This whole thread has been such a lifesaver! I'm pretty new to the CalFresh program and honestly had no clue that the state would send out replacement cards for security reasons. When I first signed up a few months ago, I was so worried about all the scam stories I'd heard that I probably would have panicked if I got an unexpected card in the mail. Alice, thank you so much for sharing your experience and walking through the whole process - from the initial concern to the successful resolution. It really helps to see that there are legitimate reasons for these cards and safe ways to handle them. I'm definitely bookmarking that official customer service number (1-877-328-9677) and Samantha's activation steps. It's incredible how much peace of mind comes from understanding these processes. This community is amazing for helping newcomers like me feel more confident about navigating the system!

I'm really grateful I stumbled across this thread! I just started receiving CalFresh benefits about 3 weeks ago and honestly had no idea the state would proactively send replacement cards for security upgrades. Coming from someone who's still learning the ropes, Alice's experience and how everyone rallied to help with accurate information is exactly what makes this community so valuable. I was already pretty anxious about potential scams since I'm new to all this, so seeing the step-by-step guidance on how to safely verify and activate a replacement card gives me so much confidence. Definitely saving that official number (1-877-328-9677) and the activation process. It's amazing how much clearer everything becomes when you have real people sharing their actual experiences rather than trying to figure it out alone. Thank you Alice for following up with the resolution too - that really helps complete the picture for those of us who might face this situation in the future!

The most important thing is timing! When I moved states last year, I timed it so my previous state benefits closed at the end of the month when we moved, then I applied in the new state on the 1st day of the next month. This minimized the gap. You'll definitely want to apply as soon as you have an NC address though - even if you're still in temporary housing there. Just make sure you've officially closed your CA case first. Good luck with your move!

As someone who helps families navigate benefit transitions, I wanted to add a few practical tips for your move: 1. Contact food banks in both Sacramento and your destination city in NC - they can help bridge the gap during your transition period and don't have the same residency requirements as government benefits. 2. Consider applying for WIC in NC if you have children under 5 or are pregnant/breastfeeding - it's a separate program that can provide additional food assistance and often has faster processing times. 3. Keep detailed records of everything - dates you contacted CA about closing your case, copies of documents you submit to NC, etc. This paper trail can be crucial if any issues arise. 4. Look into local churches and community organizations in your new NC area - many have emergency food assistance programs that can help immediately while you wait for your SNAP application to process. The transition is definitely stressful, but with proper planning and backup resources, you can minimize the gap in food assistance for your family. Wishing you a smooth move!

Great to hear you got it working @Freya Thomsen! I've been having the same issues with the EBT Edge app for weeks now. Going to try the early morning registration trick tomorrow. Quick question - after you got registered, did you notice any lag time when locking/unlocking your card? I'm worried about being stuck at checkout if there's a delay. Also, does the app send you notifications when the card gets locked/unlocked successfully?

I work at a county office and wanted to add some clarification about the EBT Edge app issues. We've been getting tons of calls about registration problems, and here's what our IT team has found: The app works best on phones with Android 10+ or iOS 14+. If your phone is older, that might be part of the problem. Also, make sure you're entering your SSN exactly as it appears in our system - sometimes there are formatting differences that cause the identity verification to fail. One thing people don't realize is that you can also lock your card through the BenefitsCal website on a computer if the mobile app won't work. It's not as convenient as having it on your phone, but it's better than nothing while you're troubleshooting the app. If anyone is still having issues after trying all these suggestions, you can also ask your county worker to put a "manual lock" on your account temporarily. This means we freeze it on our end until you call to unlock it. It's not ideal for frequent use, but it's good protection if you're going to be away from home or worried about fraud.

As someone who recently went through a similar scare with my EBT card, I can't stress enough how important it is to act fast like you did @Ava Thompson! I'm so relieved you were able to freeze your card before any benefits were stolen. For anyone new to CalFresh reading this thread - please don't let these stories scare you away from using your benefits, but definitely take the security precautions seriously. Here are a few additional tips I've learned: 1. **Save the EBT customer service number in your phone** - Don't wait until there's an emergency to look it up 2. **Take a photo of your card (front only, never the back with security code)** - This makes it easier to reference your card number when calling customer service 3. **Keep receipts for a few days after shopping** - If there are any discrepancies, you'll have proof of legitimate transactions The rise in EBT fraud is really concerning, but this community sharing experiences and tips like this is so valuable. Knowledge is power when it comes to protecting our benefits! @Ava Thompson - Thanks for sharing your experience and keeping us updated. Your story will definitely help other people know exactly what to do if this happens to them.

Wow, this thread has been incredibly informative! As someone who just started receiving CalFresh benefits this month, I had no idea EBT fraud was such a widespread issue. Reading through everyone's experiences has been both eye-opening and a bit nerve-wracking, but I'm so grateful for all the practical advice shared here. @Ava Thompson - I'm so glad you trusted your instincts and froze your card immediately! Your quick thinking definitely saved your benefits. It's scary that someone tried to use your card in another state, but at least the system worked as intended once you reported it. After reading through all these responses, I'm definitely going to: 1. Set up text alerts for all transactions 2. Start using the freeze/unfreeze feature between shopping trips 3. Save the EBT customer service number in my phone 4. Be much more selective about where I swipe my card The tip about contactless payments being safer is something I never knew - I'll definitely look for that option when shopping. And I had no idea you could set daily spending limits through the app! This community is amazing for looking out for each other. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and security tips. It's so much better to learn about these precautions from you all rather than having to deal with fraud firsthand. Stay safe everyone!

Reading through all these responses has been incredibly eye-opening! I'm also in California (Orange County) and have been putting off applying because I assumed I made too much at $2,650/month with rent at $1,750. But seeing how the shelter deduction and other factors work makes me realize I might actually qualify. @fd111dffc265 I really hope your reapplication with all the proper deductions works out! It's so frustrating that the initial screening doesn't explain all these options clearly. @16f1cf625ae2 @61ec8a31d0a7 thank you for explaining the net income calculation - I had no idea about the 20% earned income deduction or how the shelter costs factor in. This thread has given me the motivation to actually apply instead of just struggling quietly. It's amazing how much support and knowledge everyone is sharing here!

Wow, this thread has been such a lifeline! I'm also in California (Riverside County) and have been in the exact same situation - making $2,850/month but paying $1,650 in rent and getting denied repeatedly. I had completely given up after my second denial, thinking the system was just impossible to navigate. But reading @fd111dffc265's experience and seeing all the detailed explanations from @16f1cf625ae2 and @61ec8a31d0a7 about the net income calculation and shelter deduction has completely changed my perspective. I had NO idea they automatically deduct 20% of earned income or that there's a separate net income test beyond just gross income. It's so frustrating that they don't clearly explain these deductions during the initial application process - it feels like you have to be an expert just to understand what you might qualify for. I'm definitely going to reapply now armed with all this information. Thank you everyone for creating such a supportive and informative discussion - it's given so many of us hope and the knowledge we need to actually navigate this system properly!