EBT card blocked or wrong PIN? Can't access CalFresh benefits at ATM

Quick clarification - CalFresh benefits can only be used to purchase food, they can't be withdrawn as cash from an ATM. That's why you're getting the 'invalid transaction' message. If you're trying to withdraw cash, you might be thinking of CalWORKs benefits, which do allow cash withdrawals. They're both on the same EBT card but are completely separate programs.

This EXACT thing happened to me last month!! The system is totally messed up. My PIN wasn't working even though I KNEW it was right. Turns out my card got blocked after I entered the wrong PIN at a store (my kid distracted me and I typed it wrong). Once it's blocked you CANNOT unblock it through the automated system no matter what they claim!!! You need a human!

A few things that might help: 1. If you've entered the wrong PIN too many times (usually 3-4 attempts), your card gets temporarily locked for security. This happens even if you're entering what you believe is the correct PIN. 2. You have two options to resolve this: - Wait 24 hours - the system automatically unlocks after 24 hours - Call your county office to have them reset your PIN 3. Sometimes the magnetic strip gets damaged which can cause these errors. If waiting 24 hours doesn't solve it, request a replacement card. If you need immediate access to your benefits for bills, I'd recommend calling your county EBT customer service line directly (not the general number on the back of the card).

i work retail and we see ebt cards decline ALL THE TIME especially around the 9th-10th of every month. think its when they do system updates or something. try again tomorrow.

I had a similar issue last year and spent HOURS trying to reach someone. After getting disconnected repeatedly, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to a CalFresh representative in about 15 minutes. They basically hold your place in line and call you when they reach a human. Saved me so much frustration! They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8

this happened to me 2 weeks ago cuz i forgot my pin lol. if u cant remember ur pin u gotta go to the county office in person with ur ID. they dont do pin resets over the phone anymore bcuz of fraud. bring ur birth certificate too they asked me for that for some reason

Just wanted to add something important - if you need emergency access to your CalWORKs benefits for those bills, you can request an Emergency EBT Card Replacement at your county office. They can issue a temporary card on the same day if you explain your situation. Make sure to bring your ID and know your case number if possible. For the PIN issue specifically, they can definitely reset it in person, but unlike what another commenter said, PIN resets CAN still be done over the phone - you just need to verify your identity with more information than before.

Update us on what happens! This info could help others with similar issues. And don't feel bad about mixing up CalFresh and CalWORKs - the whole system is confusing by design, I swear.

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago! What really helped me was checking my EBT balance online first at ebtEDGE.com before trying the ATM again. Sometimes the website will show you if there's an actual issue with your account versus just a temporary card lock. Also, if you do end up going to the county office, try to go mid-week (Tuesday-Thursday) rather than Monday or Friday - the wait times are usually much shorter. And definitely bring a book or something to keep you busy because even when you get there early, it can still be a long wait. Hope you get it sorted out soon!

I had this exact same problem last month and it was so stressful! After trying everything else, what finally worked for me was calling the EBT customer service line early in the morning (like 7:30 AM) when they first open - way less busy than later in the day. They were able to unlock my card over the phone after verifying my info. Also, just a heads up - some ATMs are pickier about EBT cards than others. I've found that ATMs inside grocery stores or banks tend to work better than standalone ones. If you do need to go to the county office, definitely take @a56355fb2c70's advice about going mid-week - I made the mistake of going on a Friday and waited 3+ hours. Good luck and don't give up!

I work at a county eligibility office and see this issue daily! A few quick things to try before making the trip in: 1. Your card might be temporarily locked if you or someone else (like at a store) entered the wrong PIN. Wait 24 hours and try again. 2. If you have both CalFresh and CalWORKs on the same card, make sure you're selecting "Cash" not "Food" when trying to withdraw money at the ATM. 3. Try calling the EBT customer service line at 1-877-328-9677 early morning (7-8 AM) or late evening (after 7 PM) - much shorter wait times. 4. If you absolutely need access today, you can request an emergency replacement card at your county office. Bring your ID and case number if you have it. The system can be frustrating but don't give up! Most of these issues can be resolved with a phone call once you get through to a real person.

Hey everyone! Just wanted to jump in and say how helpful this whole thread has been. I'm actually dealing with a similar situation right now - my EBT card was working fine last week and suddenly started getting declined everywhere. Reading through all your experiences and solutions has given me a much better game plan than just repeatedly trying the same ATM over and over (which is exactly what I was doing like an idiot lol). @Chloe Green - thank you SO much for the insider tips about calling during off-peak hours! I had no idea timing made such a difference. And @Nia Watson, I'm definitely going to check ebtEDGE.com first before doing anything else. It's honestly such a relief to know I'm not the only one who gets confused between CalFresh and CalWORKs benefits on the same card. The whole system really could be designed better to be less confusing for people who are already dealing with stressful financial situations. Anyway, thanks for creating such a supportive space to share these experiences!

I'm going through something similar right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I've been dealing with EBT card issues for the past few days and was getting so frustrated trying to figure out what was wrong. Reading everyone's experiences and solutions has given me a much clearer path forward. @Chloe Green - Thank you for sharing those insider tips about calling during off-peak hours! I had no idea that timing made such a huge difference in wait times. And the reminder about selecting "Cash" vs "Food" at the ATM is exactly the kind of detail I needed - I can totally see myself making that mistake when I'm stressed. @Nia Watson - I'm definitely going to check ebtEDGE.com first thing tomorrow morning before trying anything else. Having that extra information about account status could save me a lot of trial and error. It's honestly such a relief to know that so many people have dealt with these same issues and found solutions. The EBT system can be really confusing and intimidating when things go wrong, especially when you're already dealing with financial stress. Thanks to everyone for sharing your experiences and creating such a supportive space!

This whole thread has been a lifesaver! I'm dealing with the exact same issue right now - my EBT card worked fine last week and suddenly started getting declined at every ATM I tried. I was starting to panic thinking there was something wrong with my benefits, but reading through everyone's experiences has really helped calm my nerves and given me a solid action plan. @Chloe Green - Your insider tips are pure gold! I had no idea that calling during off-peak hours made such a difference, and the reminder about selecting "Cash" vs "Food" at the ATM is exactly what I needed to hear. I can totally see myself making that mistake when I'm stressed out. @Nia Watson - I'm definitely checking ebtEDGE.com first thing tomorrow before trying anything else. Having that account status info ahead of time sounds like it could save me a lot of frustration. It's so reassuring to know that most of these issues can be resolved with just a phone call to the right person. The EBT system really could be designed to be less confusing, especially when people are already dealing with financial stress. Thanks to everyone for sharing your experiences and solutions - this community is amazing!