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!

Thank you everyone for the helpful advice! I went to the office yesterday with my ID and new lease. They did have me fill out an extra form explaining the circumstances, but the worker was actually really nice about it. She suggested I keep my EBT card in a separate wallet section or even a different wallet entirely from what my kids can access. Also signed up for the BenefitsCal app so I can manage things better going forward. No benefit interruption! So relieved.

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!

For anyone wondering, my benefits just loaded this morning! Got the full back payment for what I was owed too. The worker didn't really explain why the flag happened, just said something about the "closure reason code" not properly triggering the TCF process. Seems like they have to manually fix these a lot.

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!

Quick tip - if you need to check your P-EBT balance, don't use the regular EBT app! It won't show up there. You need to either call the number on the back of the P-EBT card specifically or use the P-EBT portal website. I made that mistake and thought my card was empty when it actually had benefits on it.

Hey Adrian! I just went through the exact same thing last month. Got my P-EBT card with only $31 on it and was so frustrated thinking that was it. But everyone here is right - definitely keep that card! They've been adding money every few weeks. I'm up to $247 total now across 3 separate deposits. The timing seems random but it keeps coming. Also pro tip - sign up for text alerts if your card company offers it. Mine sends me a text whenever new funds are added so I don't have to keep checking the balance manually. The whole system is confusing but the money does keep coming!

Glad they showed up! Just FYI for the future, make sure you complete your SAR7 (Semi-Annual Report) when they send it to you around the 5th month. A lot of people lose benefits because they forget to turn it in. And you'll need to do recertification at the 12-month mark. They should send you reminders but the system isn't perfect.

Malik, I'm so glad your benefits showed up! This is actually a really common concern for new CalFresh recipients. Just wanted to add one more tip - if you ever have questions about your benefit schedule or need to check when your next issuance is due, you can also text your EBT card number to 997-279 and get an instant balance and last transaction info. Super helpful when you're out shopping and want to double-check your available balance without calling the 1-800 number. Welcome to the CalFresh program!