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I'm reading through everyone's experiences and it's both reassuring and frustrating to see how common this issue is! I'm currently waiting for my first deposit too (approved 6 days ago) and the lack of clear communication from the county is really stressful when you need food NOW. One thing I discovered that might help others - some Safeway and Albertsons locations have self-service kiosks where you can check your EBT balance without going through a cashier, which I found less awkward than asking at the register. Also, I called my county's main number and asked to speak with an EBT specialist specifically (not just any caseworker) and they were able to tell me that my benefits were "in queue for processing" even though they couldn't give me an exact time. At least that confirmed something was actually happening behind the scenes! It's crazy that we all have to become experts at navigating this system, but this thread has been more helpful than any official documentation I received.
The self-service kiosk tip is genius! I never thought about using those - way less awkward than having to ask a cashier to check your balance when you're not buying anything. And asking specifically for an EBT specialist is such smart advice too. I just called my county's general line multiple times and kept getting transferred around. Having someone confirm that benefits are "in queue for processing" would definitely ease some of the anxiety of not knowing if something went wrong with the approval. It really is ridiculous that we have to become system experts just to access food assistance, but I'm so grateful for communities like this where people share the real practical knowledge that nobody else tells you!
This thread is incredibly valuable! I'm a social worker who helps people navigate CalFresh applications, and I'm honestly learning new tips from everyone's experiences here. The self-service kiosk idea and asking specifically for an EBT specialist are brilliant suggestions I'll definitely share with my clients. One additional resource I'd like to mention: many counties have CalFresh liaisons at local libraries who can help you access your BenefitsCal account and check on benefit status if you don't have reliable internet at home. Also, if anyone is struggling during the waiting period, most counties are required to provide emergency food assistance if you explain that you have no food while waiting for approved benefits to load. Don't be afraid to advocate for yourself - the squeaky wheel often gets the grease in this system. You all are doing an amazing job supporting each other through what should be a much clearer process!
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Just wanted to add that if you're ever unsure about your benefit schedule or amount, you can also check online through the MyBenefits CalWIN portal or call the EBT customer service line at 1-877-328-9677. They can tell you your next issuance date and current balance without having to wait on hold with the county office. I keep that number saved in my phone because it's been super helpful when I need quick info about my benefits!
That's such a useful tip! I had no idea about the MyBenefits portal - I've been trying to figure out how to check my balance without going to the store. Is the portal easy to set up? I'm not super tech-savvy but this would save me so much time compared to calling offices.
The MyBenefits portal is actually pretty straightforward to set up! You just need your case number and some basic info. Once you're logged in, you can see your benefit balance, payment history, and next issuance date all in one place. Way easier than calling and waiting on hold. @Samantha Hall thanks for sharing that tip - I wish someone had told me about this when I first started receiving benefits!
As someone who works with families transitioning off CalWORKs, I can confirm that Transitional CalFresh follows the same issuance schedule as regular CalFresh - benefits are loaded based on the last digit of your case number (0-3 on the 1st, 4-6 on the 2nd, 7-9 on the 3rd). However, your first month might be prorated or issued on a different date depending on when your CalWORKs case closed and when you were approved. Since your case number ends in 3, you should expect benefits on the 1st of each month going forward. One thing to keep in mind is that Transitional CalFresh often provides higher benefit amounts than what you received while on CalWORKs because they don't count earned income the same way. The program lasts for 5 months with no reporting requirements, which gives families time to stabilize after leaving cash aid. If you need to verify your exact issuance date or benefit amount, the MyBenefits CalWIN portal is really helpful for checking this info without having to call and wait on hold.
This is incredibly helpful information, thank you! It's reassuring to hear from someone who works directly with families in this situation. I was getting a bit worried seeing some conflicting information in the thread, but this clears everything up. My approval letter does show May 1st as my first issuance date, so that matches exactly what you're saying about the 1st of the month schedule for case numbers ending in 3. I'm definitely going to check out that MyBenefits portal too - it sounds like it'll save me a lot of stress trying to track everything. Really appreciate you taking the time to explain all the details about how the program works!
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I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stressful situation! Reading through all the helpful responses here, it really does sound like you're caught up in the partial system outage Emma confirmed rather than having an issue with your specific account. I had almost the identical experience about 8 months ago - card declined at Walmart with plenty of benefits available, but worked perfectly at a small neighborhood market the next day. The big box stores definitely seem more vulnerable to these processing glitches. One thing that helped me was calling ahead to smaller stores to ask if their EBT system was working before making the trip - saved me some frustration. Also, if you do end up needing to contact your county office, I've found that using the online chat feature on BenefitsCal (when it's working) sometimes connects you faster than phone calls. Really hoping the local grocery store works out for you tomorrow morning - keep us updated! This thread is going to be so valuable for other families who run into similar situations.
