Can I use my CalFresh EBT card at midnight or have to wait till 6am benefits load?

yep midnight is when they hit ur account! did this last month, got my groceries at 12:20am no problem

Actually, this depends on your case number. CalFresh benefits in California are staggered throughout the first 10 days of the month based on the last digit of your case number. The 10th is the last possible day. Your benefits will be available at midnight on YOUR assigned day. If tomorrow is your day, then yes, they'll be available at midnight, not 6am. There's no delay between when they're loaded and when you can use them.

To clear up any confusion: CalFresh benefits are available at 12:00am on your issuance date. The issuance date is based on the last digit of your case number (1st-10th of the month). There is no 6am rule - that's an old myth that continues to circulate. What sometimes happens is that the EBT system might have maintenance or processing delays, but officially, benefits are available at midnight. If you ever experience issues accessing your benefits when they should be available, you should contact your county office. The problem could be with your specific account or a system-wide delay.

I actually work night shift too and ALWAYS do my shopping right after midnight when my benefits load! The self-checkout at Walmart is empty at that time and I don't have to deal with the crazy daytime crowds. Just make sure you've checked your balance first so you know the money is there before you fill your cart. The EBT app is great for checking your balance instantly.

my benefits load on the 7th and i can DEFINITELY use them at midnight, not 6am. dunno where that rumor started but its not true!!!

One other thing to keep in mind - your CalFresh benefits and cash aid (if you receive CalWORKs) load separately. Sometimes people get confused because one loads at midnight but they have to wait for the other. Make sure you're selecting the SNAP/food benefits option at checkout, not cash.

Just wanted to add that if you're ever unsure about when your benefits will be available, you can call the EBT customer service line at 1-877-328-9677 to check your balance and transaction history. They're available 24/7 and can tell you exactly when your last deposit was made. I've found this super helpful when I wasn't sure if my benefits had loaded yet, especially since sometimes there can be delays during holidays or system maintenance. Hope your shopping trip goes smoothly tonight!

I'm new to CalFresh and this thread is super helpful! I just got approved and my benefits are supposed to load on the 3rd of each month. I work early mornings so knowing I can shop at midnight instead of having to wait until after work is amazing. Quick question though - does anyone know if all stores accept EBT at midnight or do some have restrictions on when you can use it? I was planning to go to my local Safeway but wasn't sure if they might have different rules than Walmart.

I've been using CalFresh for about 2 years now and can confirm - benefits are definitely available at midnight, not 6am! I think the 6am confusion might come from people mixing it up with other benefit programs or maybe old rules from years ago. I've done the midnight Walmart run so many times when I'm low on groceries and it always works perfectly. Just a tip - if you're shopping late night, sometimes the produce section isn't fully restocked yet, so you might want to focus on pantry staples and frozen items first. Also, keep your receipt because if there are any issues with your transaction, customer service can help resolve it easier with proof of purchase. Hope your shopping trip goes well tonight!

Just wanted to share my experience as someone who's been on CalFresh for about 6 months now - the midnight thing is absolutely true! I remember being so nervous my first time trying to use my card right after midnight, but it worked perfectly. One thing I learned the hard way though is to always have a backup plan just in case there are system issues or maintenance. I keep a small emergency stash of non-perishables at home for situations like this. Also, if you have the Connect EBT app on your phone, you can check your balance in real-time to make sure the benefits have loaded before you start shopping. It updates immediately when the deposit hits. Good luck with your shopping trip tonight - sounds like you've got all the info you need!

Hey there! I just want to echo what everyone else has said - your benefits will definitely be available at midnight on your load date, not 6am. I've been using CalFresh for about a year now and have done the late-night grocery run many times. Since you're already down to $7 and have hungry kids, I totally get the stress! One quick tip that might help - call that EBT customer service number (1-877-328-9677) around 12:05am just to double-check your balance before you head into the store. That way you'll know for certain the money has hit your account before you start filling your cart. Also, if you're going to Walmart, their self-checkout stations are super reliable for EBT transactions and you won't have to worry about any cashier confusion at that hour. Hope your shopping trip goes smoothly and you can get your kids fed! This community is great for support when you need it.

I've been on CalFresh for about 3 years and can definitely confirm - benefits load at midnight on your assigned date! I actually prefer doing my grocery shopping late at night because the stores are less crowded and I can take my time comparing prices without feeling rushed. One thing that's really helped me is creating a shopping list ahead of time organized by store sections, so I can get in and out efficiently. Also, since you mentioned you're down to your last $7, you might want to prioritize getting some filling basics like rice, beans, pasta, and peanut butter that can stretch far and keep your kids satisfied. The anxiety of running low on benefits is so real, but it sounds like you've got a solid plan for tonight. Hope everything goes smoothly at Walmart!

I'm pretty new to the CalFresh program and this whole thread has been incredibly eye-opening! I had no idea about the midnight vs 6am thing - I've just been assuming I had to wait until regular business hours to use my benefits. Reading everyone's experiences makes me realize I've probably been making grocery shopping way harder on myself than it needs to be. My benefits load on the 5th and I work weird hours, so knowing I can shop at midnight opens up so many more options for me. Quick question though - has anyone ever had issues with their card not working at midnight even when benefits should be loaded? I'm a bit paranoid about getting to the store and having problems, especially since I don't have a car and would need to take a rideshare to get there. Just want to make sure I'm not setting myself up for disappointment!