This has been such an incredibly helpful thread! As someone who's also new to CalFresh and has been nervous about traveling with my EBT card, seeing all these real experiences and expert advice has been amazing. I love how this community comes together to help each other out with practical tips - from the SNAP Retailer Locator app to the warehouse store suggestions to bringing a cooler bag for Nevada heat. It's clear that the EBT system really does work seamlessly across states, which is such a relief to know. @Sofía Rodríguez I hope you have the most wonderful time meeting your nephew and helping your sister! This thread is definitely going into my saved posts for future reference when I travel. Thank you everyone for sharing your knowledge and experiences! 💙

This thread has been such a goldmine of information! I'm bookmarking it for sure. One thing I wanted to add that I didn't see mentioned - if you're planning to shop at any Target stores in Nevada, they have a really user-friendly EBT checkout process and their staff is usually well-trained on out-of-state cards. I've used my California EBT there during trips to Arizona and it was super smooth. Also, Target often has good deals on baby items if you want to pick up anything for your nephew! Their store brand diapers and wipes are EBT eligible and really affordable. Have an amazing trip and enjoy those precious newborn moments - being an aunt is going to be the best! 👶🎯

Hey Leslie! Welcome to the community! I just went through this exact same process in San Diego County about 3 months ago and completely understand that overwhelming feeling after such a long approval wait. Everyone here has given you fantastic advice about the card being mailed automatically - that's exactly how it works! One thing I'd add that really helped me during the waiting period was to make sure your mailbox is easily accessible for your mail carrier and clearly labeled with your name, especially if you're in an apartment complex. I also found it helpful to let a trusted neighbor know you're expecting an important benefit card in case they accidentally receive it or see it sitting out. San Diego County has been pretty reliable with the 5-7 day timeframe in my experience - mine arrived on day 6. Also, just a heads up that when you do activate your card, you might want to test it with a small purchase first just to make sure everything works properly before doing a big grocery run. The whole process really does get so much easier once you have the card in hand! This community has been amazing for answering all those questions that the official materials don't cover clearly. Congrats on making it through that lengthy approval process - you're almost there!

Hey Leslie! Just wanted to add my experience as someone who went through this in San Diego County about a year ago. Everyone's given you great advice about the card coming in the mail automatically! One thing that really helped ease my anxiety during the waiting period was knowing that San Diego County actually has a pretty good track record - my card arrived in exactly 7 days. Also, since you mentioned this is your first time on benefits, I'd suggest taking a screenshot of this thread or bookmarking it because there's so much helpful info here that you might want to reference later when you're getting familiar with the system. The EBT app that someone mentioned is seriously a lifesaver once you get your card - I use it way more than I expected to. You've already made it through the hardest part with that 2-month approval process. The waiting for the card feels stressful but it's almost over! This community has been amazing for me as a newer user, and everyone's always willing to help with questions as they come up. Congrats on getting approved and welcome!

I was on GR for 9 months last year and it SUCKED. they make u do these stupid job search forms every week and if u miss ONE appointment they cut u off for like 30 days as "penalty" 🙄 calfresh is way less drama just fill out the SAR7 every 6 months and recert once a year

Just wanted to add that you should definitely apply for CalFresh through BenefitsCal online if possible - it's way faster than going to the office in person. You can upload all your documents right there and track your application status. Since you have no income and only $300 in savings, you'll almost certainly qualify for expedited service (benefits within 3 days). Also, that $400 you're paying your sister absolutely counts as a shelter expense! Make sure to mention it because it increases your benefit amount. The county worker should help you figure out what documentation you need for that. Don't let the system overwhelm you - you're asking all the right questions and it sounds like you'll qualify for both programs. Good luck with your applications!

This entire conversation has been such a lifeline for me! I'm currently staying in my car and didn't even know this homeless assistance program existed through CalFresh. Reading Sean's journey from confusion to success gives me so much hope. The fact that he went from thinking he might lose his housing to getting his full 16 days is incredible. I'm definitely going to apply for this program tomorrow and I feel so much more prepared thanks to everyone's advice here. The tips about bringing all documentation, asking for supervisors when needed, and knowing about the February 2025 policy change to 16 days are invaluable. It's honestly shocking how much you have to advocate for yourself just to get approved benefits, but at least now I know what to expect. This community is amazing - where else can you get this kind of real-world guidance that actually helps people navigate these systems? Thank you all for sharing your experiences and creating such a helpful resource!

This thread has been absolutely incredible to read! As someone who's dealt with housing instability myself, I'm amazed at how much valuable information has been shared here. Sean's journey really shows that the system can work if you know how to navigate it properly - going from confusion about missing voucher days to successfully getting all 16 days he was entitled to. What really stands out to me is how many different strategies people have shared: calling vs going in person, using services like Claimyr when phones don't work, asking for supervisors, and most importantly, keeping detailed documentation of everything. The fact that there was a policy change in February 2025 from 14 to 16 days that some workers don't even know about is both helpful to know and really concerning. It's clear that self-advocacy is absolutely essential when dealing with these programs. Thanks to everyone who shared their real experiences - this kind of community knowledge is invaluable for people facing housing crises. Bookmarking this entire thread as a resource guide!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stress, Emily! This exact same thing happened to me about two months ago at Ralphs - my card got declined even though I had over $250 in benefits, and I felt that same panic you're describing. After reading through all the helpful responses here, especially Emma's confirmation about the partial system outage, it definitely sounds like you're caught up in a technical issue rather than anything wrong with your account. I ended up having success at a small Korean market the next day when the big chain stores were still having problems. One thing I learned is to always try running the card a second time if it gets declined the first time - sometimes the second attempt goes through even during system glitches. If that doesn't work, definitely try the smaller family-owned grocery store tomorrow as everyone suggested. Also, don't feel embarrassed about reaching out to food banks if needed - I volunteer at one occasionally and we help CalFresh families during system outages all the time. You're being such a good parent by advocating for your family and seeking help when you need it. This community really is amazing for support during these scary situations. Keep us posted on how the local market goes tomorrow!

I'm so sorry you're going through this stressful situation! Reading through all these responses, it's clear you're dealing with the partial system outage that Emma confirmed rather than an issue with your specific account. I went through something very similar about 4 months ago - my card was declined at Safeway even though I had plenty of benefits, and I had that same scary feeling that something was wrong. It turned out to be a system glitch that lasted about 2 days, and I had success at a small independent grocery store while the big chains were still having issues. The advice everyone's given about trying smaller, family-owned markets is spot-on - they really do use different payment processing systems that often stay working during these outages. I'm also glad people mentioned the emergency food resources - there's absolutely no shame in using food banks when the system fails you like this. You're being an amazing parent by reaching out for help and making sure your kids are taken care of. Definitely try that local market tomorrow morning, and if the first transaction doesn't go through, ask them to try running it as credit like Diego suggested. This thread has become such a valuable resource - thank you for starting this conversation that will help so many other families! Keeping my fingers crossed that everything works out smoothly for you tomorrow.