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!

This is such valuable information for anyone dealing with EBT card issues! I'm bookmarking this thread because it covers so many different solutions that actually work. The distinction between PIN locks and security locks is something I never knew about - no wonder the standard troubleshooting steps don't always work. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and what finally worked. It's frustrating that we have to jump through so many hoops to access benefits we're entitled to, but at least we can help each other navigate the system!

I'm so sorry this happened to you and your family - having $475 stolen is devastating, especially when you're relying on those benefits to feed your kids. I went through this exact situation about a year ago in Fresno County, so I wanted to share what I learned. The timeline really does depend on when they actually process your EBT-4 form, not when you first reported it. In my case, it took 11 business days from when my form was processed to get my benefits back. The key is getting confirmation from your worker about the exact date your paperwork was received and processed - that's when the official 10 business day countdown starts. A few things that helped me during the wait: - I called every few days (not daily) to check status and show I was staying on top of it - I kept detailed notes of every conversation including dates and who I spoke with - I reached out to local food banks for emergency assistance - many have special programs for EBT theft victims Also, once you get your benefits back, definitely download the EBT app if you haven't already. Being able to freeze and unfreeze your card between shopping trips has been a game changer for preventing future theft. The waiting is absolutely nerve-wracking when you have kids to feed, but hang in there. Most counties do follow through within their stated timeframes. Don't hesitate to follow up if you don't hear anything after the 10 business days from your form processing date. Wishing you and your family the best - you've got this!

I'm so sorry this happened to you and your family - EBT theft is incredibly stressful, especially when you have kids depending on those benefits. I haven't personally experienced this, but I wanted to share some information that might help while you navigate this process. From what I understand, the 10-day timeline your worker mentioned is typically 10 business days from when your signed EBT-4 form is actually processed by the county, not from when you first reported the theft. This seems to be a key distinction that many workers don't clearly explain. While you wait, I'd strongly recommend: - Calling to confirm your county received your EBT-4 form and asking for the specific date it was processed - Contacting local food banks for emergency assistance - many have programs specifically for EBT theft victims - Calling 211 to get connected with emergency food resources in San Bernardino County - Keeping detailed records of all your communications with the county office The waiting period is absolutely nerve-wracking when you're worried about feeding your children, but from what others have shared, most counties do follow through within their stated timeframes. Don't hesitate to follow up regularly for status updates - you have every right to know where things stand. Hang in there, and I hope you get your benefits restored quickly!

I'm in the same boat as you Aisha! Just got my $120 P-EBT payment yesterday too and was panicking thinking that was all we were getting for the summer. Reading through everyone's responses here is such a relief - sounds like there are definitely more payments coming to reach that $455 total. I have twin 6-year-olds so I was really stressed about how I'd stretch $240 for both of them through the whole summer. Now I feel so much better knowing there should be 2-3 more payments coming over the next few weeks. I'm going to follow the advice about checking weekly instead of daily since it sounds like the timing is pretty unpredictable. Thanks for asking this question - you helped a lot of us worried parents!

I'm so glad you asked this question! I was literally about to post the same thing. Got my $120 yesterday and immediately started worrying it was all we'd get. My 8-year-old eats like a teenager already and I was doing math on how to make $120 stretch until school starts again - not happening! From reading everyone's responses, it sounds like we just need to be patient for the additional payments. The inconsistent timing is really annoying though. Why can't they just tell us "expect your next payment around July 15th" or whatever? Instead we're all here playing the EBT balance checking game every day. I'm going to try that weekly checking approach people mentioned. My anxiety can't handle checking multiple times a day and getting disappointed. Has anyone tried calling their kid's school directly to ask about the P-EBT schedule? Sounds like some schools have better info than others.

Just wanted to follow up - did you get this resolved? I'm curious because my mom is applying for CalFresh soon and I want to know what issues to watch out for.

So glad you got it resolved! This is exactly why I always recommend people keep detailed records of their CalFresh applications. The system has so many glitches and communication issues. For anyone reading this thread - always save copies of everything you submit, keep track of who you spoke with and when, and don't be afraid to escalate if you're not getting responses. The county workers are often overloaded but there are good ones who will help if you can reach them. Thanks for sharing the update!

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!