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I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! My BenefitsCal account has been locked for over a week and I'm getting so stressed about missing important deadlines. Reading through all these responses is actually really reassuring - I thought I was the only one having these problems. I'm definitely going to try that technical support number (1-800-541-5555) that @Mateo Sanchez shared. It's so frustrating that we have to jump through all these hoops just to access our own case information! Thank you @Nia Wilson for posting this and everyone for sharing your solutions. It's incredible how this community helps each other when the actual system fails us. I'll update once I try calling that number!
I'm so glad you found this thread helpful! I was feeling the exact same way when I first discovered this community - it's such a relief to know we're not alone in dealing with these frustrating system issues. That technical support number really seems to be the key for getting BenefitsCal account problems resolved quickly. I'm also new to navigating all this and have been amazed by how supportive everyone here is. Definitely keep us posted on how the call goes! Fingers crossed they can get your account unlocked right away. It's honestly ridiculous that we have to become detectives just to access our own benefits information, but at least we have each other to share these workarounds.
I'm new to this community but have been dealing with CalFresh for about 6 months now. This thread is incredibly helpful! I had no idea there was a separate technical support line for BenefitsCal - I've been calling the regular county office and waiting hours just like everyone else. It's honestly mind-blowing how many people are experiencing the same portal issues. Makes me wonder if they're doing this on purpose to discourage people from checking their benefits status. Anyway, I'm bookmarking that 1-800-541-5555 number for future reference. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and solutions - this community is already proving to be more helpful than any government hotline I've called!
Welcome to the community! You're absolutely right about this thread being a goldmine of information. I'm fairly new here too and can't believe how much more helpful this community is compared to trying to navigate the official channels. That technical support number has been mentioned so many times in this thread that I'm convinced it's the real secret weapon for dealing with BenefitsCal issues. It's honestly sad that we have to rely on each other to figure out basic things like how to access our own benefits information, but I'm so grateful this community exists. The portal problems definitely seem way too common to be coincidental - it really makes you wonder if there's something more intentional going on. Anyway, definitely save that number and hopefully you'll never need to use it!
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This thread has been so educational! I'm about 2 months into my CalFresh certification and was completely confused about the timeline. From everyone's responses, it's clear that the standard process is: - 12-month certification period - SAR7 (Semi-Annual Report) at month 6 - only need income verification for the ONE specific month they ask about on the form - Full recertification at month 12 with more comprehensive documentation I work at a coffee shop with fluctuating hours plus do some DoorDash on weekends, so the variable income aspect really resonates with me. It's super reassuring to know that I can include explanatory notes about temporary income changes and that the workers actually read them. One question - when they say "income from the report month," does that mean income I RECEIVED during that month, or income I EARNED during that month? Like if I got paid on March 1st for work I did in February, which month does that count toward? I want to make sure I'm reporting correctly when my SAR7 comes up! Thanks everyone for making this so much clearer than the official paperwork does!
Great question about the timing! For CalFresh reporting, you report income based on when you RECEIVED it, not when you earned it. So if you got paid on March 1st for February work, that counts as March income for reporting purposes. This is actually really important for people with jobs that have pay periods that cross month boundaries, or for gig work like DoorDash where payments can be delayed. Always go by the date the money actually hit your bank account or when you received the physical paycheck. So for your coffee shop job, if you got paid twice in March (even if one paycheck was for February work), both paychecks would count as March income. Same with DoorDash - whatever payments you actually received during the report month is what you'd include. This can definitely make things confusing when your pay schedule doesn't align perfectly with calendar months, but the key is just being consistent about using the received date. And if it's a weird situation (like getting two paychecks in one month because of timing), that's another good thing to mention in your explanatory note! You're asking all the right questions to make sure you do this correctly. The coffee shop + gig work combo is super common and the workers are used to seeing variable income like that.
This thread has been incredibly helpful for someone new to CalFresh like me! I just got approved last month and was already anxious about what comes next. Reading through everyone's real experiences has made this whole process feel so much more manageable. I work as a server at a restaurant where my tips vary wildly depending on shifts and seasons, plus I occasionally do some house cleaning on my days off. The variable income situation had me really worried about how to handle reporting, but now I understand that for the SAR7 I just need to focus on whatever I actually received during their specific report month - not trying to average things out or predict future earnings. The advice about including explanatory notes is a game changer too. My restaurant hours got cut back significantly last month due to a kitchen renovation, so when my SAR7 time comes I'll definitely include a note explaining that it was temporary and not reflective of my normal income. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their experiences and break this down in plain English! The official notices from the county are so intimidating with all the legal language, but hearing from people who've actually navigated this system makes it feel much less scary. This community is amazing!
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As a newcomer to this community, I'm so grateful to have found this thread! I just moved to California and had the exact same shocking experience at Trader Joe's last week - I was trying to buy their hot tikka masala from the prepared foods section and was completely confused when the cashier said I couldn't use my EBT card for it. Like many others here, I'm living in a tiny studio apartment with just a microwave and mini fridge, so prepared meals would be such a lifesaver for my budget and time management. Reading through everyone's explanations about the 1977 federal rule really helps me understand the historical context, but it's mind-boggling that we're still operating under regulations from almost 50 years ago that don't reflect how people actually live today! The fact that I can buy the exact same food cold but not hot is just absurd. I really appreciate all the practical tips everyone has shared - especially the idea about asking stores to refrigerate hot items first. It's both comforting and concerning to see how many people are dealing with this same frustrating situation. This community seems like such an amazing resource for navigating these bureaucratic challenges. I'm definitely going to look into contacting my representatives about updating these outdated federal rules!
