I went through this exact same panic in 2019 when my caseworker told me benefits might be interrupted during the shutdown. Turns out she was completely wrong - my EBT card loaded normally every single month during that 35-day shutdown! CalFresh is considered mandatory spending and the system runs automatically. Even if your county office has reduced staff for your recert interview, they'll work with you to reschedule and won't let your benefits lapse. I have 2 kids myself so I totally understand the fear, but you can breathe easy - your family will not go hungry during a shutdown. The misinformation from caseworkers during these times is honestly inexcusable given how much stress it causes families.

I've been receiving CalFresh for about 2 years now and went through the 2023 shutdown situation. Can confirm that benefits continued normally - my EBT card was loaded on schedule every month without any issues. The automated system that handles benefit disbursements is separate from the political budget battles in Washington. What I learned during that time is that CalFresh (SNAP) is considered an "entitlement program" which means it has mandatory funding that doesn't get affected by temporary shutdowns. The only thing that might be impacted is if you need to speak with a caseworker for changes or new applications, since offices might be short-staffed. But your existing benefits will keep coming. Your caseworker really shouldn't have scared you like that - it's frustrating when the people who are supposed to help us spread unnecessary panic instead of facts.

Great to see you got it resolved! For anyone else having similar issues, I'd also recommend checking if your county has text message alerts for CalFresh. Mine sends reminders about reporting deadlines and sometimes includes backup phone numbers when the app is down. You can usually sign up through your BenefitsCal account under notification preferences. It's been a lifesaver when I've had tech issues with both the website and app at the same time.

Another thing that helped me when I had Edge app issues was making sure I had a strong internet connection. The app seems really sensitive to weak WiFi or cellular data. If you're on WiFi, try switching to cellular data or vice versa. Also, some people have reported that logging out of ALL apps on your phone and then restarting before trying Edge works better - something about memory allocation. And if you're still having trouble after trying all these fixes, you can always fax your SAR7 to your county office. Most county fax numbers are on their websites and it's usually processed just as fast as the app uploads.

Just wanted to add another tip that's helped me save money on fees - if your cousin lives near any colleges or universities, many campus bookstores and food courts accept EBT and offer cash back with no fees. I discovered this by accident when I was visiting a friend at UC San Diego. The campus convenience store let me get $40 cash back when I bought a drink, and there was no fee at all. Not every campus location does this, but it's worth checking if he's in the area. Also, for what it's worth, San Diego County's GA program should allow 4 free BofA ATM withdrawals per month before fees kick in. The county office on Broadway downtown sometimes has printed fee schedules available if he wants to stop by in person - sometimes easier than trying to get through on the phone. The staff there seemed more helpful than the eligibility workers at the initial appointment.

This whole thread has been incredibly eye-opening! I had no idea the fee structure was so complicated or that there were so many ways to avoid them. I've been on CalFresh for about 6 months but never had cash benefits before, so this is all new information for me too. One thing I wanted to add that might help your cousin - I recently learned that some Dollar General and Family Dollar stores also offer cash back with EBT purchases, and their limits are usually pretty reasonable (around $40-50). Since there are so many of these stores around, it might give him more options for getting cash without fees, especially if he's in an area without a lot of grocery stores. Also, just want to say how frustrating it is that we all have to crowdsource this basic information that should be clearly explained during the application process. The fact that people are losing money to fees because they weren't properly informed is really messed up. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this is exactly the kind of practical knowledge that makes a real difference in people's lives!

Just wanted to add that if you're ever traveling or temporarily staying somewhere else, your benefits will still load on your regular day regardless of where you are! I was worried about this when I had to stay with family in another county for a few weeks, but everything worked normally. Also, pro tip - if you're ever unsure about whether a store accepts EBT, most grocery store websites have a "payment methods" section that lists if they accept SNAP/EBT. This saved me from some embarrassing situations when I was new to the program. The first few months are definitely the hardest while you're learning everything, but it gets so much easier!

This thread has been so incredibly helpful! As someone who just got approved for CalFresh last week, I was completely lost about when benefits would load. The last digit system makes perfect sense now - my case number ends in 2, so I'll be getting benefits on the 2nd of each month. I've already downloaded the EBT Connect app and set up my BenefitsCal account. It's amazing how much clearer everything becomes when you have people explaining the real-world aspects that aren't covered in the official paperwork. Thank you all for being so welcoming and sharing your experiences - it makes navigating this whole system feel much less overwhelming!

UPDATE: I had my interview this morning and explained the family emergency situation. They're going to restore my benefits under the 'good cause' provision! The worker said there might be a slight delay, but I should get my full benefit amount for next month. She also explained that the payment I get on the 25th is actually from the CAPI program for my elderly mother who lives with us, not P-EBT or CalFresh. So that would have continued regardless. Thank you everyone for your help and advice! And special thanks to whoever recommended Claimyr - that's the only reason I got through to reschedule my interview so quickly.

That's awesome news! Really happy to hear they approved the good cause restoration. It's such a relief when the system actually works in our favor for once. Your story will probably help other people in similar situations too - knowing that family emergencies can qualify for good cause and that there are resources like Claimyr to help get through to the county offices. Thanks for posting the update!