Can't reach California CalFresh? Claimyr connects you to a live DSS agent in minutes.
Claimyr is a pay-as-you-go service. We do not charge a recurring subscription.
Using Claimyr will:
- Connect you to a human agent at the DSS
- Skip the long phone menu
- Call the correct department
- Redial until on hold
- Forward a call to your phone with reduced hold time
- Give you free callbacks if the DSS drops your call
If I could give 10 stars I would
If I could give 10 stars I would If I could give 10 stars I would Such an amazing service so needed during the times when EDD almost never picks up Claimyr gets me on the phone with EDD every time without fail faster. A much needed service without Claimyr I would have never received the payment I needed to support me during my postpartum recovery. Thank you so much Claimyr!
Really made a difference
Really made a difference, save me time and energy from going to a local office for making the call.
Worth not wasting your time calling for hours.
Was a bit nervous or untrusting at first, but my calls went thru. First time the wait was a bit long but their customer chat line on their page was helpful and put me at ease that I would receive my call. Today my call dropped because of EDD and Claimyr heard my concern on the same chat and another call was made within the hour.
An incredibly helpful service
An incredibly helpful service! Got me connected to a CA EDD agent without major hassle (outside of EDD's agents dropping calls – which Claimyr has free protection for). If you need to file a new claim and can't do it online, pay the $ to Claimyr to get the process started. Absolutely worth it!
Consistent,frustration free, quality Service.
Used this service a couple times now. Before I'd call 200 times in less than a weak frustrated as can be. But using claimyr with a couple hours of waiting i was on the line with an representative or on hold. Dropped a couple times but each reconnected not long after and was mission accomplished, thanks to Claimyr.
IT WORKS!! Not a scam!
I tried for weeks to get thru to EDD PFL program with no luck. I gave this a try thinking it may be a scam. OMG! It worked and They got thru within an hour and my claim is going to finally get paid!! I upgraded to the $60 call. Best $60 spent!
Ask the community...
- DO post questions about your issues.
- DO answer questions and support each other.
- DO post tips & tricks to help folks.
- DO NOT post call problems here - there is a support tab at the top for that :)
Join the conversation
Join the conversation
Hey Melissa! I just wanted to chime in as another new CalFresh user - I got my card about 2 months ago and had the exact same worries about buying formula for my son. I'm happy to confirm that yes, all baby formula is covered including the expensive specialized ones! I buy Similac Pro-Advance regularly and it works perfectly with EBT. One thing that really helped me overcome the initial anxiety was practicing what I'd say at checkout. I just tell the cashier "I'm using EBT for eligible items" right when I start, and they handle everything from there. Most cashiers are super professional about it and honestly don't even blink - they see EBT cards all day long. Also, if you download the store apps for places like Target or Safeway, you can actually look up products beforehand to confirm they're EBT eligible. It's a great way to feel more prepared before you go shopping. Don't let any anxiety stop you from getting what your baby needs - you qualified for these benefits for a reason and formula is exactly what they're meant to help with! You've got this mama! 🤱
Thank you Freya! That's such a practical tip about practicing what to say at checkout - I never thought of that but it makes total sense. Having the words ready ahead of time would definitely help with nerves! I love the idea of using store apps to check eligibility beforehand too. It sounds like Target and Safeway both have that feature which is really helpful. Your encouragement means so much - it's amazing how supportive this community is for new CalFresh users. I'm feeling so much more confident about my first shopping trip thanks to everyone's advice and reassurance! 🤱
Hi Melissa! Welcome to CalFresh! I just wanted to add my experience as someone who's been using benefits for about 8 months now. Yes, absolutely all baby formula is covered including the specialized hypoallergenic types! I purchase Enfamil Gentlease regularly with my EBT card and have never had any issues. One tip that really helped me when I was first starting out: if you're shopping at stores like Walmart or Target that have grocery pickup, you can place your order online and they'll automatically separate EBT-eligible items from non-eligible ones during checkout. This was super helpful when I was still learning what was covered and feeling nervous about in-store purchases. You just drive up, they load your groceries, and you pay with your EBT card through their terminal - no awkward checkout interactions at all! Also, don't forget that you can use your EBT card at farmers markets too if you want fresh produce. Many of them have programs that match your EBT spending which stretches your benefits even further. You're doing great by asking these questions and making sure your baby gets the nutrition he needs. That's exactly what these programs are designed for! Best of luck with everything! 🌟
Thank you StormChaser! The grocery pickup tip is genius - I hadn't even thought about that option but it sounds perfect for someone like me who's still nervous about the whole process. Being able to place the order online and have them automatically separate eligible items would take away so much of the anxiety! I had no idea you could use EBT at farmers markets either, and the matching programs sound amazing for stretching benefits further. I'm definitely going to look into both of those options. Everyone here has been so helpful and welcoming - it's making such a difference in how I feel about using my benefits. Thank you for all the practical tips! 🌟
Join the conversation
So glad you got it sorted out! This is actually a really common confusion - the term "extra benefits" can mean different things. When your income decreases, the increased benefit amount gets calculated into your regular monthly deposit, not as a separate payment. For future reference, you can always check your benefit calculation on your county portal or the latest notice they sent you - it should show the breakdown of how they calculated your new amount. Hope the increased benefits help with feeding your family!
