I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Applied in early December, got approved two weeks ago, and just received my current month benefits but still waiting on November and December retroactive payments. This thread has been incredibly helpful - I was starting to panic that I'd done something wrong or missed a deadline. The EBT customer service line tip (1-877-328-9677) is amazing - I called them yesterday and they confirmed my retroactive benefits are "in processing status" which gave me so much peace of mind! They said it typically takes 10-15 business days from approval for backdated benefits to load. Way easier than trying to get through to the county office. I also checked BenefitsCal and found a pending issuance notification that wasn't there before. Based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds like we just need to be patient - the retroactive benefits almost always come through, just on a different timeline than current benefits. Thanks for posting this question, it's helping so many of us understand this confusing process!

I went through this exact situation a few months ago and can confirm that retroactive benefits do come through, but the timing can be frustrating! Applied in August, approved in September, and had to wait about 3 weeks for my backdated benefits to show up after my current month loaded. The key thing that helped me was being persistent but patient. I called the EBT customer service line (1-877-328-9677) that others mentioned here after about 10 days, and they were able to confirm the retroactive payments were processing. Much easier than trying to reach the county office! Since you're seeing a pending issuance in BenefitsCal, that's actually a really positive sign. In my case, that notification appeared about a week before the actual money hit my card. The whole process is definitely anxiety-inducing when you're counting on that money for groceries, but based on everyone's experiences in this thread, those November and December benefits should be coming your way soon!

This entire thread has been absolutely incredible! As someone who just started receiving CalFresh benefits while doing freelance photography work, I was completely lost about the reporting requirements with my wildly inconsistent income. Reading through everyone's experiences has been like getting a crash course in "CalFresh for Freelancers 101." The biggest game-changer for me was finally understanding that you calculate gross income MINUS 40% FIRST, and THEN compare that number to your IRT. I've been doing it backwards and giving myself unnecessary anxiety attacks every time a client paid me! I'm definitely implementing the organizational systems everyone has shared - the monthly tracking spreadsheet, phone reminders, and keeping photos of my approval documents. The tip about taking banking screenshots at month-end for documentation is brilliant too. For other newcomers reading this: don't let the complexity intimidate you. Yes, there's a learning curve, but the system is actually designed to help people with variable income like us. The 40% business expense deduction exists specifically because they recognize freelancers have costs that regular employees don't. Thank you to everyone who shared their real-world experiences and practical tips. This community is such an invaluable resource for navigating these confusing systems. I feel so much more confident about managing my CalFresh benefits now that I understand how it actually works!

This thread has been absolutely amazing to read through! As someone who just got approved for CalFresh while doing freelance writing work, I was totally overwhelmed by the reporting requirements and honestly pretty scared I'd mess something up. The clarity around the 40% deduction calculation has been life-changing - I had no idea that you subtract the 40% BEFORE comparing to your IRT threshold. I've been panicking every time I got a decent payment, thinking I was going over my limit when I probably wasn't even close! I'm definitely going to set up that monthly tracking system everyone's talking about. The idea of calculating gross minus 40% at the end of each month and comparing to my IRT sounds so much more manageable than trying to stress about every individual payment. Also really appreciate everyone sharing their real experiences with overpayments and reporting mistakes. It's reassuring to know that honest mistakes don't immediately lead to fraud accusations - they just adjust future benefits to recoup any overpayment. The Claimyr service tip is something I'm definitely going to try too. I've already spent way too many hours on hold trying to get basic questions answered about self-employment income rules. Thank you to everyone who contributed such detailed, practical advice. This community is incredible for helping newcomers navigate these complex systems! I feel so much more confident now about managing my CalFresh benefits properly.

