UPDATE: I was able to get my cash! I went to the FoodMaxx customer service desk like several of you suggested, and they were able to process my EBT cash withdrawal. Had to do it in two transactions because of the limit, but at least I got what I needed for rent. They confirmed there's an issue with bank ATMs today. Thanks everyone for your help! I'm definitely setting up direct deposit to my bank account for next month to avoid this hassle.

So glad you got your rent money sorted out! This whole situation really shows how unreliable the EBT system can be when people need it most. I've been through similar stress with my benefits before. Just wanted to add that if anyone else runs into this issue, CVS pharmacy locations also do EBT cash withdrawals at their registers - sometimes their system stays up when other places go down. And definitely look into that direct deposit option everyone mentioned. It's a game changer for avoiding these last-minute panics!

This whole thread is so valuable for understanding how common these sudden benefit reductions are! I'm dealing with something similar - my benefits got cut by $73 last month and I couldn't figure out why. After reading everyone's experiences, I'm realizing it might be connected to some extra weekend shifts I picked up at my job during the holidays. The IRT reporting requirement is news to me too - they really don't make this clear during the application process. It's wild that working extra hours to try to get ahead financially can actually hurt your benefits for months. The system seems designed to keep people from improving their situation. @Brianna Schmidt thanks for the detailed update! The address issue is so typical of how poorly their systems communicate with each other. And @Logan Chiang your professional perspective is really helpful - it's concerning but not surprising that you see this constantly. I'm going to try calling tomorrow morning and ask for that benefit calculation breakdown. Definitely noting down all the tips about documenting everything and getting confirmation numbers. This thread has been more helpful than any official resource I've found!

This is such an important thread and really shows how widespread these issues are! I'm also dealing with a sudden benefit reduction - mine dropped by $98 last month with no explanation. Reading through everyone's experiences, I'm starting to think it might be related to some extra hours I worked during the holiday season at my job too. Like so many others here, I had absolutely no idea about the IRT reporting requirements. During my application process, nobody mentioned that temporary income increases from things like holiday overtime could affect benefits months later. It's really frustrating that the system seems to punish people for working extra hours when we're just trying to make ends meet. The address update issues that multiple people have mentioned are also concerning - it sounds like their systems don't communicate properly even for basic things like address changes. @Brianna Schmidt thank you so much for sharing your detailed update and what you learned! And @Logan Chiang your professional perspective really validates that these aren't isolated incidents. I'm going to try calling early tomorrow morning using the tips from this thread and ask for a written breakdown of my benefit calculation. This community support has been more helpful than any official resource I've found. It's sad that we have to figure this out together instead of getting clear information upfront, but I'm grateful for everyone sharing their experiences!

Just wanted to share another tip - if you have a smartphone, you can also check your EBT balance before going to the ATM by calling the customer service number on the back of your card or using the ebtEDGE mobile app. This way you know exactly how much you can withdraw and don't get surprised at the ATM. Also, some grocery stores like Walmart and Target let you get cash back when you make a purchase with your CalWORKs benefits, which might be more convenient than finding a specific bank's ATM.

Just a heads up for everyone - if you're dealing with CalWORKs cash aid, make sure you understand the reporting requirements! If you get a large sum like $1,360 and don't spend it right away, you might need to report it as an asset on your next SAR7 form. Cash assets over certain limits can affect your eligibility. I learned this the hard way when I saved some of my cash aid for an emergency and almost got in trouble for not reporting it. The rules are confusing but it's better to ask your worker about asset limits than risk losing benefits.

Hey there! Just wanted to share my recent experience that might help ease your mind. I applied for CalFresh in Sacramento County back in March and had the exact same thing happen - no interview, just got a voicemail saying I was approved. I was skeptical at first (like some others mentioned), but it turned out to be completely legit! My EBT card arrived about 8 days after the voicemail, and all my benefits were there as promised. The approval letter came a day or two before the card. One tip that really helped me: I set up text alerts through the ebtEDGE app so I get notified immediately when benefits load or when I make purchases. Makes it much easier to keep track of everything. The no-interview thing is definitely real - my caseworker later explained that if you submit clear documentation and they can verify everything electronically, they can skip the interview to speed up the process. Sounds like you hit all the right marks with your application! Congrats on getting approved so quickly.

Congratulations on your approval! This happened to my roommate too earlier this year in Riverside County. She was so worried she'd done something wrong when she didn't get an interview call, but then boom - approved and benefits loaded right on schedule. One thing I'd add that I haven't seen mentioned yet: make sure you keep your BenefitsCal login info somewhere safe! You'll need it for your SAR7 in 6 months, and a lot of people forget their passwords by then. Also, if you ever move (even within the same county), you can update your address online through the portal instead of having to call and wait on hold forever. The interview waiver program has been a game changer for people with straightforward situations. Sounds like your application was clean and easy to verify - that's exactly what the system is designed for!

I'm a night shift EMT and have been dealing with this exact same problem for months! After reading through all these incredibly helpful responses, I'm realizing I need to be way more specific when I call back. I've only called once and they told me they "removed the after-hours restriction," but clearly that wasn't enough based on everyone's experiences here. What's really frustrating is that I work 7pm-7am shifts and the only time I can shop is literally right after work around 7:30am, but my card gets declined every single time. I thought maybe it was because I was shopping too early in the morning, but now I understand there are all these different security layers that could be causing the problem. I'm going to call back and ask specifically about time restrictions, fraud monitoring, velocity limits, AND geographic restrictions like everyone mentioned. Thank you all for sharing your solutions - this thread has been way more helpful than any official customer service I've received!

I'm a night shift pharmacy tech (11pm-7am) and this thread is a lifesaver! I've been having this exact same problem for about 2 months now. My card works fine during regular hours, but gets declined every time I try to shop after my shift ends at 7am. I called once and they said they "fixed it" but clearly didn't remove all the blocks based on what everyone is sharing here. What's really helpful is seeing how many different types of restrictions there actually are - I had no idea it was this complicated! I'm going to call back this week and specifically ask about ALL the different blocks: time restrictions, fraud monitoring, velocity limits, geographic restrictions, and unusual activity flags. And I'm definitely asking for a supervisor right away like several people suggested. It's honestly ridiculous that night shift workers have to become experts on EBT security systems just to buy groceries during our only available hours, but at least now I know exactly what to ask for. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences and solutions!