I just went through this exact same situation about 6 weeks ago when I moved from Solano County to San Diego County! Your EBT card will definitely NOT be cancelled during the transfer - I was so worried about the same thing. Here's what actually happened with my transfer: - My existing balance (I had about $280) stayed on my card the entire time - Same card number, same PIN - absolutely nothing changed about the actual card - I could shop and use ATMs normally throughout the whole process - The transfer took about 12 days total, and my next month's benefits were only delayed by 4 days The most important thing I learned was to get everything in writing or at least get confirmation numbers. When I first reported my address change to San Diego County, I didn't get any kind of receipt, and it made me super anxious not knowing if they actually processed it. I ended up going in person a few days later just to confirm they had received my information. Also, don't be afraid to call both counties to check on the status. I called Sacramento to make sure they were properly closing my case and San Diego to track when the new case opened. Having those reference points really helped when I had questions. Your $340 is completely safe - that money is already yours and tied to your EBT account, not to any specific county office. The worst that might happen is a short delay with your next monthly deposit, but even then they'll backdate it so you don't lose anything. You've got this! The system really is designed to keep people's benefits intact during moves, even when the process feels stressful.

I just wanted to chime in as someone who works with CalFresh recipients regularly - your EBT card will absolutely remain active during the county transfer! The card is issued by the state of California, not individual counties, so it stays valid statewide regardless of which county office is handling your case. Your $340 is completely safe and will remain accessible throughout the entire transfer process. The EBT system is designed specifically to prevent benefit interruptions during moves like this. Your card number, PIN, and account remain exactly the same. The only thing that might be delayed is your next monthly benefit deposit while the counties coordinate the case transfer, but any delays are typically just a few days to maybe 2 weeks at most. And even if there is a delay, they'll backdate your benefits to your normal issuance date so you don't lose any money. My advice: Get a confirmation number or case reference from San Diego County, and don't hesitate to follow up every few days to check your transfer status. The squeaky wheel gets the grease with these government systems! But rest assured, your current funds are protected during this transition.

This entire thread has been so educational and heartwarming to read! As someone who just joined this community and is navigating CalFresh for the first time, I was really nervous about potentially making mistakes or losing my card. Seeing how everyone rallied around Sean with practical advice, reassurance, and zero judgment shows what an amazing support network this is. The tips about photographing the card, calling 211, and knowing that replacements are totally normal have all been incredibly valuable. Sean, I'm so glad everything worked out and you found help through the food pantry! Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences - it really helps newcomers like me feel more confident about accessing these benefits.

This whole thread has been such a perfect example of why I love being part of this community! As someone who's still pretty new to both CalFresh and this forum, reading through Sean's experience and everyone's helpful responses has been incredibly reassuring. I was actually wondering about this exact scenario myself - what happens if you lose your EBT card multiple times - and now I feel so much more prepared if it ever happens to me. The practical tips everyone shared (like the 211 number, photographing your card, and knowing that replacements are totally normal) are going to be lifesavers for so many people. Sean, I'm really glad everything worked out with the food pantry helping you bridge the gap! It's amazing how this community turns what could be a really stressful situation into a learning opportunity for everyone. Thank you all for being so welcoming and supportive to newcomers like me!

This thread has been such a lifesaver! I'm about 10 months into my CalFresh journey and thankfully haven't hit this processing delay issue yet, but reading through everyone's experiences has me feeling so much more prepared if it happens. What really stands out to me is how @StellarSurfer and @Zara Malik both experienced the exact same issue at the same time - that really does suggest it was a system-wide glitch rather than individual account problems. I love how @GalacticGladiator broke down the three possible causes so clearly, and the Claimyr tip from @Aisha Hussain is golden - I'm definitely bookmarking that for future reference since those county office hold times are absolutely insane. It's also really comforting to hear from @Seraphina Delan that this is just a recurring quirk that happens a few times a year. The fact that everyone came back with updates once their benefits appeared really shows what makes this community special - people actually follow through to help future readers who might face the same situation. Thanks to everyone for turning what could have been a really scary experience into such a valuable learning resource for all of us!

