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Wow, reading through this thread as someone new to CalFresh - this is exactly the kind of info I wish I had known before! I just got approved last month and have been using different apps to manage my benefits without realizing they could cause these kinds of conflicts. Thank you especially to @Mason Kaczka for that detailed breakdown of how to get through to customer service - I'm screenshotting that phone sequence! And @Nina Chan that screenshot tip is brilliant, definitely doing that going forward. It's honestly scary how easy it is to get locked out of something as essential as food benefits. Makes me wonder if there should be some kind of warning in these third-party apps about potential EBT compatibility issues? Seems like this happens way too often based on everyone's responses. Glad you got it sorted out @Sebastian Scott! Stories like this make me so grateful for communities like this where people actually help each other navigate these complicated systems.
Welcome to CalFresh @Ava Hernandez! You're absolutely right that there should be better warnings about third-party app compatibility. I've been on CalFresh for about 6 months now and learned the hard way (like many of us here) that these banking apps don't always play nice with EBT cards. One thing I wish someone had told me early on - also be careful with automatic savings features in apps like Qapital or Digit that round up purchases. They can sometimes try to pull from your EBT card which will get declined and can flag your account. Stick to the official ConnectEBT app/website for anything EBT-related. This community really is a lifesaver when the official systems fail us. The county workers mean well but they don't always know about these app conflicts since they're dealing with so many different issues. Having people who've actually been through these situations is invaluable!
This whole thread is SO helpful! I'm relatively new to using CalFresh and had no idea about these potential issues with third-party apps. I've been using Mint to track my spending across all my accounts including EBT and now I'm worried it might cause problems too. The phone tree bypass info from @Mason Kaczka is gold - I'm saving those exact steps. And @Nina Chan's screenshot tip is genius, definitely implementing that immediately. It's really frustrating that the state promotes all these "convenient" digital tools but doesn't warn people about compatibility issues. Like, they want us to go paperless and use apps, but then the apps can lock us out of our food benefits?? The irony is not lost on me. @Sebastian Scott so glad you got this resolved quickly! Having hungry kids and no access to benefits sounds absolutely terrifying. This community really came through with practical solutions when the official systems failed you. Does anyone know if there's a list somewhere of which apps are actually SAFE to use with EBT cards? Seems like something the state should provide given how many people are getting burned by this.
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As someone who's been helping folks navigate CalFresh for a while, I just want to say you're asking all the right questions! Don't feel silly about not knowing this stuff - the system really isn't intuitive for newcomers. One thing I didn't see mentioned yet: if you ever have issues with your card being declined even though you think you have benefits, sometimes there's a 24-48 hour delay between when benefits are "issued" and when they're actually available to spend. This is rare but can happen, especially around holidays or weekends. Also, make sure you're using your card at authorized retailers - not all stores accept EBT, and some that do only accept it for certain items. The fact that you're being proactive about learning how to check your balance and budget carefully shows you're going to do great with managing your benefits! Welcome to the CalFresh community.
Thank you so much for the warm welcome and encouragement! It really means a lot to hear that from someone experienced with the system. I was definitely feeling overwhelmed at first, but everyone here has been incredibly helpful. That's really good to know about the potential 24-48 hour delay - I'll keep that in mind for my first deposit. And thanks for mentioning the authorized retailer thing too. I've been making a list of all the grocery stores near me that accept EBT so I don't run into any surprises when I go shopping. I'm feeling much more confident about managing everything now thanks to all the advice from you and everyone else in this thread. This community is amazing!
Just wanted to add something that helped me a lot when I first started with CalFresh - you can actually text your EBT card number to 511-227 to get your balance sent back as a text message! It's super quick and you don't need internet or an app. Just text your 16-digit card number and you'll get your current balance and last transaction info within a few seconds. Really handy when you're out shopping and want a quick balance check without having to ask the cashier or find a machine to check it on. This feature isn't widely advertised but it's been a lifesaver for me!
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Zoe Gonzalez
I'm going through the exact same thing and this thread has been SO helpful! My benefits dropped from $740 to $268 for my family of 4, and I was completely panicking thinking something was wrong with my case. Now I understand it's because the emergency allotments ended and we're back to income-based calculations. Reading everyone's experiences, I'm realizing I probably need to check my deductions too. I pay $1,200 in rent and about $400 in childcare, plus I have high utility bills since we're in an older apartment with no insulation. My caseworker never asked about most of these expenses when I first applied last year. Has anyone had success getting their benefits recalculated after providing missing deduction information? I'm nervous about calling because every time I've tried to reach my worker it takes hours on hold, but it sounds like it could be worth hundreds of dollars per month if they're missing my expenses.
