Almost forgot! If you have kids under 18, check with their schools too. Many Orange County school districts have emergency family resource funds through their McKinney-Vento programs, especially if you're at risk of losing utilities which could make your housing unstable. My daughter's school ended up helping with a $200 emergency utility grant last year when we were struggling.

I've been in a similar situation with high utility bills while on CalFresh. One thing that really helped me was getting a home energy audit through SoCalGas - they do them for free and can identify issues like the heater problem you mentioned. They found that my old water heater was using way more gas than it should have been. Also, if you're renting, your landlord is actually responsible for maintaining appliances in working order, so definitely push them to check that heater ASAP. A malfunctioning heater could be costing you hundreds every month. While you're waiting for LIHEAP approval, you might also try calling your local United Way chapter - they sometimes have small emergency grants that can bridge the gap. Good luck, and don't give up - there really are resources out there to help!

That's a great tip about the Kirkland brand! And I didn't know the benefits roll over - that's a relief. I was worried I'd have to spend everything by the end of each month or lose it.

Welcome to CalFresh! I've been using these benefits for about 2 years now and wanted to share a few practical tips that helped me when I was starting out: 1. Download your store's app before shopping - many grocery stores (Safeway, Vons, etc.) let you add digital coupons that stack with EBT, helping you stretch your benefits further. 2. Check your balance regularly by calling the number on your card or using the eConnectCA app. I got caught short at checkout once because I thought I had more than I did. 3. If you're planning to shop at multiple stores in one trip, ask the cashier to split your payment if needed. You can use EBT for eligible items and pay cash/card for everything else. 4. Keep your receipts! They show your remaining balance and help you track what's EBT-eligible vs what isn't. The learning curve is real but you'll get the hang of it quickly. Don't be embarrassed to ask cashiers questions - most are very helpful and understanding. Good luck with your first shopping trip!

Fresh EBT app is what I've been using for about 2 years now. It lets you check your balance, see transaction history, and even find stores that accept EBT near you. The app also sends notifications when your benefits are loaded each month. Super helpful for budgeting! Much more reliable than BenefitsCal which seems to be down half the time.

Update: I was able to get the card number from my mom and downloaded the Fresh EBT app. It worked perfectly! Could see that my May benefits did load ($835 for my household of 3). Thanks everyone for the suggestions!

This whole conversation has been incredibly helpful for understanding the CalFresh timeline! I'm actually in week 3 of my application process and just received my EBT card yesterday with no benefits loaded yet. Reading Sofia's experience and everyone's responses really put my mind at ease - I was starting to think something went wrong with my case. The fact that the card arrives before approval seems to confuse so many people (myself included!). I'm definitely going to log into my BenefitsCal account first thing tomorrow to double-check that all my verification documents went through properly. It sounds like missing or unclear documents are the biggest cause of delays. Thanks to everyone who shared their timelines and experiences - this community is such a valuable resource for navigating this complex system!

This thread is exactly what I needed to read! I'm on day 18 of my CalFresh application and got my EBT card 3 days ago with zero balance. Like everyone else here, I was starting to panic thinking something went wrong. It's so frustrating that they don't clearly explain that the card comes BEFORE approval - I wasted so much time worrying for nothing! Reading Sofia's update about the missing ID document really opened my eyes. I thought I had uploaded everything perfectly, but now I'm wondering if one of my documents didn't go through properly. Definitely calling my worker tomorrow to double-check my verification status. This community is amazing for helping us understand what's actually normal in this confusing process!

Just to clarify some confusing information in this thread, P-EBT has specific eligibility criteria and timeframes. For the current 2024-2025 school year program: 1. Children must qualify for free or reduced-price meals at a school participating in the National School Lunch Program 2. Regular benefits run through the end of the school year (typically June 2025) 3. Summer P-EBT typically covers June-August 2025 4. Benefit amounts are currently $120 per eligible child per month during the school year 5. Summer benefits are typically a one-time payment of $395 per eligible child The state should send you a notice before the program ends. If your situation changes, you should contact your county office.

I wanted to add something that might help with your planning - keep an eye on your EBT card balance regularly because P-EBT deposits don't always happen on the same date each month. I've noticed they can vary by a few days, which threw off my grocery shopping schedule when I was budgeting really tight. Also, if you haven't already, consider looking into local food banks and pantries as a backup plan for when P-EBT ends. Many don't have income requirements and can help bridge the gap. Our local pantry at the community center has been a lifesaver during tight months. You can usually find locations through 211 (just dial 2-1-1) or the California Association of Food Banks website.