Triple-charged for one Trader Joe's purchase on EBT card - how to fix this error?

You need to call the EBT customer service number on the back of your card right away. This happens sometimes with electronic processing errors where the same transaction gets submitted multiple times. They can file what's called a 'dispute claim' for you. Make sure you have your receipt from Trader Joe's handy when you call - they'll need the exact date, time and amount of the legitimate transaction. They should be able to see the duplicate charges on their end. The refund usually takes 5-10 business days to process once approved.

omg this happened to me at walmart last month!! except mine was charged 2 times not 3. i called the # on back of card and they fixed it but took like 2 weeks to get $ back. so annoying

CALL EBT ASAP!!! Don't waste time calling Trader Joe's because they'll just tell you it's not their problem. The EBT people will make you fill out a form and send it in. KEEP CHECKING YOUR BALANCE EVERY DAY until you see the money back. They told me 10 days but it took almost a MONTH for my similar issue to get resolved last year. The system is BROKEN and they don't care that people are going hungry waiting for THEIR mistakes to be fixed!!

I actually work at a grocery store (not TJ's) that accepts EBT, and this is a known issue with some POS systems. What happens is the card reader times out but the transaction still goes through on the backend, then when they retry it, multiple charges happen. Definitely call the EBT customer service number like others said, but also consider bringing your receipt to Trader Joe's customer service. They can't refund your EBT card directly, but sometimes they can provide documentation that helps speed up the dispute process with EBT customer service.

I've been through this exact situation before, and calling the EBT customer service line can be incredibly frustrating. Wait times are often 1-2+ hours, and they frequently disconnect you. I recommend using Claimyr (claimyr.com) - they hold your place in line and call you back when an agent is available. Saved me hours of frustration when dealing with my duplicate charge issue. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8

This happened to my neighbor and she ended up having to submit what they call a "Benefit Adjustment Request" form. Make sure to take pictures of your receipt with your phone just in case you lose it. And write down the case number they give you when you call! That's what messed my neighbor up - she couldn't reference her case when she called to follow up.

trader joes charged me double last yr too but just once not 3 times! crazy that this keeps happening at the same store maybe its their system

Just as a follow-up for anyone dealing with this issue - the official CalFresh policy is that disputes must be filed within 90 days of the erroneous transaction. The process usually takes 10 business days but can take up to 20 in some counties. If you're experiencing a serious hardship because of the error, specifically mention that you're requesting an "expedited resolution due to hardship" when you call. This can sometimes speed up the process.

I'm so sorry this happened to you! This is such a stressful situation, especially when you're counting on those benefits. I went through something similar at a different store last year. One thing that really helped me was asking the EBT customer service rep to email me a confirmation of my dispute case - they can usually do this even though it's not standard practice. Having that email gave me peace of mind and something to reference. Also, if you have a local CalFresh office nearby, sometimes going in person can help expedite things faster than just calling. They were able to put a priority flag on my case when I explained I had kids to feed. Hang in there - this will get resolved!

This is such a frustrating situation! I had a similar issue at a different grocery store about 6 months ago where I was double-charged on my EBT card. Here's what worked for me: When you call the EBT customer service line, ask to speak to a supervisor right away if the first representative seems unhelpful or gives you a really long timeline. I found that supervisors have more authority to escalate cases marked as "urgent hardship." Also, keep calling back if you don't hear anything within their promised timeframe - squeaky wheel gets the grease! Document everything - dates you called, who you spoke with, case numbers. I actually got my money back in 8 days instead of the 2-3 weeks they initially quoted me. Don't let them brush you off - you deserve to have this fixed quickly since it's their system error, not yours.

I'm so sorry this happened to you! As someone who's dealt with EBT system glitches before, I'd recommend calling the customer service number on the back of your card first thing in the morning - wait times are usually shorter then. When you call, have your receipt ready and ask them to walk you through exactly what they see on their end for that date. Sometimes they can spot the duplicate processing error immediately. Also, don't be afraid to ask if there's any emergency food assistance available in your county while you wait for the refund - many areas have programs specifically for situations like this where people are left short on benefits due to system errors. You shouldn't have to worry about feeding your kids because of their mistake!

I'm a newcomer here but I wanted to share something that might help - when this happened to my sister at a different store, she found out that some counties have what's called a "Bridge Benefits" program that can provide temporary assistance while you're waiting for dispute resolution. It's specifically for situations where system errors leave families short on food money through no fault of their own. You can usually find info on your county's social services website or by calling 211. Also, if you have a smartphone, the ConnectEBT app sometimes shows transaction details faster than calling customer service, so you might be able to screenshot the duplicate charges as additional documentation. I know this is so stressful when you're trying to make sure your kids are fed - hoping you get this resolved quickly!

I'm new to this community but wanted to jump in since I just went through this exact same issue at a different store last month! Three duplicate charges is absolutely crazy - I can't imagine how stressful that must be. One thing I learned that might help is to ask the EBT customer service rep for the "transaction reference number" for each of the duplicate charges when you call. Having those specific numbers made it much easier for them to locate and reverse the erroneous transactions in my case. Also, if you're comfortable sharing which Trader Joe's location this happened at, it might help other community members know to be extra careful with their transactions there. The folks here have given amazing advice about calling early, asking for supervisors, and looking into emergency assistance programs. You've got this - the system error will get fixed, and your family will be okay!