California CalFresh

Just to add some helpful information: if you're having trouble with your P-EBT cards and need to speak with someone, the best number to call is 877-328-9677. Unlike regular CalFresh, P-EBT is administered at the state level rather than county level. The customer service hours are 8am-8pm Monday-Friday. Be prepared with your case number (on your approval letter) and the card numbers when you call. They can help with activation issues, balance inquiries, PIN changes, and replacement cards.

This thread has been super helpful! I just got my daughter's P-EBT card yesterday and was totally confused about the activation process too. I kept waiting for it to ask me to set up a PIN and when it didn't, I thought maybe I had called the wrong number or something. It's reassuring to know this is normal for the 2025 cards. I'm definitely going to try using the last 4 of her social as the PIN when we go grocery shopping this weekend, and then call to change it to something more secure. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it really helps to know we're not alone in this confusion!

Got my letter yesterday, but it said my kids aren't eligible for P-EBT 4.0 because they weren't enrolled in free/reduced meals. But that's WRONG! I definitely filled out the school meal application last fall and got approved. Has anyone else had this issue? Who do I need to talk to - the school or the P-EBT people?

Still waiting here in West LA! Been checking my mailbox religiously for the past three weeks and nothing yet. My kids are definitely eligible since they've been getting free lunch all year. Reading everyone's updates is giving me hope though - sounds like they're still rolling out in batches. At least I know I'm not the only one still waiting! Going to give it another week before I start worrying about calling the hotline.

wait does anyone else think its weird that we all got this in Lancaster specifically?? like are they targeting our area for some reason??

This is really concerning that so many people in the Lancaster area are getting these fake "Sunbucks" letters! I haven't received one yet but I'm definitely going to be on the lookout now. For anyone who's worried about their legitimate CalFresh communications, you can also sign up for text alerts through your BenefitsCal account - that way you'll get notified about real deadlines and requirements. Stay safe everyone and thanks for sharing this warning!

Also make sure to ask them about the "mass EBT theft protection program" they started implementing. They're supposed to be adding extra security features to cards now because of all the skimming happening. My new card has some chip or something the old one didn't have.

I'm so sorry this happened to you! This is incredibly stressful, especially with kids to feed. I went through something similar last year and want to share what worked for me. First, you're doing the right thing by acting quickly - that 10-day reporting window is crucial. When I had my benefits stolen, I found that going to the county office in person was WAY more effective than calling. The phone system is a nightmare, but face-to-face they can't ignore you as easily. Here's what I'd suggest for tomorrow: - Bring all your ID documents, EBT card, and those transaction screenshots - Go right when they open (they're usually less busy early morning) - Tell them immediately it's an emergency food situation with children - Ask specifically for the CF 303 form and emergency replacement benefits The good news is that California law requires them to replace electronically stolen benefits. Don't let them tell you otherwise! I ended up getting my full amount back, it just took persistence. In the meantime, if you have any local food banks or churches nearby, they might be able to help bridge the gap until your benefits get replaced. Some schools also have weekend backpack programs if your kids are school-aged. Hang in there - this will get resolved, but I know how scary it is right now. 💙

Urgh this exact thing happened to my sister last month and they made her wait 15 days for replacement!!! Its ridiculous. Make sure you ask for emergency food vouchers while waiting. Good luck!

I'm so sorry this happened to you! EBT fraud is unfortunately becoming really common. Here's what helped me when I went through this exact situation: Bring multiple forms of documentation tomorrow: - Your EBT card (even though it's compromised) - Photo ID - Any screenshots of your transaction history showing the fraudulent purchases - Write down the exact stores/locations where the fraud occurred When you're there, be very clear that this is an emergency - you have children and no other food resources. Ask for: 1. Expedited benefit replacement (they can sometimes do this same-day for families with kids) 2. Emergency food assistance while you wait 3. A case number for your fraud report Don't let them brush you off or tell you to "just wait." You have legal rights to replacement benefits for unauthorized use. If the first worker you speak to isn't helpful, politely ask for a supervisor. Also, when you get your new card, consider only using it at major grocery stores rather than smaller markets - the fraud protection tends to be better at larger chains. You WILL get your benefits back. Stay strong and advocate for yourself and your kids!