I'm so sorry this happened to you! EBT theft is unfortunately becoming way too common and it's absolutely heartbreaking when families are already struggling to make ends meet. The 'ebtwm' charges are definitely fraudulent - that notation appears when someone has illegally obtained your card information and is making unauthorized purchases. You've received incredible advice from this community, and it's clear you're taking all the right steps by reporting immediately and filing the proper documentation. I wanted to add one thing that helped when my friend went through this same situation: ask your county office if they can flag your case as "urgent due to children in household" when you submit your CF 303 form. Some counties have internal processes to prioritize families with minor children, but you often have to specifically request this designation. Also, while you're waiting for your replacement benefits, many WIC offices (even if you don't currently receive WIC) maintain lists of emergency food resources specifically for families dealing with benefit theft. They understand the urgency of these situations and might have connections to resources that food banks don't offer. Keep documenting everything with dates and reference numbers, and don't hesitate to follow up regularly. Unfortunately, these cases sometimes get lost in the shuffle if you don't stay on top of them. You're being such a strong advocate for your family, and I'm confident you'll get your stolen benefits replaced. This community is rooting for you - please keep us updated on how your case progresses!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this! EBT theft is becoming such a widespread issue and it's incredibly frustrating, especially when you're already working hard to stretch those benefits for your family. The 'ebtwm' charges are definitely fraud - I've seen this exact pattern hit several families in my community over the past few months. It looks like everyone has given you fantastic advice about the immediate steps to take. One thing I wanted to add from my experience helping families navigate these situations: when you call back to follow up on your case, always ask for the reference number or case ID for that specific call. Sometimes your case gets notes added by different workers, and having those reference numbers can help you piece together the full timeline if there are any delays or confusion later. Also, while you're waiting for the replacement process to work through, don't forget to check if your local library has any family resource programs. Many libraries now partner with food assistance organizations and sometimes have emergency food vouchers or connections to resources that aren't well-publicized. You're handling this crisis really well by acting so quickly and being so thorough with documentation. The system does work, but it definitely requires persistence. Keep pushing forward and don't let anyone make you feel like you're asking for too much - those were your benefits and you absolutely deserve to have them replaced. Sending you and your family positive thoughts for a quick resolution!

This entire thread is like a masterclass in EBT online ordering! I've been putting off trying grocery delivery because I was worried about exactly these kinds of technical issues, but reading through all these real solutions gives me so much confidence. The account settings tip that keeps getting mentioned seems like such a crucial step that the platforms should make way more obvious. I love how everyone shared multiple backup options too - having Walmart, Amazon Fresh, Target/Shipt, and Instacart all as alternatives means you're not stuck if one system is having issues. The timing advice about ordering during off-peak hours is brilliant and something I never would have thought of. Going to start with a small test order this week using all these tips. This community is amazing for actually helping people solve real problems instead of just saying "contact customer service"!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I just moved to a new area and was nervous about setting up EBT online ordering since I'd heard it can be tricky. Reading through all these detailed solutions and seeing how supportive everyone is makes me feel so much more confident about trying it. The step about adding your EBT card to account settings BEFORE placing an order seems like such a simple but crucial detail that I never would have known. I also really appreciate how many people shared backup alternatives - having multiple options like Walmart, Amazon Fresh, Target/Shipt, and Instacart means I won't be stuck if one service has issues. The timing tip about ordering during off-peak hours is genius too. Planning to do a small test order this weekend using these steps. Thank you all for sharing what actually works from real experience!

I'm really glad you shared your experience because I think a lot of us have been in this exact situation! Getting that $13 notification after all the paperwork and waiting definitely feels like a punch in the gut at first. But this whole thread has been so helpful - I had no idea about most of these strategies and programs people are mentioning. The farmers market doubling programs especially caught my attention since there's one near me on Saturdays that I never thought to check out with my EBT card. One thing I wanted to add that's helped me is looking into local churches and community centers even if you're not religious. A lot of them run food pantries or community meals that are open to anyone, no questions asked. I found one that does a "pay what you can" community dinner twice a week where even $2-3 gets you a full meal, and they take EBT. Definitely keep that case active though! From what everyone's saying, having it established makes everything easier when your situation changes. And absolutely report those hour cuts right away - it sounds like the income calculation can shift pretty dramatically even with small changes. Good luck with everything!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this frustration - getting $13 after all that paperwork definitely feels like a slap in the face! But honestly, after reading through everyone's responses here, I'm convinced you should keep it active. I'm in a similar situation (part-time work, student, crazy high rent) and just found out about so many resources I had no idea existed. The automatic enrollment in other assistance programs just for having an active EBT card is huge - utility assistance, phone discounts, internet savings. When every dollar counts, those add up fast. One thing that's been helping me is using my small benefit amount ($18/month) specifically for non-perishable staples like rice, beans, and oats. Then I hit up food banks and my school's pantry for fresh stuff. It's not ideal but it definitely helps stretch things. And everyone's right about reporting your hour cuts immediately! Don't wait for your next review. From what people are sharing, even small income changes can bump you up significantly - like going from minimum benefits to $80-150+. That's absolutely worth dealing with the county office hassle. Hang in there - this system is frustrating but there are definitely ways to make it work better for you!