Hey is anyone still having trouble withdrawing cash from the ATMs or is it just me only?

Hey @Chippale! I haven't tried withdrawing cash recently, but based on all the issues people have been having with EBT cards in this thread, it could be related to the same security flag problems. If your card is working for purchases but not ATM withdrawals, that might be a different issue though. Have you tried calling that EBT customer service number (1-877-328-9677) that everyone's been recommending? They should be able to tell you if there are any restrictions on your account or if there's a system-wide issue with ATM withdrawals. Also, some ATMs have daily withdrawal limits for EBT cards that are separate from your balance - usually around $40-60 per day depending on the machine. Let us know what you find out!

I'm so sorry you're going through this stress with your kids depending on you! I went through something very similar about 8 months ago when $170 was stolen from my EBT card at a gas station 35 miles from my home. The 20-day timeline they give you is terrifying when you're already stretching every dollar. Here's what helped me get my benefits back in 9 days instead of the full 20: **Be strategically persistent:** I called every 2-3 days and always asked "Has my case been assigned to an investigator yet, and is there anything additional you need from me to expedite this?" This keeps your case visible without being annoying. **Use your strong evidence:** The fact that the transaction was 30 miles away while you still have your physical card is excellent evidence. Emphasize this geographic impossibility in every single call - fraud investigators prioritize these cases because they're easier to prove. **Ask for emergency help immediately:** My county provided $55 in emergency replacement benefits when I explained I had children and we were facing food insecurity. Don't wait - call your San Bernardino County CalFresh office tomorrow and ask about emergency assistance while the investigation is pending. **Document everything:** Keep notes of every call and gather your work records showing you were elsewhere when the fraud happened. I sent my timesheet to the fraud department and I think it helped speed up approval. The waiting is absolutely brutal when you're watching your kids eat smaller portions, but based on everyone's experiences here, you should hopefully see resolution in 10-14 days. Also call 211 for immediate food resources while you wait. You're doing everything right - stay strong! 💙

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this - EBT fraud is incredibly stressful, especially when you have children depending on you. Reading through all these responses gives me hope that you'll get your benefits back much sooner than that scary 20-day timeline they initially quoted you. Based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds like San Bernardino County typically processes these disputes in 10-14 days, with some people getting resolution as quickly as 6-9 days. The fact that the fraudulent transaction happened 30 miles away while you still have your physical card is really strong evidence in your favor - several people mentioned that geographic impossibility cases get prioritized because they're easier to prove. A few things that seem to consistently help speed up the process: - Call every 2-3 days asking specifically "Has my case been assigned to an investigator yet?" - Emphasize you have children and are facing food insecurity during every call - Document your work schedule showing you were elsewhere when the fraud occurred - Ask about emergency replacement benefits while the investigation is pending Don't hesitate to advocate strongly for emergency food assistance tomorrow when you call. Multiple people here got $50-80 in emergency benefits from their counties while waiting for dispute resolution. Also definitely call 211 for immediate food resources and check with your kids' school about weekend backpack programs. You're doing everything right by staying on top of this and advocating for your family. The waiting is the worst part, but based on all these success stories, you should hopefully have resolution soon. Hang in there! 💙

This thread has been absolutely incredible to read through! As someone who just joined this community and recently started receiving CalFresh benefits, I had no idea how many different issues could suddenly cut off your access to food assistance. The fact that something as normal as shopping at two different stores can trigger fraud detection is honestly shocking - that's exactly what I do every week to find the best prices and stretch my benefits! Dominic, I'm so relieved you were able to get your card reactivated the same day by going to the county office early. Your experience combined with all the expert advice from everyone here has created such a valuable resource. The tips about asking specifically for "Card on Demand" services, bringing all your documentation, and emphasizing the urgent food security need are things I never would have known to do. What really stands out to me is how this community came together so quickly with practical solutions - from Hannah's detailed breakdown of replacement options to Victoria's professional insights as a case worker to Jibriel's success story with the same exact issue. This is exactly the kind of mutual support that makes such a difference when navigating these complex systems. I'm definitely saving this entire thread as a reference guide and will share it with other families I know who receive benefits. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their knowledge and experiences - you've probably helped countless families who will face this same frustrating situation! 🙏

This thread has been such an amazing example of community support in action! As someone who's been on CalFresh for about a year, I've dealt with a few minor hiccups but nothing like what Dominic experienced. Reading through everyone's advice and seeing how quickly the community rallied with practical solutions has been really heartwarming. The fact that shopping at two different stores can trigger fraud detection is honestly mind-blowing to me. I do this regularly - sometimes my usual store doesn't have everything I need, or I'll hit up different places for their weekly sales. It's scary to think that normal budget-conscious shopping behavior could suddenly leave my family without food access. I'm so glad Dominic was able to get his card reactivated the same day! The early morning county office visit strategy seems to be the real game-changer here. And all the professional insights from people like Victoria who actually work in the system have been invaluable - knowing to ask specifically for "Card on Demand" services or "Emergency Response Worker" could save so much time and stress. This entire conversation should definitely be pinned or turned into a community resource guide. The combination of personal experiences, professional knowledge, and practical step-by-step advice creates such a comprehensive troubleshooting resource for EBT card issues. Thank you to everyone who shared their knowledge - you've probably prevented a lot of families from going through unnecessary stress and hunger while trying to resolve these system glitches!

