This thread is absolutely golden! As someone who works in social services (not CalFresh specifically), I can confirm that the timing strategies people are sharing here are spot-on. The 8:02 am trick works because most phone systems get that initial flood right at opening, then there's a brief lull before the second wave hits around 8:15-8:30. One additional tip I'd add: if you're calling about an urgent food situation (like you have no food at home today), don't be afraid to say that upfront when you get through. Most counties have emergency protocols that can expedite certain cases. Also, keep your EBT card handy during the call - sometimes they can add emergency benefits immediately while you're on the phone if you qualify. The system is definitely frustrating and shouldn't require all these workarounds, but this community knowledge-sharing is exactly what makes the difference between people giving up and actually getting the help they need. Thanks everyone for turning this into such a helpful resource! 💪

This thread has been such an incredible resource! As someone who's been struggling with CalFresh issues for the past few months, I can't believe I never knew about these strategic timing approaches. The 8:02 am trick is absolutely brilliant - I've been calling at random times and getting nowhere fast. It makes perfect sense that there's a sweet spot right after that initial 8:00 am rush! I'm also fascinated by all the menu navigation hacks people have discovered, especially using "report a change" instead of "speak to a representative" to potentially access different queue systems. These insider tips could save so much time and frustration. The insight from the county worker about Wednesday 2-4pm having lower call volumes is gold, and Oliver's explanation about why these timing strategies actually work from a systems perspective really helps me understand what's happening behind the scenes. One thing I wanted to add that might help others: if you're dealing with multiple issues at once, try to organize them by priority before you call. When I finally got through last time, I was so relieved to reach a human that I forgot half of what I needed to discuss! Having a written list really helps make the most of that precious phone time once you're connected. Thanks to everyone for sharing these hard-earned strategies - this community knowledge is exactly what makes navigating these impossible systems actually possible! 🙏

I'm so sorry you're going through this exhausting ordeal! Reading your story brings back all the frustration I felt when I was in a similar situation last year. Seven weeks is absolutely unacceptable, especially with kids at home and reduced income. Here's what I'd suggest doing immediately: Call the CalFresh hotline at 1-877-847-3663 and ask specifically for a "compliance officer" - they have the authority to investigate cases that exceed the 30-day requirement. When you get through, say "I need to file a formal complaint for failure to process my CalFresh application within the federally mandated timeframe." Also, definitely request expedited processing since you have children and reduced income - they're required to process expedited cases within 7 calendar days. Make sure to emphasize that your family's food security is at risk. One thing that helped me was asking them to read back my case notes while I was on the phone. Sometimes you'll discover your case has been sitting in the wrong queue or your caseworker changed without notification. Don't give up! The system is designed to be frustrating, but you've done everything right and your family deserves these benefits. When you do get approved (and you will!), you'll receive backdated benefits from your June application date.

I'm so sorry you're going through this nightmare - it's absolutely unacceptable that your family has been waiting 7+ weeks for basic food assistance! Reading through all the excellent advice in this thread, it's clear there are several concrete steps you can take to break through this bureaucratic wall. I went through something very similar earlier this year and what finally worked was calling the main CalFresh hotline and specifically asking for a "case review specialist" - they have access to see exactly where applications get stuck in the system. When I explained my situation (exceeded 30 days, children at home, unresponsive caseworker), they discovered my case had been sitting in "pending supervisor approval" for weeks because of a minor system flag that nobody had addressed. One thing I learned is that with reduced income and kids at home, you absolutely qualify for expedited processing (7-day turnaround). When you call, use these specific words: "I need to request expedited CalFresh services due to financial hardship and the county's failure to process my application within the required federal timeframe." Also, make sure to ask if your original caseworker is still active - so many people are discovering their workers quit or got reassigned without any notification, leaving cases in limbo. Document every interaction from now on and don't let them make you feel unreasonable. Your persistence will pay off, and you'll get those backdated benefits once this gets resolved. Your family deserves this assistance and you've done everything right!

UPDATE: Finally got through this morning! Called right at 8am like someone suggested and only waited about 30 minutes. The worker confirmed it was the utility allowance change that reduced my benefits. But she also found that they hadn't processed my most recent pay stubs showing my hours were cut back, so she's going to recalculate and I might actually get MORE benefits than before. Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions! For anyone else struggling to reach CalFresh, definitely try calling right when they open.

So glad you were able to get through and get this sorted out! Your story gives me hope - I've been dealing with a similar runaround for weeks now. The 8am calling strategy seems to be the key. Question for you: when you spoke to the worker, were they able to tell you exactly when the recalculated benefits would kick in? I'm wondering if there's typically a delay or if it happens right away when they find errors like that. Also really helpful to know about the utility allowance change - I bet that's affecting way more people than they're letting on!

my cousin got a personal injury settlement last year and that didnt count toward her calfresh because it was one-time money not regular income

Just wanted to add one more thing that might be helpful - if you're getting financial aid for school, make sure to keep documentation of what's specifically for tuition/books vs. what might be considered "living expenses" in your financial aid package. I learned this the hard way when my community college's financial aid office included some living allowance money that DID count as income, even though the rest of my Pell Grant didn't. The CalFresh worker was really helpful in breaking down my award letter to figure out what was excludable and what wasn't. Good luck with your application!

This is such a valuable thread! I wanted to share another resource that might help - many public libraries in LA County also have benefits assistance programs. The LA Public Library system has "Digital Inclusion" specialists at various branches who can help with online applications and provide computer/internet access if you don't have it at home. Some branches even have dedicated benefits counselors who come in regularly. Also, for anyone worried about the GROW program requirements, it's worth knowing that you can sometimes get temporary exemptions if you're dealing with housing instability, lack of childcare, or transportation issues. These aren't permanent solutions, but they can give you time to get stabilized while still receiving benefits. The key is communicating with your caseworker about your specific barriers rather than just missing appointments or requirements. And one more tip: if you do get denied for any reason, don't give up! You have the right to appeal, and many denials are overturned on appeal when people have help presenting their case properly. Legal aid organizations like Public Counsel and Neighborhood Legal Services can sometimes help with appeals for free.

Wow, this thread has become an incredible resource! As someone who's been helping people navigate benefits for years, I'm impressed by how comprehensive and accurate the information shared here has been. Just to add one more perspective - if you're dealing with any mental health challenges while applying for these benefits, don't overlook the importance of documenting that with your healthcare provider. Depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mental health conditions can sometimes qualify you for exemptions from work requirements or even change your employable status for GR purposes. LA County's Department of Mental Health also has programs that can provide support services while you're getting back on your feet. Also, for anyone feeling overwhelmed by all these different programs and requirements - that's completely normal! The benefits system is genuinely complex, and it's okay to ask for help. Organizations like LAFLA (Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles) have benefits advocates who specialize in helping people apply for multiple programs simultaneously and can walk you through the entire process step by step. @Dmitry Petrov - you asked a simple question and sparked such a helpful discussion. I hope your applications go smoothly and you get the assistance you need quickly!