Update from my county worker: They confirmed this is a known issue happening statewide. The blank notices are being generated during system maintenance but don't contain any actual information. They said you don't need to call about them unless you're expecting an important notice about your case. They're supposedly working on a fix that will be implemented in the next system update.

I've been dealing with this exact same issue for the past few weeks! Got 4 blank eNotices over two different days and it was driving me crazy thinking I missed something critical. After reading everyone's responses here, I feel so much better knowing it's a widespread system glitch. I actually did call my county office (took forever to get through) and they confirmed what others have said - it's just phantom notices from system maintenance. They told me to ignore any blank ones unless I'm specifically waiting for something like recertification paperwork. Really hoping they get this fixed soon because the anxiety of thinking you missed an important notice is no joke!

Yes, the RFID blocking works the same for EBT cards! They have the same chip technology as regular debit/credit cards, so they're just as vulnerable to skimming. I've been using an RFID wallet for about 6 months now and it's been great - no issues with the card working when I need it, but peace of mind knowing it's protected when I don't. The combination lock ones are definitely worth the extra few dollars, especially if you have kids who are determined little problem solvers like mine! Just remember to test the combination a few times when you first get it so you don't get stuck fumbling with it at the checkout line.

Reading through all this, I'm realizing how many parents have dealt with this exact situation! My 3-year-old got hold of my card last week and thankfully I caught her before she could do any damage, but it was definitely a wake-up call. I've been keeping my EBT card in the same wallet pocket as my other cards, which clearly isn't the safest approach with little ones around. The RFID blocking wallet with a combination lock sounds like the perfect solution - protecting against both curious kids and potential fraud. It's crazy that we have to think about EBT cards being skimmed too, but I guess any card with a chip is vulnerable these days. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and solutions!

Hey everyone! I'm pretty new to this community but had to jump in because I just went through this exact same nightmare last month. The ebtEDGE app completely locked me out for almost a week - kept saying my password was invalid even after multiple resets. Turns out it was a known issue they were having with their authentication system. The phone system saved my life! @Connor Gallagher you made the right call using the automated line. One thing I learned though - if you're planning to freeze/unfreeze multiple times like you did, it might help to write down the exact menu prompts the first time through. The system sometimes changes the order of options and it can be confusing when you're stressed about needing food for the kids. Also wanted to echo what @Oliver Schulz said about getting a replacement card - definitely the safest move when you're not sure about security. I requested mine through BenefitsCal online and it arrived in about 4 business days. Much faster than I expected! Hope everything worked out with your grocery run tonight!

This thread is so helpful! I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - my ebtEDGE app has been completely unusable for the past three days. Every time I try to log in, it either crashes or tells me my credentials are wrong (they're not!). I was starting to panic because I thought I'd have to go all the way to the county office just to check my balance or manage my card. Reading about the phone system option is a game-changer! I had no idea you could freeze/unfreeze through the automated line. @Paolo Longo your step-by-step breakdown was incredibly helpful - knowing I need my full card number, PIN, and zip code ready makes me feel prepared to try this. And @Natasha Orlova thanks for mentioning the scheduled maintenance - that probably explains why so many of us are having issues right now! One quick question for anyone who's used the phone system recently: does the automated system also let you check your current balance, or is that something you'd need to speak to a person for? Would love to avoid the long wait times if possible but definitely need to know how much I have available before grocery shopping. Thanks to everyone for sharing your experiences - it's so reassuring to know I'm not the only one struggling with this app!

Hi StarStrider! I'm so glad you were able to get your daughter's EBT card activated successfully! As a newer member of this community myself, I just wanted to add one more tip that helped me when I started using CalFresh - if you're shopping with your daughter and teaching her about using EBT, it can be a great opportunity to involve her in learning about nutrition and budgeting. My kids actually enjoy helping me compare prices and find the best deals, and they've learned so much about making healthy food choices within our budget. Also, many stores have "family-friendly" checkout lanes that tend to be a bit more patient and understanding if you need extra time during your transaction. Don't forget that you're not just getting food assistance - you're ensuring your daughter has access to proper nutrition, which is so important for her health and development. You should feel proud that you're taking advantage of a program designed to help families thrive. Welcome to both CalFresh and this amazing supportive community!

Hi StarStrider! I'm so happy to see how well everything worked out with activating your daughter's EBT card! As someone relatively new to this community, I've been reading through all the amazing advice everyone has shared and I'm just blown away by how supportive and knowledgeable everyone is here. I wanted to add one quick tip that helped me when I first started using CalFresh - if you're ever at a store and the EBT system goes down (it happens occasionally), don't panic! Most stores can process your transaction manually or hold your groceries until the system comes back online. Also, I've found that some smaller grocery stores and ethnic markets often have really great prices on fresh produce and staples, and they're usually very familiar with EBT since many of their customers use it. Don't be afraid to explore different shopping options in your area! You're doing such a wonderful job taking care of your family, and it's clear your daughter is lucky to have such a caring and resourceful parent. Welcome to this incredible community - everyone here is always ready to help and share their experiences!

Hi there! I'm new to this community but your situation hits so close to home - I literally went through the exact same thing about 6 months ago! Missed my SAR 7 deadline due to a crazy work schedule and freaked out when my benefits stopped, especially since I had around $145 left on my card. Just like everyone here has confirmed, that remaining balance is 100% yours to use without any restrictions or time limits (other than that 365-day inactivity rule). I was able to use every single penny over the next month while waiting for my reapplication to process. The hardest part was getting over the anxiety that the card would suddenly stop working, but it never did! One tip I wish I'd known earlier - when you're stretching that remaining balance, consider shopping at places like Walmart or Target that accept EBT for groceries but also have good sale prices. Also, don't forget you can use EBT for things like bread, milk, and eggs at many convenience stores if you need to grab essentials between big grocery trips. You're handling this really well by reapplying quickly and not panicking about the remaining funds. This community has been such an amazing resource for real-world CalFresh advice!

Hey! I'm new to this community but stumbled across this thread while dealing with my own CalFresh situation and wow - this has been incredibly helpful! I missed my SAR 7 deadline in September (got overwhelmed with some family stuff) and my benefits stopped in early October. I've been sitting on about $78 in remaining EBT balance and was so worried about whether I could actually use it or if there were some kind of restrictions. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been such a relief! I had no idea about the 365-day rule or that I could reapply immediately without waiting. The tip about submitting your application first and then providing documents within 10 days is genius - I've been stressing about getting everything together before applying. I'm definitely going to submit my reapplication this week now that I understand how it all works. Thank you all for sharing such detailed, real-world advice. This community seems amazing for getting practical information you just can't find in the official notices!