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!

I went through this exact same panic in 2019 when my caseworker told me benefits might be interrupted during the shutdown. Turns out she was completely wrong - my EBT card loaded normally every single month during that 35-day shutdown! CalFresh is considered mandatory spending and the system runs automatically. Even if your county office has reduced staff for your recert interview, they'll work with you to reschedule and won't let your benefits lapse. I have 2 kids myself so I totally understand the fear, but you can breathe easy - your family will not go hungry during a shutdown. The misinformation from caseworkers during these times is honestly inexcusable given how much stress it causes families.

I've been receiving CalFresh for about 2 years now and went through the 2023 shutdown situation. Can confirm that benefits continued normally - my EBT card was loaded on schedule every month without any issues. The automated system that handles benefit disbursements is separate from the political budget battles in Washington. What I learned during that time is that CalFresh (SNAP) is considered an "entitlement program" which means it has mandatory funding that doesn't get affected by temporary shutdowns. The only thing that might be impacted is if you need to speak with a caseworker for changes or new applications, since offices might be short-staffed. But your existing benefits will keep coming. Your caseworker really shouldn't have scared you like that - it's frustrating when the people who are supposed to help us spread unnecessary panic instead of facts.