CalWORKs EBT card midnight withdrawal settings - does changing take effect immediately?

tried this last month nd it worked right away for me! changed my settings at like 10pm and was able to pull cash out at midnite. saved me from late fees on my rent. make sure u know ur daily withdrawal limit tho cuz u might need to go to multiple ATMs if ur rent is more than that

Yes, the EBT card setting changes take effect immediately in the system. However, just to clarify a few things that might help: 1. While the setting change is immediate, your Cash Aid might not deposit exactly at midnight. Sometimes it can take until 2-3am for funds to actually appear in your account, depending on the payment processing schedule. 2. Make sure you're using surcharge-free ATMs whenever possible - you get 4 free withdrawals per month with your CalWORKs benefits, but after that, you'll be charged a $0.85 fee per withdrawal. 3. If your daily ATM limit is lower than your rent amount, you might want to plan to make withdrawals over 2-3 days rather than trying to get it all in one night. Hope this helps with your rent situation!

it dependz on what county ur in too. im in LA county and my cash aid NEVER comes at midnite even tho thats what they say. its always like 6-8am for me. so dont panic if u dont see it right at 12. also the app is super glitchy lately so sometimes it doesn't show ur balance right even when the money is there

I've been dealing with this EBT midnight withdrawal thing for years with my CalWORKs benefits. The setting change is immediate, but honestly, using multiple ATMs for large cash amounts is risky. Have you considered asking your landlord if they'll accept a money order instead? You can purchase those with your EBT card at most grocery stores without withdrawal limits or multiple ATM fees. Also, if you're consistently struggling with the timing of rent payments, you might qualify for CalWORKs Housing Support Program (HSP) which can sometimes help with rent or security deposits. Might be worth asking your case worker about at your next redetermination interview.

DONT WASTE UR TIME TRYING TO CALL COUNTY TOMORROW EITHER. I spent 4 HOURS on hold last month trying to get someone to help me with my card settings and NEVER got through. The whole system is designed to make it impossible to get help when you actually need it. And then they wonder why people miss rent payments and lose housing. SMH

Did u figure out how to change the settings? I'm new to CalWORKs and didn't even know this was an option. Where do u go to change it?

Just a reminder about ATM fees since you mentioned using multiple ATMs - most banks charge $3-5 per withdrawal if you're not their customer, on top of any fees from your EBT card after your free withdrawals. If possible, try to plan your withdrawals at your bank's ATMs or the surcharge-free ATMs listed on the EBT website to minimize fees. Every dollar counts when you're on Cash Aid!

Just wanted to follow up on this since I've been in similar situations - if you're still having trouble with the midnight timing, some 24-hour grocery stores like Walmart or certain Safeways will let you get cash back when you buy something small with your EBT card. The cash back usually comes from a separate register fund so it's not tied to the same ATM processing delays. Obviously you'd need to buy something you actually need, but it might be worth considering if the ATM deposits are running late and you're in a pinch. Also, some credit unions have lower ATM fees than big banks if you need to use multiple machines.

Hey Emma! I just went through this exact same situation last week with my CalWORKs cash aid. The setting change IS immediate, but like others mentioned, the actual deposit timing can vary. I'm in Sacramento County and mine usually hits around 1:30-2:00 AM. One thing I learned that might help - if you have a Wells Fargo nearby, they're one of the surcharge-free ATM networks for EBT cards, and their machines often have higher daily withdrawal limits (sometimes up to $800 depending on the location). Also, if you're really stuck and the funds don't hit in time, some payday loan places will give you a small advance against your expected CalWORKs deposit, though obviously that comes with fees so only use as a last resort. Hope you get your rent sorted out! The housing struggle is real when you're on benefits.

I've been using CalWORKs Cash Aid for about 8 months now and had to figure out this whole midnight withdrawal thing too. The setting change is definitely immediate, but here's what I wish someone had told me when I started: 1. Download the Providers app or check the EBT website for surcharge-free ATM locations near you - it'll save you tons in fees 2. Your daily limit might be lower than you think (mine started at $400) but you can call and request an increase if needed 3. Some counties batch process deposits, so even with midnight settings enabled, you might not see funds until 2-4 AM For emergency situations like this, I've also had luck asking my caseworker about emergency assistance programs. There's sometimes one-time rental assistance available that can buy you a few extra days if your deposit is delayed. Worth mentioning at your next appointment if this becomes a recurring issue. Good luck with your rent situation - the timing stress is the worst part of being on benefits sometimes!

Just wanted to add something that might help for future months - if you're consistently having issues with rent timing, some landlords will work with you on payment dates if you explain your situation. I talked to mine about how CalWORKs deposits on specific dates and she agreed to let me pay on the 2nd instead of the 1st. Not all landlords will do this obviously, but it's worth asking since it eliminates all the stress about midnight withdrawals and ATM fees. Also, if you're in a really tight spot tonight and the deposit doesn't come through in time, some food banks also have emergency rental assistance funds - not just food. The one near me helped cover part of my rent once when my CalWORKs got delayed due to a system error. Hope everything works out for you!

Hey Emma, I hope everything worked out with your rent! I'm dealing with a similar situation right now and this whole thread has been super helpful. I'm curious - did your midnight withdrawal setting change work? And did your funds actually show up at midnight or was it delayed like some people mentioned? I'm in Orange County and trying to figure out if I should set my alarm for midnight or just wait until morning. Also, for anyone else reading this - I called my local 211 helpline yesterday and they told me about some emergency rental assistance programs I didn't even know existed. Might be worth a call if you're in a bind with rent timing issues. The whole CalWORKs system can be so stressful when you're cutting it close with bills!