I've been dealing with this exact same Walmart EBT Cash issue for about three weeks now! It's so incredibly frustrating - the payment processor just spins endlessly without ever completing or giving any kind of error message. What makes it even more maddening is that my card works perfectly fine when I shop at their physical store. After reading through everyone's experiences here, I'm convinced this is a widespread technical problem with Walmart's online payment system specifically for EBT Cash processing. It sounds like they can handle the food benefit portion just fine, but something about their cash benefit integration is completely broken. I'm definitely going to try Amazon based on all the overwhelmingly positive recommendations in this thread. The fact that they clearly label EBT eligible items upfront and have consistent payment processing sounds like such a relief compared to Walmart's mess of a system. I'm also planning to call the EBT customer service number to check if my account needs any special online purchase flags enabled - I had no idea that was even a thing until reading these responses! The Target curbside pickup option sounds perfect for my situation too since I can handle short trips but navigating large stores for extended periods is really challenging. It's reassuring to know there are multiple reliable alternatives while we wait for Walmart to hopefully fix their broken system. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences and solutions - this community is such a valuable resource for working around these frustrating technical barriers!

I've been having this exact same Walmart EBT Cash issue for the past several weeks! Like everyone else has described, the payment just gets stuck processing forever - no error message, no completion, just endless spinning. It's particularly frustrating because my card works perfectly fine at their physical stores, so this is clearly a problem with their online system. This thread has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea that EBT accounts sometimes need to be specifically enabled for online purchases. That's definitely something I need to check on by calling the customer service number on my card. Based on all the positive feedback here, I'm switching to Amazon for my EBT Cash online shopping. The consistent reports about their reliable payment processing and clear item eligibility labeling sound like such a huge improvement over Walmart's broken system. I'm also really interested in trying Target's curbside pickup option since I can manage short trips but long walks through stores are difficult for me. It's ridiculous that we have to deal with these technical barriers just to use our benefits, but I'm grateful for communities like this where people share real solutions. Thanks everyone for confirming this is a widespread Walmart system issue and not user error!

Just wanted to add my support and say you're doing such an amazing job advocating for your baby! I went through something really similar when my daughter was little - the restaurant industry can be so unpredictable with hours and income. One thing that really helped me was keeping a simple log of my actual work schedule each week to show the pattern of reduced hours, not just relying on pay stubs. Sometimes managers change schedules verbally and it doesn't always show up clearly on paystubs. Also, if you're comfortable with it, ask other coworkers if they're experiencing the same hour cuts - having multiple people affected by "seasonal slowness" can actually strengthen your case that it's a legitimate business change and not just you personally getting fewer shifts. The fact that you're thinking ahead and asking these questions shows what a good mom you are. Your baby is lucky to have someone who fights this hard for them! 💜

Hey mama! I just wanted to jump in with some encouragement and a couple additional resources that might help. First off, everyone here is absolutely right - you can reapply immediately with no waiting period, and with your changed circumstances you should definitely qualify this time! Since you mentioned you're in San Bernardino County, I wanted to let you know about a few local resources that might help while you're waiting for benefits to process. The Inland Empire United Way has a 211 helpline (just dial 2-1-1) that can connect you to local food pantries, emergency assistance, and even help finding benefits navigators in your area. Also, check if any local grocery stores near you participate in the "Round Up" programs where customers can donate their change - sometimes these funds go directly to help families in your exact situation with grocery vouchers. One more thing - since your baby needs the sensitive formula, see if your pediatrician can write a letter stating it's medically necessary. Sometimes this can help with getting additional assistance or even samples from the manufacturer. You're being such a strong advocate for your family, and it sounds like you have a solid plan now with all the great advice in this thread. The fact that you're asking the right questions and gathering documentation shows you're going to succeed this time. Hang in there - better days are coming! 💙

Hi Joshua! I'm new to this community but have been reading through all these responses and wow, what a wealth of information! Based on everyone's experiences, I'd definitely recommend reporting your rent increase to CalFresh first before even considering General Relief. The success stories people have shared about getting $70-90/month benefit increases from reporting rent bumps of $150-200 are really encouraging. Since your rent went up $200, you could potentially see a similar increase that might solve your food budget issue entirely! And the 1-2 week processing time several people mentioned sounds way better than dealing with all the GR complications. I had no idea before reading this that General Relief was actually a loan you have to pay back - that's a huge detail that changes everything! The workfare requirements, monthly check-ins, job search documentation, and all the other bureaucratic requirements make it sound like way more trouble than it's worth for $391/month. I'd also suggest checking out those food banks people mentioned while you wait for your CalFresh increase to process. It sounds like San Bernardino County has some good mobile pantry options that could help bridge the gap without any paperwork hassles. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences here - this community is such an amazing resource for navigating these complex programs! Good luck Joshua!