Join the conversation
Does anyone know if there's a way to get text alerts when benefits are deposited? I always have this anxiety every month wondering if they'll come on time.
Yes! You can sign up for EBT text alerts through the ConnectEBT mobile app or at connectebt.com. It will notify you when benefits are deposited and give balance alerts. Many people don't know about this feature, but it's really helpful for exactly this situation.
@Arjun Patel Thank you so much for this tip! I had no idea the ConnectEBT app had text alerts. Just downloaded it and set up notifications - this will save me so much stress each month. Really appreciate you sharing this!
I'm new to CalFresh and this thread is so helpful! I just got approved last week and my benefits are supposed to load on the 8th (my case number ends in 8). Reading about the potential delays and the ConnectEBT app alerts makes me feel more prepared. It's reassuring to see that delays happen sometimes but usually resolve within a day. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this community is amazing for newcomers like me!
Welcome to the CalFresh community, Gemma! You're absolutely right - this group has been such a lifesaver for me too when I first started. The fact that you're already getting prepared with the ConnectEBT app shows you're ahead of the game. Don't hesitate to ask questions here - everyone is really supportive and helpful. Good luck with your first benefit deposit on the 8th!
Join the conversation
I went through something similar a few months ago! After recertification, my benefits were delayed by about 3 days from my usual date. What helped me was calling the EBT customer service line (1-877-328-9677) - they can tell you the exact status of your benefits and when they're scheduled to load, even if your caseworker isn't available. Also, if you're really in a bind for groceries, some food banks don't require you to wait for your CalFresh benefits and can help bridge the gap. I had to use one when my benefits were delayed and I had nothing left in my pantry. The 211 helpline (just dial 2-1-1) can connect you with local food resources if needed. Hope your benefits show up soon! The uncertainty is always stressful when you're counting on them for groceries.
This is really helpful advice! I didn't know the EBT customer service line could tell you the status - that's way better than waiting on hold for hours with the county office. And thanks for mentioning 211 for food banks. I'm hoping my benefits show up tomorrow but it's good to know there are backup options if they don't. The uncertainty really is the worst part when you're planning your grocery budget around a specific date.
I work at a county eligibility office and can shed some light on this! After recertification, your benefit date can definitely change if you get assigned a new case number. This happens more often than people realize - usually when there are system updates or when we need to correct errors in the original case setup. The good news is that once your new schedule is established, it should stay consistent going forward. Your benefits will load based on the last digit of your NEW case number, not your old one. So if your old case number ended in 6 (benefits on the 6th) but your new one ends in 9, you'll now get benefits on the 9th. As for timing, benefits typically start processing around 11:30 PM the night before your scheduled date and are usually available by 6 AM on your actual date. System maintenance can sometimes delay this until mid-morning, but it's rare. Pro tip: Your approval notice should show your case number - check the last digit to confirm your new benefit date! If you're still unsure, calling the EBT customer service line is faster than trying to reach your caseworker.
Thank you so much for this insider perspective! This explains everything - I was so confused why my date seemed to change after recertification. I'll definitely check my approval notice tonight to see what my new case number ends with. It's really reassuring to know this from someone who actually works in the system. I feel much less anxious about the whole situation now knowing there's a logical explanation and that the timing should be consistent going forward once the new schedule is established.
Emma Garcia
its so weird how different counties handle this stuff too!! my friend in alameda county gets more calfresh than me even tho we have almost identical income?? makes no sense
0 coins
Aiden Rodríguez
•The benefit calculation should be the same across counties since CalFresh is a federal program (SNAP) administered at the state level. The difference could be due to variations in reported expenses, household size, or perhaps your friend has deductions you don't (like the medical expense deduction we've been discussing). Different counties shouldn't result in different benefit amounts if all other factors are equal.
0 coins
Zoe Papadopoulos
I'm dealing with the exact same situation! My SS went up $94 this month but my CalFresh dropped $85. It's so disheartening when you think you're getting a little help to keep up with rising costs, but then you end up barely ahead at all. Reading through these comments has been really eye-opening though - I had no idea about the medical expense deduction! I'm 63 and spend around $180/month on prescriptions and doctor visits. I've been struggling to reach my caseworker too, but I'm definitely going to try that Claimyr service someone mentioned and get the CW 62 form submitted. It really does feel like the system is working against us sometimes. The COLA is supposed to help us keep up with inflation, but when food costs have gone up so much this past year, having our food benefits reduced at the same time just doesn't make sense. At least now I know there might be some deductions I'm missing that could help offset this reduction.
0 coins