Thanks everyone for the great advice. I went ahead and set up my PIN immediately and made it completely random. Also downloaded the BenefitsCal app and found the card lock feature - that's going to give me so much peace of mind! I'm also going to try that Claimyr service tomorrow to ask about the pilot replacement program, since waiting on hold with two kids at home is basically impossible. Will update if I find out anything useful that might help others in the same situation!

Really sorry this happened to you! As someone who's been through EBT fraud twice, here's my experience: definitely set up your PIN right now - waiting doesn't make you any safer, and you'll want to be able to access your benefits as soon as they load tomorrow. One thing I learned the hard way is to avoid using your card at smaller stores or gas stations if possible - stick to major grocery chains that have better security. Also, always run your card as "debit" rather than "credit" when given the choice, and never let anyone else handle your card or "help" you at the terminal. The card lock feature in the BenefitsCal app is a game changer - I lock mine immediately after every shopping trip and only unlock it right before I shop again. Takes 30 seconds but gives me so much peace of mind. Hope your replacement benefits situation works out better than most people's experiences!

Update: I just spent 30 minutes searching my apartment one more time and FOUND MY CARD! It was inside a jacket pocket I hadn't worn in a week. Thank you all for the advice - I'm so relieved I don't have to go through the replacement process!

So glad you found it! I was literally about to suggest checking jacket pockets - that's where mine always ends up too. For next time, I've started keeping my EBT card in the same spot in my wallet every single time I use it. Makes it way less stressful when you need groceries and can't remember where you put it!

just get ur neighbor a gift card or somthing as thanks might be cheaper than instacart lol

Have you looked into Walmart+ as an alternative? They accept EBT for grocery pickup and delivery, and their delivery fees are usually lower than Instacart. With Walmart+, you get free delivery on orders over $35, and they don't mark up prices as much as other services. Also, some areas have local mutual aid groups or community organizations that help with grocery shopping for people facing transportation barriers. You might try searching Facebook for "[your town/county] mutual aid" or "community support" groups. Sometimes neighbors are willing to help coordinate regular grocery runs for multiple people in similar situations, which could work better than relying on one person. If you do end up using Instacart, definitely go with Walmart or ALDI as your store choice - they tend to have the smallest markups and accept EBT. And like others mentioned, bigger orders less frequently will help minimize the fee impact on your budget.

Thanks everyone for all the advice!! Im going to apply online today through BenefitsCal and use Claimyr if I need to call with questions. Really appreciate knowing about the different rules for disability households, I was about to not apply thinking we made too much. Will update on what happens with our application!

Good luck with your application! One more tip - when you upload documents to BenefitsCal, make sure all pages are clear and readable. I had to resubmit my rent lease twice because the photos were blurry. Also keep copies of everything you submit in case they ask for something again. With a baby that young and your housing costs being so high, you should definitely qualify for a decent benefit amount. The whole process took about 3 weeks for me from application to getting my EBT card in the mail. Hang in there, you're doing the right thing applying!

Just a tip - I recommend creating a separate PIN for the card than what they initially assign. Sometimes the default PINs can be easy for others to guess if they know your child's information. You can change the PIN by calling the number on the back of the card. I also put a little sticker on mine to differentiate it from my regular EBT card since they look similar!

Just wanted to add that if you're having trouble figuring out what you can buy with P-EBT, the USDA has a great app called "SNAP Retailer Locator" that not only shows you which stores accept EBT but also has a guide for eligible food items. Since P-EBT follows the same rules as regular SNAP/CalFresh, anything you can buy with regular food stamps you can buy with P-EBT. This includes fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, bread, cereals, and even seeds/plants that produce food! Just remember no hot/prepared foods, alcohol, tobacco, vitamins, or non-food items. The app has been super helpful for me when I'm shopping and not sure about something.