I'm new to this community and this thread has been absolutely invaluable! I'm also in San Bernardino County and had a very similar experience - my CalFresh worker mentioned KEYS during my recertification but was rushing through so many things that I didn't really understand what it was. Reading everyone's detailed experiences has been so much more helpful than anything I could find online. I'm currently dealing with a rent increase that's pushing me toward potential eviction, and I was genuinely scared that applying for housing assistance might somehow affect my food benefits. It's such a relief to hear from multiple people that KEYS and CalFresh are completely separate. The practical tips about calling early in the morning, having all documentation ready, and being persistent have given me a real action plan. I'm also going to try that Claimyr service if I can't get through - the video link someone shared was really helpful for understanding how it works. What strikes me most is how supportive everyone has been in sharing both their successes and frustrations with the system. It's clear that while KEYS isn't perfect and can be hard to navigate, it really has helped people in situations similar to mine. Thank you all for creating such a helpful resource for those of us trying to figure out these complex programs!

I'm also new to this community and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm in San Bernardino County as well and facing a similar situation - my landlord is raising my rent by $400/month starting in February and I'm really struggling to figure out how to afford it even with my CalFresh benefits helping with groceries. Reading through everyone's experiences with KEYS has given me so much hope. I had no idea these prevention services existed, and learning that applying won't affect my CalFresh benefits is such a huge relief. I was really worried that getting help in one area might hurt me in another. The practical advice about calling early, having documentation ready, and using Claimyr if needed is exactly what I needed. I'm going to call KEYS tomorrow morning with my lease and rent increase notice ready. What really stands out to me is how this community shares real, honest experiences - both the successes and the frustrations. It makes navigating these systems feel so much less overwhelming when you know what to actually expect. Thank you all for creating such a supportive space!

I'm really glad I found this thread! I just started receiving CalFresh benefits about a month ago and this whole conversation has been so educational. Even though I haven't experienced the duplicate card issue yet, reading through everyone's advice has given me so much confidence about how to handle various EBT situations that might come up. What I love most about this community is how supportive everyone is - no judgment, just practical help from people who've been there before. I've already implemented several of the tips mentioned here: downloaded the ebtEDGE app, saved the customer service number in my phone, and wrote down my card number separately like Emma suggested. As a newcomer to CalFresh, it's honestly overwhelming sometimes trying to figure out all the rules and processes, but threads like this make it so much less intimidating. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences - you're making the system much more navigable for people like us who are still learning the ropes!

I'm so grateful I stumbled across this thread! I just started my CalFresh application process last week and reading through all these experiences and tips has been incredibly valuable. Even though I haven't received my first EBT card yet, I now feel so much more prepared for potential issues like duplicate cards or other system mix-ups that might happen. What really stands out to me is how this community transforms what could be a stressful situation into a learning opportunity. Seeing how Alina handled the duplicate card issue - checking balances, verifying dates, asking questions - that's exactly the kind of methodical approach I want to take when I'm navigating CalFresh. I've already started implementing the advice shared here: I downloaded the ebtEDGE app in preparation, saved the customer service number (1-877-328-9677), and I plan to write down my card information separately once I receive it. The tip about asking for written confirmation when requesting replacement cards is brilliant too. Thank you to everyone who shared their knowledge and experiences. As someone who's still waiting for their first card, threads like this make me feel much more confident about successfully managing my benefits once they arrive!

I'm going through this exact nightmare right now too! It's been almost 4 weeks since I submitted my renewal documents and I keep getting the same "it's processing" response. What's really frustrating is that my 5-year-old daughter keeps asking why we can't buy the yogurt she likes anymore, and I don't know how to explain that the government is taking forever to process paperwork while we go hungry. I've learned so much from reading everyone's responses here - especially about the difference between "pulling" and "processing" documents, and all the different ways to escalate when the system fails us. I had no idea about interim benefits or that I could contact my state representative for help. I'm definitely going to try the Claimyr service tomorrow morning to get through the phone lines, and if that doesn't work I'll visit the office in person and demand specific timelines like Sofia suggested. It's ridiculous that we have to become experts in navigating a broken bureaucracy just to feed our families. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences and advice. It helps so much to know we're not alone in this struggle, even though no parent should ever have to choose between paying rent and buying groceries for their kids. Hoping we all get our cases resolved soon!

