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!

Just wanted to say how helpful this thread has been! I'm in a similar situation where I applied for both programs but only got CalFresh so far. Reading through everyone's experiences really helped me understand that these are separate processes with different timelines. I'm going to dig through my paperwork tonight too and look for any notices I might have missed. It's so confusing when the online portal shows "approved" but doesn't specify which program! Thanks to everyone who shared their knowledge - this community is a lifesaver for navigating the system.

This whole thread is so eye-opening! I'm currently going through the application process for both programs and now I know what to watch out for. It's really frustrating that they make the system so confusing - like why can't the online portal just clearly show which specific program was approved instead of just saying "approved"? And why don't they automatically tell you about orientations and additional requirements upfront? It feels like they set people up to miss deadlines and lose benefits. I'm definitely going to be extra careful reading every single page of any notices I get, and I'm bookmarking all the advice about making copies and getting receipts. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it's helping so many of us navigate this maze!

I'm dealing with the exact same nightmare! San Bernardino County's phone system is absolutely broken. I've been trying for over a month to get through about my elderly mother's case and it's beyond frustrating. One thing that finally worked for me was calling the statewide CalFresh hotline at 1-877-847-3663. They can't handle everything but they were able to see my mom's case status and actually contacted the local office on our behalf. It took about a week but someone finally called us back. Also, if you have a local community organization or food bank in your area, sometimes they have advocates who can help navigate the system. The San Bernardino County office seems to respond better to calls from advocacy groups than individual clients for some reason. Good luck - this system is beyond broken and I feel for everyone going through this stress!

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Been trying to reach someone for 3 weeks about my recertification and getting nowhere. Based on all the helpful advice here, I'm planning to: 1. Try the statewide CalFresh hotline at 1-877-847-3663 that @Molly Hansen mentioned - this sounds like it could be a game changer! 2. If that doesn't work, I'm going to show up at the Ontario office early tomorrow morning with all my documents like @Omar Hassan suggested. 3. I'm also going to look into that Claimyr service @Freya Pedersen mentioned - never heard of it but if it actually works it might be worth it to avoid losing a whole day waiting in line. It's absolutely ridiculous that we have to jump through all these hoops just to get basic help with our benefits. The system is completely broken when people can't even reach their caseworkers for urgent issues. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences and solutions - this thread is more helpful than anything I've found on the official county website!

Hey Dylan! Welcome to CalFresh and to this amazing community! I just got my card about 2 months ago and had the exact same confusion about cash withdrawals - I think that's probably the most common first question for new recipients! Everyone here has already given you fantastic advice confirming that CalFresh benefits are strictly for food purchases only (no cash, no transfers). What I want to add is something that really helped me get started: create a simple budget plan for your monthly benefits. I use a basic notes app on my phone to track roughly how much I want to spend each week, which helps me pace myself so I don't accidentally use everything up too early in the month. Also, if you're feeling overwhelmed about what stores to try first, I'd suggest starting with a place you're already familiar with - even if it's just a regular chain grocery store. Getting comfortable with the EBT process itself is more important than finding the absolute best deals right away. You can always explore farmers markets, ethnic groceries, and specialty stores once you've got the basics down. This community has been such a game-changer for me - everyone is so knowledgeable and supportive. Welcome aboard, and don't hesitate to ask more questions as they come up!

Hey Dylan! Welcome to CalFresh and this community! I'm also pretty new (got approved about 8 months ago) and had the exact same question about cash withdrawals when I first got my card. Everyone here has already given you perfect advice - CalFresh benefits are food-only, no cash access at all. One thing that really helped me when starting out was keeping my first few shopping trips simple and familiar. I stuck to basic staples like bread, milk, eggs, and produce until I got comfortable with the card and process. Also, don't be afraid to tell the cashier it's your first time using EBT if you're nervous - most are super understanding and helpful! Something I wish I'd known earlier: many stores have their own apps that let you browse and even filter for EBT-eligible items before you shop, which can save time and prevent any checkout surprises. Target and Walmart both have this feature. This community has been incredible for learning all the ins and outs of the program. Everyone here really gets it and there's always someone willing to share their experience. Welcome, and good luck with your first grocery trip - you've got this!