Makes me SO ANGRY how these scammers target families who are just trying to feed their kids!!!!!! I hope everyone forwards these texts to 7726 and reports them. The county worker told me they've seen a 300% increase in these scams since January 2025. NEVER give your EBT card # or PIN to ANYONE who calls or texts you!!!

i got a text from that exact number last week! defintly a scam, my friend at WIC told me govt benefits never text about locked accounts

Has anyone had issues using their P-EBT cards once they got them? I finally received my kids' cards but when I tried to use one at Food Maxx yesterday, it kept getting declined even though I activated it and set the PIN. The balance tracker on the P-EBT website shows funds available but the cashier said it wasn't working... super embarrassing with a line of people behind me!

Just a reminder to everyone waiting for P-EBT cards: when they arrive, they're valid for one year from the issue date. Any unused benefits will remain on the card until the expiration date. Don't feel rushed to spend all benefits at once. Also, P-EBT benefits are completely separate from regular CalFresh benefits. Accepting and using P-EBT will not affect your CalFresh eligibility or benefit amounts in any way. Some clients worry about this, but they are entirely separate programs. If your address has changed since you provided information to your child's school, you should contact the P-EBT hotline to update your address to ensure the cards are sent to the correct location.

I had this happen in February. The county told me 10 days, but it only took 6 days to get my benefits back. I think it depends on how busy they are? Make sure u check ur balance daily until it shows up - they didn't notify me when they replaced it, it just appeared one day. Also, be warned they might make u do an interview about what happened. I had to explain exactly when I last used my card, where i kept it, who knew my PIN, etc. They're trying to rule out family members taking it I guess. Good luck! The waiting part is super stressful when u have kids to feed :

Since you're in immediate need while waiting for the claim to be processed, contact these local emergency food resources in San Diego: 1. San Diego Food Bank - They have emergency food distribution sites across the county 2. Feeding San Diego - Call (858) 452-3663 for their emergency assistance 3. Your local WIC office if you have children under 5 Also, when you call the county office tomorrow, explicitly state that you have children with no food and need emergency replacement benefits. Use those exact words. Under CalFresh regulations, they have options for expediting replacement in hardship situations, but you need to make it clear that this is an emergency situation.

I'm sorry you're having trouble with your EBT card replacement. It can be so stressful when you're waiting for benefits and have children to feed. If you're in an emergency situation, please don't forget there are food banks that can help while you're sorting this out. Most don't require any documentation for emergency assistance. I've been in your shoes and understand how difficult this waiting period can be. As for your card, once you get through to customer service, ask them to check if the card was actually mailed and if they have tracking information. Sometimes there are delays with the vendor that prints the cards. Wishing you the best.

update??? did u get ur card?

btw did ur cards come in a blue envelope?? mine did and i almost threw it away thinking it was junk mail! they should really mark these better

One more important note for everyone receiving Summer EBT cards: these funds are specifically for purchasing food for your children. Unlike regular CalFresh EBT, you cannot use Summer EBT to purchase: - Hot prepared foods - Non-food items - Vitamins or medicines If you try to purchase ineligible items, the transaction for those specific items will be declined. Also, keep your cards even after the balance is zero - the state may reload them for future programs rather than issuing new cards.