I'm a night shift pharmacy tech (11pm-7am) and this thread is a lifesaver! I've been having this exact same problem for about 2 months now. My card works fine during regular hours, but gets declined every time I try to shop after my shift ends at 7am. I called once and they said they "fixed it" but clearly didn't remove all the blocks based on what everyone is sharing here. What's really helpful is seeing how many different types of restrictions there actually are - I had no idea it was this complicated! I'm going to call back this week and specifically ask about ALL the different blocks: time restrictions, fraud monitoring, velocity limits, geographic restrictions, and unusual activity flags. And I'm definitely asking for a supervisor right away like several people suggested. It's honestly ridiculous that night shift workers have to become experts on EBT security systems just to buy groceries during our only available hours, but at least now I know exactly what to ask for. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences and solutions!

I'm a night shift security officer (9pm-5am) and this thread has been absolutely invaluable! I've been struggling with this exact same issue for about 4 months now. What's really frustrating is that I called EBT customer service twice and each time they assured me the "block was removed," but my card still gets declined every time I try to shop at 5:30am after my shift. Reading through everyone's experiences here, I now realize the customer service reps were probably only addressing one type of restriction while leaving others active. It's honestly shocking how many different security layers can prevent us from accessing our own benefits during overnight hours! I'm planning to call back this Friday and I'm going to be super specific about requesting removal of ALL these restrictions: time-of-day blocks, fraud monitoring during overnight hours, transaction velocity limits, geographic fraud prevention, and any suspicious activity flags. I'm also going to ask for a supervisor right away and make sure they actually verify in their system that ALL blocks are removed, not just noted. Thank you to everyone who shared their specific solutions - this community knowledge is way more helpful than anything I've gotten through official channels!

I just wanted to share another option that's worked well for me - many Navy Federal Credit Union ATMs are also surcharge-free for EBT withdrawals, and they're pretty common in California. You don't need to be a member to use their ATMs. Also, I've found that some 99 Cent stores and Food 4 Less locations offer cash back with no fees, which is great when you need smaller amounts. One thing I learned recently is that you can actually call ahead to stores to ask if they offer cash back with EBT purchases - saves you from finding out at the register that they don't. The customer service reps are usually happy to check for you, and it's helped me plan my errands better. Hope this helps anyone still looking for more options!

I'm also new to this and wanted to add that some FoodMaxx and Smart & Final stores do cash back with EBT purchases too! I was surprised to learn this since they're smaller chains. Also, if you're ever near an Indian Health Service clinic or tribal health center, many of them have credit union ATMs on-site that are surcharge-free. One thing that's really helped me is keeping a small notebook in my wallet with addresses of the free ATMs I've found - that way I don't have to rely on my phone battery or data when I'm out. The apps are great but sometimes having a backup list written down has saved me when technology fails!

UPDATE: IT WORKED! I tried using my youngest child's DOB when calling the number, and I was able to verify and set a new PIN! Then I made sure to select \

That's amazing news, Mateo! So glad you got it working. Your experience is going to help so many other families who are dealing with the same frustrating issue. It's ridiculous that they changed the verification process without clearly communicating it to cardholders. Thanks for sharing the update - I'm sure other parents in this group will find your solution really helpful!

UPDATE: I wanted to let everyone know what's happened. I tried calling the county office all morning yesterday with no luck. Finally used that Claimyr service someone mentioned, and they got me through to an Emergency Response worker! The worker took all our info and said we qualify for temporary housing assistance while our full CalWORKs application is processed. They're sending us paperwork today and said we might be able to get help with the hotel for up to 16 days while we look for something permanent. They're also connecting us with a housing navigator who can help us find an apartment that will work with our budget. I'm still stressed but at least feel like we have some options now. Thank you all for your advice!

So glad you got the help you needed! This is a perfect example of why it's worth trying multiple approaches when dealing with these systems. The fact that you got connected with both temporary assistance AND a housing navigator is huge - that combination gives you the best shot at transitioning from emergency help to stable housing. For anyone else reading this who might be in a similar situation, Keisha's experience shows that persistence pays off. Don't give up after the first few failed phone calls. And definitely document everything like others suggested - having proof of your emergency situation really does make a difference when you finally get to talk to the right person. Hoping the housing navigator helps you find something affordable and safe for your family. You've got this!

I'm so sorry you're going through this nightmare - it's absolutely unacceptable that families have to go without food while navigating these bureaucratic failures. Based on all the great advice shared here, it sounds like you have several solid options to pursue now. Just to add one more resource that might help - if you're in a larger county, sometimes they have dedicated "case resolution" units that handle situations exactly like yours where regular customer service has failed. You can ask your Assembly Member's office if your county has one of these units, as they often have more authority to override system errors and expedite case reviews. Also, when you do get through to someone (whether through the Assembly Member, ombudsman, or regular channels), make sure to ask for a case manager's direct phone number or email. Having that direct contact can prevent you from falling back into the same phone tree hell if any issues come up in the future. The fact that multiple people here have had success with the Assembly Member route is really encouraging. Document everything, emphasize the emergency nature of your situation, and don't give up. You shouldn't have to fight this hard just to access basic food assistance, but it sounds like you're armed with some real solutions now. Wishing you the best of luck getting this resolved quickly!

I'm going through something very similar right now with my CalFresh case - benefits stopped with zero explanation and I can't get anyone on the phone. Reading through all these responses has given me so much hope and practical advice! I had no idea that Assembly Members could help with CalFresh issues like they do with EDD. That's definitely my next step. I'm also going to try the ombudsman office that @Grace Thomas mentioned - having multiple options to pursue feels so much better than just calling that useless customer service line over and over. @Charlee Coleman please keep us updated on how the Assembly Member route works out for you! Stories like @Ellie Simpson getting a supervisor to call back the next day give me real hope that there's actually a way through this bureaucratic nightmare. It's absolutely insane that we need to involve politicians just to get basic customer service, but if that's what it takes to feed our families, then that's what we'll do. Hang in there - you're not alone in this fight!