I've been having this exact same issue with Walmart's EBT Cash system for the past month! It's so frustrating because the payment just sits there processing forever - never completes, never gives an error, just hangs indefinitely. Like everyone else mentioned, my card works perfectly at their physical stores, so it's clearly a problem with their online payment processing system. This thread has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea that some EBT accounts need to be specifically enabled for online purchases! I'm definitely going to call the customer service number on my card tomorrow to check if there are any restrictions or flags on my account that might be causing issues. Based on all the positive feedback here, I'm switching to Amazon for my online EBT Cash purchases. The fact that they clearly mark eligible items upfront and have a reliable payment system sounds so much better than Walmart's broken setup. I'm also really interested in trying Target's curbside pickup since I can manage short trips but struggle with walking through large stores. It's ridiculous that we have to work around these technical issues just to use our benefits, but I'm grateful for communities like this where people share real solutions that actually work. Thanks everyone for the detailed advice and for confirming this is a widespread Walmart system problem, not something we're doing wrong!

I've been dealing with this exact same Walmart EBT Cash issue for about three weeks now! It's so incredibly frustrating - the payment processor just spins endlessly without ever completing or giving any kind of error message. What makes it even more maddening is that my card works perfectly fine when I shop at their physical store. After reading through everyone's experiences here, I'm convinced this is a widespread technical problem with Walmart's online payment system specifically for EBT Cash processing. It sounds like they can handle the food benefit portion just fine, but something about their cash benefit integration is completely broken. I'm definitely going to try Amazon based on all the overwhelmingly positive recommendations in this thread. The fact that they clearly label EBT eligible items upfront and have consistent payment processing sounds like such a relief compared to Walmart's mess of a system. I'm also planning to call the EBT customer service number to check if my account needs any special online purchase flags enabled - I had no idea that was even a thing until reading these responses! The Target curbside pickup option sounds perfect for my situation too since I can handle short trips but navigating large stores for extended periods is really challenging. It's reassuring to know there are multiple reliable alternatives while we wait for Walmart to hopefully fix their broken system. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences and solutions - this community is such a valuable resource for working around these frustrating technical barriers!

This thread has been so reassuring! I've been on CalFresh for about a year and always get nervous when I see unfamiliar numbers calling about my benefits. Reading everyone's confirmations that (858)812-6564 is definitely legitimate San Diego County HHSA puts my mind at ease. The whole Income Reporting Threshold explanation is really eye-opening - I had no idea the county could detect when household members start working and proactively reach out. That's actually pretty amazing from a system perspective! It sounds like the key is being responsive and having your documentation ready when you call back. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this is exactly the kind of real-world advice that makes navigating these systems so much easier!

This has been such an informative thread to read through! I'm also on CalFresh and would have been just as paranoid about that call - there are so many scams targeting benefits recipients these days. It's really reassuring to see multiple people confirm that (858)812-6564 is definitely a legitimate San Diego County HHSA number. The whole explanation about Income Reporting Threshold requirements is completely new to me - I had no idea they could proactively detect when household members start working! That's actually pretty sophisticated and shows they're trying to help us stay compliant rather than catch us making mistakes. Based on everyone's advice, it sounds like the best approach is: check BenefitsCal first, then call the main county line with your case number and daughter's employment info ready. Thanks for posting this question - it's helped so many of us learn about how the system really works behind the scenes!

As a newcomer to both CalFresh and this community, I can't express how valuable this entire thread has been! I just got approved for benefits two weeks ago and was terrified when I realized my EBT card was missing this morning. I was spiraling thinking about how complicated it would be to replace it, especially since I'm still learning how everything works. Reading through everyone's step-by-step experiences has completely calmed my nerves and given me a clear action plan. The practical details like calling the customer service line first, bringing my case number and ID, and going early in the morning are exactly what I needed to know. I had no idea about things like mobile printing units or that most county offices can print cards the same day! It's incredible how much real-world knowledge this community shares that you just can't find on official websites. I'm heading to my county office first thing tomorrow morning with all the right documents thanks to everyone's advice. This is exactly the kind of supportive community that makes navigating these systems so much less overwhelming for those of us who are new to it all. Thank you everyone for taking the time to share your experiences! 🙏

