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!

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!

Great to see you got it resolved! For anyone else having similar issues, I'd also recommend checking if your county has text message alerts for CalFresh. Mine sends reminders about reporting deadlines and sometimes includes backup phone numbers when the app is down. You can usually sign up through your BenefitsCal account under notification preferences. It's been a lifesaver when I've had tech issues with both the website and app at the same time.

Another thing that helped me when I had Edge app issues was making sure I had a strong internet connection. The app seems really sensitive to weak WiFi or cellular data. If you're on WiFi, try switching to cellular data or vice versa. Also, some people have reported that logging out of ALL apps on your phone and then restarting before trying Edge works better - something about memory allocation. And if you're still having trouble after trying all these fixes, you can always fax your SAR7 to your county office. Most county fax numbers are on their websites and it's usually processed just as fast as the app uploads.

Just wanted to add another tip that's helped me save money on fees - if your cousin lives near any colleges or universities, many campus bookstores and food courts accept EBT and offer cash back with no fees. I discovered this by accident when I was visiting a friend at UC San Diego. The campus convenience store let me get $40 cash back when I bought a drink, and there was no fee at all. Not every campus location does this, but it's worth checking if he's in the area. Also, for what it's worth, San Diego County's GA program should allow 4 free BofA ATM withdrawals per month before fees kick in. The county office on Broadway downtown sometimes has printed fee schedules available if he wants to stop by in person - sometimes easier than trying to get through on the phone. The staff there seemed more helpful than the eligibility workers at the initial appointment.

This whole thread has been incredibly eye-opening! I had no idea the fee structure was so complicated or that there were so many ways to avoid them. I've been on CalFresh for about 6 months but never had cash benefits before, so this is all new information for me too. One thing I wanted to add that might help your cousin - I recently learned that some Dollar General and Family Dollar stores also offer cash back with EBT purchases, and their limits are usually pretty reasonable (around $40-50). Since there are so many of these stores around, it might give him more options for getting cash without fees, especially if he's in an area without a lot of grocery stores. Also, just want to say how frustrating it is that we all have to crowdsource this basic information that should be clearly explained during the application process. The fact that people are losing money to fees because they weren't properly informed is really messed up. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this is exactly the kind of practical knowledge that makes a real difference in people's lives!

Hi Melaena! The RAMP (Restaurant Meals Program) allows eligible CalFresh recipients to use their EBT cards at participating restaurants. For Blackstone Avenue in Fresno specifically, I'd recommend checking the official CalFresh website or calling your local county office at (559) 600-2060 for the most current list of participating locations. Restaurant participation can change, so it's best to get up-to-date information. You can also look for "CalFresh EBT Accepted Here" signs at restaurants along Blackstone. Common chains that often participate include Subway, Carl's Jr., and some pizza places, but each location needs to be individually approved. Hope this helps!