Welcome to the community, Omar! Your Trader Joe's experience sounds exactly like what so many of us have been through - that moment of total confusion when you're just trying to buy food and hit this invisible bureaucratic wall. The tikka masala situation is particularly frustrating because those prepared meals are actually really good value and perfect for situations like ours with limited cooking facilities. Your studio setup with just a microwave and mini fridge is so common nowadays, yet these 1977 rules act like everyone has a full kitchen! It's encouraging to see more newcomers sharing their stories because it really highlights how widespread this issue is. That workaround about asking stores to refrigerate hot food is definitely worth trying, though as others mentioned it really depends on getting sympathetic staff. I love that you're already thinking about contacting representatives - the more voices we have pushing for federal reform, the better chance we have of getting these outdated rules changed for good!
As someone completely new to this community, I just wanted to say thank you for this incredibly informative discussion! I literally just experienced this exact same frustration at my local grocery store two days ago - I was trying to buy a hot prepared meal from the deli section and was totally baffled when told I couldn't use my EBT card for it. Coming from someone who's living in a small apartment with just basic cooking facilities, this restriction feels so arbitrary and outdated. Reading through everyone's experiences and the detailed explanations about the 1977 federal rule really helps me understand the "why" behind this policy, even though it clearly doesn't make sense for how people live today. I'm especially grateful for all the practical workarounds and resources people have shared here - the Claimyr service for getting through to case workers sounds like a game changer, and I'm definitely going to try that tip about asking stores to refrigerate hot items first. It's both reassuring and frustrating to see how many people are dealing with this same issue. This community seems like such a supportive place for navigating these confusing benefit systems. I'm inspired by those of you who are already reaching out to representatives about updating these outdated federal regulations - count me in for advocating for change too!
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Thank you so much Carmen for the official clarification! As someone who's been stressed about navigating this system, having a real case worker confirm everything that's been shared here is incredibly reassuring. I really appreciate you taking the time to provide the official perspective and the specific tip about checking the "expedited" box - that's exactly the kind of detail I needed to know. The fact that there are phone workers who can walk through the application step by step is also really comforting. I was worried about messing something up on the online application again. I'm going to call 211 today to get connected to the emergency food assistance while I prepare my CalFresh reapplication. Thank you for doing this work and for caring enough to help families like mine! 🙏
I'm so glad to see a case worker jump in with official info! This whole thread has been incredibly helpful for understanding the system. One thing I wanted to add based on my experience - when you're gathering your documentation for the reapplication, also consider including any text messages or emails from your manager about the hour cuts if you have them. Even informal communication can help show the timeline of when your circumstances changed. Also, since you mentioned you're in San Bernardino County, I know the Victorville and San Bernardino offices sometimes have different wait times if you do decide to go in person at some point. But honestly, with a 4-month-old, the expedited online route that Carmen mentioned sounds like your best bet. You're going to get through this - having a case worker confirm that you can reapply immediately and likely qualify for expedited processing is such good news!
This is such great advice about keeping text messages and emails from managers! I actually do have a text from my manager from about 2 weeks ago saying that everyone's hours were being cut due to slow business, so I'll definitely include that with my application. It's really smart to think about informal communication as documentation - I would have just focused on pay stubs. And thank you for the tip about different office wait times! I'm definitely going to stick with the online expedited route like Carmen suggested, especially since dealing with a cranky 4-month-old in a government office sounds like my worst nightmare right now 😅 Having an actual case worker confirm all this information has made me feel so much more confident about reapplying. I'm going to get my documentation together this weekend and submit everything Monday!
Zara Mirza
My experience with CalFresh as a senior has been AWFUL. I submitted medical expenses 3 times and they kept "losing" them. When I finally got through to a supervisor, my benefits went from $23 to $157 overnight. The system is designed to frustrate us into giving up!! One trick I learned - if you have any special diet needs recommended by your doctor (low sodium, diabetic, etc), get a doctor's note. Those special dietary needs can sometimes help your case because they recognize those foods cost more.
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Diego Flores
•That's a helpful tip about the special dietary needs! I do follow a low-sodium diet for my blood pressure, and my doctor has definitely documented that. I'll make sure to mention that when I submit my medical expenses. It's disheartening to hear they "lost" your documentation multiple times - I'll be sure to keep copies of everything I send them.
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Sean Flanagan
As someone who's been helping seniors navigate CalFresh for years, I want to emphasize something crucial that might not be obvious: ALWAYS submit medical expenses with your initial application, not just during appeals. The county workers often don't proactively ask about medical deductions, but they can make a huge difference. For seniors specifically, here's what counts as medical expenses: - Medicare Part B and Part D premiums - Supplemental insurance premiums - Prescription copays and deductibles - Over-the-counter medications prescribed by your doctor - Medical equipment (glasses, hearing aids, etc.) - Transportation costs to medical appointments - Dental and vision expenses not covered by insurance The key is documenting EVERYTHING over $35/month. Keep receipts, get statements from your insurance companies, and don't assume "small" expenses don't matter - they add up quickly and can significantly increase your benefits. Also, make sure to ask about the "elderly simplified reporting" option that @Mateo Sanchez mentioned. This protects seniors from benefit reductions due to small income changes like COLA adjustments.
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Marcelle Drum
•This is incredibly helpful information! As someone new to navigating CalFresh benefits, I had no idea there were so many medical expenses that could qualify for deductions. I'm wondering - do you have any advice on how to properly document transportation costs to medical appointments? My elderly neighbor drives me to my doctor visits since I don't have a car, and I reimburse her for gas. Would receipts for those gas reimbursements count, or does it need to be more formal documentation like mileage logs? Also, is there a standard rate they use for calculating transportation costs, similar to IRS mileage deductions? The elderly simplified reporting option sounds like a lifesaver for preventing these constant benefit fluctuations. I'm definitely going to ask about that when I contact my county office. Thank you for breaking down all these categories so clearly!
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