quick tip: if you download the connectebt app you can check all your card balances there instead of having to call. that's how i noticed the benefits got added

Wait I'm confused... is P-EBT the same as CalFresh? My family gets CalFresh but I haven't heard anything about P-EBT. My kids are in middle school in San Leandro.

I wonder if your cousin is confusing CalFresh with other benefits. Some cash assistance programs DO allow direct deposit to bank accounts or prepaid cards, but CalFresh (food stamps) absolutely cannot be transferred to anything except the official EBT card. It's part of the federal SNAP regulations. I've been on CalFresh for 5 years and it's always been this way. For your card issues - have you tried the plastic protective sleeves? They sell them on Amazon specifically for EBT cards and they've saved mine from my toddler's sticky fingers multiple times!

I'm so glad you asked this question here before trying it! Everyone is absolutely right - transferring CalFresh benefits to prepaid cards or apps like Venmo is completely illegal and could result in permanent disqualification from the program. The USDA requires all SNAP/CalFresh benefits to stay on the official EBT system. For your card replacement issues, here's what has worked for me: when you call 1-877-328-9677, tell them it's an emergency food situation and ask for expedited shipping. They usually get it to you within 2-3 business days instead of the usual week. Also, you can actually have TWO active EBT cards at once - request a backup card and keep it somewhere safe! Most people don't know this option exists. The protective sleeves everyone mentioned are a game changer. I got a 10-pack on Amazon for like $8 and haven't had a damaged card since. Much cheaper than dealing with replacement delays!

This thread is so helpful and reassuring! I'm relatively new to CalFresh (started about 3 months ago) and honestly had no idea there were different numbers to call for different issues. Like so many others here, I've been calling my county office for everything and wondering why it takes forever to get through to anyone. Connor, I'm so glad you got your card unlocked quickly - the stress of not being able to buy groceries when you have kids must have been overwhelming. Reading everyone's experiences here has taught me so much about how to actually navigate the EBT system effectively. I'm definitely saving that customer service number (1-877-328-9677) and all the verification info tips. It's crazy how a simple PIN mistake can turn into such a scary situation when those benefits are what's keeping your family fed. Thank you to everyone who shared practical solutions and real advice - this is exactly why communities like this are so valuable for people trying to figure out these complicated government systems!

I'm new to this community and to CalFresh (just got approved last week), and this thread has been incredibly eye-opening! Reading Connor's experience gave me chills because I can totally see myself making the same mistake with my PIN and panicking when I can't access my benefits. I had no idea there was a separate EBT customer service line - I literally thought you had to go through the county office for everything! I'm so grateful everyone shared their real experiences and solutions instead of just empty sympathy. I've already saved that 1-877-328-9677 number in my phone and screenshotted all the verification tips. It's scary how something as simple as entering your PIN wrong can become such a crisis when those benefits are what's keeping you fed. Connor, I'm so relieved you got it sorted out quickly! Thank you to everyone who took the time to share practical advice - this is exactly the kind of community support that makes navigating these overwhelming government systems so much less terrifying for people like me who are just starting out.

I had the exact same issue last month! My daughter's P-EBT card showed $180 balance but kept getting declined everywhere. What finally worked for me was calling right at 8 AM (not 8:01 - literally right when they open) and following Alina's sequence: press 1, then 4, then 2, then stay completely silent when they ask for case info. The key is being patient during those automated prompts - don't press anything! After about 2-3 minutes it transferred me to hold. Took 35 minutes but I got through to someone who fixed it immediately. Turns out the card was "locked" due to multiple failed PIN attempts (my kid had been trying different combinations). They unlocked it right away and it worked at the store that same day. Good luck!

This is exactly what I needed! My 6-year-old's P-EBT card has been showing a balance but getting declined for over a week now. I've been calling every day during lunch breaks and getting nowhere with that automated system. I'm definitely going to try the 8 AM sharp approach with the 1-4-2-silence sequence that multiple people have confirmed works. Really appreciate everyone sharing their actual experiences and step-by-step instructions - it's so much more helpful than the generic "contact customer service" advice you get everywhere else. Will report back once I try it tomorrow morning!

Just wanted to add that if you're having trouble getting through to your county office too, try calling first thing in the morning right when they open - like 8 AM sharp. That's when I finally got through to mine after days of busy signals. Also, some counties have online portals where you can send messages to your caseworker, which might be faster than phone calls. The whole system is so frustrating but don't give up - you deserve those benefits you were approved for!

I work in social services and can confirm what others have said - the EBT helpline (operated by FIS) can only help with card-related issues like PIN resets, balance checks, or reporting lost/stolen cards. They literally cannot load benefits onto your card even if they wanted to. That's handled entirely by your county CalFresh office. When your benefits don't appear after approval, 99% of the time it's because there's a missing step or documentation at the county level. Sometimes it's as simple as a worker forgetting to hit "submit" after entering your case information. I'd recommend calling your county office and specifically asking to speak with your assigned eligibility worker. If you don't know who that is, ask the receptionist to look up your case and connect you directly. Be prepared to provide your case number and SSN to verify your identity. Also, don't be afraid to escalate if the first person you talk to can't help - ask for a supervisor. Your benefits should typically load within 1-3 business days after approval, so if it's been longer than that, something definitely needs to be fixed on their end.