Hey Kaylee! Congratulations on getting the Target job - that's fantastic news! I can totally understand your anxiety about how it might affect your CalFresh benefits, but you're going to be okay. Just wanted to echo what others have said about it being income-based, not hours-based. At $2,100/month for a household of 3, you'll definitely still qualify for benefits, though the amount will be reduced from what you're getting now while unemployed. One thing I'd suggest is calling your county office BEFORE you start the job to give them a heads up about the upcoming change. That way they can walk you through exactly what documentation they'll need and when. Some counties are more helpful than others, but it's worth trying to get ahead of it. Also, keep in mind that your first few paychecks might be smaller while you're in training or getting up to full hours, so your actual monthly income might ramp up gradually. Make sure they understand your expected ongoing income versus what your first paycheck shows. You're doing an amazing job taking care of your kids and yourself - this new job is going to be a great step forward for your family!

Kaylee, first off congratulations on the new job! That's such great news after 6 months of searching. I totally get your worry about losing benefits - I went through the exact same anxiety when I started working again. The good news is that CalFresh is designed to support working families, not punish them for getting jobs. At $2,100/month for a family of 3, you're still well under the income limits and will continue receiving benefits, just at a reduced amount. A few practical tips from my experience: - Report the change within 10 days like others mentioned, but don't stress if you're a day or two late - If you can, submit your offer letter showing expected hours/pay rate before you even start, then follow up with actual paystubs - Target schedules can vary week to week, so your monthly income might fluctuate - they'll usually average it out over a few months The most important thing is staying in communication with your caseworker. I found that being proactive and honest about changes actually made the whole process smoother. You're doing an amazing job providing for your kids, and this new income combined with continued CalFresh support is going to make things so much more stable for your family. You've got this!

I double-checked my address on BenefitsCal and it's correct. Haven't received anything in the mail at all, not even an EBT card. That's a good point though - maybe I should call and verify my mailing address is correct in their system.

I'm so sorry you're going through this - I had a very similar experience last year where my application seemed to just disappear into the void. What finally helped me was filing a complaint with the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) online at cdss.ca.gov. They have a complaint form specifically for delayed applications and they actually follow up with the county on your behalf. It took about a week after I filed the complaint for someone from my county office to call me directly. Turns out my application had been sitting unassigned for over 6 weeks due to staffing issues. The complaint process really lights a fire under them to get moving. You can also contact your local legal aid organization - many have advocates who specialize in benefits issues and can help push your case forward. Don't give up, you deserve to have your application processed in a timely manner!

To answer your earlier question about updating your utility costs - you should call your eligibility worker right away. This is considered a change that could increase your benefits, so you don't need to wait for your next reporting period. If you can't reach anyone by phone, you can also submit this information through your BenefitsCal account online under 'Report a Change.' Make sure to upload copies of your utility bills as verification.

Just want to add that if you're struggling with rent, also look into the Fresno County Emergency Rental Assistance Program - they might still have funding available. I know someone who got 3 months of back rent covered through them last fall. The application process was pretty quick too, like 2-3 weeks from application to approval. You can apply online through their portal or visit one of their partner organizations. And definitely take everyone's advice about updating your utility expenses with CalFresh - that extra money each month really does help stretch your budget!

Update for everyone: I just called the CalFresh policy line to confirm this. Raw turkeys are 100% eligible for CalFresh/EBT purchase at ANY retailer that accepts EBT. This includes all varieties (frozen, fresh, with seasoning packets, brand name or store brand). The only exceptions would be: 1. Pre-cooked/hot prepared turkeys 2. Turkey meals that are ready-to-eat If your EBT is denied for a raw turkey, ask for a manager immediately and have them check the item's classification in their system. Some stores mistakenly code seasonal items incorrectly. If the manager can't resolve it, you can file a report with your county office and they can reach out to the retailer to correct their system.

I work at a grocery store and see this happen sometimes - it's usually because the turkey got scanned wrong in our system or the cashier hit the wrong button. Raw turkeys are definitely EBT eligible! Next time this happens, ask them to manually enter the PLU code or scan it again. If that doesn't work, ask for customer service - they can override it if needed. Don't let one bad experience ruin your Thanksgiving! Most stores will work with you to fix these kinds of mistakes.

Just want to echo what everyone else has said - the homemade route is definitely the way to go! I've been in your exact situation before and ended up making my own ice cream cake. One tip that worked really well for me: buy a pre-made pound cake or angel food cake from the bakery section (totally covered by EBT), slice it in half horizontally, then layer softened ice cream in between and on top. Way easier than starting from scratch and it gives you that nice cake-and-ice-cream combo your son is looking for. You can even drizzle some chocolate syrup between layers to make it extra fancy. The basketball decorations from the dollar store will make it look amazing! Your kiddo is going to be over the moon that his parent made something so special just for him.

This thread is so wholesome! As a newcomer to this community, I'm really impressed by how everyone rallied to help Paolo find a solution. I'm also on CalFresh benefits and have definitely felt that frustration when you want to do something special for your kids but run into these confusing restrictions. The homemade ice cream cake suggestions are genius - and honestly, your son will probably treasure the fact that you made it yourself even more than if you'd bought it from BR. Kids remember when their parents go the extra mile like that. Plus you can make it exactly how he wants with all those basketball decorations! Hope his birthday is absolutely perfect and thanks to everyone for sharing such helpful tips. This is exactly the kind of supportive community I was hoping to find!