California CalFresh
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Can't reach California CalFresh? Claimyr calls for you, so you don't have to wait on hold.
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Calfresh benefits suddenly discontinued - need advice ASAP!
Hey everyone, I just got a notice that my Calfresh benefits are being discontinued. Has anyone else dealt with this recently? I'm not sure what to do next or if there's a way to appeal this decision. Any advice would be really appreciated!
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CalFresh EBT card suddenly canceled - no warning, no food for kids!
MY EBT CARD STOPPED WORKING YESTERDAY AT THE GROCERY STORE!!! i was buying food for my 3 kids and the cashier said it was DECLINED. so embarrassing with everyone behind me!! had to leave all the food there. When i called the EBT number they said my card was CANCELED but didnt tell me why?? I just had my benefits renewed 2 months ago and got $1,120 loaded for February. Did anyone else have this happen? I still have a balance but cant use it!! County office doesnt answer and im panicking because we have NO FOOD in the house and i dont get paid until next friday!!
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UPDATE: Got my new EBT card today!! The food bank got us through the weekend and now i can access all my benefits again. Thanks everyone for the help!! Lesson learned - ALWAYS report cards stolen right away even if you have a backup!
So glad you got it resolved! This is really important info for everyone to know. I had no idea that stolen EBT cards get automatically flagged like that. Quick question - when you called the EBT customer service line, did you have to provide any specific information to prove your identity before they could tell you about the fraud flag? I'm always worried about someone else being able to access my account info if they had my card number.
P-EBT card customer service number not working - just goes silent after automated message starts
Has anyone else had problems calling the P-EBT customer service number on the back of the card? I've been trying to check my kid's balance since their school benefits should have loaded yesterday, but every time I call, the automated system starts with "Welcome to..." and then goes completely silent after like 5 seconds. I've tried calling from 2 different phones and even my mom's landline. Same result every time. Is the system down or something? My daughter needs her lunch money and I can't even check if the benefits are there! The county office said they can't help with P-EBT cards and I need to call that specific number. Any suggestions?
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Sometimes if you hit 0 a bunch of times during the automated message it will force you to a representative. Thats what I do with most of these stupid automated systems lol
I tried that but it doesn't even get far enough into the message to accept any input. It literally just goes silent after the first few words. So weird and frustrating!
I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! My son's card should have loaded yesterday too and I keep getting that silent line after the welcome message. So frustrating when you're just trying to make sure your kid can eat lunch at school. I'm going to try that texting option someone mentioned - fingers crossed it works for us too. Thanks for posting about this, at least now I know it's not just me going crazy!
New EBT 4.0 card not reloaded with CalFresh benefits - how long to wait?
Just got my new EBT 4.0 card in the mail last week. I activated it immediately but my monthly CalFresh benefits ($425) haven't been loaded yet. It's been 5 days now and I'm starting to worry. My old card expired and they automatically sent this new one, but I thought the benefits would transfer right away? Anyone else deal with this? How long did you have to wait for your new card to get loaded with your benefits? I have 2 kids and we're running low on groceries so I'm getting nervous.
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Update us on what happens! The EBT 4.0 rollout has been a mess in many counties. One important thing to know: if they do have to issue emergency benefits because of their error, make sure they give you the full month's amount. Some workers try to prorate it based on the days left in the month, but if it's their system error, you're entitled to the full month's benefits retroactive to your normal issuance date.
That's really good to know, thank you! I'll definitely ask for the full month's benefits since this wasn't my error. Will update tomorrow after I call.
UPDATE: Finally got this resolved! I called this morning using the Claimyr service someone recommended, and it actually worked - got through to a real person in about 20 minutes. The worker said there was a 'card synchronization error' that affected several people who got new 4.0 cards. She had to get supervisor approval, but they were able to transfer my full benefits while I was on the phone. Just checked my balance and it's all there! For anyone else having this issue, definitely call and specifically mention it's a '4.0 card synchronization error' - apparently that helps them know exactly what to do.
thx for updating!! good to kno what words to use when calling. gonna tell my cousin who just got her new card too
So happy you got your benefits! I'm dealing with the same issue right now - got my new 4.0 card 4 days ago and still waiting. Definitely going to try that Claimyr service and use the exact phrase "card synchronization error" when I call. Thanks for sharing the solution!
When will CalFresh Summer EBT cards for kids be loaded? Last names starting with R
I just found out my 4 daughters are eligible for the Summer EBT program (Sun Bucks cards) for 2025. The letter I got says their cards should arrive soon since their last name starts with R. I'm confused though - when the cards arrive, will they already have benefits loaded on them? Or is there a specific date I need to wait for the funds to be available? This is our first time receiving these and I want to make sure I understand correctly so I can plan our grocery budget. Anyone here dealt with Summer EBT cards before?
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I STILL haven't gotten an answer about whether my kids qualify since their school has universal free lunch. Does anyone know if that counts? Do I have to be on actual CalFresh?
yea if ur kids get free lunch at school they qualify! my neice gets it and her mom isnt on calfresh or nothing. they send the cards automatic if ur in the system for free lunch.
Just wanted to add that you can also check your card balance online at www.ebtcalifornia.com or by downloading the ebtEDGE mobile app. This is super convenient so you don't have to call the number on the back of the card every time. I set up accounts for all my kids' cards last year and it made tracking their spending so much easier. The app also shows you exactly where the cards were used, which is helpful for budgeting. Also, don't forget that these cards can be used at farmers markets that accept EBT - many of them even have matching programs that double your benefits for fresh produce!
Not all farmers markets participate, but you can check which ones do on the California Nutrition Incentive Program website or call ahead to ask. Most major farmers markets in cities like LA, San Francisco, and Sacramento have matching programs. Some give you extra tokens worth $1 for every $1 you spend on fresh fruits and veggies, up to $10-20 per visit. It's definitely worth calling first since programs vary by location!
Not all farmers markets participate, but there's actually a great resource to find them! Check out the California Department of Food and Agriculture website - they have a market locator tool that shows which ones accept EBT and offer matching programs. You can also call ahead to any farmers market you're thinking of visiting. Most of the matching programs I've seen give you extra tokens or vouchers when you spend your EBT benefits on fresh fruits and vegetables, sometimes doubling your purchasing power. It's definitely worth looking into, especially with 4 kids to feed!
Thomas Maxon
You should call them
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Kristin Frank
I'm so sorry this happened to you! I went through something similar a few months ago. One thing that really helped me was documenting everything - I kept a log of every phone call, visit, and piece of paperwork. Also, if you have any community organizations or social workers in your area, they can sometimes advocate for you or help navigate the system. Don't be afraid to ask for help from local nonprofits too - many have people who know the CalFresh system inside and out. Hang in there, it's frustrating but you can get through this!
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