each time i try to change a claims permission to let users interact with blocks it just forces it to 1 not sure what im supposed to do here

You're supposed to change "player configs" in game, including the server claims config, not edit the config files directly. The only file that you would edit directly is "openpartiesandclaims-server.toml". If you're going to edit any files, it should be done while the server isn't running.

The openpartiesandclaims-server.toml file also contains a list of player config options that players can edit, in case that's what you're referring to. You can add or remove options to/from that list. Other options are forced to the value in the default player config.