I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! Been locked out of BenefitsCal since yesterday and my recertification is due in a week. This thread has been SO helpful - I had no idea there were so many workarounds available. I'm definitely going to try the mobile app early tomorrow morning (around 5:30am based on everyone's success stories) and I've already started documenting all my login attempts with screenshots and timestamps like people suggested. It's such a huge relief to know about the automatic 10-day extension! I was literally losing sleep over this deadline. Also going to dig out my Notice of Action to find that dedicated CalFresh number instead of the general county line. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences and solutions - it makes such a difference to know we're all in this together and that there are actual ways to work around these technical problems!

I'm experiencing the exact same login issues! Started having problems on Tuesday and my recertification deadline is coming up next week. This entire thread has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea about so many of these workarounds. The mobile app suggestion keeps coming up as the most reliable option, and the early morning timing (5:30am seems to be the sweet spot) makes total sense to avoid system overload. I'm definitely going to try that tomorrow morning. It's such a relief to know about the automatic 10-day extension too! I've been documenting my failed login attempts but didn't think about adding timestamps - that's really smart for when I need to call the county office. Also going to look for that dedicated CalFresh number on my Notice of Action instead of using the general line. Thank you to everyone who's shared their experiences and solutions here - knowing that so many people have successfully gotten through this same situation gives me hope that I'll be able to complete my recertification too!

I'm going through this exact same process right now! Moving from Sacramento to Tucson next month and this thread has been incredibly helpful. One thing I wanted to add that my caseworker mentioned - if you're moving to Arizona and have any medical conditions that require special dietary needs, make sure to mention that during your Arizona application. They have additional benefits for people with specific health conditions that California might not have told you about. Also, I called the Arizona DES helpline last week just to ask general questions before my move, and they were actually pretty helpful. The wait time was only about 20 minutes (way better than California!) and the person I spoke with walked me through what documents I'd need to have ready. They even emailed me a checklist. For anyone else reading this thread who might be in a similar situation - I've been bookmarking all these responses because there's so much good practical advice here. This community is amazing! Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences. Moving is stressful enough without worrying about food security on top of it. @Amina Bah - you've got this! Sounds like you're being super proactive about planning everything out. That's going to make such a difference in how smoothly your transition goes.

This thread has been such a goldmine of information! I just wanted to add something that helped me when I moved from California to Oregon last year - consider reaching out to local community organizations in your destination city before you move. Many cities have immigrant and refugee resettlement agencies that help with benefit navigation even if you're not an immigrant yourself. They often know the local SNAP system really well and can provide guidance. Also, I noticed someone mentioned Claimyr earlier for getting through to California's phone system. I used a similar service called "DoNotPay" which also helped me skip the endless hold times when I needed to close my CalFresh case. Totally worth the small fee when you're trying to coordinate everything around a move. One last tip - if you're moving with pets, remember that pet food isn't covered by SNAP benefits in any state, so factor that into your food budget planning during the transition period. I learned this the hard way! Best of luck with your move, Amina! Sounds like you're going to be well-prepared thanks to all the amazing advice from everyone here. Moving states is tough but this community really shows how people can support each other through these bureaucratic challenges! 💪

I'm so sorry this happened to you! EBT skimming has become such a nightmare for families. I went through this exact situation 3 months ago - $623 stolen from my card overnight. Here's what I learned that might help you: 1. Document EVERYTHING - take screenshots of your BenefitsCal account showing the fraudulent transactions, write down exact dates/times/amounts 2. When you call, ask to speak with a "case manager" or "supervisor" - regular customer service can't always process emergency benefits 3. If they give you a claim number, write it down and reference it in every call 4. Check your account daily going forward - I caught my second attempted fraud within hours because I was monitoring it My emergency benefits took 6 days (this was before the new March policy) and full restoration took 19 days. The stress is awful but most people do get their money back. Stay persistent and don't let them brush you off. Your family deserves to eat while they investigate!

This exact thing happened to my sister last month! She had $542 stolen and was panicking because she has 3 kids under 10. Here's what worked for her: She went to the county office first thing in the morning (they open at 8am) instead of trying to call - apparently the phone lines are completely jammed but in-person they have to help you. She brought her ID, the EBT card, and had written down all the fraudulent transactions from the app. The worker there told her about something called "expedited replacement benefits" - she got $300 loaded onto a new card within 2 days while they investigated. The full amount took about 3 weeks to get restored, but at least her family could eat during the investigation. Also, she said the worker mentioned that skimmers are really common at certain chain stores right now - apparently there's been a huge spike in cases from specific locations. They asked her to list everywhere she'd used the card in the past month. Don't give up calling though! She had to be really firm and kept saying "my children need food assistance immediately" until they transferred her to someone who could actually help with emergency benefits. The squeaky wheel gets the grease with these situations unfortunately.

Update! I finally got through to my caseworker after using that Claimyr service (which really did work surprisingly well). My benefits are going up to $372 next month! They counted my rent increase, added the utility allowance, and included my childcare expenses. They're also not counting my teenager's part-time job since she's still in high school. Thank you everyone for all your help!! This makes such a huge difference for us.

Congratulations on getting your benefits increased! Your story gives me hope - I'm in a similar situation with a family of 4 and only getting $298/month which barely covers two weeks of groceries. My rent just went up $300 and I had no idea I could report that mid-period. Going to try that Claimyr service tomorrow since calling directly has been impossible. Did you have to provide documentation right away for the rent increase or did they accept it over the phone initially?

I'm heartbroken reading your story, but please know you're not alone and there IS help available. I went through something similar 3 years ago with my twin boys when our apartment building was condemned suddenly. Here's what I learned that might help you RIGHT NOW: **Immediate CalFresh Actions:** - Call your caseworker TODAY and report that you're facing imminent homelessness. This can trigger expedited processing for other benefits - Ask specifically about the "homeless deduction" for CalFresh - you might qualify for additional benefits even without paying rent - Request they flag your case as "emergency" status **CalWORKs Emergency Aid:** - Apply for CalWORKs Homeless Assistance ASAP - don't wait until you're actually on the street. The 30-day notice qualifies as "imminent homelessness" - Bring: eviction notice, kids' birth certificates, your ID, proof of income, and any documentation showing you can't find affordable housing - Ask specifically for "Temporary Homeless Assistance" (up to 16 days hotel/motel vouchers) AND "Permanent Housing Assistance" (deposit/first month help) **Schools:** - Contact your 7-year-old's school counselor immediately about McKinney-Vento Act protections. They can provide meals, supplies, and ensure school stability even if you move districts temporarily. You have almost a month - that's actually more time than many people get. Use every single day to apply for programs and make calls. Document everything and don't take "no" for an answer without asking to speak to a supervisor. Sending you strength mama. Your kids are lucky to have someone fighting this hard for them. 💙

I'm so sorry you're going through this terrifying situation. As a parent myself, I can only imagine how scary this must be for you and your kids. I want to add something that hasn't been mentioned yet - **contact your local food banks and pantries immediately**. Many of them have emergency assistance programs beyond just food. The one in my area helped me with: - Emergency cash assistance for utilities/rent - Gift cards for gas and essentials - Connections to local landlords who accept housing vouchers - Free childcare during housing appointments Also, if you're working part-time, ask your employer about any employee assistance programs. Some companies have emergency hardship funds or can connect you with resources. One more thing - when you do find temporary housing (hotel, friend's place, etc.), make sure to keep your kids in their regular routines as much as possible. The stability of school and familiar activities can help them cope with the housing uncertainty. You're already doing everything right by reaching out and planning ahead. That proactive approach is going to make all the difference. Hang in there - your family is going to get through this. 🙏