EBT card flagged as unauthorized user (error 104) when trying to withdraw Cash Aid - changed PIN but still blocked!

the same thing happened to me last month!! i went to 3 different atms and they all said error 104. i freaked out thinking my account was hacked or froze bc of some report i forgot to turn in. turns out the whole ebt system was glitching that day. try calling the number on the back of ur card, they fixed mine over the phone

Error 104 specifically means there's a security flag on your account. This usually happens for one of three reasons: 1. Multiple incorrect PIN attempts (even if you weren't the one who made them) 2. Unusual transaction pattern (withdrawing at odd hours or locations you don't normally use) 3. System update glitch (happens around benefit deposit dates sometimes) You need to call the EBT customer service line at 1-877-328-9677 to have them reset the security flag. They can usually do it immediately, but you MUST speak with a representative, not just the automated system. When you call, keep pressing 0 at every prompt until you get a human.

Have you tried using your card at a grocery store to get cash back with purchase? Sometimes that works when ATMs are being weird. Just buy something small like a pack of gum and ask for cash back. Worth a try while you're waiting to get through to customer service!

omg this happened to me 2 days ago!!!! so frustrating!! i had to call like 20 times before i got through to a person and they told me it was becuz i moved counties last month and they put some kind of block on my card. didnt even tell me!! they fixed it but took 24hrs to reset in the system 😡😡 the whole system is rigged to make it hard for us

I work with CalWORKs clients and see this issue frequently. Error code 104 is a security protocol that typically triggers when there's unusual activity. Here's what you should do: 1. Try a POS cash back option at a store as someone suggested 2. If that doesn't work, you need to speak with EBT Customer Service (not your regular CalWORKs worker) 3. They'll need to verify your identity and remove the security hold Unfortunately, the EBT customer service line (1-877-328-9677) has extremely long wait times right around benefit issuance days. If you need to speak with someone urgently about this issue, I'd recommend using Claimyr (claimyr.com). They have a service that holds your place in line and calls you back when an agent is available. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE Many of my clients have used it when dealing with urgent EBT card issues like yours.

Your regular CalWORKs worker cannot fix EBT card technical issues - that has to go through the EBT customer service. They're completely separate systems. Your worker can see your benefits were issued, but cannot address card functionality problems. And no, unfortunately your worker can't issue emergency replacement cash if your benefits are already on the card but inaccessible due to technical issues.

UPDATE: Finally got through to EBT customer service! Used that Claimyr thing and got a call back in about 40 minutes instead of waiting on hold forever. The rep said my account had a security flag because of "unusual transaction pattern" - basically because I tried to withdraw at midnight right after benefits posted (which I've never done before). They reset something on their end and said I can use the card again after 30 minutes. Will try again and update if it works!

FINAL UPDATE: It worked! Was able to withdraw cash for my rent. So relieved! Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions. For anyone else who has this problem - definitely call EBT customer service directly (not your regular CalWORKs office) and specifically mention the error code 104. And if you're having trouble getting through on the phone, that Claimyr callback service actually worked pretty well.

For future reference, you might want to set up direct deposit for your CalWORKs benefits instead of using the EBT card for cash withdrawals. You can have your cash aid portion deposited directly to your bank account which avoids these card issues completely. Just ask your worker for the form next time you're in contact with them. I switched to direct deposit last year and it's been SO much more reliable!

This is such a common issue that more people need to know about! I had the exact same thing happen to me about 6 months ago - got the 104 error right after my benefits loaded and couldn't access any cash for almost a full day. What's really frustrating is that they don't send you any notification when they put these security flags on your account, so you have no idea what's wrong until you try to use the card and it gets rejected. The EBT system really needs better communication with cardholders when these security holds get triggered. At minimum they should send a text or automated call explaining why the card was blocked and how to resolve it. Glad you got it sorted out though - that Claimyr service sounds like a game changer for getting through to customer service!

This thread is so helpful! I'm bookmarking it in case I ever run into this issue. As someone who just started receiving CalWORKs benefits last month, I had no idea about error code 104 or security flags. It's really concerning that the system can randomly block your access to your own money without any warning. I'm definitely going to look into that direct deposit option someone mentioned - seems way more reliable than dealing with potential EBT card glitches. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and solutions here!

This whole thread has been incredibly eye-opening! I've been on CalWORKs for about 8 months and thankfully haven't hit the 104 error yet, but now I know what to watch out for. It's honestly ridiculous that they can lock you out of your own benefits without any notification - especially when people are depending on that money for basic necessities like rent and groceries. I'm definitely going to ask my worker about direct deposit at my next appointment. In the meantime, I'm writing down that EBT customer service number and the Claimyr website just in case. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences and solutions - this is exactly the kind of real-world info that actually helps people navigate this confusing system!

