EBT card blocked - will benefits be available exactly at midnight after 24-hour waiting period?

same thing happened to my card last month when my toddler kept playing with it lol. it did take the full 24 hrs but i dont think it was exactly at midnight. i went shopping in the morning (like 8am) and it worked fine by then. but i didnt try at midnight so cant say for sure

The EBT system doesn't exactly process things at midnight - it's more about a full 24-hour cycle from when the customer service rep processed the unblock request. If they removed the block at 2PM yesterday, it should be available around 2PM today. However, the system sometimes processes these things in batches, so it could be slightly earlier or later. I recommend waiting the full 24 hours plus maybe an hour extra to be safe. You can also call the EBT customer service line at 877-328-9677 to verify the card status before heading to the store.

I work as a benefit counselor, and I can tell you that EBT card blocks are usually removed in one of two ways: 1) Some counties process these at midnight for all cards blocked that day, or 2) Other counties use a rolling 24-hour timeframe from when the request was processed. If you're in a real bind for food tonight, remember you can also visit a local food bank - many are open in the evenings and don't require any paperwork for emergency assistance.

this happened to me and i was SO FRUSTATED!!!1!! i called and they said 24 hrs but it was MORE like 30 hrs and i had to call AGAIN because i tried to use my card and it still wouldnt work!!! the whole system is terrible and they dont care if your family is hungry. i had to borrow money from my sister.

If you need to check if your card is working without going to the store, you can call the EBT customer service number and check your balance. If they can tell you your balance, that means the card is unblocked. I've had to deal with this a few times (my card gets blocked if I accidentally put in the wrong PIN even once sometimes!). Try calling them right at the 24 hour mark to see if it's working before you head out.

I had this EXACT issue last month and spent HOURS trying to get through to someone at the county office to help speed things up because my kids were hungry. Finally found this service called Claimyr that got me connected to a real person at the CalFresh office in under 5 minutes. They were able to expedite the unblocking process so I didn't have to wait the full 24 hours. Check them out at claimyr.com - they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8. Seriously saved me when I was desperate.

I'm confused about something - are you talking about your CalFresh EBT or your Cash Aid EBT? Because they're different programs on the same card. If it's your CalFresh benefits, make sure you're using it at approved grocery stores. If it's Cash Aid, you should be able to use it anywhere that accepts EBT including ATMs. Just wanted to clarify because the unblocking process can be different.

Just to follow up on this thread - if your card is unblocked but you're still having issues at the store, make sure you've activated the new card if they sent you one. Sometimes when there's a block, they automatically send a replacement card even if you don't request one. Also, if you're shopping after midnight, be aware that some stores' EBT processing systems do maintenance between 12-2am, so transactions might not go through during that window even if your card is active.

So glad to hear your card is working again! This whole thread has been super helpful - I'm saving it for future reference. I had no idea about the store maintenance window between 12-2am, that's really good to know. Also appreciate everyone sharing their experiences with the timing, it seems like it really does vary by county. The food bank suggestion was great too, I'll remember that for emergencies. Thanks for updating us on how it worked out!

One thing I'd add is to be really careful about PIN attempts going forward - I learned the hard way that some EBT systems are more sensitive than others. My card got blocked after just 2 wrong attempts once (I thought it was 3 like most cards). Now I always double-check my PIN before typing it in, especially if I'm tired or distracted. Also, if you have young kids, maybe consider keeping the card in a secure spot they can't reach. The whole blocking/unblocking process is such a hassle when you need groceries urgently. Glad everything worked out for you in the end!

As someone who's been on CalFresh for about a year now, I can definitely relate to the panic when your card gets blocked! One thing that really helped me was setting up the EBT Edge mobile app on my phone - you can check your balance and transaction history without having to call the customer service line. It also shows if there are any holds or blocks on your account. The app isn't perfect but it's been a lifesaver for avoiding those awkward moments at the checkout when you're not sure if your card will work. Also, if you're ever in this situation again, some grocery stores will let you do a small test transaction (like buying a pack of gum) before you do your full shopping to make sure everything is working properly.

This whole situation sounds so stressful! I've been on CalFresh for a few months now and fortunately haven't had my card blocked yet, but reading through everyone's experiences here is really eye-opening. It's crazy how inconsistent the timing seems to be - some people getting their cards working right at 24 hours, others having to wait 30+ hours. I'm definitely going to be extra careful with my PIN going forward and keep my card away from my curious 3-year-old! The tips about calling to check your balance first and using the EBT Edge app are game changers. Also really appreciate learning about food banks as a backup option - I had no idea they could provide emergency assistance without paperwork. Thanks to everyone for sharing their knowledge and experiences, this thread is going to be so helpful for anyone dealing with EBT issues in the future!

This thread is incredibly valuable! As someone who just started receiving CalFresh benefits last month, I had no idea about most of these potential issues. The variation in processing times between counties is really concerning - it seems like such basic functionality should be standardized across the state. I'm definitely going to download the EBT Edge app right away and make sure to keep my card secure from my kids. The tip about calling to check your balance before heading to the store is so smart - would have never thought of that! Also really appreciate everyone mentioning food banks as an emergency option. It's reassuring to see how this community comes together to share practical knowledge and support each other through these frustrating system glitches. Saving this entire conversation for future reference!

This has been such an educational thread! I'm fairly new to the CalFresh program and honestly had no clue about any of these card blocking issues or the inconsistencies between counties. Reading through everyone's experiences has been both eye-opening and a bit concerning - it's wild that something as basic as unblocking a card can vary so much depending on where you live in California. I'm definitely going to be extra cautious with my PIN and keep my card somewhere my 4-year-old can't get to it! The practical tips shared here are gold - especially calling to check your balance first, downloading the EBT Edge app, and knowing about food banks for emergencies. It's really reassuring to see how willing everyone is to share their knowledge and help each other navigate these system quirks. This community support makes dealing with all the bureaucracy a little less overwhelming. Thanks to everyone for creating such a helpful resource!

Wow, this entire thread has been incredibly informative! I'm relatively new to CalFresh and had no idea that EBT cards could get blocked so easily or that the unblocking process could be so inconsistent between counties. It's honestly pretty concerning that something as basic as card functionality can vary so much across California. I'm definitely going to be much more careful with my PIN going forward and make sure to keep my card away from my curious toddler! The practical advice shared here is amazing - calling to check your balance before heading to the store, downloading the EBT Edge app, and knowing about food banks for emergency situations. I'm bookmarking this conversation for future reference. It's really heartwarming to see how this community comes together to share knowledge and support each other through these frustrating system issues. Thanks to everyone for creating such a valuable resource for navigating CalFresh challenges!