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Hey everyone! I'm new to this community and just wanted to say thank you for all the helpful information in this thread. I'm a single parent working two jobs and was really hoping the hot food program would help me out, but I see I don't qualify either. However, I learned a lot about what I CAN use my EBT for that I didn't know before! The cold prepared foods option at grocery stores sounds like it could still save me some time. Does anyone know if places like Costco or Sam's Club deli counters accept EBT for their cold prepared items? I have a membership and their portions are usually pretty good for families. Thanks again for being so welcoming and informative!
Welcome to the community! Yes, both Costco and Sam's Club accept EBT for cold prepared items from their deli counters - things like rotisserie chicken, cold sandwiches, salads, etc. Just make sure they're not heated when you buy them. Their family-sized portions are definitely great value! I'm also a working parent and those cold prepared foods have been a lifesaver on busy nights. You just pop them in the microwave at home and dinner is ready in minutes. Hope this helps and glad you found the thread useful!
Welcome to the community! I'm also relatively new here and have found everyone to be super helpful. Just wanted to add that if you're looking for quick meal solutions with your EBT, don't overlook the frozen food section either - there are tons of healthy frozen meals that you can grab and heat up that are often cheaper than the deli counter options. I work long shifts too and have found that stocking up on frozen burritos, pasta dishes, and even frozen vegetables that steam in the microwave can be real time-savers. Sometimes I'll grab a cold rotisserie chicken from the deli and pair it with some frozen veggies for a complete meal in under 5 minutes. It's not restaurant hot food, but it definitely beats cooking from scratch when you're exhausted from work!
Great suggestions! I hadn't really thought about the frozen section as much - I usually just grab fresh stuff but you're right that frozen meals could be a huge time saver. The rotisserie chicken + frozen veggies combo sounds perfect for my schedule. Do you have any specific frozen meal brands you'd recommend that work well with EBT? I'm always looking for healthy options that my kids will actually eat too. Thanks for the welcome and the tips!
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Thank you so much for the detailed breakdown! This makes so much more sense now. I didn't realize there were so many deductions. We have childcare expenses too for my cousin's kids, so sounds like that would help as well. I'll go ahead with the application now that I understand how it works.
Just wanted to add that when you apply, make sure to bring documentation for everyone in the household - pay stubs, bank statements, rent receipts, utility bills, etc. The more organized you are with your paperwork, the smoother the process goes. Also, if you apply online through BenefitsCal, you can upload documents directly which is super convenient. Good luck with your application! It sounds like you'll definitely qualify and the benefits will really help with groceries for 5 people.
This is great advice! I was wondering about the documentation part. Since my cousin's family just moved in, they don't have recent utility bills at our address yet - will that be a problem? They have pay stubs from their jobs but all their other mail is still going to their old address. Should we wait until they get some mail here or can we explain the temporary living situation?
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my kids got cards but had no $$ on them lol thanks for nothing california
u have to activate them first!! call the number on the back and set a pin, the money wont show up til you do that!!!
I'm going through the exact same thing right now! I have 3 kids (ages 9, 7, and 4) and only got one P-EBT card so far for my oldest. I was panicking thinking I messed something up on my application. Reading everyone's responses here is so reassuring - sounds like this is totally normal and the cards just come at different times. The waiting is stressful though when you're counting on those benefits for groceries. I'll keep checking the mailbox and try to be patient. Thanks for asking this question because I was about to make the same post!
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Welcome to the community and congrats on getting approved! Just wanted to add a few tips from someone who's been using CalFresh for about a year now: 1. Download multiple apps to check your balance - I use both the ConnectEBT app and the BenefitsCal app as backups in case one is down 2. Keep your receipt from your last purchase - it shows your remaining balance at the bottom 3. If you shop at farmers markets, many accept EBT and some even match your spending dollar-for-dollar through programs like Market Match 4. Consider meal planning around your benefit deposit date - I find it helps me budget better throughout the month The learning curve can feel overwhelming at first, but you'll get the hang of it quickly. This community is super helpful if you have questions later on!
This is such great advice, thank you @Noah Irving! I had no idea about the farmers market programs - that sounds amazing. I'm definitely going to look into Market Match in my area. The meal planning tip makes a lot of sense too, especially since I know my benefits will come on the 7th each month now. I'm still figuring out how to budget properly but having a set schedule should help. Really appreciate you taking the time to share these practical tips!
Welcome to the CalFresh family! This thread has so much great information already. I just wanted to add one more tip that really helped me when I first started - if you're ever unsure about whether something is EBT eligible while shopping, most cashiers are super understanding and will let you split your transaction. You can pay for the EBT-eligible items first with your card, then pay for any non-eligible items separately with cash or another card. It takes away the stress of guessing and avoids any embarrassing moments at checkout. Also, don't feel bad about asking store employees - they deal with EBT transactions all day and are usually happy to help clarify what's covered!
Salim Nasir
Hi Melaena! The RAMP (Restaurant Meals Program) allows eligible CalFresh recipients to use their EBT cards at participating restaurants. For Blackstone Avenue in Fresno specifically, I'd recommend checking the official CalFresh website or calling your local county office at (559) 600-2060 for the most current list of participating locations. Restaurant participation can change, so it's best to get up-to-date information. You can also look for "CalFresh EBT Accepted Here" signs at restaurants along Blackstone. Common chains that often participate include Subway, Carl's Jr., and some pizza places, but each location needs to be individually approved. Hope this helps!
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