This is such valuable information for anyone dealing with EBT issues! I'm saving this thread for future reference. As someone who's been on CalWORKs for about a year, I've been lucky to avoid the 104 error so far, but reading everyone's experiences makes me realize how unprepared I would be if it happened to me. The fact that they can freeze your access without any warning is honestly terrifying when you're living paycheck to paycheck (or in our case, benefit payment to benefit payment). I'm definitely going to look into direct deposit - seems like it would eliminate so many of these headaches. Also really appreciate the tip about that Claimyr service, because we all know how impossible it can be to get through to EBT customer service on a normal day, let alone when there's an urgent problem. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories and solutions!

I'm so glad I found this thread! I just started receiving CalWORKs benefits two weeks ago and honestly had no idea that these kinds of technical issues could happen with the EBT card. Reading everyone's experiences has been both eye-opening and a little scary - the idea that you could suddenly lose access to your own money without any warning is really concerning, especially when you're depending on those benefits for essentials like rent and food. I'm definitely going to save the EBT customer service number and that Claimyr website info just in case this happens to me. And I'm going to ask my caseworker about direct deposit at my next appointment - after reading all these stories, it seems like a much more reliable option than dealing with potential card glitches. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and solutions here. This kind of practical, real-world advice is exactly what new recipients like me need to know but never get told during the application process!

This thread is incredibly helpful! I've been receiving CalWORKs benefits for about 3 months now and had no idea about error code 104 or these security flags. It's really frustrating that they can block access to your own money without any notification - especially when people are relying on those benefits for rent and other essential expenses. I'm definitely going to ask my caseworker about setting up direct deposit at my next appointment. That seems like it would avoid all these EBT card technical issues entirely. Also saving the EBT customer service number and that Claimyr callback service info just in case I ever run into this problem. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences and solutions - this is exactly the kind of practical information that new recipients like me need to know but never get told during the application process!

This thread has been such a valuable resource! I'm about 7 months into receiving CalWORKs benefits and thankfully haven't encountered the 104 error yet, but now I know exactly what to look for and how to handle it if it happens. It's honestly shocking that they can put security flags on your account without any notification - when you're living on a tight budget and depending on those benefits for rent and groceries, losing access even for a day can be devastating. I'm definitely going to inquire about direct deposit at my next caseworker meeting after reading all these experiences. The fact that so many people have run into this issue suggests it's a systemic problem that really needs to be addressed. In the meantime, I'm saving all the helpful info from this thread - the EBT customer service number, the Claimyr callback service, and the tip about trying cash back at stores. Thank you to everyone who shared their stories and solutions. This community provides the kind of real-world guidance that you just can't get from official resources!

This thread has been so incredibly helpful! I'm about 2 months into CalWORKs and had no idea about error code 104 or these security flags. It's really disturbing that they can just lock you out of your own benefits without any warning - especially when people are counting on that money for basic needs like housing and food. Reading everyone's experiences makes me realize how unprepared I would be if this happened to me. I'm definitely going to ask my caseworker about direct deposit at my next appointment - it sounds way more reliable than dealing with these EBT card glitches. Also writing down that customer service number and the Claimyr callback service info just in case. Thank you to everyone who shared their stories and solutions here. This is exactly the kind of real-world information that new recipients need but never get told during the application process. It's amazing how this community helps each other navigate all the stuff they don't warn you about!

Just wanted to add my experience for anyone who might search for this issue in the future! I had the exact same 104 error about 3 weeks ago and it was such a nightmare. What made it even worse was that it happened on a Friday evening, so I couldn't reach anyone until Monday. I ended up having to borrow money from family for groceries over the weekend. When I finally got through to EBT customer service on Monday (took about 2 hours of calling), they said the flag was triggered because I had withdrawn money from an ATM in a different city when I was visiting my sister. Apparently their system flagged it as "suspicious location activity" even though it was totally legitimate! They cleared it immediately once I explained, but those 3 days of not being able to access my benefits were really stressful. I switched to direct deposit right after that incident and haven't had any issues since. For anyone dealing with this - definitely push for direct deposit if you can. It's so much more reliable!

This thread is such a lifesaver! I'm about 4 months into CalWORKs and honestly had no idea these EBT security issues existed until now. Reading everyone's experiences has been both informative and a little scary - the thought that my benefits could get locked without warning is really concerning, especially when I'm already living paycheck to paycheck. I had a minor issue with my PIN last month but nothing like the 104 error. Definitely going to ask my caseworker about direct deposit at my next recertification meeting after seeing how many people have dealt with these card problems. Also saving that EBT customer service number and the Claimyr callback service info just in case. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their stories and solutions - this is exactly the kind of real-world advice that actually helps people navigate this complicated system!