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- DO post questions about your issues.
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my kids got cards but had no $$ on them lol thanks for nothing california
u have to activate them first!! call the number on the back and set a pin, the money wont show up til you do that!!!
I'm going through the exact same thing right now! I have 3 kids (ages 9, 7, and 4) and only got one P-EBT card so far for my oldest. I was panicking thinking I messed something up on my application. Reading everyone's responses here is so reassuring - sounds like this is totally normal and the cards just come at different times. The waiting is stressful though when you're counting on those benefits for groceries. I'll keep checking the mailbox and try to be patient. Thanks for asking this question because I was about to make the same post!
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Welcome to the community and congrats on getting approved! Just wanted to add a few tips from someone who's been using CalFresh for about a year now: 1. Download multiple apps to check your balance - I use both the ConnectEBT app and the BenefitsCal app as backups in case one is down 2. Keep your receipt from your last purchase - it shows your remaining balance at the bottom 3. If you shop at farmers markets, many accept EBT and some even match your spending dollar-for-dollar through programs like Market Match 4. Consider meal planning around your benefit deposit date - I find it helps me budget better throughout the month The learning curve can feel overwhelming at first, but you'll get the hang of it quickly. This community is super helpful if you have questions later on!
This is such great advice, thank you @Noah Irving! I had no idea about the farmers market programs - that sounds amazing. I'm definitely going to look into Market Match in my area. The meal planning tip makes a lot of sense too, especially since I know my benefits will come on the 7th each month now. I'm still figuring out how to budget properly but having a set schedule should help. Really appreciate you taking the time to share these practical tips!
Welcome to the CalFresh family! This thread has so much great information already. I just wanted to add one more tip that really helped me when I first started - if you're ever unsure about whether something is EBT eligible while shopping, most cashiers are super understanding and will let you split your transaction. You can pay for the EBT-eligible items first with your card, then pay for any non-eligible items separately with cash or another card. It takes away the stress of guessing and avoids any embarrassing moments at checkout. Also, don't feel bad about asking store employees - they deal with EBT transactions all day and are usually happy to help clarify what's covered!
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One more important tip: If you used your EBT card at an ATM recently or at a store with a suspicious card reader, mention that specifically in your report. In 2025, California has been cracking down on EBT skimming fraud, and cases where skimming is suspected are being processed more quickly. Make sure to get a case number from both EBT customer service and the police report - you'll need both for follow-up.
I did use it at a small corner market last week that had one of those handheld card readers. I'll definitely mention that. I've already got my EBT case number and I'm filing the police report tonight. Thanks for the advice!
I'm so sorry this happened to you! As someone who's been through this nightmare, I want to emphasize that you should also document EVERYTHING - take screenshots of your transaction history from the EBT app or website, write down the exact times you discovered the theft, and keep records of all your phone calls (case numbers, who you spoke with, etc.). Also, don't panic about feeding your kids while you wait - many food banks don't even require paperwork for emergency situations, just show up and explain what happened. Churches and community centers often have immediate food assistance too. You're doing all the right steps, and California has gotten much better about replacing stolen benefits in 2025. Hang in there!
Thank you so much for all this advice! I really needed to hear that California has gotten better about this. I've been documenting everything like you suggested - took screenshots of all the fraudulent transactions and wrote down when I last used my card legitimately. I'm going to hit up the food bank tomorrow morning before I take the kids to school. It's embarrassing but you're right that my kids need to eat while we wait for this to get sorted out. Really appreciate everyone's help on here - feeling way less panicked now that I know what steps to take.
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UPDATE: IT WORKED! I tried using my youngest child's DOB when calling the number, and I was able to verify and set a new PIN! Then I made sure to select \
That's amazing news, Mateo! So glad you got it working. Your experience is going to help so many other families who are dealing with the same frustrating issue. It's ridiculous that they changed the verification process without clearly communicating it to cardholders. Thanks for sharing the update - I'm sure other parents in this group will find your solution really helpful!
This is such great news! I'm a newcomer here and have been lurking while dealing with the exact same P-EBT card issues. Reading through this thread has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea about using the youngest child's DOB instead of my own. That explains why I've been stuck in verification hell for the past two weeks! Going to try this solution tonight. Thank you Mateo for sharing your update and everyone else for the troubleshooting tips. It's so frustrating when these systems change without proper notice, but at least we have this community to help each other figure it out.
Sydney Torres
Thank you so much for the detailed breakdown! This makes so much more sense now. I didn't realize there were so many deductions. We have childcare expenses too for my cousin's kids, so sounds like that would help as well. I'll go ahead with the application now that I understand how it works.
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JacksonHarris
Just wanted to add that when you apply, make sure to bring documentation for everyone in the household - pay stubs, bank statements, rent receipts, utility bills, etc. The more organized you are with your paperwork, the smoother the process goes. Also, if you apply online through BenefitsCal, you can upload documents directly which is super convenient. Good luck with your application! It sounds like you'll definitely qualify and the benefits will really help with groceries for 5 people.
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Benjamin Carter
•This is great advice! I was wondering about the documentation part. Since my cousin's family just moved in, they don't have recent utility bills at our address yet - will that be a problem? They have pay stubs from their jobs but all their other mail is still going to their old address. Should we wait until they get some mail here or can we explain the temporary living situation?
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