Hi Joshua! I'm new to this community but have been reading through all the amazing advice everyone has shared. Based on everything I've learned here, I'd definitely recommend reporting your rent increase to CalFresh first - it sounds like that could potentially solve your food budget problem without any of the complications that come with General Relief. The experiences people have shared about getting $70-90/month increases from reporting rent bumps are really encouraging! Since your rent went up $200, you could see a significant boost to your $231/month benefit. The 1-2 week processing time that several people mentioned sounds way more manageable than dealing with all the GR requirements. I had no idea before reading this thread that General Relief was actually a loan you have to repay! Between the workfare hours, monthly check-ins, job search documentation, and potential forced disability applications, it sounds like a lot of bureaucratic hassle for $391/month. Plus the stories about people losing benefits for missing appointments are concerning. While you're waiting for your CalFresh increase to process, definitely check out those food banks that Zara and others mentioned. It sounds like San Bernardino County has some good mobile pantry options that could help supplement your groceries without any paperwork. This community is such an incredible resource - I've learned so much just from reading everyone's experiences! Good luck with reporting your rent increase - it really sounds like that could be exactly what you need to make your food budget work better.

Hey Amara! Welcome to CalFresh and this community! I see you've already gotten some fantastic advice from everyone here. Just wanted to add a quick tip from my own experience - when you're traveling out of state, it's worth downloading store apps for the major chains you plan to shop at (like Kroger, Safeway, etc.). Some stores have digital coupons that stack with EBT purchases, which can help you stretch those benefits even further while you're away from home. Also, if you're staying somewhere with a kitchen during your Arizona visit, consider hitting up a grocery store first thing to stock up on basics rather than relying on convenience stores or gas stations - your benefits will go much further that way. Have an amazing time with your sister and enjoy the peace of mind knowing your benefits will be there when you need them! 🌵

Just wanted to chime in with one more practical tip that saved me during a recent trip to Nevada - screenshot or write down your EBT balance before you leave California! Sometimes when you're in another state and checking your balance at the grocery store checkout, the receipt might not print properly or the PIN pad might glitch. Having that info handy prevented me from accidentally overdrawing when I was buying groceries at a Walmart in Vegas. Also, if you're planning to shop at warehouse stores like Costco during your trip (since someone mentioned saving up for those big trips), make sure they accept EBT at that specific location - not all warehouse stores do, and policies can vary by state. Have a wonderful time in Arizona! The weather should be perfect this time of year for visiting.

I'm so glad this thread exists! I've been quietly following this community for a while but never posted before. Reading through everyone's experiences with EBT card issues has been incredibly eye-opening - I had no idea there were so many different resources and strategies for getting help. I'm currently on CalFresh but haven't had major issues yet, thankfully. However, I did have one minor situation where my card was declined at a small corner store, and now I realize from reading this thread that I should have checked if they were an authorized retailer using that USDA locator website someone mentioned. At the time I just assumed my card was broken and got really anxious about it! The timing tips for calling county offices are pure gold - I'm definitely saving the "8:01 AM Monday morning" strategy and the alternative times people suggested. It's also amazing to learn about benefits navigators at food banks and the option to contact state representatives. I never would have thought of those backup plans. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories and solutions. This community is such a lifeline for navigating these complex systems that can be so overwhelming when you're already dealing with food insecurity!

This thread is incredibly comprehensive! As someone who's relatively new to CalFresh, I'm amazed by how many different approaches people have shared for getting actual help when your EBT card isn't working properly. The key takeaway that everyone seems to agree on is that the number on the back of your EBT card (1-877-328-9677) is only for basic card functions - balance checks, reporting lost cards, PIN resets, etc. For actual program issues like cards being declined at authorized stores, you need to contact your county CalFresh office directly. I love all the strategic timing advice people have shared - calling right at 8:01 AM when offices open, trying off-peak hours like lunch time, and having all your documentation ready (case number, specific store names, error messages if possible). The backup resources like 211, benefits navigators at food banks, and even contacting state representatives are brilliant options I never would have thought of. One thing I'll add that might help others: if you're not sure which county office to call, the general CalFresh info line at 1-877-847-3663 can help connect you to your local office. And definitely download the EBT Edge app if you haven't already - apparently there can be important alerts and notices that aren't obvious from just checking your balance. Thanks to everyone who shared their real experiences and solutions. This is exactly the kind of practical community support that makes navigating these systems so much easier!