I'm so glad you were able to get through and figure out what was holding up your benefits! It's really frustrating that the worker didn't mention needing the housing verification form during your interview - that seems to happen way too often. At least they're going to backdate your benefits to the 7th, so you won't lose out on any money. Hopefully your landlord can fill out that form quickly so you can get your benefits processed ASAP. Thanks for updating us on what happened - this will definitely help other people who run into the same issue!

Really glad you got this sorted out @a55fa451d546! The housing verification form issue is SO common - I've seen this exact scenario play out multiple times in this community. It's honestly poor practice for workers to say someone is "approved" during the interview when there are still outstanding verification requirements. They should really be saying something like "pending receipt of housing verification" instead. But at least you're getting backdated benefits, which is the right outcome. Hope your landlord gets that form back to you quickly!

This thread is absolutely incredible and should honestly be pinned as a resource guide! As someone who's been on CalFresh for about 8 months now, I learned so many things I wish I had known from day one. The temporary card number option especially - that should be printed in bold on every EBT welcome packet! What really stands out to me is how this community has essentially created the emergency handbook that the county should provide but doesn't. It's both inspiring and frustrating - inspiring because of how everyone jumps in to help each other, but frustrating that we HAVE to rely on crowdsourced information for basic survival needs. @Caesar Grant your original post probably helped way more people than just yourself today. I bet tons of folks are bookmarking this for future emergencies. And huge thanks to everyone who shared specific locations, phone numbers, and real experiences - you're literally preventing people from going hungry when the system fails them. This is what real community support looks like! For anyone new reading this: definitely screenshot the key info (numbers, addresses, hours) so you have it handy when you're in crisis mode. This thread is proof that we have each other's backs even when official resources fall short.

This thread is absolutely amazing and such a perfect example of why community support is so vital! As someone who's been on CalFresh for about a year, I've definitely had my share of system frustrations, but thankfully never lost my card until now - and reading through all these responses has me feeling so much more prepared if it ever happens. The fact that @Caesar Grant got his replacement card the SAME DAY he posted shows how powerful this community knowledge is! And honestly, the temporary card number option that @Mae Bennett mentioned is something I had zero clue about - that alone could be a game-changer for so many people facing this emergency. What really strikes me is how everyone jumped in with specific, actionable advice rather than just sympathy. Real phone numbers, actual office locations, step-by-step processes - this is the kind of practical information that literally keeps people fed when the official system lets them down. I'm definitely screenshotting all the key details because you never know when you or someone you know might need this info urgently. The fact that we have to crowdsource such critical emergency information really highlights how much the official CalFresh system needs improvement, but it also shows how incredible this community is at taking care of each other. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences - you're making a real difference! 🙏

This thread has been so incredibly helpful! I'm also new to CalFresh and just got my first IRT letter yesterday. I was completely confused and worried about what it meant - the official language makes it sound so scary! Reading everyone's real experiences here has been such a relief. I work as a rideshare driver so my income varies week to week depending on how much I decide to work. Based on what I'm learning here, it sounds like I only need to worry if my total monthly income goes over my IRT threshold, not the daily fluctuations. My letter says my IRT is $2,850, so I'm going to start keeping track of my monthly totals like some of you suggested. The tip about using BenefitsCal online instead of calling is amazing - I had no idea that was even an option! And I love the idea of setting phone reminders for the 10-day reporting window since I'm terrible with deadlines. Thank you Maya for asking exactly what I was wondering about, and thanks to everyone who shared their stories. You've turned something that felt really intimidating into something I can actually handle! This community is incredible for helping newcomers understand how the system really works.

I'm so grateful I found this thread! Just got my IRT letter last week and was completely panicking about what it meant. I work at a coffee shop and sometimes get asked to cover extra shifts, so I was terrified that picking up a few extra hours would somehow get me kicked off CalFresh entirely. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been such a huge relief - especially learning that going over your IRT just means they recalculate your benefits rather than cutting you off completely. The practical tips about using BenefitsCal online and keeping pay stubs ready are exactly what I needed to hear. I love the idea of setting a phone reminder for the 10-day reporting window since I'm notorious for forgetting important deadlines. And the monthly income tracker suggestion is brilliant - I'm definitely going to start doing that so I can keep an eye on whether I'm approaching my $2,400 threshold. Maya, thank you so much for asking this question! It's exactly what so many of us newbies were wondering but were too nervous to ask. Everyone's stories have made me feel so much more confident about navigating this part of the system. This community is amazing!

Pro tip: If you're having trouble finding the pending deposit info on BenefitsCal, try clearing your browser cache or using a different browser. The site can be glitchy sometimes. Also, the pending amounts usually show up around the 3rd of each month for mid-month deposits and around the 18th for end-of-month deposits. If you still can't see it after a few days, definitely call your county office - sometimes there are technical issues on their end that prevent the info from displaying properly.

Just wanted to add that if you have the ConnectEBT app (the official one), they recently added a "Benefit Schedule" feature that shows your deposit dates for the next 3 months. It doesn't always show the exact dollar amount like BenefitsCal does, but it's super convenient for planning when your benefits will hit. You can find it under the "More" tab at the bottom of the app. Also, if you're getting SNAP Emergency Allotments or any special pandemic benefits, those sometimes show up separately from your regular CalFresh amount, so don't be confused if you see multiple pending deposits listed!

I went through this same transfer from Alameda to San Diego County about 8 months ago and can confirm what everyone else is saying - your EBT card will absolutely keep working! Your $340 is completely safe. Here's what I wish I had known going into my transfer: 1. The physical card stays the same - same number, same PIN, same everything 2. Your existing balance remains accessible throughout the entire process 3. The only risk is a delay with your NEXT month's benefits, not your current funds 4. San Diego County is actually pretty good with transfers compared to some other counties My transfer took about 10 days total, and my next benefits were only delayed by 6 days. They backdated everything so I didn't lose a penny. Pro tip: When you call San Diego County, ask specifically for your "case transfer timeline" - they usually have a standard processing window they can share. Also, if you don't hear back within a week, don't hesitate to call again. These transfers happen all the time and the workers are used to helping people track their status. The anxiety is totally understandable, but you're going to be fine! Your current funds are protected and you'll get through this transition smoothly.

I just wanted to add my experience from moving between counties twice in the past few years - first from Santa Clara to Riverside, then from Riverside to Imperial County. Your EBT card will definitely stay active throughout the transfer process! What I've learned from going through this multiple times: 1. The card itself never gets cancelled - it's a statewide system 2. Your existing balance always stays put (I've never lost a single dollar during transfers) 3. The PIN and card number never change 4. Any delays are usually just with the next month's deposit, not your current funds From my experience, San Diego County is actually one of the better counties for processing transfers quickly. When I had to work with them for a friend's case, they were pretty responsive and gave clear timelines. My biggest piece of advice: document everything! Take screenshots of your balance before the transfer starts, get confirmation numbers from all phone calls, and don't be shy about following up. The workers handle hundreds of cases, so staying organized and persistent really helps. Your $340 is safe - you can shop normally while waiting for the case to fully transfer. The system is specifically designed to prevent people from losing access to benefits during moves like this. Hang in there!