Melissa Lin
•Yes, definitely call to get your deductions corrected! I was in almost the exact same situation - my benefits dropped from $729 to $245 for my family of 4, and I was terrified something was wrong. After reading posts like this one, I finally got through to my caseworker and found out they were missing my rent amount entirely (they had $0 for housing costs!) and my childcare expenses. It took about 3 weeks to process the changes, but my benefits went up to $421 per month once they included my $1,150 rent and $375 childcare costs. Still way less than during the emergency period, but that extra $176/month makes a huge difference for groceries. Don't be nervous about calling - you have every right to make sure your calculation is accurate! If you can't get through on the phone, you can also submit a written request asking for a detailed breakdown of your benefit calculation and any missing deductions. That's what I ended up doing first, and then they called me back to go over everything.
Oliver Cheng
This thread has been incredibly eye-opening! I'm a single parent with one child and my CalFresh benefits went from $535 to $194 after the emergency allotments ended. I had no idea what was happening and thought there was an error in my case. Reading everyone's experiences, I'm realizing the emergency allotments were essentially giving everyone the maximum benefit regardless of income during COVID, and now we're back to the regular income-based calculation. That explains the huge drop! I'm definitely going to call my caseworker to verify my deductions. I pay $875 in rent and $250 for after-school care, but I don't think they have the childcare amount in my file. Based on what others have shared here, it sounds like missing deductions could be costing me $50-100+ per month in benefits. Thank you to everyone who explained the difference between emergency allotments and maximum benefits - the terminology was so confusing! And thanks for the tips about checking deductions. It's reassuring to know this benefit reduction happened to everyone, not just my case specifically.
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@Amara Eze I'm in Riverside County too! I actually called our county office last week about transportation help and they told me about something called the "Riverside County Transportation Assistance Program" - it's not as comprehensive as Sacramento's but they do offer some limited ride vouchers for medical appointments and job interviews. You have to go through the CalFresh office to apply and there's income verification beyond just having CalFresh. The worker said they also partner with some local nonprofits that provide gas cards. It's worth asking specifically about "transportation assistance for CalFresh recipients" when you call - I almost gave up until I used those exact words and got transferred to someone who actually knew about the programs. The process is kind of a pain but definitely better than paying full price for rides!
@Theodore Nelson That s'really helpful to know about Riverside County s'program! It sounds like more counties are starting to offer these transportation assistance programs than I realized. The fact that you had to use those specific words transportation "assistance for CalFresh recipients is" such a good tip - it seems like the county workers don t'always know about these programs unless you ask in exactly the right way. I m'going to call tomorrow and use that exact phrase. Even limited ride vouchers for medical appointments and job interviews would be a huge help. Thanks for sharing your experience - it gives me hope that there might actually be resources available that I just didn t'know how to ask for!
This whole thread has been so eye-opening! I'm in Orange County and had no idea that any counties were offering transportation assistance programs like this. Reading about Sacramento Mobility Access and the Riverside County Transportation Assistance Program gives me hope that we might have something similar here that I just haven't found yet. I've been struggling with the same issues - my car needs major repairs and I can't afford them, so I've been spending way too much on rideshare just to get to work and basic appointments. I'm definitely going to call our county CalFresh office tomorrow and ask specifically about "transportation assistance for CalFresh recipients" like @Theodore Nelson suggested. It's amazing how helpful this community is - I never would have known to ask about these programs if I hadn't found this conversation. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and information!
Carmen Ortiz
One more important point - when you go to the office, make sure they give you a written receipt showing you submitted the EBT 2259 form. Some offices are claiming they never received forms when they get backed up. This receipt is your proof you submitted within the 10-day window, which is legally required for replacement. Also, ask if they can issue emergency food vouchers while you wait for the replacement. Some counties offer this for families with children who have had benefits stolen. It's not guaranteed but worth asking about.
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CyberNinja
•Thank you so much! I'll make sure to get that receipt and ask about emergency vouchers. With two young kids, we really can't go without food. This community has been so incredibly helpful - I feel much more prepared for tomorrow now.
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Benjamin Johnson
I'm so sorry this happened to you! EBT theft is unfortunately becoming more common. Just wanted to add one thing that helped me when my benefits were stolen last year - if you have any food banks or pantries in your area, don't hesitate to use them while you wait for the replacement. I was embarrassed at first, but they were so understanding and it really helped bridge the gap. Many churches and community centers also have emergency food programs specifically for situations like this. You're doing everything right by going in person tomorrow - stay strong and keep advocating for your family!
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Amara Okonkwo
•Thank you for mentioning food banks - I honestly hadn't even thought of that option because I've never had to use one before. Do you know if there are any restrictions on using them while you're already receiving CalFresh? I don't want to take resources away from someone who might need them more, but you're right that we need to eat while waiting for this to get sorted out.
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