This is such a relief to read the update that you got it resolved! I went through almost the exact same thing last year and it was absolutely terrifying not being able to feed my family. The stress of dealing with these system glitches when you're already struggling financially is just brutal. One thing I learned from my experience - I now keep a screenshot of my EBT balance and card status before using ANY app, even the official ones. That way if something goes wrong, I have proof that my benefits were accessible before I tried to use the app. It's helped me when calling customer service because I can tell them exactly when the problem started. Also want to echo what others said about avoiding third-party banking apps for EBT management. I know they make it seem convenient, but these cards work differently than regular bank cards and the systems don't always play nice together. Stick with ConnectEBT or calling the official number directly. So glad your kids didn't have to go hungry this weekend! The system really needs to be more user-friendly for situations like this.

Wow, reading through this thread as someone new to CalFresh - this is exactly the kind of info I wish I had known before! I just got approved last month and have been using different apps to manage my benefits without realizing they could cause these kinds of conflicts. Thank you especially to @Mason Kaczka for that detailed breakdown of how to get through to customer service - I'm screenshotting that phone sequence! And @Nina Chan that screenshot tip is brilliant, definitely doing that going forward. It's honestly scary how easy it is to get locked out of something as essential as food benefits. Makes me wonder if there should be some kind of warning in these third-party apps about potential EBT compatibility issues? Seems like this happens way too often based on everyone's responses. Glad you got it sorted out @Sebastian Scott! Stories like this make me so grateful for communities like this where people actually help each other navigate these complicated systems.

When you get your new card, I recommend having it sent to the actual county office for pickup instead of mailed to your home. Most counties offer this option for security reasons. Also, immediately create a PIN that's not obvious (not your birth year or 1234). And check your balance frequently through the BenefitsCal app. This happens way too often unfortunately.

I'm so sorry this happened to you! This is unfortunately super common in California, especially with the mail delivery issues we've been having. A few additional tips that helped me when I went through this: 1. When you file the police report, ask for a copy of the report number - the county office will need this for your claim 2. If you have any screenshots of the fraudulent transactions from BenefitsCal, save those as evidence 3. Consider signing up for Informed Delivery with USPS so you can track what mail is supposed to come to you 4. Ask the county worker about getting your replacement card expedited shipping (they sometimes offer this for theft victims) The good news is that California's replacement process has gotten better in recent years. Most legitimate theft claims get approved, especially when you have clear evidence like transactions in locations you've never been to. Hang in there - you should have emergency benefits soon and the full replacement within a few weeks!

This is such a helpful thread! I just received my P-EBT cards for my two kids today and was completely baffled by the activation process. Like everyone else here, I kept waiting for the system to ask me to set up a PIN and was so confused when it just gave me the balance and hung up. I actually called back twice thinking I had somehow skipped a step or pressed the wrong button! It's really frustrating that the materials they send with the cards don't explain that the PIN is automatically set to the last 4 digits of the child's SSN. That seems like crucial information that should be included right on the activation instructions. I'm so grateful I found this discussion - it's saved me from a lot more confusion and worry. Planning to test out the cards this weekend using the SSN method and then definitely calling to change the PINs to something more secure. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences!

Just got my P-EBT cards for my twins yesterday and went through the exact same confusing activation experience as everyone else here! I called the number expecting to set up PINs like I did years ago with regular CalFresh, but it just asked for the card numbers and gave me balances. I was so worried I had messed something up. Reading all your comments has been such a relief - knowing that the last 4 digits of their SSNs are the default PINs is incredibly helpful information that definitely should have been included in the packet! Planning to test this out at the store tomorrow and then immediately call to change the PINs to something more secure. It's so frustrating that they don't explain this process clearly, but I'm grateful for this community where we can help each other figure these things out. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!

Thanks for this advice. I'm definitely going to file a complaint. My kids had to eat ramen tonight because that's all I had left. They should at least send out a text alert when there are delays.

I'm so glad to see everyone's benefits finally came through! This whole situation really highlights how much we depend on these systems working properly. As a fellow parent, I totally understand the stress of not knowing if you'll be able to feed your kids tonight. For anyone dealing with similar delays in the future, I've found that some local churches and community centers keep emergency food boxes for exactly these situations - no paperwork required, just show up. It's not a long-term solution but can help bridge the gap when these system glitches happen. Also, filing those complaints James mentioned is super important - if we don't document these issues, nothing will change about their communication practices.

Quick update for everyone: I just checked the BenefitsCal portal and there's actually a notice posted about the early issuance. It states: "Due to the Memorial Day holiday on Monday, May 27, 2025, CalFresh benefits normally issued from the 1st-3rd will be available beginning May 28th. Regular issuance schedule will resume in June." So this confirms what others have said - it's a planned early release due to the holiday.

Same thing happened to me! I'm usually a 3rd of the month person and was so confused when I saw the deposit this morning. I immediately thought something was wrong with my case or they were going to deduct it from next month. Thanks everyone for explaining about the holiday - I had no idea Memorial Day could affect the deposit schedule. This is actually really helpful info to know for future holidays. Does anyone know if they do this for other holidays too like Labor Day or New Year's?