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Glad they showed up! Just FYI for the future, make sure you complete your SAR7 (Semi-Annual Report) when they send it to you around the 5th month. A lot of people lose benefits because they forget to turn it in. And you'll need to do recertification at the 12-month mark. They should send you reminders but the system isn't perfect.
Thanks for the heads up! I'll definitely watch for that SAR7 form in a few months. I really don't want to lose my benefits over paperwork!
Malik, I'm so glad your benefits showed up! This is actually a really common concern for new CalFresh recipients. Just wanted to add one more tip - if you ever have questions about your benefit schedule or need to check when your next issuance is due, you can also text your EBT card number to 997-279 and get an instant balance and last transaction info. Super helpful when you're out shopping and want to double-check your available balance without calling the 1-800 number. Welcome to the CalFresh program!
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my benefits used to come on the 8th but now they come on the 10th and nobody can explain why??? anyone else have their day change for no reason??
That's unusual. The issuance date is tied to your case number. If your date changed, it could mean your case was closed and reopened with a new case number (maybe during recertification). I would definitely call your county office to ask about this.
Welcome to CalFresh! The confusion is totally understandable - there's a lot of information to process when you first get approved. Just to echo what others have said, your benefits will be loaded on the 7th of each month since your case number ends in 7. One thing I wish someone had told me when I started: benefits usually post overnight, so if you check your balance late on the 6th (like after 10 PM), they might already be there. Also, grocery stores sometimes have delays processing EBT transactions early in the morning on benefit days, so if your card gets declined around midnight-2 AM, try again a bit later. The approval paperwork can be overwhelming, but definitely keep it all in a safe place - you'll need to reference it for things like your reporting requirements and recertification dates. Good luck with your grocery shopping!
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For anyone who's had their benefits stolen or is worried about it happening, here are some additional prevention tips from my CalFresh worker: 1. Never use your card at gas station pumps - go inside to pay 2. Only use your card at major grocery stores (they have better security) 3. Change your PIN on payday before shopping 4. Check your balance before and after every purchase 5. If possible, use up your benefits within the first week they're available These steps have kept me safe since my theft last year!
These are great tips! I didn't even think about gas station pumps being more risky. Will definitely be more careful about where I use my card from now on. Do you know if using the EBT app to check your balance is secure?
My worker said the app is secure, but recommended changing your password regularly and not saving it on your phone. Also never check your balance on public WiFi!
This is such valuable information, thank you for sharing your timeline! I've been putting off reporting what I think might be fraudulent activity on my account because I was scared about being without benefits for months. Knowing you got yours back in just 15 days is really encouraging. I noticed some transactions at stores I've never been to about 3 weeks ago - should I still report it even though it's been a while? Also, did you have to provide anything besides bank statements to prove you weren't at those locations?
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Wow, this thread has been super helpful! I'm new to CalFresh and just applied last month. I was wondering why the myBenefitsCalWIN app on my phone wasn't working properly - it would load but then crash when I tried to check my case status. Sounds like I should skip that entirely and go straight to BenefitsCal.com instead? Also, does anyone know if the BenefitsCal website works better on mobile browsers or should I look for a new app?
Yes, definitely go straight to BenefitsCal.com! The mobile browser version works really well - I actually prefer it to using apps sometimes because it's always up to date. You don't need to download a separate app, just bookmark the website on your phone. Since you're new to CalFresh, you'll find BenefitsCal much more user-friendly than the old system. You can check your case status, upload documents, and even get notifications about important deadlines. Welcome to the program and glad this thread helped you too!
Just wanted to add my experience for anyone still struggling with this - I had the exact same problem a few weeks ago and it was so frustrating! The myBenefitsCalWIN app would either not load at all or give me error messages. I finally called my local county office (took forever to get through) and they confirmed that they're moving everyone to BenefitsCal. The worker told me that some people are experiencing a delay in the transition, which is why the old system stops working before they get notified about the new one. She also mentioned that if you have trouble linking your case on BenefitsCal, you can bring your case number and ID to the office and they'll help you set it up. It's annoying that there wasn't better communication about this change, but at least the new system actually works better once you're on it!
This is exactly what I needed to hear! I've been dealing with the same frustrating situation and had no idea there was even a transition happening. It's really disappointing that the county offices aren't proactively informing people about these changes - I almost missed my recertification deadline because I couldn't access my account for weeks. Thank you for mentioning that they can help set up the BenefitsCal account in person if needed. That might be a good backup option for people who aren't as comfortable with technology. It's reassuring to know the new system actually works better once you get past the initial setup hurdles!
Alfredo Lugo
This is such a nightmare situation and I'm so sorry you're dealing with this! The good news is that everyone here has given you excellent advice and you're taking all the right steps. One thing I wanted to add that I don't think anyone mentioned - if you're having trouble getting through to your county worker or if they seem slow to respond, you can also try contacting your local CalFresh office directly instead of going through the main county number. Sometimes the local offices are more responsive and the workers there are more familiar with benefit theft cases. Also, while you're waiting for everything to get sorted out, check if there are any churches or community organizations near you that do emergency food distribution. Many don't require any paperwork and can help bridge the gap while you're waiting for your benefits to be restored. You're doing everything right by acting quickly and being proactive. With three kids to feed, this has to be so stressful, but it sounds like you have a solid plan now. Keep us posted on how it goes with your county worker - we're all rooting for you to get this resolved fast!
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Connor O'Brien
•Thank you so much for the suggestion about contacting the local CalFresh office directly! I didn't even think about that - I was just planning to call the main county number. That's a great tip that could save me a lot of time and frustration. And you're absolutely right about checking churches and community organizations. There's actually a church down the street from me that I've seen doing food distributions on weekends. I was hesitant to ask for help but you're right that this is exactly what those programs are for. It is incredibly stressful trying to figure out how to feed my kids while dealing with all this bureaucracy, but everyone's advice has been so helpful. I'm feeling much more prepared to navigate this process now. I'll definitely keep everyone updated on how things go with the county worker tomorrow!
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Cedric Chung
I'm so sorry this happened to you! As someone who works at a local food bank, I want to echo what others have said about seeking emergency food assistance while you wait for your benefits to be restored. Most food banks and pantries have specific protocols for families dealing with EBT theft - you don't need to feel embarrassed about asking for help, this is exactly what these services are designed for. When you visit, bring any documentation you have about the theft (your EBT fraud case number, etc.) as it can help expedite the process. Many locations also partner with local schools and can provide kid-friendly foods and snacks that work well for families. Also, if you have WIC benefits, make sure those weren't compromised too - sometimes criminals target multiple benefit programs. You've gotten great advice here about the CalFresh replacement process, so I won't repeat that, but please don't hesitate to use community resources while you wait. That's what they're there for! Wishing you a quick resolution to this nightmare situation.
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