Can't use my CalFresh benefits - EBT card suddenly rejected after recertification

This happened to me twice!!! The first time, it was because they needed additional income verification but never sent me the notice. The second time (just last month) they had my recertification marked as approved but some computer glitch prevented the benefits from loading. Try calling right when they open at 8am - that's the only way I got through.

Several possibilities here: 1) There might have been an income verification issue flagged after approval, 2) They could have sent a notice requesting additional documentation that got lost in mail, or 3) There might be a system error with your EBT card itself. You need to speak with your actual caseworker, not just the general helpline. Do you have their direct number or email from previous communications? Also, check your BenefitsCal account online - sometimes notices are posted there that don't make it through mail.

did u check if ur over the income reporting threshold (IRT)??? if u made more money than ur allowed limit they sometimes just cut u off with no warning. happened to me when i got that overtime at work last year. gotta report ANY income changes within 10 days if its over ur IRT amount on ur approval letter.

I had this EXACT problem and spent 3 days trying to get through on that useless 800 number. Finally I tried using Claimyr.com and got through to a real person in like 20 minutes. They'll call the county office for you and put you on when a real person answers. Cost a little bit but was worth it since my kids were hungry and I needed my $500 in benefits fixed ASAP. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8

Ugh the system is BROKEN!!!!!! I've been on CalFresh for 3 yrs and EVERY recertification something goes wrong. I think they do it on PURPOSE hoping people give up. Last time they claimed they "never received" my SAR7 even though I submitted it online AND in person. Then made me wait 3 weeks to get my benefits back. THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO MAKE US SUFFER!!!!

Have you tried going in person to your county office? Sometimes that's the only way to get things resolved quickly. Bring your approval letter, ID, and any other documentation you have. They might be able to resolve it on the spot if it's just a system error. If you can't take time off work, most offices are open until 5pm and some have Saturday hours once a month.

This sounds like a technical issue rather than an eligibility problem if you have the approval letter. Two things to try: 1. Call the EBT customer service number (not the county CalFresh number): 1-877-328-9677. Sometimes the issue is with the card itself rather than your benefits. 2. Check if your county has an online case comment system through BenefitsCal where you can leave a message for your worker. If those don't work, document everything - take screenshots of your BenefitsCal account showing approval, keep your approval letter, and record dates/times of your call attempts. This will help when you do connect with someone.

im dealing with something similar but with my calworks benefits not calfresh. the whole system is messed up right now. my friend who works for the county said they switched to a new computer system in some counties and its causing all kinds of problems. might not be anything you did wrong!!

Update us when you get it resolved! I'm curious what the actual problem was. And don't forget to ask for back benefits for the days you couldn't use your card - they should backdate it to your original benefit date.

So glad to hear you got it resolved @Amina Diallo! This is exactly why I love this community - we help each other navigate these frustrating system issues. That Claimyr service sounds like a game changer for when the regular phone lines are impossible to get through. It's ridiculous that 200 people were affected by the same glitch, but at least now we know it wasn't an isolated incident. Definitely saving this thread for future reference in case I run into similar issues. Hope your benefits loaded this morning and you can finally get groceries for your family! 🙏

What a nightmare situation but so glad to see it got resolved! This is exactly the kind of information that needs to be shared - knowing that system glitches during recertification batch processing can affect hundreds of people at once is really valuable. I've been dreading my upcoming recertification because of stories like this, but now I know to check for system-wide issues if something similar happens. That Claimyr service sounds like a lifesaver when you can't get through the regular lines. Thanks for following up with the resolution - it gives the rest of us hope that these issues can be fixed, even if it shouldn't take a third-party service to reach our own county workers!

This whole thread is incredibly helpful! As someone who just started receiving CalFresh benefits last month, I was terrified about what could go wrong during the recertification process. Reading about @Amina Diallo's experience and how it turned out to be a system glitch affecting 200+ people is both reassuring and concerning - reassuring that it wasn't her fault, but concerning that these widespread technical issues can happen. I'm definitely saving the Claimyr service info and that EBT customer service number (1-877-328-9677) for future reference. It's amazing how this community comes together to help each other navigate these bureaucratic challenges. Thank you all for sharing your knowledge and experiences - it makes dealing with the system feel less overwhelming when you know there are people who understand and have solutions!

This is exactly why I joined this community! @Amina Diallo I'm so relieved you got your benefits restored - what a stressful situation to deal with, especially with kids depending on you. The fact that 200 people were affected by the same system glitch really highlights how broken the technical infrastructure can be. I'm bookmarking that Claimyr service and all the other tips shared here (calling at 8am, the EBT customer service number, asking for expedited services). It's frustrating that we need these workarounds just to access our approved benefits, but I'm grateful this community exists to share these real solutions. Thanks everyone for turning a nightmare situation into a learning opportunity for all of us!