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

Hey @Chippale! Based on this thread, it seems like EBT card withdrawal issues happen pretty regularly for different reasons. Have you tried calling the EBT customer service line at 1-877-328-9677 first to check if there's a hold on your account? As others mentioned, trying multiple ATMs can sometimes trigger a fraud alert that locks your card temporarily. If your account looks fine, you could try the cashback option at grocery stores or convenience stores - buy something small and get cash back. That seems to work even when ATMs don't. Also check if you've hit any daily withdrawal limits or if the specific ATMs you're using have restrictions. If you're still stuck after trying these options, definitely call that EBT number - they can tell you exactly what's going on with your card and unlock it if needed. Hope this helps!

I'm really glad everything worked out for you! This whole situation highlights a major flaw in the system - they sent you a critical notice while you were away caring for your sick mother, then cut your benefits when you couldn't respond. It's almost like they set people up to fail. For future reference, I've learned that you can also request to have your mail forwarded temporarily or ask a trusted person to check your mail when you're away for family emergencies. The 10-day response window on these notices is just unrealistic when life happens. Thanks for sharing your resolution - it gives hope to others who might face similar situations!

This is such a stressful situation but I'm so relieved to see it got resolved! Your story really shows how important it is to persist and advocate for yourself even when the system feels impossible to navigate. I'm dealing with my own CalWORKs issues right now and seeing how you fought through the phone system and got your benefits restored gives me hope. It's also eye-opening to learn about the temporary travel rules - I had no idea that being out of state for a month could trigger a residency review. Thanks for sharing your experience and the resolution steps. Hope your mom is recovering well from her surgery too!

I'm going through my first SAR7 review next month and this whole thread has been incredibly helpful! I was also panicking about bank statements because my printer is broken and I only have mobile banking. It's so reassuring to hear from multiple people who recently went through the process that bank statements typically aren't needed for the 6-month review when nothing has changed. I'm in a similar situation - same WTW placement, same income, same household composition. Based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds like I should be fine just reporting that nothing has changed and bringing my current paystub to verify my income amount. One thing I'm curious about - for those who've done multiple SAR7s, do they usually schedule these as in-person appointments or can you submit the form by mail/online? My county sent me a notice but it wasn't totally clear about whether I need to come in or if I can just mail the completed form back.

I just wanted to share my experience since I had my SAR7 review last week and was in almost the exact same situation as you! I was also stressed about bank statements because my printer wasn't working and I only have online banking. Turns out I didn't need them at all. My worker just had me fill out the SAR7 form during the appointment, asked if my income, household size, or address had changed (all no for me), and that was it. The whole thing took about 15 minutes. She didn't even ask to see my paystub since my WTW income was the same. I think a lot of people get confused because the annual redetermination (the big one they do once a year) requires way more documentation including bank statements. But the 6-month SAR7 is much simpler - they're basically just checking if anything major changed in your situation. Since you said your income and WTW placement are exactly the same, you should be totally fine. Just make sure to submit it on time because that's what really matters. Don't stress too much about what your cousin went through - every case is different and she might have had changes that required extra verification.

Good to hear your friend is taking action! Just wanted to add - when he goes to the tax prep place, he should be completely honest with them about the situation. Tax preparers are bound by confidentiality and they've seen this before. They'll need to know the full story to properly amend the return and calculate what he owes. Also, he should keep records of everything - the amended return, any payments made, correspondence with the IRS, etc. If the CalFresh office or any other agency asks about it later, having documentation that he proactively corrected the error will work in his favor. One more thing - if he can't afford to pay back the full amount right away, the IRS does offer payment plans. It's better to set up a payment plan than to ignore the debt.

As someone who's worked with families in similar situations, I want to emphasize how important it is that your friend is taking this seriously now. The fact that he admitted the truth to the CalFresh eligibility worker actually puts him in a vulnerable position - that statement is now documented in his case file. A few additional things to consider: 1. When he files the amended return, he should also be prepared for potential questions about WHY he originally filed incorrectly. Having a consistent explanation ready is important. 2. The CalFresh office may follow up on this discrepancy even if they approved his benefits initially. They sometimes conduct post-eligibility reviews, especially when fraud indicators are present. 3. Since he's paying child support through county enforcement, there's already a paper trail showing he's the non-custodial parent. This makes his original tax filing even more questionable from an investigative standpoint. The good news is that voluntary correction usually results in much better outcomes than waiting to be caught. He's doing the right thing by addressing this immediately. Make sure he keeps copies of everything and considers getting legal advice if the situation becomes more complicated.

I just wanted to share some encouragement - your mom is in a really good position to get approved! Home ownership is absolutely not a barrier for CalWORKs, and grandparents caring for grandchildren is exactly the type of situation the program is designed to support. A few practical tips for the application process: - Apply online at GetCalFresh.org or YourBenefitsNow.org to avoid long office waits - Make copies of all documents before submitting them - Keep a record of when she submits the application - CalWORKs has 30 days to process it - If approved, benefits are retroactive to the application date Also, don't forget about other programs she might qualify for: - CalFresh (food stamps) - separate application but can be done at the same time - Medi-Cal for the kids if they don't already have it - WIC if either child is under 5 (which the 4-year-old is) - Utilities assistance through LIHEAP Your mom is doing something incredible taking in those kids during such a difficult time. The community resources are there to help families exactly like yours navigate these challenges. Wishing you all the best with the application process!

I'm so glad to see all the helpful responses here! Just wanted to add one more resource that might be useful for your mom - many counties have CalWORKs orientation sessions (sometimes called "appraisal appointments") that explain the program before you even apply. These can be really helpful for understanding exactly what to expect and what documents to bring. Also, since your mom is on Social Security, she should know that her SSI/SSDI income will be counted toward the family's income, but there are work incentive deductions that might apply. The CalWORKs worker will calculate this during the eligibility determination. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - if your mom ends up needing childcare so she can attend appointments or look for work (if that becomes a requirement), CalWORKs also provides childcare assistance. This could be especially helpful with two young kids. Your mom is doing such a loving thing for those children. The system really is set up to support grandparents in exactly this situation, and owning her home definitely won't be a problem. Best wishes to your whole family during this transition!