly helpful though - I had no idea about calling at 7:55 AM to get in queue early or that mid-week timing makes such a difference. The redial trick sounds promising too. It's honestly ridiculous that we need a whole playbook just to talk to someone about benefits we're entitled to, but I'm so grateful for this community sharing what actually works. Going to try the early morning approach tomorrow with a different phone number. Oliver, I really hope you get through soon! Thanks for starting this thread - knowing we're all dealing with the same broken system makes it feel way less isolating. 🙏

I'm going through this exact same nightmare right now! Been calling for days with no luck. This thread is honestly a goldmine of actual strategies that work - I had no idea about the 7:55 AM queue trick or that mid-week timing makes such a difference. It's absolutely insane that we need a whole battle plan just to access benefits we're entitled to, but I'm so grateful everyone is sharing what actually works. Definitely going to try the early morning approach with a different phone number tomorrow. The persistence tips are really encouraging too - knowing that people do eventually get through and get approved quickly after that gives me hope. Thanks Oliver for starting this conversation and thanks to everyone sharing their experiences. At least we know we're not fighting this broken system alone! 💪

Have you tried reaching out on social media? Sometimes tweeting at the official SNAP account can get their attention.

I heard they just implemented a new phone system. Anyone know if it's actually any better?

I went through the same nightmare last year! What finally worked for me was calling at exactly 8:00 AM on a Wednesday. I also made sure to have all my paperwork spread out on my kitchen table before dialing - SS card, pay stubs, rent receipt, everything. It still took 2.5 hours on hold, but I got through! One tip nobody mentions: if you get disconnected, call back immediately. Sometimes they have a callback feature that kicks in after a certain number of dropped calls. Also, don't hang up if you hear dead air - sometimes it takes a minute for them to pick up even after the hold music stops. You've got this! The system is broken but you deserve those benefits. Keep fighting! 💪

I had a similar struggle a few months ago - it's absolutely maddening! What ended up working for me was using the callback option if your state has one. In Montana, you can request a callback through their online portal instead of waiting on hold. It took about 3 days to get the call back, but at least I didn't have to sit by the phone for hours. Also, try calling different regional offices if possible - sometimes the smaller rural offices have shorter wait times than the main city numbers. Don't give up, you're not alone in this frustration! 🤞