That's such a smart tip about calling ahead to check if smaller stores' EBT systems are working! I never would have thought of that but it makes perfect sense - why waste gas and time driving around if you can just call first. And thanks for mentioning the online chat feature on BenefitsCal - I had no idea that was even an option. I've been dreading having to sit on hold for hours again, so having an alternative way to reach someone is really helpful. It's incredible how many practical solutions I've learned from this thread that I never knew existed. Between trying the local market tomorrow, having backup communication methods, and knowing about emergency food resources, I feel like I actually have a solid plan instead of just panicking. Thank you for sharing your experience - hearing from so many people who've been through the exact same thing really helps me feel less alone in dealing with this!
I'm so sorry you're going through this stress! This exact thing happened to me last month at Costco - my card was declined even though I had over $200 in benefits. I was so embarrassed and panicked, especially with my toddler getting cranky in the cart. It turned out to be a system issue that affected several big retailers in our area for about 36 hours. I ended up going to a small family-owned market the next day and my card worked perfectly there. The owner told me that during these partial outages, the smaller independent stores often stay connected because they use different payment processors than the big chains. Based on Emma's update about the confirmed system outage, it definitely sounds like that's what you're dealing with. Don't blame yourself - this happens more often than you'd think! I'd definitely try a smaller grocery store tomorrow morning. Also, if you're really worried about your account status, sometimes the automated EBT balance check line (the number on the back of your card) will have a recorded message about known system issues. Hang in there - this will get resolved!
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UPDATE: So I tried using my card at Food 4 Less to buy groceries, and it worked perfectly fine! So the card isn't damaged after all. I checked my account again and my CalWORKs payment is now scheduled for tomorrow (it shows as pending). Looks like I just got confused about the payment dates and tried using it for cash too early. Thanks everyone for your help!
Glad to hear it worked out! For future reference, CalWORKs cash benefits are usually issued over the first three days of the month based on the last digit of your case number (days can vary by county). CalFresh benefits are distributed over the first 10 days of the month based on the last digit of your case number. That's why they often don't arrive on the same day.
Just wanted to say thanks to everyone for being so helpful! I'm pretty new to using both CalFresh and CalWORKs benefits and honestly the whole system is confusing to navigate. It's really reassuring to know there's a community here where people share their experiences and help each other out. I was panicking thinking my card was broken and I wouldn't be able to feed my kids, but now I understand how the different benefit schedules work. This has been a huge learning experience!
Welcome to the community! I'm new here too and totally get how overwhelming the whole benefits system can be. There's so much they don't explain clearly when you first apply. I've learned more from reading posts and comments here than from any official documentation. It's really great that people take the time to share their knowledge and help each other navigate all this stuff. Hope you stick around - seems like a really supportive group!
Javier Mendoza
This has been such an educational thread! I'm fairly new to the CalFresh program and honestly had no clue about any of these card blocking issues or the inconsistencies between counties. Reading through everyone's experiences has been both eye-opening and a bit concerning - it's wild that something as basic as unblocking a card can vary so much depending on where you live in California. I'm definitely going to be extra cautious with my PIN and keep my card somewhere my 4-year-old can't get to it! The practical tips shared here are gold - especially calling to check your balance first, downloading the EBT Edge app, and knowing about food banks for emergencies. It's really reassuring to see how willing everyone is to share their knowledge and help each other navigate these system quirks. This community support makes dealing with all the bureaucracy a little less overwhelming. Thanks to everyone for creating such a helpful resource!
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Hazel Garcia
•I'm also pretty new to CalFresh and this thread has been incredibly helpful! It's reassuring to know I'm not the only one who was completely unaware of these potential issues when I first signed up. The county-by-county differences are really frustrating - you'd think a state program would have more consistency. I'm definitely going to implement all these safety tips right away, especially being more careful with PIN entries and keeping my card secure from little hands. The EBT Edge app sounds like a game-changer for avoiding those stressful moments wondering if your benefits are available. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences and creating such a supportive community resource!
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Connor O'Brien
Wow, this entire thread has been incredibly informative! I'm relatively new to CalFresh and had no idea that EBT cards could get blocked so easily or that the unblocking process could be so inconsistent between counties. It's honestly pretty concerning that something as basic as card functionality can vary so much across California. I'm definitely going to be much more careful with my PIN going forward and make sure to keep my card away from my curious toddler! The practical advice shared here is amazing - calling to check your balance before heading to the store, downloading the EBT Edge app, and knowing about food banks for emergency situations. I'm bookmarking this conversation for future reference. It's really heartwarming to see how this community comes together to share knowledge and support each other through these frustrating system issues. Thanks to everyone for creating such a valuable resource for navigating CalFresh challenges!
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Matthew Sanchez
•This thread really has been a goldmine of information! As another CalFresh newcomer, I'm so grateful everyone took the time to share their experiences. It's definitely eye-opening (and honestly a bit scary) to learn how easily cards can get blocked and how unpredictable the unblocking process can be. The fact that it can vary so much between counties seems like a major system flaw that really needs to be addressed. I'm absolutely going to download the EBT Edge app and be way more cautious about PIN security - the idea of being locked out of benefits for 24+ hours when you need groceries is terrifying. The community support here is incredible though, and knowing about backup options like food banks makes me feel a bit more secure. Thanks for adding your thoughts and helping create such a comprehensive resource for all of us still learning the ropes!
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