EBT card keeps getting declined with 'technical issues' message - can't access CalFresh benefits

same thing happened to me last week!! so annoying. did u try entering ur pin really slowly? sometimes the machine cant read it if u go too fast

OMG the EBT system is SO GLITCHY lately!!! I swear they do this on purpose to make it harder for us to use our benefits. When this happened to me I had to go to the county office IN PERSON which took my entire day and three bus transfers just to get a new card. The worker acted like I was trying to scam them or something. The whole system is broken!!

This is actually a common issue with the EBT system in California right now. There are a few potential causes and solutions: 1. PIN issues - If you entered your PIN incorrectly multiple times, your card might be locked. You'll need to call the EBT customer service (not your county worker) to reset it. 2. Card deactivation - Sometimes cards get deactivated for security reasons, especially if there hasn't been activity for a while or if the system flags unusual purchase patterns. 3. Card damage - The magnetic strip or chip might be damaged. Look for visible scratches or bending. 4. System outage - There have been several EBT system outages recently affecting certain counties in California. The fastest solution is usually calling the EBT Customer Service at 1-877-328-9677. They can tell you exactly what's wrong with your card and fix most issues immediately over the phone. If they can't help, then you might need to contact your county office for a replacement card.

Have u tried using ur card at different times of day? I noticed mine sometimes won't work in the evenings but works fine in the morning. Also, try using it as "credit" instead of "debit" - sometimes that bypasses whatever technical issue is happening. But make sure you still enter your PIN when prompted!

When I had this exact problem trying to access my $380 CalFresh benefits, I was going crazy trying to get through to someone at the county. After spending two days calling and getting disconnected, I found this service called Claimyr that got me through to a real person at the CalFresh office in under 10 minutes. It was seriously a lifesaver. They have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 and their website is claimyr.com. They basically wait on hold for you and call you once they have a real person on the line. My issue turned out to be that my card was flagged for suspicious activity (I had tried using it at too many locations in one day), and the worker was able to remove the flag immediately. Worth checking out if you can't get through on the regular line!

did u check ur balance online? sometimes it looks like the money is there on the automated phone system but the website shows a different story. go to www.ebt.ca.gov and check ur actual balance. also sometimes theres a delay between when benefits are approved and when u can actually use them even tho it says theyre there

One thing no one has mentioned is that sometimes merchants have issues with their EBT processing systems. If you've tried multiple stores, this probably isn't the issue, but it's worth knowing that not all store terminal problems are related to your card. I recommend calling the EBT customer service number others have mentioned. When you call, specifically ask them to check: 1. If your card is active or if it's been flagged 2. If there are any restrictions on your account 3. If there have been any failed transaction attempts and what error codes were recorded Those error codes are crucial because they tell exactly what's happening. Common codes include: - 51: Insufficient funds (even if your balance shows differently) - 54: Expired card - 55: Incorrect PIN - 61: Exceeding withdrawal limit If the customer service rep isn't being helpful, politely ask to speak with a supervisor who might have more technical knowledge about these issues.

did u try turning ur card on and off? like deactivate it and reactivate it through the website? fixed mine once

UPDATE: Problem solved! First, thank you all for your help. I called the EBT customer service number and asked about the error codes like someone suggested. Turns out my card had been flagged for "unusual activity" because I tried to use it at several different stores within a few hours (I was desperate and kept trying different places). The rep was able to remove the security flag right away, and I just used my card successfully at the grocery store! So relieved. If anyone else has this problem, definitely call the EBT customer service line directly rather than the county office.