EBT card not working at ATMs - can't withdraw CalFresh cash benefits

Oh thank goodness it's not just me! Did you call the EBT customer service number? I tried but got stuck in that endless automated system.

Actually, this isn't a regular maintenance issue. There's a statewide problem affecting cash withdrawals from CalFresh/CalWORKs EBT cards that started around 6am this morning. It's only affecting cash benefits, not food benefits. The state's vendor is working on the fix, but no ETA yet. I'd recommend calling the EBT customer service number (not the county) at 877-328-9677 for the latest update on when it will be resolved.

I don't understand why they cant just FIX the system!! This happens EVERY MONTH during the first week when benefits get loaded. Some people need there money RIGHT AWAY for bills!!! My landlords not gonna care about "system errors" when rents due!!

Thank you for these suggestions! I tried buying groceries at Safeway and they let me do $40 cash back, so that's something at least. I'll try reaching the county office about possibly getting an emergency extension for my landlord situation. Has anyone used that Claimyr service before? I'm desperate to talk to someone who can help.

OMG THANK YOU! Just ran to the ATM and it worked! 😅 What a relief. I was so stressed all day about this.

Thanks for the summary! I wish the state would send out text alerts when these outages happen. Would save so many people time and stress running around to different ATMs.

That's such a good idea about text alerts! I'm new to CalFresh and had no idea these system outages were a regular thing. Is there any way we can request that as a group? Maybe contact our state representatives or something? It seems like such a basic thing they should provide, especially since people depend on these benefits for essentials like rent and groceries.

@Emma Wilson That s'a great idea! I actually work with a local advocacy group and we ve'been discussing this exact issue. The lack of communication during system outages really impacts people s'daily lives. We could definitely organize a letter-writing campaign to state representatives about requiring advance notice and real-time alerts for EBT system maintenance. If anyone is interested in joining this effort, I can share some resources on how to effectively contact your representatives. These outages seem preventable with better planning and communication.

Hey @Chippale! The system should be working now - the outage was resolved around 4pm yesterday. Try your EBT card at an ATM again, it should work fine now. If you're still having issues, it might be a different problem with your specific card and you should call the EBT customer service line at 877-328-9677 to troubleshoot.

Welcome to the community @Miguel Castro! I totally understand that panic feeling - I've been there too when you're new to the system. Unfortunately, there isn't really a centralized place where they announce planned maintenance ahead of time, which is super frustrating. The best we usually get is finding out during the outage itself. That's actually why @Hunter Hampton mentioned organizing a letter-writing campaign to push for better communication from the state. If you re'interested in joining that effort, it could really help future recipients! In the meantime, it s'good to remember that cash back option at stores for emergencies.

@Miguel Castro I ve'been on CalFresh for about 2 years now and these outages unfortunately happen every few months, usually without warning. What I ve'learned to do is always keep a small emergency cash buffer when possible, and know which stores near me allow EBT cash back. Also, if you download the ebtEDGE mobile app, sometimes it will show if there are system issues affecting your account, though it s'not always reliable for statewide outages like this one. The advocacy effort @Hunter Hampton mentioned sounds really promising - having a proper notification system would make such a difference for all of us!

@Miguel Castro I completely feel your frustration! I ve'been using CalFresh for about 8 months now and had my first experience with this kind of outage yesterday too. It s'really stressful when you re'counting on that money for essentials. One thing that helped me was signing up for text alerts through my county office - they don t'always warn about statewide EBT issues, but they do notify about local office closures and some system maintenance. You might want to check if your county has that option. Also, I started keeping a list on my phone of which stores near me allow EBT cash back, just in case this happens again. The advocacy idea sounds great - count me in if there s'a way to push for better communication!

@Fiona Gallagher I m'so sorry you went through that stress! As a fellow parent, I can totally relate to that panic when you think something s'wrong with your benefits and you have kids depending on you. It s'awful that the county office didn t'even know about the statewide outage - that really shows how poor the communication is between different parts of the system. I m'glad you eventually found out about the cash back option! For what it s'worth, I ve'learned to always try the cash back route first now when ATMs aren t'working, since it usually processes through a different system. And definitely count me in on that advocacy effort people mentioned earlier - parents like us shouldn t'have to go through this kind of uncertainty when we re'just trying to take care of our families.