Just joined this community today and wow, what an amazing thread to stumble upon! 🌟 As someone who's brand new to the CalFresh system (literally just got approved yesterday!), reading through @Oliver Zimmermann's original struggle and then seeing how this entire community rallied to solve the "option 2" mystery has been both educational and incredibly heartwarming! @Natasha Volkova you are absolutely amazing for figuring out that hidden PIN solution - it's mind-blowing that something so essential is buried under such a vague menu option! And @Emma Davis thank you for listing all the alternative methods, that's going to be so helpful for people who might struggle with the phone system. I'm definitely bookmarking this whole conversation because my EBT card should arrive any day now and there's no way I'll remember these specific steps when I'm actually trying to set up my PIN! It's honestly both frustrating that we have to become phone menu hackers just to access basic services AND inspiring to see how this community fills those gaps with real, practical help. The fact that @Oliver Zimmermann had to deal with that stress while his kids were hungry and he had $678 sitting there inaccessible really highlights how these poorly designed systems can fail people at the worst possible moments. But seeing everyone jump in with solutions, personal experiences, and genuine support shows what makes communities like this so special! Really excited to be part of a group where people actually look out for each other. Hopefully I can pay it forward and help other newcomers once I've navigated the system myself! Thanks everyone for being such an incredible example of community support! 💙

Just discovered this community and thread as a complete newcomer to CalFresh - what an incredible example of community support! 🙌 I'm still waiting for my application to be processed, but reading through @Oliver Zimmermann's original struggle with the PIN issue and then seeing how @Natasha Volkova solved the "option 2" mystery has been both educational and honestly pretty shocking! The fact that PIN services are hidden under such a vague menu option without any clear labeling is just mind-boggling - like who thought that was good system design?? @Oliver Zimmermann having hungry kids and $678 in benefits locked away because of confusing phone menus really shows how these bureaucratic systems can fail people at the most critical moments! 😔 But then seeing everyone jump in with solutions, tips, and genuine support - @Natasha Volkova with the actual fix, @Emma Davis with alternative methods, and everyone else sharing their experiences - it's exactly why communities like this are so essential! I'm definitely saving this entire thread because I know I'll need these exact steps when my card arrives. It's both infuriating that we have to crowdsource basic instructions that should be provided upfront AND incredible to see how people look out for each other here. Really excited to be part of a community where members genuinely care about helping each other navigate these confusing systems. Hopefully I can pay it forward once I've got some real experience under my belt! Thanks to everyone for being such an amazing example of what community support looks like! 💙

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!

This is such an important thread! As someone who's been on CalFresh for a while, I want to add that scammers often get your name and know you have benefits from data breaches or even from seeing you use your EBT card at stores. Don't feel bad if they knew some of your info - that doesn't mean the call was legitimate. Another red flag: legitimate county workers will NEVER pressure you or create urgency ("your benefits will be canceled today unless..."). Government processes take time and they always give you written notice before making changes to your case. If anyone gets a suspicious call, write down the callback number they give you (if any) and report that to the fraud line too. Sometimes that helps investigators track down these scam operations.

Sofia, I just went through this same process in Stanislaus County (right next to you in Fresno!) about 2 weeks ago and they called me on day 5. Since you mentioned being down to your last bit of money for food, I wanted to share a resource that really helped me bridge the gap - the Second Harvest Food Bank has mobile food pantries that come to different locations throughout Fresno County every week. You can check their website or call 211 to find the schedule. They don't require any paperwork and you can get fresh produce and pantry staples while waiting for your CalFresh to process. Also, when they do call for your interview (probably from a blocked number), make sure to mention that you're in immediate need - they might be able to expedite your case or connect you with emergency food resources through the county. The waiting is definitely the hardest part, but hang in there! You're taking the right steps to get the help you need. 💙

