What time do CalFresh benefits hit EBT cards tonight? Are they still locked until 6pm?

CalFresh benefits are always deposited on your EBT card on your assigned day based on the last digit of your case number. The deposit schedule runs from the 1st through the 10th of each month. Benefits are typically available at midnight on your assigned day. Your card doesn't get "locked" - that's misinformation. Once the benefits are deposited, you can use them immediately, even at 12:01am if you shop at a 24-hour store. If you're struggling with food before your next deposit, call 211 to get connected with local food banks that can help bridge the gap.

mine always hits at exactly 11:58pm the night before my assigned day! I'm a day 3 person. I set an alarm and go to walmart right at midnight lol. They never lock the cards, I've used mine at 2am before no problem

The times vary by county sometimes. I'm in Sacramento County and my benefits ALWAYS come between 6-7am on my assigned day, never at midnight like everyone claims!!!! It's so frustrating when people give wrong info. And yes, twice last year my card WAS locked until noon - the system said "benefit not available" even though the money showed in my account. Called EBT customer service and they said sometimes there's a "processing delay" that makes funds visible but not usable for a few hours.

I was having this exact problem last month! Kept calling the EBT customer service line and couldn't get through to anyone. I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to a real person at CalFresh in under 5 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 The worker told me benefits can sometimes be delayed if there's a system-wide update happening, but they should never be intentionally "locked" - that's not a thing. If you're having issues with your card after the benefits should be there, definitely call to check if there's a problem with your specific account.

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO CONFUSE US!!! They change times and dates without telling anyone and then act like we're crazy when we call to ask why our money isn't there!!! I've had benefits "delayed" for THREE DAYS with no explanation and my caseworker just said "sometimes that happens" like we're not supposed to EAT during those days???? The midnight thing is a LIE - they release them whenever they feel like it!!!!

hey so did ur benefits come through?? mine are supposed to be tomorrow but nothing yet :

my friend works for the county and she told me they actually do this on purpose sometimes to catch people selling their benefits illegally. if you try to use them exactly at midnight they flag your account for investigation. not sure if thats true but she seemed serious about it

UPDATE: My benefits came through at 12:10am!! Just got back from the grocery store with ACTUAL FOOD! Thanks everyone for the help. For anyone else wondering, at least in my county (Alameda), they definitely hit around midnight of your assigned day and there's no "lock" - I was able to use them immediately!

So glad you got your benefits and could get some real food! Just wanted to add for anyone else reading this - if you're ever in a similar situation waiting for benefits, most food banks don't require any paperwork and can help immediately. The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano has locations throughout the Bay Area, and many churches have weekend food pantries too. Also, if you download the "Too Good To Go" app, some grocery stores sell discounted food that's near expiration for really cheap. It's helped me stretch my budget between benefit deposits before!