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I went through this exact same stress when I moved from Los Angeles to San Francisco County about 6 months ago! Had over $280 on my old card and was terrified I'd lose it all. Here's what ended up working for me: Called the EBT customer service line at exactly 7 AM (1-877-328-9677) and got through in about 10 minutes - way better than the afternoon wait times. The rep was super helpful and walked me through everything. They needed: - My SSN for verification - Both EBT card numbers (16 digits each) - Both case numbers from old and new counties The whole call took maybe 15 minutes and they gave me a confirmation number (definitely ask for this!). The balance showed up on my new card 3 business days later - all $280 transferred perfectly. One thing that surprised me - they told me I could keep using my old card for small purchases while waiting for the transfer, just to make sure it stayed active. I bought a pack of gum with it the day after my call and it worked fine. Don't stress too much about it - the system actually works pretty well once you get the right person on the phone. The early morning call time makes ALL the difference though. Good luck @StarStrider!
This is exactly what I needed to hear! Thank you so much for sharing your successful experience with the same situation. It's such a relief to know that the $280 transferred perfectly and that the process actually worked smoothly once you got through. The timing tip about calling at 7 AM seems to be the key - I had no idea that would make such a huge difference in wait times. I'm definitely going to try that tomorrow morning and make sure to get that confirmation number. The fact that you could even use your old card for small purchases while waiting is reassuring too. Really appreciate you taking the time to share all the specific details and the encouragement!
This thread is so helpful! I'm bookmarking it for future reference. Quick question for everyone - when you call the EBT customer service line, do they require any specific documentation beyond what's already been mentioned? Like proof of address in the new county or anything like that? I'm planning a move from San Jose to Sacramento County next month and want to make sure I have everything ready ahead of time. Also, has anyone tried doing this process online or is phone/in-person the only way? Thanks!
Great question about the documentation! From my experience and what I've seen others mention, the EBT customer service line typically just needs your SSN for identity verification plus both card numbers and case numbers - they don't usually ask for proof of address or other documentation since they can verify your case status in their system. However, if you go in person to the county office, it's always good to bring your ID just in case. As for online options, unfortunately there's no online portal for balance transfers between counties - it has to be done via phone or in person. The phone route seems to be the fastest based on everyone's experiences here. Since you're planning ahead, I'd recommend having all your numbers written down and ready, and definitely try that 7 AM call time that everyone's been mentioning!
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I'm also new to CalFresh and just received my IRT letter a few days ago! This entire discussion has been incredibly reassuring - I was so confused and worried when I first read that letter. The official language makes it sound like you'll be in huge trouble if you go over even once, but everyone's real experiences show it's much more manageable than that. I work as a freelance tutor and my income can vary quite a bit month to month depending on how many students I have and whether it's during school breaks. My IRT is $2,300, so I'm definitely going to start tracking my monthly totals like others have suggested. The tip about the 10-day window starting when you actually receive the income (not when you do the work) is super helpful since I sometimes get paid weeks after tutoring sessions. I'm also relieved to learn about the BenefitsCal website option - I was dreading having to spend hours on hold trying to reach someone by phone if I ever need to report going over my threshold. Thanks Maya for asking exactly what I was wondering about, and thanks to everyone who shared their experiences. You've all made something that seemed really scary feel completely doable!
I'm also brand new to CalFresh and just got my IRT letter this week! This whole thread has been such a lifesaver - I was completely lost when I opened that letter and saw all the official language about reporting thresholds and consequences. Maya, thank you for asking exactly what I was too nervous to ask! What really struck me from reading everyone's experiences is how the IRT system is actually designed to help keep your case accurate rather than punish you for working more hours. The letter makes it sound so scary, but it's really just about making sure your benefits match your current income situation. I work part-time at a bookstore and sometimes get offered extra shifts during busy periods, so I was panicking that any additional hours would somehow disqualify me entirely. Learning that it's just about benefit adjustments and that you won't automatically lose everything has been such a relief. The practical tips about using BenefitsCal online, keeping pay stubs as PDFs, and setting phone reminders for that 10-day window are exactly what I needed to hear. I'm definitely going to start that monthly income tracker idea on my phone so I can easily see if I'm approaching my $2,550 threshold. It's amazing how much more manageable this all seems when you hear from real people who've actually navigated the system successfully!
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This thread has been incredibly helpful! I was really anxious about EBT skimming after hearing stories from friends, but reading everyone's step-by-step experiences with the automated system has given me the confidence to actually do something about it. Just called 877-328-9677 based on all the recommendations here and it really was as easy as everyone said - took about 3 minutes total and the prompts were super clear. I was worried it would be some confusing government phone system, but it actually walked me through everything perfectly. Setting up a monthly reminder on my phone for the 3rd of each month - that way I'll start each month with a fresh PIN and peace of mind. Also definitely taking the advice about sticking to major grocery stores. The bodega near my place is super convenient, but after reading about all the skimming risks, I'd rather be safe than sorry with my food benefits. What really stands out to me is how this whole conversation shows the power of community support. Instead of just sharing general warnings about skimmers, everyone here has provided real, actionable strategies that actually work. It makes dealing with something as important as food security feel so much less scary when you know other people have your back and proven systems for staying protected. Thank you all for looking out for each other!