I'm so sorry you're going through this stress - the uncertainty of not knowing when your benefits will come through while trying to feed your kids is absolutely heartbreaking. I went through something very similar about 8 months ago and it took nearly 6 weeks total from submission to approval. What finally broke the logjam for me was doing three things simultaneously: I used Claimyr to get through to an actual worker (it really does work - got connected in under 10 minutes after weeks of busy signals), filed a formal complaint with the California Department of Social Services online for processing delays exceeding 30 days, and contacted my assemblymember's office with a signed release form. The assemblymember's office was honestly the game-changer - within 48 hours of their inquiry, my case was suddenly "urgent" and processed immediately. Apparently the county offices really respond when elected officials start asking questions about delays. In the meantime, definitely call 211 for emergency food resources and check if your kids' schools have weekend backpack programs. Some churches also have "blessing boxes" or little free pantries that can help bridge the gap while you're waiting. You're doing everything right - this system is broken, not you. Your kids shouldn't have to go without because of administrative failures. Keep fighting for your family!

Hey Omar! I just went through this exact same move from Sacramento to Long Beach in December 2024, so I can give you some very recent info. For Section 8 - YES, Long Beach HA is accepting portability transfers, but you're looking at about 60-75 days processing time right now. The trick is to get your Sacramento PHA to mark your request as "emergency" if you have any qualifying circumstances (job relocation, unsafe housing, medical needs, etc.). I got mine expedited to 42 days by emphasizing my job start date. For CalFresh, it was actually super smooth! I reported my address change through the online portal 2 weeks before moving, and LA County had my case transferred within 5 business days. My benefits actually went UP by about $40/month due to LA County's higher cost adjustments. Pro tip: Start calling Long Beach HA landlord services NOW to get a list of current Section 8 accepting properties. The market is tight but there are definitely options. Also, join "Long Beach Section 8 Housing" and "LA County Section 8 Rentals" Facebook groups - that's where I found my current place. Most importantly - start your portability paperwork THIS WEEK, not when you're ready to move. The earlier you start, the better chance you have of avoiding any gap in coverage. You got this! Feel free to ask if you need specific contact numbers or anything else!

Just wanted to jump in here as someone who works with folks navigating benefit transfers every day. Omar, you're smart to be planning ahead! A few additional tips based on what I've seen work best: 1) When you call Sacramento to start your portability request, ask them to send you a copy of the portability packet they submit to Long Beach HA. This way you have your own records of exactly what was sent and when. 2) For CalFresh, consider doing an in-person visit to your Sacramento office before moving rather than just calling. Sometimes face-to-face gets better results and you can get written confirmation of your transfer timeline. 3) Long Beach has a tenant services coordinator specifically for Section 8 issues - their direct line is often faster than going through the main switchboard. The Facebook groups others mentioned are definitely your best bet for housing. Also check out the Long Beach Community Action Partnership - they maintain an informal list of landlords who work regularly with voucher holders. Don't get discouraged by some of the horror stories here - yes, the system is slow, but it DOES work if you stay on top of it. Document everything, be politely persistent, and start early (which you're already doing smart by asking now for a May move). You've got this!

This is such a frustrating situation, but from everything I'm reading here, it sounds like you're going to be okay! I haven't personally dealt with CalFresh yet, but I'm in the process of applying myself and this thread is honestly so educational about what to expect. Based on all the experiences people are sharing, it really does seem like your approval notice is the legitimate one - especially since it had such specific details like your exact benefit amount and certification period. That level of detail suggests a real caseworker actually processed your case properly. I'm taking notes on all the advice here for my own potential future reference! The tips about calling right at 8 AM, asking for specific things like "case notes" and "document imaging status," and not accepting a request to reapply are all really valuable. It's amazing how knowledgeable this community is about navigating these system issues. Definitely keep us posted on how your Monday call goes - I think a lot of us would love to hear that this gets resolved quickly for you. Based on all the success stories in this thread, it sounds like this type of system glitch is usually fixable once you get through to the right person. Rooting for you and your kids!

This is such a helpful thread - I'm learning so much from everyone's experiences! I haven't dealt with CalFresh myself yet, but I work in customer service for another government agency and I see similar system issues all the time where automated processes generate conflicting notices. From what everyone is describing, it really sounds like your approval notice is the correct one, especially since it had such specific details. In my experience with government systems, when you get that level of detail (exact amounts, certification dates), it usually means a human actually processed and approved your case. One thing I'd add from working on the "inside" of government systems - when you call Monday, try to stay calm and polite even if you're frustrated. The workers deal with a lot of angry calls about system glitches, so being understanding while still being persistent can really help you get better service. Something like "I know this isn't your fault, but I'm hoping you can help me figure out what happened" often goes a long way. Also, if the first person says they can't help, ask if there's a "technical support" person or someone who specializes in system errors rather than just asking for a supervisor. Sometimes there are specific people who are better at troubleshooting these kinds of database issues. Good luck on Monday - this community is amazing and it sounds like you have all the right advice to get this resolved quickly!