This thread has been absolutely amazing to read through! I'm completely new to CalFresh (just got my approval letter yesterday actually!) and stumbled across this community while doing research about what to expect. Reading about @StellarSurfer's experience with the processing delay was initially a bit scary since I had no idea this could happen, but seeing how quickly everyone rallied with support and practical solutions really shows what an incredible resource this community is. The detailed explanation from @GalacticGladiator about the three possible causes is exactly the kind of insider knowledge you just can't get from official government sources, and the Claimyr tip from @Aisha Hussain is definitely going in my bookmarks for future reference. What really impressed me most was how @StellarSurfer, @Zara Malik, and @Sean Kelly all came back with updates once their benefits appeared - that follow-through is so valuable for people who might face this same issue in the future. As someone who's about to navigate this system for the first time, it's incredibly reassuring to know there's a community of experienced members who are willing to share both their knowledge and their support. Thanks to everyone for creating such a welcoming and helpful environment - I'm grateful to have found this place before I even get my first deposit!

This has been such an educational thread! I'm fairly new to the CalFresh program and honestly had no clue about any of these card blocking issues or the inconsistencies between counties. Reading through everyone's experiences has been both eye-opening and a bit concerning - it's wild that something as basic as unblocking a card can vary so much depending on where you live in California. I'm definitely going to be extra cautious with my PIN and keep my card somewhere my 4-year-old can't get to it! The practical tips shared here are gold - especially calling to check your balance first, downloading the EBT Edge app, and knowing about food banks for emergencies. It's really reassuring to see how willing everyone is to share their knowledge and help each other navigate these system quirks. This community support makes dealing with all the bureaucracy a little less overwhelming. Thanks to everyone for creating such a helpful resource!

Wow, this entire thread has been incredibly informative! I'm relatively new to CalFresh and had no idea that EBT cards could get blocked so easily or that the unblocking process could be so inconsistent between counties. It's honestly pretty concerning that something as basic as card functionality can vary so much across California. I'm definitely going to be much more careful with my PIN going forward and make sure to keep my card away from my curious toddler! The practical advice shared here is amazing - calling to check your balance before heading to the store, downloading the EBT Edge app, and knowing about food banks for emergency situations. I'm bookmarking this conversation for future reference. It's really heartwarming to see how this community comes together to share knowledge and support each other through these frustrating system issues. Thanks to everyone for creating such a valuable resource for navigating CalFresh challenges!

I'm reading through everyone's experiences and it's both reassuring and frustrating to see how common this issue is! I'm currently waiting for my first deposit too (approved 6 days ago) and the lack of clear communication from the county is really stressful when you need food NOW. One thing I discovered that might help others - some Safeway and Albertsons locations have self-service kiosks where you can check your EBT balance without going through a cashier, which I found less awkward than asking at the register. Also, I called my county's main number and asked to speak with an EBT specialist specifically (not just any caseworker) and they were able to tell me that my benefits were "in queue for processing" even though they couldn't give me an exact time. At least that confirmed something was actually happening behind the scenes! It's crazy that we all have to become experts at navigating this system, but this thread has been more helpful than any official documentation I received.

This thread is incredibly valuable! I'm a social worker who helps people navigate CalFresh applications, and I'm honestly learning new tips from everyone's experiences here. The self-service kiosk idea and asking specifically for an EBT specialist are brilliant suggestions I'll definitely share with my clients. One additional resource I'd like to mention: many counties have CalFresh liaisons at local libraries who can help you access your BenefitsCal account and check on benefit status if you don't have reliable internet at home. Also, if anyone is struggling during the waiting period, most counties are required to provide emergency food assistance if you explain that you have no food while waiting for approved benefits to load. Don't be afraid to advocate for yourself - the squeaky wheel often gets the grease in this system. You all are doing an amazing job supporting each other through what should be a much clearer process!