Just wanted to add that some counties also have farmers markets that participate in CalFresh! In my area, you can use your EBT card at the farmers market and they often have programs that match your benefits - like spend $10 in CalFresh and get an extra $10 in market bucks. It's a great way to get fresh produce and stretch your benefits further. The food is usually much healthier than fast food too, which is better for the kids in the long run even if they don't realize it yet! 😊

As someone who's been on CalFresh for about 6 months now, I totally get the confusion! When I first got my card, I thought I could use it everywhere and was pretty disappointed to learn about all the restrictions. One thing that's helped me is meal prepping on Sundays - I buy ingredients that can make multiple meals throughout the week. Like getting a big bag of chicken thighs, rice, and frozen vegetables can make several different meals that my kids actually enjoy. Way cheaper than fast food and honestly more filling too. Also, if you're looking for that McDonald's-type experience for your kids, try getting those frozen hash browns and making breakfast for dinner sometimes - my kids think it's the coolest thing ever! 😄 The farmers market suggestion is really good too - I was surprised how much fresh fruit my kids would eat when they got to pick it out themselves at the market.

I'm new to this community but wanted to reach out because your story really touched my heart. As a parent myself, I can only imagine how stressful this situation must be for your family. After reading through all the amazing advice here, it's clear you have a solid plan forward - applying as "homeless/temporary housing," getting a PO Box or using a community center address for mail, and emphasizing the emergency nature of your situation due to your husband's workplace injury. I wanted to add one more resource that might help: many WIC offices (Women, Infants, and Children) have emergency food vouchers or can connect you with local emergency assistance programs while you wait for CalFresh to process. Since you're breastfeeding a 9-month-old, you'd likely qualify for WIC benefits too, which could help with formula backup, baby food, and nutritious foods for you while nursing. Also, don't forget to mention during your CalFresh interview that you have a baby under 12 months old - this often qualifies families for even faster processing and additional considerations. You're being such strong advocates for your family during an incredibly difficult time. Workplace injuries can derail anyone's financial stability overnight, and accessing these support programs shows you're being responsible parents who prioritize your baby's nutritional needs. There's absolutely nothing to feel ashamed about. Apply tonight, get that mailing situation sorted tomorrow, and trust that you're going to get through this crisis. Your family deserves this help, and these programs exist exactly for situations like yours. Wishing you all the best!

I'm new to this community but wanted to reach out because I went through an almost identical situation just six months ago. My partner was injured at work and we ended up staying with friends while navigating the benefits system with a toddler. Reading through all the excellent advice here, I'm so glad to see how supportive this community is. Everything people have shared about applying as "homeless/temporary housing" and using a PO Box for mail is exactly right - that's the approach that worked for us. One thing I wanted to add that really helped during our phone interview was having a simple list ready of our monthly expenses (even though they were minimal) and being able to clearly explain how we kept our food separate from our hosts. The caseworker appreciated the organization and it made the whole process smoother. Also, since you mentioned your husband's workplace accident specifically - make sure to ask your caseworker about expedited medical deductions if he needs ongoing treatment. This can actually increase your benefit amount by reducing your counted income. With zero income and a baby, you're absolutely going to qualify for maximum benefits and expedited processing. Don't let anyone make you feel bad about accessing help during a legitimate crisis - workplace injuries can happen to any family, and these programs exist exactly for situations like yours. Apply tonight, get that PO Box tomorrow, and trust that you're doing the right thing for your family. You're going to get through this difficult time, and having food security will be one less thing to worry about while your husband recovers.

This thread has been absolutely amazing to read as someone who's completely new to both CalFresh and this community! I just started my application process yesterday and was already worried about what would happen if there were delays or issues with getting my EBT card. Reading through @fffb070de727's journey from crisis to successful same-day resolution has been so reassuring and educational. I had no idea that emergency over-the-counter EBT cards were even an option - I genuinely thought if your card got delayed in the mail, you'd just have to wait it out no matter how desperate your situation was. The specific tips about using exact phrases like "emergency over-the-counter EBT card" and "food emergency" when calling county offices are exactly the kind of insider knowledge that can make all the difference but you'd never find in official documentation. I'm definitely bookmarking the Claimyr service too - those phone queue horror stories are exactly what I've been dreading about dealing with government offices. What really stands out to me is how this community came together with accurate, practical solutions and how experienced members consistently provided current, reliable information throughout the discussion. Thank you @fffb070de727 for taking the time to update everyone with your success story - it transforms this from just a venting post into a genuine resource guide that will help so many other families. This is exactly the kind of supportive, knowledgeable community I was hoping to find as I start my CalFresh journey!