As someone who just went through this exact situation last month, I can confirm that yes, you can absolutely get a same-day replacement! Here's what worked for me: First, I called the EBT customer service line (1-877-328-9677) immediately to report my card lost/stolen - this is crucial because it protects your remaining benefits from being used by someone else. Then I went straight to my county office with my ID, case number, and a piece of mail showing my address. The whole process took about an hour including wait time, and they printed my new card right there. All my benefits transferred automatically to the new card and I was able to use it immediately at the store. The key is going early in the morning (around 8am when they open) to avoid the longer wait times later in the day. Don't stress too much - this is something they handle all the time and it's actually pretty straightforward once you know what to bring!

I'm also dealing with a recent move and need to update my CalFresh address! This entire thread has been incredibly helpful - I was completely overwhelmed about the process before reading everyone's experiences. The distinction between using "Report a Change" vs just updating your profile section is exactly the kind of crucial detail I would have missed without this community's guidance. It's really reassuring to hear from so many people that the BenefitsCal online system is working well and that EBT benefits continue loading normally during address changes. Special thanks to @Zoe Kyriakidou for the professional insight about taking screenshots and checking the message center for confirmation! I'm planning to log in tonight and follow all the advice shared here. This community is amazing for helping people actually navigate these systems effectively instead of just getting frustrated with them.

As someone who just moved last month and successfully updated my address through BenefitsCal, I can definitely confirm what everyone else is saying - the online route is SO much better than calling! I was initially skeptical after hearing mixed experiences, but the "Report a Change" section really does work well. The whole process took me about 8 minutes and I got my confirmation number immediately. One thing I'd add that I haven't seen mentioned yet - if you have any automatic payments set up with your bank that reference your old address, make sure to update those too since sometimes they cross-reference that information during reviews. Also, I noticed that my case worker actually sent me a message through the BenefitsCal inbox about a week later just confirming they had processed the change, which was a nice touch. Your EBT will definitely keep working normally - I had zero issues with my benefits loading on schedule. Good luck with your move!

Hey Khalid! I can totally relate to your anxiety about this - I remember feeling the exact same panic when I first started working while on CalFresh. It's such a relief to see everyone here has given you such great advice! Just to add to what others have said: I work at a coffee shop and my hours are all over the place too. Some weeks I barely get 12 hours, other weeks I might get 30+ if someone calls out or we're busy. The paycheck swings used to stress me out so much until I realized that's exactly what the IRT system is designed to handle. Since you're making around $1,800/month and your IRT is $2,250, you're in a really good spot. I'd suggest doing what a few others mentioned - keep a simple running total in your phone so you can see your monthly income vs your IRT. It really helps with peace of mind. Also, don't let people scare you with worst-case scenarios. The vast majority of people on CalFresh who are trying to follow the rules (like you clearly are) never have serious issues. Keep those pay stubs organized, report accurately on your SAR7, and you'll be fine. The system is actually designed to work WITH people who have unpredictable income, not against us. You've got this!

Hey Khalid! I totally understand your anxiety - I had the exact same worries when I first started working while on CalFresh about 8 months ago. The stress of potentially losing benefits you really need is so overwhelming! But honestly, from what you've described, you're handling this perfectly. Your IRT is $2,250 and you're making around $1,800/month, which gives you a solid cushion. Those paycheck swings from $320 to $580 are completely normal for retail - I work at a department store and mine can vary even more depending on if I get scheduled for Black Friday shifts vs random Tuesday afternoons. Your friend is mixing up programs - CalFresh doesn't monitor bank accounts like SSI does. They verify income through pay stubs and employment databases, not by watching your deposits. Here's what saved my sanity: I keep all my pay stubs in a simple folder and track my monthly totals in my phone's calculator app. Takes 2 minutes but gives me peace of mind knowing exactly where I stand vs my IRT each month. The fact that you're asking these questions shows you're being super responsible. Keep saving those pay stubs, report accurately on your SAR7 when it's due, and don't stress about normal paycheck fluctuations. The system is literally designed for people with unpredictable income like us retail workers. You've got this handled better than you think!