I'm so glad you took the plunge and called the automated system! It's amazing how much easier it becomes once you actually do it that first time. The 3rd of each month sounds like a perfect choice for your reminder - starting the month with that security boost is such a smart approach. You're absolutely right about choosing safety over convenience with store locations. I used to think I was being overly cautious about avoiding smaller shops, but reading everyone's experiences in this thread has really reinforced that our food benefits are way too important to risk on potentially compromised card readers. What I find most incredible about this whole discussion is how it's become this comprehensive resource where people are sharing real, tested strategies instead of just generic advice. It really shows what's possible when a community genuinely supports each other through challenges like benefit security. The skimming problem is serious, but having threads like this where we can learn from each other's successes makes it feel so much more manageable!
This thread has been such a lifesaver! I was feeling really overwhelmed about the whole skimming situation, but seeing everyone's detailed experiences and practical tips has completely changed my perspective from panic to empowerment. Just used the automated system (877-328-9677) that literally everyone here has recommended and I can't believe how straightforward it was! Had my card ready, followed the clear prompts, and changed my PIN in under 3 minutes. I was honestly expecting some nightmare government phone maze, but it was actually designed to be user-friendly. I'm setting up a recurring phone reminder for the 18th of each month - that'll be my new PIN security day going forward. And I'm definitely adopting everyone's strategy of only using major grocery stores. There's a sketchy mini-mart right by my bus stop that I used to hit for convenience, but after reading about all the skimmer risks, I'd rather walk the extra block to the Safeway where I know the card readers are more secure. What really amazes me about this whole discussion is how it's turned into this incredible resource where people are sharing real, battle-tested strategies instead of just generic warnings. It shows the true power of community support when we're all facing the same concerns about protecting our food security. The fact that we have to worry about benefit theft at all is infuriating, but knowing this community has each other's backs with proven systems makes me feel so much more confident about staying protected. Thank you all for looking out for newcomers and sharing your hard-earned knowledge!
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Just wanted to add my experience for anyone still struggling with this - I had the exact same problem a few weeks ago and it was so frustrating! The myBenefitsCalWIN app would either not load at all or give me error messages. I finally called my local county office (took forever to get through) and they confirmed that they're moving everyone to BenefitsCal. The worker told me that some people are experiencing a delay in the transition, which is why the old system stops working before they get notified about the new one. She also mentioned that if you have trouble linking your case on BenefitsCal, you can bring your case number and ID to the office and they'll help you set it up. It's annoying that there wasn't better communication about this change, but at least the new system actually works better once you're on it!
This is exactly what I needed to hear! I've been dealing with the same frustrating situation and had no idea there was even a transition happening. It's really disappointing that the county offices aren't proactively informing people about these changes - I almost missed my recertification deadline because I couldn't access my account for weeks. Thank you for mentioning that they can help set up the BenefitsCal account in person if needed. That might be a good backup option for people who aren't as comfortable with technology. It's reassuring to know the new system actually works better once you get past the initial setup hurdles!
I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! Been locked out of myBenefitsCalWIN for over a week and getting so stressed about it. Reading through all these comments has been a lifesaver - I had no idea about the transition to BenefitsCal! Going to try creating an account there right now. It's honestly ridiculous that they're switching systems without properly notifying people. How are we supposed to know about these changes if we can't even log in to see any announcements? Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences and solutions. This community is more helpful than the actual county office phone line! Fingers crossed the BenefitsCal website works better than this broken app.
Niko Ramsey
Another option for working parents that might help - some grocery stores like Whole Foods and Safeway have hot food bars and prepared food sections where you can use EBT. You can get things like hot soup, pizza slices, fried chicken, etc. It's not as convenient as drive-through but it's faster than cooking from scratch and usually cheaper than restaurant prices. Just make sure the items are meant to be eaten at home (not restaurant-style dining). I've used this when I'm too exhausted to cook but still need to feed my kids something decent!
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Ethan Scott
•This is such helpful advice! I had no idea grocery stores had hot food that you could buy with EBT. I always thought it had to be cold/uncooked food only. Do you know if places like Walmart or Target have similar options? Those are closer to where I live than Whole Foods. Also, is there a way to tell which hot foods are EBT eligible vs which ones aren't when you're shopping?
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Nadia Zaldivar
•Yes, Walmart definitely has hot food sections that accept EBT! Their delis usually have fried chicken, pizza, and prepared sandwiches. Target is hit or miss - some locations have small food sections but not all participate in hot food EBT purchases. For figuring out what's eligible, look for signs that say "EBT eligible" or ask the deli counter staff. Generally, if it's meant to be taken home and eaten later (not consumed in the store), it should qualify. Things like rotisserie chickens, hot pizza slices for takeaway, and pre-made hot meals from the deli are usually good. But avoid anything from a "restaurant" section within the store or items meant for immediate consumption in a seating area. When in doubt, just try your EBT card - it'll either work or decline at checkout!
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Zoe Wang
Just wanted to add that some counties also have mobile food vendors and food trucks that participate in RMP! I've seen this in LA County where certain food trucks at specific locations on certain days will accept EBT from RMP-eligible recipients. It's not widely advertised but if you qualify for RMP, it might be worth asking your caseworker if there are any mobile food options in your area. The selection changes frequently but I've seen everything from taco trucks to sandwich vendors participate. It's another option beyond just the brick-and-mortar fast food places that everyone's been mentioning.
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Jamal Carter
•That's really interesting about the food trucks! I had no idea mobile vendors could participate in RMP. Do you know if there's any way to find out which food trucks accept EBT in advance, or do you just have to ask each one? It would be awesome if there was like a schedule or map showing which trucks will be where and when they accept EBT. Seems like it would save a lot of time rather than just wandering around hoping to find one that participates.
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