I'm dealing with the same thing right now! My benefits were supposed to load on the 3rd and it's been 5 days with nothing. This is my first time experiencing these delays and I'm honestly shocked at how broken the system seems to be. Reading everyone's experiences here makes me realize this isn't just a one-off problem - it's affecting tons of people. I'm definitely going to try calling my caseworker directly like @Aisha Khan suggested and ask for that "Administrative Issuance." It's crazy that we have to jump through all these hoops just to get benefits we're already approved for. Thank you everyone for sharing your tips and experiences - at least now I know I'm not alone in this mess!

I'm so sorry you're all going through this - it's really eye-opening to see how widespread these delays have become. I'm new to CalFresh (just got approved last month) and thankfully haven't experienced the loading delays yet, but reading all of your experiences has me really worried about what to expect. It sounds like documenting everything and knowing the right phrases to use when calling is crucial. I'm definitely saving all the tips you've shared here - especially about asking for the Emergency Response Team and requesting "Administrative Issuance." It's honestly ridiculous that we need a playbook just to get benefits that we're already approved for. @Andre Dupont - thank you for mentioning the Coalition for CalFresh Reform. I'm going to look into joining their efforts because this clearly isn't just affecting individual cases, it's a systemic problem that needs to be addressed at a higher level. Families shouldn't have to stress about whether their food assistance will actually show up when they need it. Hoping everyone gets their benefits sorted out soon. This community has been so helpful in sharing real solutions!

I'm so sorry this happened to you! EBT theft is becoming a huge problem and it's absolutely devastating when you're relying on those benefits to feed your family. A few things that might help while you're waiting for reimbursement: - Contact your county eligibility worker directly (not just the EBT fraud line) and emphasize that you have children - this should qualify you for expedited processing under the new 2025 regulations - Submit your affidavit electronically through the BenefitsCal app if possible - it's much faster than mailing - Call 211 for immediate food assistance resources in your area - Many food pantries don't require appointments and can help bridge the gap For future protection, I've started checking my EBT balance every single day and I use the card lock feature in the ebtEDGE app whenever I'm not actively shopping. Also be extra careful at gas stations - they seem to be hotspots for skimmers. The wait is terrible but most people in this thread got their money back within 2 weeks, and with the new expedited rules for families it should hopefully be faster. Stay on top of them with follow-up calls every few days. You shouldn't have to suffer because of these criminals!

I'm so sorry this happened to you! EBT theft is unfortunately becoming way too common and it's devastating when you're counting on those benefits to feed your family. I went through this exact same situation about 8 months ago - had $520 stolen overnight and was completely panicked. Here's what I learned that might help you: 1. Call your county eligibility worker directly (not just the EBT fraud line) - their number should be on your last CalFresh notice. Tell them you have children and request expedited processing under the new 2025 theft protection laws. 2. Submit your affidavit through the BenefitsCal app instead of mailing it - it's much faster and you get confirmation it was received. 3. Follow up every 2-3 days. Be polite but persistent. Document who you spoke with and when. For immediate help while you wait: - Call 211 for local food banks and emergency assistance - Many churches and community centers do emergency food boxes regardless of membership - Ask your kids' schools about weekend food programs I got my benefits back in 10 business days, which was way better than the horror stories I'd heard. The new expedited rules for families with children really do help if you know to ask for them. Stay strong - I know it feels impossible right now but you WILL get through this. The community here has great advice and you're not alone in dealing with this nightmare!

As someone who recently moved from Sacramento County to Oregon, I can share my experience! The process was actually more straightforward than I expected once I understood the steps. I reported my move through BenefitsCal about 10 days before leaving (as others mentioned, this is required), and my CA benefits ended at the end of that month. Oregon's application process was surprisingly efficient - I applied online the day after I arrived and got approved within 2 weeks. One thing that really helped was calling Oregon's SNAP office before I moved to ask about their specific documentation requirements. They emailed me a checklist of what I'd need, which made the application much smoother. Also, Oregon has different deductions and income calculations than California, so even with the same income, my benefit amount changed slightly. I'd recommend checking your new state's SNAP website for their benefit calculator and eligibility requirements before you move - it really helped me set realistic expectations and budget for the transition period. The 2-week gap between benefits was manageable since I planned ahead. Good luck with your move!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm in a similar situation planning to move from the Bay Area to Florida in a few months for work. Reading everyone's experiences has really clarified the process for me. A couple of things I wanted to add based on my research: 1. Florida has a pretty good online SNAP application system called ACCESS Florida that lets you upload documents directly, which seems more convenient than some other states 2. I found out that Florida also has different asset limits than California - they don't count your car's value toward the asset limit, which is nice 3. One thing I'm planning to do is save up enough grocery money to cover about 3-4 weeks during the transition, just to be safe in case there are any delays Has anyone here specifically moved to Florida and dealt with their SNAP system? I'd love to hear about the processing times and any specific documentation they required that might be different from what California asks for. Also wondering if anyone knows whether Florida allows you to have an interview by phone if you're just moving to the state - that would be really helpful for timing everything!

This thread has been such an eye-opener! I've been a CalFresh recipient for about 6 months and literally had no clue about any of these features. When I first got my card, the county worker basically just said "your card will arrive in 7-10 days" and handed me a basic pamphlet about what foods I could buy. No mention of the mobile app, freeze features, PIN changes, or any of these security options that could actually protect our benefits! I'm downloading the app right now and setting up all those alerts everyone mentioned. It's honestly ridiculous that we have to stumble across this information by chance instead of being properly educated about our own benefits. This community is providing better support and information than the actual system! Thank you Joshua for sharing this and everyone else for adding such valuable tips - you've probably saved a lot of us from future headaches and stress.

This thread is absolutely amazing! I've been on CalFresh for almost 2 years and I'm honestly embarrassed that I didn't know about any of these features. The freeze option alone would have saved me so much stress - just last month I thought I lost my card at the grocery store and spent the whole night panicking about whether to cancel it or not. Turns out it had fallen behind my car seat, but I could have just frozen it temporarily while I searched! I'm definitely downloading the app tonight and exploring all these features everyone has mentioned. It's really sad that we have to learn about these essential tools through community discussions instead of proper orientation from the county. This thread should seriously be required reading for all new CalFresh recipients - you all have provided more useful information in one conversation than I've gotten from the system in two years. Thank you Joshua for starting this and everyone else for sharing your experiences and knowledge!

Just wanted to add that if you're still within your first month after approval, don't panic if your benefits don't show up on your expected day! Like Lucas mentioned, the first month can be irregular. I got my first benefits about 5 days after approval, then it switched to my regular schedule (the 6th) the following month. Also, benefits are usually loaded early in the morning - like between 12 AM and 6 AM - so check your balance first thing when you wake up on your day. The ConnectEBT app that others mentioned is super helpful for tracking this stuff!

Just a heads up for anyone reading this - if you move counties while on CalFresh, your case number might change and therefore your benefit date could change too! I moved from LA County to San Diego County last year and had to transfer my case. My old case number ended in 4 so I got benefits on the 4th, but my new case number ends in 1 so now I get them on the 2nd. It was actually kind of nice getting them earlier in the month, but definitely caught me off guard the first time! Make sure to ask about this if you're planning to move.