Update: I took everyone's advice and decided not to risk the fax route. I went to my sister's house to use her internet and submitted through BenefitsCal. It was actually easier than I expected! The website even gave me a confirmation number and email. Thanks everyone for your help - definitely saved me from potential benefit delays!

Awesome that you got it submitted online! Just wanted to add for anyone else reading this thread - if you're ever in a similar situation where your home internet is unreliable, most public libraries offer free computer and internet access. They usually have printers too if you need to print confirmation pages. Many libraries also have staff who can help you navigate government websites if you're not super tech-savvy. It's another good backup option besides going to family/friends' houses!

Update: I FINALLY got through to someone at FTB this morning! They verified my information and are sending me a new card that should arrive in 7-10 business days. The representative said they've had a lot of mail delivery issues with these cards and were very understanding. Thanks to everyone for your advice - especially the specific phone menu options and what to ask for. That made a huge difference!

So happy to see this worked out for you! This is exactly why community support matters - when we share our experiences and knowledge, we can help each other navigate these confusing government systems. Your situation will definitely help other families who might face the same issue with delayed MCTR cards. For anyone else reading this thread, the key takeaways seem to be: call 1-800-542-9332, use the specific menu options, mention if you're on CalFresh/have kids for potential expedited processing, and don't give up! The money is rightfully yours and the FTB does have processes in place to handle these delivery issues. Hope your new card arrives quickly and helps with those grocery costs. Food prices are rough right now, especially for families on CalFresh benefits.

Just wanted to share my experience - I got my new chip card about 3 weeks ago and the whole process was super easy! The activation took maybe 2 minutes on the phone, and like others mentioned, you just need your zip code and to set up your PIN (I kept the same one). The chip does feel different at first - you have to insert and wait instead of swiping, but honestly it's become second nature now. I've used it at Safeway, Target, and a few smaller stores with no issues. My benefits transferred over perfectly and my monthly deposit happened right on schedule. One thing that surprised me was how much faster the transaction actually processes with the chip compared to the old magnetic strip. Overall really happy with the upgrade and feel more secure knowing my card info is better protected!

I received my new chip card two weeks ago and activated it without any issues! The process was straightforward - just called the number on the card, entered my zip code, and set up my PIN. My balance transferred automatically and I've been using it at grocery stores ever since. One helpful tip: when you first use the chip, make sure to leave the card in the reader until it tells you to remove it. I pulled it out too early at first and had to retry the transaction. Also, some older card readers at smaller stores might still require you to swipe, so don't panic if the chip doesn't work everywhere immediately. @Olivia Evans hope your activation goes smoothly! The security upgrade is definitely worth it - I feel much more confident using my card knowing it's harder for scammers to steal my info.

Based on all the responses, it's clear this is a scam. To summarize for anyone else reading this thread: 1. Report the scam call to your county CalFresh office 2. Check your EBT balance regularly 3. Set up transaction alerts through the ConnectEBT app 4. Never give personal information to someone who calls you 5. If you suspect fraud, report it immediately (within 10 days) to be eligible for benefit replacement 6. Always call the official numbers directly rather than responding to incoming calls Stay safe everyone!

I'm so glad you called and got your account secured! This thread is really helpful - I had no idea about the 10-day rule for reporting stolen benefits or that you could set up transaction alerts. Going to download the ConnectEBT app right now. It's scary how these scammers are targeting people who need these benefits the most. Everyone should bookmark this thread as a reference for spotting these scams!

Update to my earlier comment: I just learned that CalFresh/EBT is doing a system update this weekend (April 19-21, 2025). If your card was locked before this, you might actually benefit from the update since they're resetting certain security parameters. Try accessing EBT Edge again on Monday morning - it might recognize your information correctly after the update.

UPDATE: Finally got my card unlocked! For anyone with the same issue, I ended up using that Claimyr service someone mentioned here, and it actually worked! They got me through to a person at the county office in about 20 minutes (versus the 2+ hours I was waiting before). The worker was able to see that my account had a security lock that was different from just the PIN lock, which is why the automated system and website weren't working. She removed that security flag and then helped me reset my PIN. Card is working now! Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions!