CalWORKs Cash Aid - Can I withdraw from out-of-state ATMs or is this fraud alert normal?

this is a fraud protection thing, its normal. u have to call the EBT customer service # and tell them ur traveling. they have to unlock it for out of state use. they do this to protect ur benefits since skimming is so bad rn

This is a standard security measure with CalWORKs Cash Aid to prevent fraud. Since you've already been skimmed once, the system is likely being extra cautious with your new card. You need to call the EBT Customer Service line (not your county worker) at 1-877-328-9677 and tell them you're temporarily in Michigan. They'll need to update your card status to allow out-of-state transactions. Once that's done, you should be able to use any ATM that accepts EBT cash withdrawals. Just be aware that out-of-state ATMs may charge higher fees, and there are often daily withdrawal limits. Also, California monitors out-of-state usage patterns - if you're gone for more than 30 days, it could affect your eligibility since CalWORKs requires California residency.

Happens alll the time. they never tell us about these rules until after we have problems!! I was in Nevada visiting my sister last year and had the same issue. Had to call and verify my identity and tell them where I was traveling. So annoying!!!

I'm dealing with the exact same thing except I'm in Arizona right now! Been on hold with EBT customer service for 45 minutes and still waiting. Did you get through to them? This is so frustrating because I specifically told my caseworker I was traveling and she never mentioned I needed to notify anyone about using my card out of state. Really stressful when you're counting on that money!!

To clarify some information being shared: CalWORKs Cash Aid benefits can absolutely be used out of state, but there are some important restrictions and procedures to be aware of: 1. For fraud prevention (especially after having a card skimmed), the EBT system automatically flags out-of-state transactions as suspicious 2. You need to call EBT Customer Service at 1-877-328-9677 to notify them of your travel plans 3. After verification, they will allow your card to work in Michigan typically within 1-2 hours 4. Be careful about fees - out-of-state ATMs often charge higher surcharges plus the standard EBT withdrawal fee 5. If you're still having trouble getting through to EBT customer service (they're notoriously hard to reach), you might want to try Claimyr.com - I used their service last month when I couldn't get through about my own EBT card issues. They got me connected to a live person in about 10 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE 6. Important: Extended out-of-state usage (more than 30 consecutive days) can trigger a residency review, but a 2-week visit won't affect your eligibility Hope this helps! Let us know if you were able to resolve the issue.

THE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO MAKE THINGS DIFFICULT!!! They know exactly what they're doing. They put these fraud blocks on without telling us and then make it IMPOSSIBLE to get through to customer service to fix it. I bet they save millions in benefits they don't have to pay out because people just give up trying. My sister was in Arizona last summer and couldn't access her Cash Aid for THREE DAYS while she tried to get through to someone. Had to borrow money from friends. THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS BROKEN!!!

Btw when you get it working try Walmart ATMs they usually work good with EBT cash and have lower fees than bank ATMs

UPDATE: I finally got through to EBT customer service! They confirmed it was a fraud prevention block because of the out-of-state transaction. The rep removed the block and said I can try withdrawing again in about an hour. She also warned me that I might get charged 2 fees - one from the EBT system and another from the out-of-state ATM. Thanks everyone for your help!

Glad you got it sorted out! One more tip - keep your CalWORKs eligibility worker's direct phone number in your contacts for the future. If you ever can't get through to EBT customer service again, your worker can sometimes help with card issues or at least escalate it through internal channels. Also, make sure to document all ATM fees you're charged while out of state - in some cases, if they're excessive, you can request a review of those charges when you return to California.

did the walmart atm end up working for u? jw for next time I travel

This thread is so helpful! I'm bookmarking it because I travel to see family pretty regularly and had no idea about needing to call ahead. Quick question - does anyone know if this same process applies to SNAP benefits (food stamps) when traveling out of state? Or is it just the cash aid that gets blocked? I usually only use my card for groceries but want to make sure I don't run into the same issue next time I visit my brother in Oregon.

This is such valuable information for anyone who travels with CalWORKs benefits! I had no idea about the fraud blocks until I read this thread. It's frustrating that they don't explain these things upfront when you get your card, but I guess it makes sense given how much EBT fraud is happening. For anyone dealing with this in the future, it might be worth calling the EBT customer service line BEFORE you travel to give them a heads up about your trip - that way you can avoid the stress of having your card blocked when you actually need to use it. Also keeping that 1-877-328-9677 number saved in your phone is definitely smart. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences!

This whole situation highlights a major communication gap in how CalWORKs handles EBT cards. I'm a social worker who helps clients navigate these systems, and I see this issue come up constantly - people getting their cards blocked while traveling and having no idea it was even a possibility. The fraud protection makes sense given the skimming epidemic, but the lack of clear information is really problematic. When I help clients get their replacement cards, I always tell them about potential out-of-state issues now, but it shouldn't be up to social workers and community forums to fill in these gaps. The state should include a clear travel notification process in all their EBT materials. Glad you got it resolved and thanks for sharing your experience - it'll definitely help other families avoid this stress!

As someone who's dealt with this exact situation multiple times, I can confirm everything others have shared here. The fraud protection system is actually pretty sensitive - I've had my card blocked just for using it at a different grocery store chain than usual, even within California! One thing I'd add is that when you call EBT customer service, be prepared with your full SSN, card number, and be able to verify some recent transactions. They ask a lot of security questions before they'll remove the block. Also, if you're planning to be out of state for more than a few days, ask them how long the "travel authorization" lasts - sometimes it's only good for 30 days and you might need to call again for longer trips. The whole system definitely needs better upfront communication, but at least the protection has gotten better since the skimming got so bad. I lost $400 in cash aid to skimmers at a gas station ATM last year and it took 3 weeks to get it replaced. So while the travel blocks are annoying, I'd rather deal with a phone call than lose all my benefits again.

I'm really glad this worked out for you! This whole thread has been incredibly educational - I had no idea about the travel notification requirements either. It's honestly shocking that this information isn't clearly communicated when you receive your EBT card. For anyone else reading this who might travel frequently, it sounds like calling ahead before your trip might be the smartest approach to avoid getting stuck without access to your benefits. The fraud protection makes total sense given all the skimming horror stories, but the lack of clear guidance from the state is really problematic. Also want to echo what others said about keeping that EBT customer service number (1-877-328-9677) saved in your phone and having all your card info ready when you call. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this is exactly the kind of practical knowledge that helps families navigate these systems successfully!