This thread has been such an incredible resource as someone who's brand new to CalFresh! I just started my application two days ago and had no idea that emergency over-the-counter EBT cards were even an option. Reading @fffb070de727's complete journey from crisis to same-day success has given me so much hope and practical knowledge. The specific tips about using exact phrases like "emergency over-the-counter EBT card" and "food emergency" are exactly the insider details you need but would never find in official guides. I'm definitely saving the Claimyr service recommendation too - those endless phone hold stories were making me dread having to call county offices! What really stands out is how this community came together with accurate, actionable solutions and how experienced members consistently provided reliable, up-to-date information. Thank you @fffb070de727 for following through with your success update - it transforms this from just a problem post into a comprehensive solution guide that will help so many other families. This is exactly the supportive, knowledgeable community I was hoping to find as I navigate the CalFresh system for the first time!

Just wanted to add my voice to this incredibly helpful thread! I've been dealing with the exact same Walmart EBT Cash nightmare for about 6 weeks now. That "payment method not available" error has become my worst enemy - I was honestly starting to wonder if there was something fundamentally wrong with my card or account. Reading through all these experiences has been such a relief. It's amazing (and frustrating) to see how many of us are dealing with this identical issue. This thread has provided more actionable solutions than weeks of trying to navigate official customer service channels that either put me on endless hold or give me unhelpful generic responses. Based on all the success stories here, I'm definitely going to try Target pickup this weekend. I had absolutely no idea they accepted EBT Cash for online orders! I'm also planning to call my county office Monday morning at 8 AM sharp to ask specifically about "online transaction restrictions" and "e-commerce blocks" on my account - those seem to be the magic phrases that get results. @Sara Main - that's fantastic that you got Walmart to finally escalate this issue! Really hoping they follow through with an actual system fix so we can stop having to work around their broken payment processing. This community is doing what the official support systems should be doing. Thank you to everyone who shared their workarounds and experiences - I'll definitely come back and update with my results to help the next person dealing with this mess!

Just wanted to share my experience as someone who's been following this thread closely! I finally tried Target pickup today after reading all the success stories here, and it worked perfectly. The whole process was super smooth - logged into my Target account, selected "Order Pickup" at checkout, chose EBT as payment method, entered my card and PIN, and the order went through without any issues. I also called my county office yesterday morning right at 8 AM (that tip was golden!) and asked specifically about "online transaction restrictions" on my EBT Cash account. The worker immediately knew what I was talking about and found that I had an automatic fraud prevention flag blocking online transactions. She removed it and said to wait 24-48 hours before trying Walmart again. It's honestly incredible how much more helpful this community has been than any official customer service channel. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and solutions - this thread is going to save so many people from the frustration we've all been dealing with! I'll update if Walmart starts working once that restriction is fully cleared from my account.

This whole thread has been so heartwarming to read! As a parent who's also navigated the CalFresh system, I completely understand that desire to treat your kids to something special. What I love about all these homemade breakfast suggestions is that you're not just saving money - you're creating an experience that's probably going to be way more meaningful than any restaurant visit. One thing I'd add is that if you want to make it feel even more like a "restaurant outing," you could set up a special breakfast table with your nicest dishes, maybe some flowers from the yard, or even make paper placemats that your kids can color while you're cooking. I've done this with my own children and they absolutely loved the "fancy" feeling of it all. Also, for future reference about the Restaurant Meals Program - even though it doesn't help your current situation, it's worth keeping in mind that eligibility can change. If your circumstances ever change (like if you become homeless or develop a disability), you could potentially qualify later. But honestly, after reading all these creative homemade breakfast ideas, I think you're going to have way more fun at home anyway!

Reading through all these responses has been so helpful and inspiring! As someone who's also on CalFresh with kids, I totally get that feeling of wanting to give them a special treat. What I've learned is that sometimes the "limitations" of the program actually push us to be more creative and end up creating even better experiences. I wanted to add that many grocery stores have their bakery sections that accept EBT - you could pick up some fresh whipped cream or even a small container of berries to make your homemade breakfast feel extra fancy. Also, if your kids are anything like mine, they'll probably love the "behind the scenes" aspect of cooking way more than just being served at a restaurant. My 8-year-old still talks about the time we made "restaurant pancakes" at home months ago! One last tip - if you have any neighbors or friends with kids, you could even make it a group breakfast and split the costs. Sometimes sharing these special moments with others makes them even more memorable. Your kids are so lucky to have a parent who thinks so carefully about treating them while staying within budget. That homemade breakfast is going to be absolutely perfect!