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If I could give 10 stars I would If I could give 10 stars I would Such an amazing service so needed during the times when EDD almost never picks up Claimyr gets me on the phone with EDD every time without fail faster. A much needed service without Claimyr I would have never received the payment I needed to support me during my postpartum recovery. Thank you so much Claimyr!
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Not yet, it's next week. I'll update after we find out what happens. Really appreciate all the helpful info from everyone here.
Good luck with your recert appointment next week! Just want to add that you should also ask about any transitional benefits or support services they might have available. Some counties offer short-term rental assistance or utility help for families transitioning from welfare to work. Also, if your wife's hours or income change after the recert, make sure you understand exactly when and how to report those changes so you don't run into issues later. The whole system can be overwhelming but it sounds like you're being proactive about everything which is great. Hope everything works out for your family!
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UPDATE: Going inside the bank worked!!! The teller was able to process a cash withdrawal from my EBT card with no problem. She said sometimes the ATM network has issues with EBT cards but counter transactions use a different system. Thank you all for the suggestions! Crisis averted and rent will be paid today!
So glad it worked out! I'm going to remember this trick for next time!
This is such a helpful thread! I've been on CalWORKs for 6 months and had no idea that bank tellers could process EBT cash withdrawals manually. I've been struggling with ATM issues too - sometimes they work fine, other times they don't, and I never knew there was an alternative. Definitely bookmarking this info for future reference. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and solutions!
Same here! I've been dealing with random ATM failures for months and just assumed it was my fault or that I had to wait it out. This is such valuable information that should honestly be more widely known. It's frustrating that we have to learn these workarounds through community forums instead of being told upfront about all our options. Really grateful for communities like this where people actually help each other navigate these systems!
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the whole system is DESIGNED to nickel and dime us poor people i swear!!!! why do we only get 4 free withdraws when rich people get unlimited?? and why do we have to pay ANYTHING to access OUR OWN MONEY?? the county should be required to give us our full benefits without any bank taking a cut thru fees!!!!
I feel you ❤️ The system is definitely stacked against us. Every dollar counts when you're on benefits. But at least knowing about the BofA free withdrawals helps a little bit. I try to just be grateful that we have *something* to help, even if it's not perfect.
Just wanted to add that some 7-Eleven stores also let you do cash back with no fees when you buy something small! I discovered this when I was desperate for cash late at night and the Bank of America ATM was out of order. Bought a bottle of water for $1.50 and got $40 cash back with no extra charge. Not all 7-Elevens do this though, so you have to ask first. Also congrats on finally getting your benefits sorted out - 3 months of verification issues sounds absolutely exhausting! Hope things get easier for you now.
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ok update - i just txted my cousin who works for san benito county (next to monterey) and she said right now ALL counties are backed up with benefit theft claims cuz theres been a huge spike in EBT fraud. so monterey aint the only slow one fyi
I'm so sorry this happened to you! I went through the same thing in Monterey County about 6 months ago. The wait was absolutely nerve-wracking, especially with bills piling up. What really helped me was documenting everything - I kept a log of every phone call, who I spoke with, and what they told me. Also, if you haven't already, make sure you request a card replacement in addition to the benefit replacement. They're separate processes and you'll need the new card to access your benefits once they're restored. One more thing - see if your local food bank or churches have emergency assistance programs while you wait. I found a few places that helped with groceries so I could save whatever little money I had left for rent. Hang in there, you'll get through this!
Savannah Vin
Just wanted to update that I got the BenefitsCal app and it's working pretty good for checking my balance and upcoming payment dates. It did crash once when I tried to upload a document but it worked the second time. Way better than calling that automated line! Thanks everyone for the help.
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Christian Bierman
•Glad it's working for you! One tip: if you turn on notifications in the app, it will actually alert you when your SAR7 is due, when you have a new notice, or when there's an action needed on your case. Saves a lot of stress about missing important deadlines.
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Jade Lopez
For anyone having issues with the BenefitsCal app crashing, try clearing the app cache or reinstalling it. I had the same problem where it would freeze when uploading documents, but after reinstalling it's been much more stable. Also make sure you have a good internet connection when submitting stuff - I noticed it fails more often on weak WiFi or cellular signals. The app isn't perfect but it's definitely better than waiting on hold for 2+ hours just to check basic info. I use it mainly for checking balances and payment dates, then use the full website on my computer for anything more complicated like submitting lengthy documents.
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Fatima Al-Farsi
•Thanks for the troubleshooting tips! I'm new here and just getting started with CalWORKs benefits. Good to know about the app stability issues before I download it. I'll definitely try the full website first for important stuff like document uploads. Quick question - do you know if there's a way to get text notifications when payments are deposited, or do I still need to check manually?
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