This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - my EBT card suddenly stopped working at the grocery store checkout yesterday and I had no idea why. Based on what everyone's shared here, it sounds like I probably hit the 4-attempt limit without realizing it. I'm going to try the online reset at ebt.ca.gov first before calling or going to the office. It's really eye-opening to learn that this is such a common issue but there's basically no clear communication from the system about what's happening. Thank you all for sharing your experiences - it's making me feel less alone in dealing with this frustrating situation!

This is such an important thread! I'm relatively new to receiving CalFresh benefits and had no idea that EBT cards could get locked after incorrect PIN attempts without any notification. I've been lucky so far but reading everyone's experiences here is really eye-opening. It's frustrating that there's no automated system to let people know their card is locked - instead you're left thinking you're doing something wrong when really it's a technical issue that needs to be resolved. I'm bookmarking the EBT website (ebt.ca.gov) and customer service number (877-328-9677) from @GalacticGuru's comment in case I ever run into this problem. Thanks to everyone for sharing your stories and solutions - it really shows how important it is for community members to support each other when the official systems fall short on communication!

This thread has been absolutely incredible to read through! I'm currently in a precarious housing situation myself and had no idea about the homeless assistance program through CalFresh. What really stands out to me is how Sean's experience went from initial confusion to ultimate success - it's both inspiring and frustrating that it took so much effort to get what was already approved. The collective wisdom shared here is amazing: the importance of documentation, knowing about the February 2025 policy change from 14 to 16 days, asking for supervisors, and having multiple strategies (phone, in-person, online portals, services like Claimyr). As a newcomer to this system, I'm taking screenshots of all these tips because it's clear that self-advocacy is absolutely critical. The fact that so many county workers seem uninformed about their own current policies is deeply concerning but good to know going in. Thanks to everyone who shared their real experiences - this is the kind of practical, community-driven knowledge that makes all the difference when you're facing housing instability. You've all created something more valuable than any official manual!

This entire conversation has been such a lifeline for me! I'm currently staying in my car and didn't even know this homeless assistance program existed through CalFresh. Reading Sean's journey from confusion to success gives me so much hope. The fact that he went from thinking he might lose his housing to getting his full 16 days is incredible. I'm definitely going to apply for this program tomorrow and I feel so much more prepared thanks to everyone's advice here. The tips about bringing all documentation, asking for supervisors when needed, and knowing about the February 2025 policy change to 16 days are invaluable. It's honestly shocking how much you have to advocate for yourself just to get approved benefits, but at least now I know what to expect. This community is amazing - where else can you get this kind of real-world guidance that actually helps people navigate these systems? Thank you all for sharing your experiences and creating such a helpful resource!

I'm so sorry you're facing this situation with your children. As someone who works with families in crisis, I want to emphasize a few urgent steps that haven't been fully covered: 1. **Call 211 immediately** - They have real-time information about emergency shelter availability and can often get you on waiting lists faster than going through individual agencies. 2. **Contact your local Coordinated Entry System** - Every county has one for homeless services. They prioritize families with children and can connect you to rapid rehousing programs that might get you housed faster than traditional waitlists. 3. **Ask about Emergency Housing Vouchers** - These are different from regular Section 8 and specifically for people experiencing homelessness. They often have shorter wait times. 4. **Document everything** - Take photos of your eviction notice, keep records of all calls/applications. This helps expedite services and appeals if needed. 5. **Know your rights** - In California, you cannot be evicted in 30 days if you've been there over a year (it's typically 60 days). Double-check your notice with a tenant's rights organization. You're being proactive by reaching out now. That gives you a much better chance of avoiding sleeping in your car. Stay strong - there are people and programs designed to help families exactly like yours.

I'm heartbroken reading your story, but please know you're not alone and there IS help available. I went through something similar 3 years ago with my twin boys when our apartment building was condemned suddenly. Here's what I learned that might help you RIGHT NOW: **Immediate CalFresh Actions:** - Call your caseworker TODAY and report that you're facing imminent homelessness. This can trigger expedited processing for other benefits - Ask specifically about the "homeless deduction" for CalFresh - you might qualify for additional benefits even without paying rent - Request they flag your case as "emergency" status **CalWORKs Emergency Aid:** - Apply for CalWORKs Homeless Assistance ASAP - don't wait until you're actually on the street. The 30-day notice qualifies as "imminent homelessness" - Bring: eviction notice, kids' birth certificates, your ID, proof of income, and any documentation showing you can't find affordable housing - Ask specifically for "Temporary Homeless Assistance" (up to 16 days hotel/motel vouchers) AND "Permanent Housing Assistance" (deposit/first month help) **Schools:** - Contact your 7-year-old's school counselor immediately about McKinney-Vento Act protections. They can provide meals, supplies, and ensure school stability even if you move districts temporarily. You have almost a month - that's actually more time than many people get. Use every single day to apply for programs and make calls. Document everything and don't take "no" for an answer without asking to speak to a supervisor. Sending you strength mama. Your kids are lucky to have someone fighting this hard for them. 💙

Just want to echo what everyone else has said - this exact same thing happened to me back in November and I was SO confused when I couldn't find the replacement money in my regular food benefits! Like others mentioned, it definitely shows up as "Cash Benefits" when you check your balance. One small tip that helped me: when I called the EBT customer service line to check my balance, I had to listen through the ENTIRE automated message because they list the cash benefits balance after the food benefits balance. The first time I called I hung up thinking the money wasn't there yet because I only heard my regular CalFresh balance. Also want to second what Rajiv said about the 90-day expiration - I almost lost some of mine because I forgot about that rule! The regular CalFresh benefits last so much longer that I wasn't thinking about using the cash benefits quickly. Good luck and hope you get your money back soon!

This is such valuable information - thank you everyone for sharing your experiences! I'm new to this community and haven't had to deal with stolen benefits before, but reading through all these responses makes me feel much more prepared in case it ever happens to me. A couple questions based on what I've read: When you withdraw the cash benefits from an ATM, are there any fees like with regular bank withdrawals? And does anyone know if you can use the cash benefits portion to pay bills online or does it only work for in-person purchases and ATM withdrawals? Also wanted to say how helpful it is that people mentioned specific details like listening to the full automated message and the 90-day expiration rule - those are the kinds of important details that caseworkers sometimes forget to mention but can make a huge difference!

Quick update for anyone else who might face this situation - I just went through this exact process last week in Fresno! Got to the Shields office at 7:45am and was about 6th in line. Whole process took about 1 hour 15 minutes from when I got there to walking out with my new card. Staff was really helpful and the new card worked immediately at the grocery store. Just make sure to bring your ID and any paperwork you have with your case info. The PIN setup only takes like 2 minutes at the kiosk they have there. Don't stress too much @Andre Lefebvre - you'll get it sorted tomorrow!

If you're really desperate and can't make it to the office tomorrow for some reason, there's actually one more emergency option - some of the larger grocery stores in Fresno (like the WinCo on Shaw or Food 4 Less on Blackstone) have customer service desks that can help you get emergency food assistance while you wait for your replacement card. You'd need to call 211 first to get set up, but they can sometimes provide a temporary voucher for essential groceries. It's not ideal and has limitations, but it's better than going hungry if the office visit doesn't work out. But honestly, based on what everyone's saying, going to the welfare office in person sounds like your best bet for getting sorted quickly!