Just checking back - were you able to get cash back at a store or get through to someone at the county? If multiple locations are having the same issue, it's likely an account-specific problem rather than a general system outage.

So glad you were able to get your rent money! The ATM issue is really frustrating but at least the cash back workaround saved the day. You might want to call the EBT customer service line (when you have more time) to report that the ATMs aren't working - sometimes they don't know about these issues unless people report them. Also keep an eye on whether this happens again next month, because if it does it might be worth getting a replacement card just in case there's something wrong with the magnetic strip that only affects ATM transactions.

This is happening to me too! Started having problems on Saturday - my card works fine for buying stuff at stores but every ATM just says "declined" even though I have like $950 in cash benefits. I was getting really worried that my case got messed up or something. So relieved to read all these comments and know it's a system-wide issue with their upgrades. The EBT customer service is absolutely useless - I was on hold for over 3 hours yesterday and never got through. Going to try the Bank of America ATM and grocery store cash back methods tomorrow. It's so frustrating that they don't give us any warning when they're doing these system changes - we depend on this money for rent and basic needs and shouldn't have to stress about whether we can access our own benefits!

This is so helpful to see I'm not alone! I've been having this exact same problem since Monday - my EBT card works perfectly for buying groceries and gas but every single ATM I've tried just says "transaction declined" even though I have over $600 in cash benefits. I was starting to panic thinking my caseworker made some mistake with my account or that my benefits got suspended for some reason. The customer service line is completely useless - I've called 4 times this week and the longest I waited was 2.5 hours before giving up. Reading all these comments about the system upgrades is such a relief because at least now I know what's going on! I'm definitely going to try the Bank of America ATM tomorrow and the grocery store cash back method. It's really frustrating that they don't send us any kind of notification when they're doing these system changes - we're already stressed enough about money without having to worry about whether we can access our own benefits. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences and solutions!

I just wanted to add that if you do decide to apply, don't be discouraged if the process seems overwhelming at first. I was in a similar situation a few years ago - single mom, worried about how it would affect my other benefits. The caseworkers can seem intimidating, but most of them really do want to help you succeed. One thing I wish someone had told me: keep copies of EVERYTHING. Every form you submit, every appointment notice, every communication. The system can be disorganized and having your own records saved me multiple times when documents got "lost" in their system. Also, if you end up doing the education route through WTW like Fatima mentioned, there are some really good programs available. I got my CNA certification through CalWORKs and it led to steady work. The timing might actually be perfect since your son is old enough to be more independent while you're in classes or training. Good luck with whatever you decide!

I went through this exact situation about 3 years ago when my daughter was 15! Yes, your CalFresh will go down some when you get CalWORKs, but you'll definitely have more total money each month. In my case, I was getting around $500 in food stamps and that dropped to about $320, but I was getting $700+ in cash aid, so it was totally worth it. For the work requirements, they'll work with you to create a plan. Since your son is 16, you do need to do the 30 hours, but like others mentioned, there are options. I did a mix of job search and community college classes. The education route was actually amazing - I got my medical assistant certificate and now have a stable job that pays well enough that I don't need CalWORKs anymore. One tip: when you meet with your WTW worker, be upfront about your goals and what kind of work or training interests you. They have partnerships with local colleges and training programs that can really set you up for success. Don't just accept the first thing they suggest if it doesn't feel like a good fit for you. The application process can be frustrating, but stick with it. Having that financial stability while getting training or education can be life-changing!

As a newcomer to this community, I want to express how incredibly helpful this entire discussion has been! I'm currently navigating CalFresh benefits for the first time and had so many questions about how various income sources are handled, especially child support. The clarity everyone has provided about CalFresh only counting child support you actually receive (rather than court-ordered amounts) is such valuable information that I never would have found in official resources. It's reassuring to know the system recognizes the reality that court orders don't always translate to actual payments. What really impresses me about this community is the willingness to share real experiences and practical advice. The tips about documentation, Income Reporting Thresholds, and the differences between various programs have been educational beyond what any government website could provide. It's clear that many people here have walked similar paths and genuinely want to help others succeed. @f3839b0cf18f thank you for asking such an important question that has helped so many of us! Your proactive approach to gathering documentation shows you're handling this exactly right. To everyone who shared their experiences - this kind of peer support is invaluable when dealing with complex government programs. I'm grateful to have found such a knowledgeable and supportive community!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm amazed by how comprehensive and supportive this discussion has been! I'm currently in the process of applying for CalFresh benefits and was really worried about how my pending child support case might affect my eligibility. Reading through everyone's experiences has been incredibly reassuring - I had no idea that CalFresh only counts child support you actually receive rather than what might be court-ordered in the future. This makes perfect sense from a fairness standpoint, but it's not something that's clearly explained in the application materials. The practical advice about documentation has been invaluable - bringing bank statements and actual payment records rather than just court orders is such an important distinction. I'm also grateful to learn about concepts like the Income Reporting Threshold, which I never would have understood without this community's explanations. What really stands out to me is how people here share real-world experiences rather than just quoting policy. Knowing that others have successfully navigated similar situations with inconsistent child support gives me confidence that I can handle this process too. @f3839b0cf18f, your question has helped so many of us - thank you for being brave enough to ask what we were all wondering about! This community truly shows the power of peer support when dealing with complex government programs. I'm grateful to have found such knowledgeable and caring people willing to help others succeed.

This whole thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm new to CalWORKs (just got approved last month) and had no idea about any of this deposit timing stuff. My first payment came through but I never paid attention to when exactly it hit my card - I just checked in the afternoon and it was there. Now I'm realizing I should probably start tracking the timing like some of you mentioned, especially since I have rent due on the 3rd and that's also my deposit date. The idea of calling that EBT customer service line to get my deposit history is brilliant - way smarter than just hoping for the best every month. Question for everyone: do the deposit times stay pretty consistent month to month, or do they vary a lot? Like if I find out my benefits usually hit around 3 AM, can I count on that pattern continuing or does it change randomly? Thanks to everyone sharing their real experiences - this is exactly the kind of practical info that new recipients like me need to know but nobody tells you when you first sign up!

I'm dealing with this exact same situation! Just got approved for CalWORKs two months ago and the deposit timing has been my biggest source of stress. My first month I literally stayed awake until 3 AM checking my balance every 10 minutes because I had no idea when to expect it. What I've learned from my short experience is that the timing has been pretty consistent for me personally - both months it hit around 2:30 AM on my deposit date. But like everyone's saying here, it's definitely NOT midnight despite what some people claim online. The text alert suggestion through the EBT app is genius - I'm definitely setting that up tonight! And I had no clue about that EBT customer service number that can give you your deposit history. That seems way more reliable than calling the county office where you're on hold forever. Thanks to everyone sharing their real experiences in this thread. It's honestly such a relief to know other people go through this same stress and have found ways to manage it. The emergency fund idea is something I'm going to try to work toward too, even if it's just a few dollars at a time. One question - has anyone noticed if the timing changes when there are holidays around your deposit date? My next deposit falls right after New Year's and I'm wondering if I should expect any delays.