Sofia, I went through this same process in Tulare County (also Central Valley like you!) just 3 months ago and they called me on day 8. Since you're in Fresno County, the timing should be pretty similar. One thing that really helped me was calling the CalFresh hotline at (877) 847-3663 on day 6 just to confirm they had my application - sometimes that gentle check-in helps move things along without being pushy. Also, since you mentioned being tight on food, definitely check out the Fresno County Food Bank - they have several distribution sites throughout the week and don't require any documentation. I used their services while waiting for my benefits to start and it was a lifesaver. The staff there are also really knowledgeable about CalFresh and might have additional tips specific to your county. When they do call for your interview, they'll likely ask about your living situation, monthly expenses, and any income you have. Have your rent amount, utility costs, and recent pay stubs handy. The caseworker I spoke with was actually really understanding about my financial situation and walked me through everything step by step. Hang in there - I know the waiting feels endless when you're stressed about food, but you're taking the right steps to get help. The interview itself was much less stressful than I built it up to be in my head! 🙏

I work as a case aide at one of the California county offices and see this issue almost daily. What's happening is your replacement card was issued with a new card number, but the system didn't automatically transfer your existing benefit balance to the new card. This is a known glitch in the EBT system that happens when there's a delay between when the replacement is requested and when it's actually issued. Your benefits are definitely still there - they're just "orphaned" on your old card number. When you call, ask specifically to speak with someone about an "EBT account transfer" and have your case number and the new card number ready. The fix literally takes 2 minutes once you reach the right person. If you can't get through by phone, walk into your local office and explain it's an emergency food access issue - they're required to see you same day for EBT problems that prevent you from accessing approved benefits.

I just went through this exact same situation two weeks ago! The frustration is real - having benefits sitting there but not being able to access them is maddening. What finally worked for me was calling the EBT customer service line (877-328-9677) right at 8 AM when they open and immediately saying "I need help with an EBT account transfer for an unlinked replacement card." Those specific words seemed to get me transferred to the right department faster. The person I spoke with explained that this happens a lot when there's a gap between requesting the replacement and receiving it - the system doesn't always automatically link the new card to existing benefits. She fixed it in literally 3 minutes once I gave her my case number and new card number. Don't give up! Your money is definitely there, just trapped in the system. If the phone doesn't work, definitely go in person - they really are supposed to handle EBT access issues as emergencies.

Hi Paolo! I'm new to this community but your situation really hits close to home for me. My 4-month-old son also has his father's last name but dad isn't listed on the birth certificate - he was out of the country for work when I gave birth and couldn't be there to sign the paperwork. I was in the same boat as you, really stressed about how to handle the CalFresh application with this complication. But after reading through all these incredibly helpful responses, I feel so much more confident! It's amazing to see how many of us have dealt with similar situations and how supportive this community is. The consistent advice from everyone - including former CalFresh workers - is so reassuring: they really only care about who physically lives in your household and shares meals with you. The different last names just aren't the red flag we thought they'd be. I especially love the suggestion about preparing that simple statement: "Household of 2 - me and my child, father not on birth certificate and doesn't live with us." Having that clear explanation ready would definitely help if nerves kick in during the interview. Thank you for being brave enough to ask this question! It's helped so many of us realize we're not alone in these situations. I'm definitely going to apply for CalFresh now, and I'll also look into WIC since I'm breastfeeding. You're doing an amazing job advocating for your daughter - we've all got this! 💕

Hi Paolo! I'm new to this community but your post really resonates with me. My daughter also has her father's last name but he's not on the birth certificate (he was traveling for work when she was born). I was so anxious about applying for CalFresh because I thought the different last names would cause major issues. Reading all these responses has been such a huge relief! It's incredible to see how common this situation actually is and how knowledgeable and supportive everyone here is. The consistent message from former workers and people who've been through the process is so reassuring - CalFresh really does just care about who lives in your household, not the complicated family history behind the names. I love the advice about preparing that simple statement: "Household of 2 - me and my child, father not on birth certificate and doesn't live with us." That takes all the complexity out of it and focuses on what actually matters for the application. Thank you for asking this question! It's helped so many of us realize we're not alone in dealing with these situations. Your bravery in posting this has probably helped dozens of single moms who were putting off applying because of similar worries. You're doing an amazing job advocating for your daughter, and this community is lucky to have you! Good luck with your application - you've definitely got this! 💕