I'm new to this community and currently navigating the CalFresh application process while homeless. This entire thread has been absolutely incredible - I had no idea about any of these policies or options! My worker also told me I needed motel receipts for "homeless assistance," but I've been primarily sleeping in my car and staying with friends when possible. The information about the CF 285 self-declaration form, verification flexibility policy, and the specific $171.88 homeless shelter deduction amount is exactly what I needed. I love how everyone has shared the specific terminology that works - asking for the "homeless shelter deduction" by name instead of vague "homeless assistance" seems to be key. What really resonates with me is how many people mentioned the inconsistency between workers. It's frustrating that getting help often depends on which person you happen to reach, but knowing the right terms and policies clearly makes a huge difference in the conversation. I'm calling tomorrow with a game plan: specifically requesting the homeless shelter deduction, asking about the CF 285 form, mentioning verification flexibility by name, and if needed, asking for a homeless services coordinator. The advice about being detailed on the self-declaration form even without receipts gives me so much hope. Thank you all for creating such a supportive space where people can share real experiences and practical knowledge. For anyone else reading this thread - save it! This is exactly the kind of insider information that can make the difference between getting denied and getting the assistance you're entitled to.

I'm new to this community and just wanted to add my recent experience to help others who might be in a similar situation. I went through the CalFresh homeless application process about two months ago and initially faced the same issue with workers insisting on motel receipts. What finally worked for me was calling and asking specifically if my county had any "homeless outreach specialists" or "benefits navigators" who work specifically with homeless applicants. It turned out my county (San Bernardino) has a dedicated team for this, and they were SO much more knowledgeable about all the alternative verification options mentioned in this thread. The specialist I spoke with immediately knew about the self-declaration option and even helped me understand that irregular housing situations like couch surfing, car dwelling, and staying in places not meant for habitation all qualify for the homeless shelter deduction. She walked me through filling out the form over the phone and my benefits were updated within a week. For anyone struggling to get through to the right person, I'd definitely recommend asking specifically about specialized homeless services staff. Not every county has them, but if yours does, it can save you from the frustration of dealing with workers who aren't familiar with these policies. The homeless shelter deduction made a real difference in my monthly benefits - it's absolutely worth fighting for!

As a newcomer to this community who just moved to the High Desert area, I'm incredibly grateful for all the detailed information everyone has shared in this thread! I recently qualified for the Restaurant Meals Program after my disability determination and was feeling pretty overwhelmed trying to figure out where I could actually use my EBT for hot meals. Reading through all these verified locations and seeing how people took the time to call restaurants and confirm their RMP participation has been so helpful. I'm planning to start with Panda Express and Jack in the Box since multiple people have confirmed they work well there. The practical tips about calling during slower hours and asking specifically about "Restaurant Meals Program" rather than just "EBT acceptance" are invaluable - I can already tell this is going to save me from confusion at the register. It's amazing how this thread has evolved into such a comprehensive resource for RMP users in our area. Thank you to everyone who contributed their experiences and research - this kind of community support makes navigating these services so much easier for those of us who really depend on them!

As a newcomer to this community who recently moved to Victorville and just got approved for the Restaurant Meals Program, I'm absolutely blown away by how helpful and thorough this thread has been! I had no idea there were so many RMP participating locations in the area - I thought I'd be stuck with just that one fish market everyone mentions. Seeing how community members actually took the time to call these restaurants and verify their participation is incredibly generous and helpful. I'm planning to create my own reference list from all the confirmed spots: Jack in the Box on 7th Street, Panda Express on Bear Valley, El Pollo Loco in Hesperia, Del Taco on Main Street, Carl's Jr on Bear Valley, and the Subway near the DMV. The advice about calling during slower hours and asking specifically about "Restaurant Meals Program" rather than just "EBT" is so practical - I can tell this will save me from awkward situations at checkout. As someone who's still learning to navigate this system after my recent disability determination, it's reassuring to know that if staff aren't familiar with RMP, I can ask for a manager. This community support means everything to those of us who depend on these services. Thank you all for sharing your knowledge and experiences!