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!

This is absolutely heartbreaking and infuriating! No family should ever have to sleep in a car, especially with young children. The system completely failed you here - emergency homeless assistance for families with children should be processed immediately, not left hanging for days. I'm seeing great advice in the comments about going back in person and asking specifically for the Emergency Services Supervisor or Homeless Assistance Program specialist. Definitely use those exact phrases like "immediate homeless emergency with minor children" - apparently these trigger required response protocols. While you're fighting this battle tomorrow, please also try calling 2-1-1 again tonight and explicitly mention you have children ages 4 and 7 sleeping in a car - sometimes they prioritize families differently or have access to emergency vouchers through other programs. Some churches and community organizations also have emergency hotel assistance separate from CalFresh. You shouldn't have to be an expert in government bureaucracy to get help when you're in crisis, but unfortunately that's the reality. Document everything tomorrow and don't leave without either money on your card or a direct voucher. Your persistence is going to pay off - these people shared some really valuable insider knowledge about how to navigate the system. Sending strength to you and your babies! ❤️

I'm so sorry you and your children are going through this - no family should have to endure sleeping in a car, especially when you've already been approved for help! This is unfortunately a common issue with the homeless assistance program where approvals get stuck in the system. Here's what I'd recommend: Go to the office first thing tomorrow morning and specifically ask to speak with the "Homeless Assistance Program Supervisor" - don't just settle for your regular eligibility worker. Bring your approval paperwork and use the exact phrase "emergency homeless situation with minor children" as this triggers specific protocols they must follow. If they can't resolve it immediately, ask for a fair hearing request form right there - sometimes just asking for this gets management involved quickly. Also, ask them to print out your case activity notes to see exactly what happened (or didn't happen) with your original approval. While you're dealing with this, try calling your county's Board of Supervisors office - they often can cut through red tape when children are involved. Don't give up - you're being a strong advocate for your kids and this community is rooting for you! Please update us when you can. ❤️

This thread is absolutely incredible! I can't believe how much useful information everyone has shared. I've been on CalFresh for about 6 months and had no clue about most of these options. The emergency pickup possibility, using just your EBT card number at some stores, community fridges, food pantry emergency provisions - it's like a whole safety net I never knew existed! I'm definitely saving the EBT customer service number and my case number in my phone right now. It's honestly kind of crazy that this information isn't more widely publicized by the county offices. This conversation should seriously be turned into an official resource guide! Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and tips - you're all lifesavers for families who might find themselves in this scary situation.

This thread has been absolutely life-changing for me! I just joined this community last week and wow, the knowledge sharing here is incredible. I had no idea about emergency EBT card pickup - I've been on CalFresh for 3 months and when I asked at my county office about replacement options, they only mentioned the mail delivery. It's frustrating that these emergency services exist but aren't openly advertised! I'm immediately saving the EBT customer service number (1-877-328-9677) and my case number in my phone. The tip about community fridges through the Blessing Box app is amazing too - I downloaded it and found 4 locations within 10 miles of me! Thank you to everyone who shared their real experiences and practical tips. This is exactly the kind of peer-to-peer support that makes navigating government benefits so much easier. You've all potentially saved countless families from going hungry while waiting for replacement cards!

This entire thread is both eye-opening and deeply concerning. I'm also dealing with this exact same issue in Illinois - my EBT card works perfectly fine in physical stores but has been getting rejected for Walmart Plus online orders for the past month. What started as what I thought was just my individual problem is clearly a nationwide crisis affecting the most vulnerable populations. I'm a graduate student with a disability that makes long shopping trips extremely difficult, and I specifically chose Walmart Plus over other services because of their advertised EBT acceptance. Reading through everyone's experiences - from disabled veterans to single parents to elderly caregivers - it's clear that this isn't just inconvenient, it's genuinely harmful to people who depend on accessible grocery delivery. The inconsistent responses from customer service that everyone's reporting really shows that either Walmart doesn't know what's happening with their own systems, or they're deliberately giving false information. Either way, it's unacceptable for a company this size to leave customers in the dark for months while continuing to advertise services that don't work. I'm adding Illinois to the growing list of affected states and will definitely be filing USDA and BBB complaints. The suggestion about reaching out to local news is excellent - this story needs more visibility. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and resources. The fact that we're all supporting each other through this situation really shows the strength of communities that are often overlooked by big corporations.

I'm also experiencing this exact same issue in Washington state! My EBT card has been getting rejected for Walmart Plus online orders for about 3 weeks now, even though it works perfectly fine when I shop in-store. I'm a wheelchair user and specifically got the subscription because physical shopping is extremely challenging for me - I can only carry limited items and navigating crowded stores in my chair is exhausting and sometimes impossible during busy times. Reading through all these experiences from 10+ states is absolutely infuriating. It's clear this isn't a series of isolated "technical glitches" but a massive nationwide system failure that Walmart is either unable or unwilling to fix promptly. The fact that they're still advertising EBT delivery acceptance while knowing their system is broken across the entire country feels like deliberate false advertising targeting vulnerable populations. What makes this even worse is that people with disabilities, seniors, caregivers, single parents, and others who genuinely NEED delivery services are being disproportionately harmed while still being charged the same membership fees as everyone else. This is definitely discrimination based on payment method, which disproportionately affects low-income individuals. I'm adding Washington to our growing list and will be filing complaints with the USDA, BBB, and my state's attorney general office. I'm also going to contact local disability advocacy groups because this is clearly an accessibility rights issue. Thanks to everyone for sharing resources and experiences - this thread has become an invaluable tool for organizing our response to this corporate negligence.