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Just to add one more helpful tip - if you're planning to do a big grocery shopping trip, consider calling ahead to check your balance or using the EBT app to make sure you have enough benefits loaded. Sometimes there can be delays in when your monthly benefits get added to your card, especially if it's your first month. Also, keep your receipt after shopping! It will show your remaining balance, which is super handy for planning your next grocery trip. And don't worry about the "sun bucks" thing - honestly, EBT cards have had so many different names over the years that older folks sometimes mix them up. What matters is that you have your benefits and you know how to use them now!
That's really smart advice about checking the balance beforehand, especially for the first month! I hadn't thought about potential delays in benefits being loaded. And keeping the receipt for the balance info is such a practical tip - I'll definitely make sure to do that. It's actually kind of funny how many different names these cards have had over the years. Thanks for all the helpful details, Miguel! This community has been so incredibly helpful for a newcomer like me.
Hey Astrid! I just wanted to chime in with one more thing that might be helpful - when you're ready to go shopping, bring a backup payment method (cash or debit card) just in case there are any technical issues with your EBT card on your first trip. Sometimes the card readers at stores can be temperamental, and it's nice to have peace of mind knowing you can still get your groceries if needed. Also, if you have a smartphone, download the "FreshEBT" app - it's a third-party app that makes it super easy to check your balance without having to call the customer service number every time. And honestly, don't worry too much about your neighbor's "sun bucks" terminology - older generations sometimes have their own nicknames for these things. What's important is that you're getting the help you need! Welcome to the CalFresh program and don't hesitate to ask if you have any other questions.
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I'm new to this community but wanted to share my recent experience with CalFresh in San Bernardino County. I was also initially denied due to missing documentation, but I successfully got approved on my second application last month. A few tips that helped me: - When you reapply, submit EVERYTHING at once rather than sending documents separately. I scanned all my papers and uploaded them together online. - The county office has walk-in hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays 8-11am if you can't get through by phone. Sometimes it's faster than calling. - They do count your high rent as a major factor - with $1875/month rent, that should definitely help your case under the net income calculation. Also, if you qualify for expedited processing (which it sounds like you might based on your income vs. expenses), they're required to process your application within 3 days instead of the usual 30. Make sure to check that box on the application! Good luck with your reapplication - it sounds like you have a strong case with the complete documentation this time.
Welcome to the community! This is really helpful advice, especially about the walk-in hours - I had no idea they offered that option. The Tuesday/Thursday 8-11am walk-in might be perfect since I've been having such trouble getting through by phone. And yes, definitely going to check the expedited processing box since our rent is way more than what we bring home. Thanks for sharing your success story - it gives me hope that the second application will work out better!
I went through something similar in San Bernardino County earlier this year! The key thing that helped me was understanding that they use a "prospective budgeting" approach - so they look at what your income will be going forward, not what you've already earned. Since your partner makes $800/week consistently, they'll calculate that as $3,464 monthly gross income. But here's what saved me: with your $1875 rent, you're paying way more than 50% of your net income on housing, which triggers the "excess shelter deduction." Here's roughly how your calculation might work: - Gross monthly: $3,464 - 20% earned income deduction: -$693 - Standard deduction: -$218 - Net income before shelter: $2,553 - 50% of net for shelter allowance: $1,277 - Your actual rent exceeds this by $598, so that becomes another deduction - Final net income: around $1,955 The net income limit for 2 people is about $2,500, so you should qualify! Make sure when you reapply that you emphasize the high housing costs and submit your lease agreement. San Bernardino County processed my corrected application pretty quickly once I had all the docs together.
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Wow, this thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm a new CalFresh recipient and had no idea about any of these workarounds. I've been struggling with the same EBTedge password issue for days and was getting so frustrated. The fact that counties automatically create accounts without telling us is mind-blowing - they really should include this information in the welcome packet or something! I'm definitely going to try the standard security question answers (DOB, last 4 SSN, zip code) that Marcelle suggested, and if that doesn't work, the text balance option to 42265 sounds perfect for my immediate needs. It's honestly ridiculous that we need a whole community forum just to figure out how to access our own benefits, but I'm so grateful this information is here. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences and solutions!
Welcome to CalFresh, Olivia! You're absolutely right that they should include this info in the welcome materials - it would save so many people from this exact frustration. I'm a newcomer here too and just learned about most of these solutions from reading through this thread. The community knowledge sharing here is amazing! Definitely try Marcelle's suggestion with the standard security questions first since that seems to work for most people. And yeah, having that text option (42265) as a backup is such a relief to know about. Good luck getting into your account, and don't hesitate to come back and share if you discover any other helpful tips!
This is such a useful thread! I'm also new to CalFresh and ran into the exact same EBTedge password issue last week. I had no clue that counties automatically set up accounts for us - they definitely should mention this during the application process! I ended up calling the EBT customer service line and waiting on hold for almost 2 hours, which was really frustrating when I just needed to check my balance quickly. The text option to 42265 that Collins shared is a total game-changer - I just tried it and got my balance instantly! For anyone else dealing with this, I also found that some grocery stores can check your EBT balance at customer service if you bring your card. Not ideal for privacy, but it's another backup option if the apps and phone systems aren't working. Thanks to everyone who shared their solutions here - this community is so helpful for navigating all these confusing systems!
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i heard they making everyone use the new chip ebt cards soon bc of all the skimming happening. did u have the old swipe card? my friend said the chip ones r safer
This is correct. California is currently rolling out new chip-enabled EBT cards to combat skimming fraud. However, the rollout is happening county by county and won't be completed until late 2025. Until you receive a chip card, some safety tips include: 1. Check card readers for loose or suspicious parts before inserting your card 2. Cover the keypad when entering your PIN 3. Monitor your balance regularly through the ConnectEBT app 4. Consider keeping minimal balances on your card by planning regular shopping trips
I'm so sorry this happened to you! EBT theft is absolutely devastating, especially when you're trying to budget and plan ahead like you were doing. I went through something similar last year - thieves hit my card at a gas station in Fresno while I was in Long Beach. Here's what worked for me: 1. You did the right thing calling immediately to freeze the card 2. When you file the police report, make sure to get a case number - you'll need it for the CalFresh claim 3. Ask your caseworker about "interim assistance" while waiting for the investigation - some counties can provide temporary emergency benefits 4. Document EVERYTHING with photos of your transaction history and keep all reference numbers The waiting period is brutal, but most people do get their benefits restored. In the meantime, check with local churches and community centers too - many have emergency food programs specifically for situations like this. Stay strong, and don't let anyone make you feel bad for having savings on your card. You were being responsible by planning ahead! 💙
Caesar Grant
To clarify for everyone - the standard CalFresh issuance schedule for 2025 is as follows, based on the last digit of your case number: • 1st of the month: Cases ending in 1, 2, 3, or L • 2nd of the month: Cases ending in 4, 5, 6, or M • 3rd of the month: Cases ending in 7, 8, 9, or N • 4th of the month: Cases ending in 0 or O So the OP's benefits were correctly loaded on the 1st since their case begins with L. Different counties may have various supplemental programs (like the 'Sun Bucks' mentioned), but the standard CalFresh issuance follows this schedule statewide.
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Giovanni Mancini
I'm new to CalFresh too and this whole thread was super educational! I just got approved last week and was worried I'd run into similar confusion when my card arrives. The fact that there can be multiple benefit types on one card is something they definitely don't explain well in the approval materials. Really glad you got it sorted out and thanks to everyone who provided such detailed explanations - this is exactly the kind of info that should be included in the welcome packet but never is!
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