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