Just wanted to add my voice to this amazing thread as a new community member! 🌟 I literally just signed up after seeing how incredibly helpful everyone was in solving @Oliver Zimmermann's PIN crisis. The fact that you had hungry kids and nearly $700 in benefits locked away because of a poorly designed phone menu is absolutely heartbreaking - but seeing this community rally around you with solutions just restores my faith in people! @Natasha Volkova you are absolutely brilliant for figuring out that "option 2" secret! It's honestly mind-boggling that something as essential as PIN management is buried under such a vague menu option. And @Emma Davis thank you for providing those alternative methods - having multiple pathways is so important when dealing with these finicky systems. I'm still in the application process myself, but I'm definitely screenshotting this entire conversation for future reference. It's both infuriating that we have to become phone system hackers just to access basic services AND incredibly heartwarming to see how this community fills those gaps with real, practical help. The way everyone shared their personal struggles and solutions shows what makes this place so special. Really excited to be here and hopefully help others once I've navigated the system myself! Thank you all for being such an amazing example of community support! 💙

Just found this community and this thread is absolutely incredible! 🙏 I'm completely new to CalFresh (just submitted my application last week) and was honestly pretty intimidated by all the bureaucratic hoops I'd heard about. But reading through how everyone came together to help @Oliver Zimmermann solve his PIN crisis has given me so much hope about this process! The whole "option 2" mystery that @Natasha Volkova solved is just wild - like who designs a phone system where you have to guess which vague menu option actually contains the service you need?? And @Emma Davis, thank you for breaking down all the different methods! Having multiple approaches is so reassuring for someone like me who gets anxious about navigating new systems. I'm definitely saving this entire thread because I know I'll need these exact steps when my card arrives. It's honestly both maddening that we have to crowdsource basic instructions that should come with the card AND amazing that communities like this exist to fill those gaps. The fact that @Oliver Zimmermann had to stress about feeding his kids while $678 in benefits sat locked away because of poor menu design just shows how broken these systems can be - but then seeing everyone jump in with solutions and support shows how powerful community can be! Really excited to be part of a group where people genuinely look out for each other. Hopefully I can pay it forward and help other newcomers once I've got some experience navigating all this myself! 💙

To answer your follow-up question: Yes, there is a list of authorized online retailers for CalFresh EBT. Currently in California, you can use your EBT card online at Amazon, Walmart, Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Instacart (for certain stores), and ALDI. The USDA periodically adds new retailers to the program. You can check the official list on the GetCalFresh.org website or the California Department of Social Services site. Remember though, delivery fees cannot be paid with EBT - you'll need another payment method for those charges.

Just wanted to add that if you're looking for quick meal options that work with CalFresh, you might want to check out the prepared food sections at grocery stores like Walmart, Target, or Safeway. They often have rotisserie chickens, pre-made salads, and other ready-to-eat items that ARE eligible for EBT purchase since they're sold in the grocery section, not a restaurant. It's not the same as online fast food ordering, but it could be a good middle ground for those busy nights when you need something quick but don't have time to cook from scratch!

Update: I just signed up using the link someone shared above and got approved within a few hours! The process was super easy. Thanks to everyone who helped explain how it works. I'm excited to start using the Prime benefits, especially the free shipping and Prime Video. This will definitely help stretch my budget a bit further!

That's awesome that you got approved so quickly! Just a heads up - if you're planning to use your EBT benefits for grocery delivery through Amazon Fresh or Whole Foods, make sure to check if delivery is available in your area first. Some parts of California don't have coverage yet. Also, there's usually a minimum order amount (around $35) for free delivery even with Prime, but it's still super convenient for bulk shopping or when you can't get to the store. The Fresh pickup option is also great if delivery isn't available - you can order online and just drive up to collect your groceries.

Since you're in Alameda County, you should also check with Bay Area Community Services (BACS). They offer homelessness prevention services and might be able to provide emergency funds or connect you with resources before you reach the eviction point. Also, if you're facing potential eviction, contact Centro Legal de la Raza or Eviction Defense Center ASAP - they provide free legal help for tenants and can sometimes help negotiate payment plans with landlords. As others mentioned, while following up on your CalFresh application is important, it won't directly solve your housing issue since those benefits are specifically for food. That said, getting those food benefits approved will free up whatever money you do have for rent.

UPDATE: Called 211 and they referred me to Season of Sharing. Filled out their application yesterday and they said they'll get back to me within 3 days. Also contacted my landlord and explained the situation - surprisingly he was understanding and said as long as I can pay at least half the rent by the due date, he'll give me until the 15th for the rest. I also checked my CalFresh application status online and it says they're missing income verification from me. Going to upload my pay stubs today. Thanks everyone for the help and suggestions!

I've been growing my own vegetables with CalFresh for three years now and wanted to share some additional tips! Beyond the stores mentioned, I've had success at these places: - Food 4 Less (they have a small garden section in spring) - Smart & Final (limited selection but takes EBT for seeds) - Some Lowe's locations (call first - it's hit or miss like Home Depot) One thing I wish I knew when starting: buy a soil thermometer! Seeds won't germinate if the soil is too cold, and I wasted money my first year planting too early. Also, cherry tomatoes and green beans are super productive - you'll get way more food per plant than regular tomatoes. For anyone worried about not having gardening experience, start small! Even a few pots on a balcony or windowsill can grow herbs and lettuce. I started with just basil and cilantro in containers and now I have a full backyard garden that saves me about $50/month on groceries. The initial investment in seeds/plants pays for itself pretty quickly, especially with these crazy 2025 food prices! The Market Match program really is a game-changer if you can find participating farmers markets. Some even have classes on container gardening specifically for people with limited space.

Just want to add another success story to give people hope! I'm in San Diego and had great luck at Sprouts - they have a decent selection of organic vegetable starts and herb plants, and their EBT system worked perfectly. Got oregano, thyme, and some heirloom tomato seedlings there last month. Also wanted to mention something that might help with the Home Depot confusion - I called their customer service line and they said individual stores can choose to participate in SNAP for eligible items, but it's not company-wide policy. That's why some locations work and others don't. One more tip: if you're growing herbs, they're honestly the best bang for your buck! A $3 basil plant can give you fresh basil for months, and buying fresh herbs at the store costs like $2-3 each time. I've been making pesto, adding to pasta, pizza - it's saved me so much money and tastes way better than store-bought. For anyone just starting out, don't be discouraged if some stores say no to EBT for plants. There are definitely options out there, and once you find your go-to spots it becomes much easier!