As someone who just joined this community, I'm really grateful to see how supportive everyone is here! This thread was both scary and reassuring to read - scary because it shows how these system issues can happen without warning, but reassuring because of how quickly people jumped in to help with solutions and updates. I'm still waiting for my CalFresh application to be approved, but I'm already bookmarking this thread and taking notes on all the helpful tips like setting up text alerts, following their Facebook page, and knowing about services like Claimyr for when you can't get through on the phone. It's also good to know that food banks are available for emergency situations. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and helped Sebastian and KingKongZilla get through this stressful situation!

As someone who's new to both CalFresh and this community, reading through this entire thread has been incredibly educational! I'm currently going through the application process myself and had no idea that system maintenance could cause these kinds of delays and panic situations. It's both concerning and comforting to see how this played out - concerning because it shows how vulnerable we can be when the system has issues, but comforting because of how quickly everyone here jumped in to help with practical solutions and emotional support. I'm definitely taking notes on all the preventive measures mentioned here like setting up text alerts, following their Facebook page, saving emergency food bank numbers, and knowing about services like Claimyr for when you need to reach someone urgently. Sebastian, I'm so glad your situation got resolved and your kids got fed! This community seems like such a lifeline for navigating all the challenges that come with these benefits programs.

Thank you everyone for the helpful advice! I'm going to: 1. Request the new chip card for my EBT benefits 2. Set up text alerts for any transactions on my accounts 3. Be more careful about where I use my cards I appreciate all the information and personal experiences you've shared. It's helping me make better decisions to protect my benefits!

Just wanted to add that if you do experience theft, don't panic! I had my CalWORKs benefits stolen from my Wells Fargo account in January and while it was stressful, I got everything back within 6 weeks. The key things that helped me were: 1) I reported it within 24 hours to both the bank and the EBT hotline, 2) I kept copies of ALL the forms I filled out, and 3) I followed up weekly with both the bank and county. Also, most food banks don't require any paperwork if you're waiting for stolen benefits to be replaced - they understand this is an emergency situation. Stay strong and don't give up pushing for your money back!

Glad you figured it out! This is such a common mix-up - I've done the same thing before with different benefit dates. It's so easy to get confused when you're receiving multiple types of assistance. At least now you know your benefits will be there tomorrow morning! Hope your grocery shopping goes smoothly then. 😊

Welcome to the community! As someone who's been on CalFresh for a while, I can tell you that keeping track of different benefit dates is definitely tricky at first. A good tip is to set calendar reminders on your phone for each program - I have separate alerts for CalFresh, CalWorks, and Medi-Cal renewals. Also, don't feel bad about calling the EBT hotline if you're ever unsure - that's what it's there for! The automated system can actually give you your exact deposit date and current balance without having to wait for a person. You'll get the hang of it! 😊

I'm new to CalFresh and this thread is super helpful! I just got approved last month and my issuance date is the 15th (case number ends in 5). Now I know not to panic if the deposit doesn't come at exactly the same time each month. The text alert tip is great - I'm going to set that up right away. It's reassuring to know that timing variations are normal even though it's stressful when you're depending on those benefits for groceries.

This whole thread has been so reassuring! I'm relatively new to CalFresh (about 6 months now) and I still get anxious every month wondering if something went wrong with my case. My issuance date is the 3rd and I've noticed the timing really does vary - sometimes it's there when I wake up, other times not until afternoon. The text alert suggestion is genius - I had no idea that was even an option! Going to set that up today. It's so helpful to have a community where we can share these experiences and tips. Makes the whole process feel less isolating when you know others are going through the same thing.

I'm a newcomer here but I wanted to share something that might help - when this happened to my sister at a different store, she found out that some counties have what's called a "Bridge Benefits" program that can provide temporary assistance while you're waiting for dispute resolution. It's specifically for situations where system errors leave families short on food money through no fault of their own. You can usually find info on your county's social services website or by calling 211. Also, if you have a smartphone, the ConnectEBT app sometimes shows transaction details faster than calling customer service, so you might be able to screenshot the duplicate charges as additional documentation. I know this is so stressful when you're trying to make sure your kids are fed - hoping you get this resolved quickly!

I'm new to this community but wanted to jump in since I just went through this exact same issue at a different store last month! Three duplicate charges is absolutely crazy - I can't imagine how stressful that must be. One thing I learned that might help is to ask the EBT customer service rep for the "transaction reference number" for each of the duplicate charges when you call. Having those specific numbers made it much easier for them to locate and reverse the erroneous transactions in my case. Also, if you're comfortable sharing which Trader Joe's location this happened at, it might help other community members know to be extra careful with their transactions there. The folks here have given amazing advice about calling early, asking for supervisors, and looking into emergency assistance programs. You've got this - the system error will get fixed, and your family will be okay!