I'm dealing with the exact same nightmare! Been trying to upload my employment verification letter for my mid-period report since Tuesday and the BenefitsCal site just freezes every single time. My report is due Monday and I was starting to panic thinking it was just my computer acting up. This entire thread has been such a lifesaver - I had absolutely no clue there was a mobile app or that we could email documents directly to county offices! Going to definitely try that early morning mobile app trick that worked for @StarSeeker and so many others here. Also planning to email my docs to my county office as backup using the format @Aisha Abdullah shared. It's beyond frustrating that we have to become tech experts and develop multiple backup plans just to submit basic paperwork for benefits we're entitled to, but I'm incredibly grateful for this community sharing real solutions when the official system completely fails us. You've all probably prevented so many people from losing benefits due to technical issues totally outside our control. Will absolutely update here on what ends up working for me - hopefully it can help the next person stuck in this same situation! 🙏

I'm experiencing this exact same issue! Been trying to upload my quarterly reporting documents since Sunday and the site just crashes every time I select files. My deadline is Thursday and I was getting really worried it was something wrong with my phone or internet connection. This thread is absolutely incredible - I had no idea about the mobile app option or that counties have direct email addresses for document submission! Definitely going to try that early morning mobile app approach that worked for @StarSeeker and so many others. Also planning to email my documents to my county office as a backup using the tips from @Aisha Abdullah. It's really frustrating that we have to become troubleshooting experts just to submit routine paperwork, but I'm so grateful for everyone here sharing what actually works when the official system fails. This community saves people from losing benefits over technical problems that are completely out of our control. Will definitely post an update on what works for me - hopefully it helps others dealing with this same website disaster! Thanks everyone for the support and solutions! 🙏

I'm new to this community but found this thread incredibly helpful! My 7-year-old was recently diagnosed with developmental delays and I'm just starting to learn about available support programs. Reading everyone's experiences with managing both IHSS and CalFresh has been so reassuring. I'm curious - for those of you who have been through the IHSS application process, how long did it typically take from application to receiving your first payment? I'm trying to plan ahead for any potential gaps in income or benefits during the transition period. Also, did anyone find it helpful to work with an advocate or social worker during the application process, or were you able to navigate it on your own? Thank you all for creating such a supportive space to share these experiences. It really helps to know there are other parents successfully managing these programs together!

I'm also navigating this situation with my 10-year-old who has multiple disabilities. We've been receiving both IHSS and CalFresh for about a year now, and I wanted to add a few practical tips that have helped me: 1. When you get your IHSS approval notice, take a photo or make copies immediately - you'll need this for your CalFresh reporting and it's easy to misplace. 2. Set up reminders on your phone for SAR7 due dates. Missing these can cause benefit interruptions that take weeks to resolve. 3. If possible, try to report your IHSS income changes to CalFresh the same month they occur. I learned this the hard way when I waited and ended up with a small overpayment to deal with. 4. Keep receipts for ANY expenses related to your child's care - gas for medical appointments, special foods if recommended by doctors, adaptive equipment, etc. These can all potentially be deductible. The learning curve is steep at first, but once you get into a routine with both programs, it becomes much more manageable. And honestly, having that IHSS income has given me so much more flexibility to focus on my son's needs without constantly worrying about finances. You're making the right choice by pursuing both programs!

Emily, I just wanted to jump in here with some encouragement as you head into Monday's call! This thread has been absolutely incredible to read through - the amount of detailed, practical advice you've received from this community is amazing, and it's clear you're going in well-prepared. One small addition to all the great tips you've gotten: when you do connect with a worker, consider asking them to email you a summary of what was discussed and any next steps. Some counties will do this, and it can be really helpful to have everything in writing so you don't have to worry about forgetting important details later. Also, if you run into any issues with the worker not applying the correct deductions or seeming unfamiliar with disability-related benefits, remember that you can always ask to speak with a supervisor or request that your case be reviewed by someone with more experience in disability cases. You're absolutely entitled to have your case handled by someone who understands the full range of deductions available to SSDI recipients. Based on everything you've shared - your income level, high shelter costs, significant medical expenses, and transportation needs - you have such a strong case for meaningful CalFresh benefits. The math really should work in your favor once all the proper deductions are applied. Wishing you the best of luck tomorrow morning! This community will be here cheering you on, and we're all looking forward to your update. You've got this!

Emily, I've been following your thread all weekend and I'm so excited for your call tomorrow morning! As someone who's been through the CalFresh application process while on disability benefits, I can tell you that having all this preparation and knowledge going into your conversation is going to make such a huge difference. One thing that really stood out to me reading through everyone's advice is how well you've listened and organized all the information. You've gone from feeling confused and overwhelmed to having a clear understanding of your rights and what deductions you're entitled to. That transformation alone shows you're going to advocate effectively for yourself. Just wanted to add one small tip for tomorrow: if you start feeling overwhelmed during the call (which is totally normal!), don't hesitate to ask the worker to slow down or repeat something. You have every right to take the time you need to understand each part of the process. Your case really does sound like it should result in meaningful benefits - between your high rent, medical expenses, transportation costs, and all the standard deductions for SSDI recipients, the math should definitely work in your favor. The whole community is rooting for you tomorrow! Can't wait to hear your success story. You've got this, and remember - you deserve these benefits. You've paid into the system and you have every right to access the support that's available to you. Looking forward to your update! 🤞

mine worked this morning! try again

Just wanted to add for anyone still having issues - I work at a community center and we help folks with CalFresh questions regularly. If the phone system is still giving you trouble, you can also check your benefit amount by logging into your EBT account online at ebtEDGE.com. Create an account with your card number and you can see your transaction history and upcoming deposits there too. Sometimes that site updates faster than the phone system during maintenance periods. Also, if you're ever unsure about benefit changes, keep your most recent CalFresh notice - it shows your monthly amount and any upcoming changes to your case.

I went through this exact same situation with my daughter who has cerebral palsy! The key thing that helped us was requesting a "disability determination" for CalFresh purposes, even though she doesn't receive SSI. You can ask your county worker to evaluate whether your children meet the disability criteria based on their medical conditions and functional limitations. Also, don't forget about these often-overlooked medical expenses that count toward your deduction: - Special foods/supplements if medically necessary - Assistive technology or adaptive equipment - Physical/occupational therapy copays - Behavioral therapy sessions - Special transportation costs (like wheelchair-accessible vehicles) When I appealed, I submitted a detailed monthly budget showing ALL disability-related expenses, and it made the difference between denial and approval. The appeal process took about 6 weeks for us, but we received retroactive benefits back to our original application date. Definitely worth fighting for!

I'm going through something very similar right now! My daughter has autism and ADHD, and we were also initially denied CalFresh. What I've learned from this thread and my own experience is that you really need to be persistent about getting those medical expenses counted. One thing that helped me was creating a monthly expense tracker specifically for disability-related costs. I included everything - copays, gas to appointments, special dietary needs, even the sensory tools her therapist recommended. It's shocking how much it all adds up to when you actually document it properly. Also, don't give up if the first worker you talk to doesn't seem knowledgeable about disability deductions. I had to speak with three different people before I found someone who really understood the medical expense rules. Some workers just aren't trained well on these special circumstances. The appeal is definitely worth it - I wish I had done it sooner instead of just accepting the initial denial. Your $800+ in monthly medical expenses should make a huge difference in your eligibility calculation. Keep pushing for your family!