Just to clarify some confusion in this thread: The document you specifically need is called a "Notice of Benefit Determination" from EDD. It clearly states which program you're receiving benefits from (SDI in your case). You can download this directly from your EDD online account under "Claim History" then "Notices and Determination". Print this plus your payment history showing the benefit type. Submit both together to CalFresh with a cover letter explaining these documents prove you are ONLY receiving SDI benefits. If they still give you trouble, request a hearing immediately - they have to prove why they're denying you.

Also wanted to add - if you continue having issues after submitting those EDD documents, you can contact your local legal aid organization for free help. Many have CalFresh specialists who can intervene with the county on your behalf. In my experience, sometimes a call from an advocate gets things moving way faster than when you're dealing with them alone. Hope you get this resolved quickly - no one should have to go hungry over bureaucratic confusion!

Just wanted to add that if you're having trouble getting through to anyone, try calling first thing in the morning (like 8 AM) when they open. I work part-time at a community center and we always tell people the phone lines are clearest in the first hour. Also, don't give up if the first agency you call is out of funding - there are usually multiple organizations in each county that administer these programs. I've seen people get help from their 3rd or 4th try when the first few places were tapped out. Keep a list of everyone you've called so you don't repeat yourself. Good luck with the 14-day deadline - that's really stressful but there are definitely options out there!

Just went through this exact situation 3 months ago! Here's what worked for me as a CalFresh recipient: 1. Applied for LIHEAP through my county's Community Action Agency (got $450 toward my bill) 2. Called my utility company (SCE) and got enrolled in CARE program for ongoing 20% discount 3. Got connected to their payment plan to spread out remaining balance The key was doing ALL of these at the same time, not waiting for one to process before starting the next. With your 14-day deadline, definitely call your utility company TODAY and mention you're applying for assistance - they legally have to postpone disconnection while applications are pending. Also bring your CalFresh EBT card when you apply for LIHEAP - it speeds up the income verification process since you're already pre-qualified. Don't forget to ask about the weatherization program too if your place is drafty! Total time from application to getting help was about 3 weeks, but the disconnection protection started immediately once I called the utility company. You got this!

Just to follow up on this thread - for future reference, here's how to verify if a call is actually from the county: 1. Legitimate county calls about CalFresh typically come from: - The automated system (1-844-741-0373) - Your specific county office (check your paperwork for their number) 2. County workers will NEVER ask for: - Your full Social Security Number over the phone - Your EBT card number and PIN - Banking information 3. If you're unsure, hang up and call back using the official number from your notices or the BenefitsCal website Glad you figured out this was legitimate, OP! Make sure to submit that verification document ASAP to avoid any benefit delays.

This is such a helpful thread! I've been getting those automated calls too and never knew if they were legit. It's really frustrating how vague that "This is Cal..." message is - they should definitely be clearer about which program they're calling about. I'm bookmarking this for future reference since it sounds like these calls are pretty common. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!

does anyone know if they backdated payments? like if it takes them 30 days to approve me will i get food money for that whole month or just from when they approve me??

Hey Sean! I'm new to this whole CalFresh thing too and was stressing about similar stuff. Reading through everyone's responses here has been super helpful. I just wanted to add that when I applied last month, they also asked about my rent and utility bills during the interview - apparently these can help increase your benefit amount through deductions. Since you're working part-time, make sure to mention all your housing costs! Also, totally agree with what others said about answering unknown calls - I almost missed my interview because I didn't recognize the number. Good luck with your application!

BTW - another tip: when you're in the store and ready to check out, you can quickly unlock the card, check out, then lock it again right there in line. Takes like 10 seconds. I've been doing this for months and my cashiers don't even notice the tiny delay. BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY!! My friend had $1200 stolen and they only replaced half of it!!!

Just wanted to add - if you're worried about remembering to lock/unlock, you can also set up a routine where you only unlock right before swiping and lock immediately after the transaction goes through. I've gotten into the habit of doing this and it's basically second nature now. Also, the app shows your last transaction time, so you can double-check that everything looks right. Really glad you're taking steps to protect your family's benefits - with three kids, you definitely can't afford to lose anything to these thieves!