Just wanted to update everyone - I had the same issue last weekend and finally got through to someone at the county yesterday. The rep told me there was a system-wide issue with EBT cards at farmers markets using certain wireless terminals (just like someone mentioned above). They're aware of the problem and working on fixing it. For now, she said you can ask the market manager if they have a manual voucher system as a backup. Also, some vendors have the updated terminals that work fine. Hope this helps someone!

I'm dealing with the exact same issue! My card has been working fine everywhere else but got declined at three different vendors at the Midtown Farmers Market last Saturday. Really glad to see this isn't just me - I was starting to worry my benefits got suspended or something. The Market Match program is such a lifesaver for stretching our grocery budget, especially with fresh produce being so expensive lately. Going to try calling the county office tomorrow morning right at 8 AM like someone suggested. Thanks for posting about this - it's reassuring to know others are experiencing the same technical problems and that there might be a fix coming soon!

That's such great news! I'm so happy it worked out for you. The worker's suggestion about keeping the EBT card separate from what your kids can get into is really smart - maybe even consider one of those small zippered pouches that you can keep in a secure pocket or hidden part of your bag. Thanks for updating us on how it went, it'll definitely help other people in similar situations know what to expect. Glad your family's benefits are secure!

I'm so glad you shared this experience! As someone who also has young kids who love to "reorganize" everything they can get their hands on, I totally understand how EBT cards can just disappear. It's really reassuring to hear that the county workers are generally understanding about legitimate circumstances like kids and moving situations. Your tip about the separate wallet is something I'm definitely going to implement - maybe even one of those small wristlet wallets that's harder for little hands to dig through. Thanks for being brave enough to ask this question and then following up with how it went. It really helps normalize these kinds of situations that are way more common than we think!

My aunt had the same thing happen but she got an advocate from the senior center to help her. They found out she was eligible for something called the

Yes, definitely gather your pharmacy receipts and any other medical expense documentation before calling! For medical expenses, they'll want to see things like prescription receipts, Medicare premium statements, and any bills for medical services. For the rent increase, bring your lease agreement or a letter from your landlord showing the new amount. The Standard Medical Deduction that @f90c33271baf mentioned can really make a difference - if you're spending $200/month on medical costs, that $165 deduction could potentially increase your CalFresh by $50+ per month. It's worth the effort to get this sorted out! Also, when you call, specifically ask them to review ALL your deductions to make sure nothing else is being missed. Sometimes there are utility allowances or other deductions that workers forget to apply.

This is such a great example of how persistent you have to be with these systems! I'm dealing with something similar right now - got approved for emergency CalFresh but haven't seen any benefits loaded yet. It's really frustrating when you're counting on that help to feed your family. Your story gives me hope that if I keep calling, I'll eventually get someone who can actually fix the problem. Thanks for sharing the update and glad your kids won't be going hungry anymore!

Wow, this whole thread is such a perfect example of how broken the communication is between different parts of the county system! @Bruno Simmons I'm so glad you finally got this resolved - it must have been incredibly stressful waiting weeks for benefits that were already approved. For anyone else dealing with similar TCF issues, it sounds like the key lessons are: 1) Don't assume the approval letter means benefits will automatically start, 2) Be prepared to call multiple times and be very specific about "Transitional CalFresh" when you get through, and 3) Ask specifically if your TCF case was properly "activated" in their system. It's ridiculous that families have to become experts in navigating these system glitches just to get the food assistance they're entitled to. The county really needs to fix these communication issues between their departments so people don't have to go through this stress when they're already dealing with job loss and other challenges.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stress! I went through something similar about 3 months ago and it's awful when you have kids depending on those benefits. In my case, I called every morning around 8:30am when the county office first opened and finally got through on the third day. The worker was actually really helpful once I reached her - she expedited my replacement and I got it in 4 days instead of the usual week. One thing that helped me was asking specifically about "emergency food assistance" while waiting for the new card. They don't always offer it automatically but some counties can provide temporary vouchers or direct you to emergency food programs that work with EBT families. Also, if you have any family or friends who can spot you groceries, the replacement process really does work - my new card came with all my remaining benefits intact. Hang in there, and definitely try calling first thing in the morning when their phone lines are less busy!

This is so frustrating and unfortunately becoming way too common! I had my card locked twice last year for "suspicious activity" even though I'm super careful too. The first time took almost 8 days to get the replacement and I was panicking with two kids at home. What really helped me was calling the EBT customer service line (the number on the back of your old card) and asking them to put a rush on the replacement. They can sometimes expedite it to 3-5 days instead of the full week. Also, while you're waiting, check if your county has any emergency food pantries that work specifically with CalFresh families - some can help bridge the gap. The chip cards are actually pretty good from what I've heard from friends who got them early. Same process as using a regular credit card with a chip. Just remember to bring your ID when you first use the new card since some stores require it for the initial transaction after a replacement. Hope your new card comes quickly! This system really needs to do better about notifying people BEFORE they lock accounts.