


Ask the community...
For future reference, here's what you should know about lost EBT cards: 1. Report lost/stolen cards immediately by calling 1-877-328-9677 (available 24/7) 2. Your old card will be deactivated and cannot be used even if found 3. You can check your balance through BenefitsCal, the EBT app, or by calling customer service with your Social Security Number 4. Replacement cards typically arrive within 5-7 business days 5. There's no fee for your first replacement card each year 6. If you've reported the card lost/stolen and unauthorized purchases were made BEFORE reporting, you may not be reimbursed Also, when you get your new card, consider setting up the CalFresh EBT mobile app. It lets you check your balance anytime and will alert you to any transactions, which helps you catch potential fraud quickly.
Update: I got my replacement card today, only took 4 business days! And thankfully no one used my benefits during the time my card was lost. Thanks everyone for your help and advice! I've downloaded the EBT app so I can keep better track of things going forward.
Update: I finally got through to someone at the county after THREE HOURS on hold. They confirmed there's been a huge spike in EBT theft across California this month. The worker said they're looking into a possible data breach at certain retailers but wouldn't tell me which ones. Here's what I learned about the process: 1. They're issuing me a new card that will arrive in 5-7 business days 2. I had to file the CF 303 form for stolen benefits 3. Since I have minor children and less than $100 available, I qualify for emergency replacement benefits that should be available within 3 days on my new card 4. They'll investigate the fraudulent transaction which could take up to 30 days In the meantime, they gave me the locations of three food banks near me for emergency assistance. This whole situation is so stressful!
This is really helpful information, thanks for sharing. I'm glad they're processing your emergency replacement benefits. One additional tip: when you get your new card, immediately create a unique PIN that you don't use for anything else. Also, most counties now offer "card locking" features through the EBT Edge app - you can lock your card between uses so even if your data is compromised, thieves can't access your benefits.
be carful some markets say they do the program but then the machines are broke or the person doesn't know how to use it. happened to me twice now and i got all the way there with my kids just to be told "sorry not today". frustrating!!!
This! I got to the market once and they ran out of tokens. Now I always go early in the day. Most programs have limited funding.
Just wanted to add some important details: The official name is California's CalFresh Healthy Nutrition Incentive Program (HNIP), which includes several initiatives like Market Match, California Nutrition Incentive Program (CNIP), and GusNIP. For 2025, the program has expanded to more retailers and the match amount has increased in some locations to $15-20. The key is that you need to use your EBT card to make eligible purchases, and the additional benefits are provided immediately during that transaction. These incentives don't count against your regular monthly CalFresh benefit amount and don't need to be reported as income on your SAR7 or recertification.
i think your cutting the card messed things up cause the system mighta tried to transfer everything but the card wasnt active no more???? anyone else think thats what happened?
That's not how it works. Cutting up the physical card doesn't deactivate the account. The benefits are tied to the account number, not the physical card. When you request a replacement, they simply send a new card that accesses the same account. The issue here is that there are two separate accounts (one for each county) rather than a complete transfer of benefits to the new county account.
UPDATE: I called the EBT customer service line and they're sending me a replacement for my old Alameda card! They said my supplemental benefits are still there (phew!!). They're mailing it to my new address and I should get it in 7-10 business days. I also called San Bernardino County and asked about the ICT form someone mentioned. The worker said they did submit it but these things can take time to process fully. She suggested I use up the benefits on both cards, and by next month everything should be consolidated on my new card. Thanks everyone for the help!!
Mia Rodriguez
This is so scary! I just got approved and now I'm paranoid about my card. Does anyone know if you can pick up your EBT card in person instead of having it mailed? I don't trust the mail system after reading this!
0 coins
Jacob Lewis
•Yes, you can request to pick up your card in person at your county CalFresh office. Call your caseworker and ask specifically for "in-person EBT card issuance" instead of mail delivery. Some counties will do this automatically if you ask during your application process, but you can still request it even after approval.
0 coins
Chloe Green
Just wanted to follow up - were you able to get any help with this? The situation you described is absolutely considered Administrative Error since you never received the card. Under California code regulations (MPP Section 63-602.6), you should be eligible for replacement benefits in this scenario. If you're still struggling, I'd recommend contacting your local Legal Aid office. They often have specialists who handle CalFresh issues and can advocate on your behalf at no cost. They know exactly which regulations apply and can sometimes resolve these issues with a single call that would take you weeks of frustration.
0 coins
Mason Davis
•Thank you for following up! I filed a police report yesterday and was finally able to reach a supervisor at my county office this morning after trying for hours. They're sending me a form to fill out for "Administrative Error Replacement" like you mentioned! They said it might take up to 10 days to process, but they're also looking into emergency benefits since my kids and I literally have no food. I'll update once I know more, but it sounds promising! I'm so grateful for everyone's advice here - I was ready to give up after that first call.
0 coins