Just wanted to share that I went through this exact process when I moved from San Francisco to LA County about 8 months ago. One thing that really helped me was creating a simple checklist to track everything: ✓ Call origin county (Orange County in your case) to report move ✓ Get confirmation number/email of transfer initiation ✓ Update address on BenefitsCal.com ✓ Verify phone number is current for text updates ✓ Download myBenefits CalWIN app to monitor status ✓ Research local LA food resources as backup ✓ Document all interactions (names, dates, reference numbers) The process took about 2.5 weeks for me and went smoothly. Your EBT card will work the entire time - I was able to shop normally throughout. LA County actually has some really helpful online resources once your case transfers over, including virtual appointments for some services which I found way more convenient than in-person visits. Good luck with your transfer and welcome to LA! The job market here is great and you picked a good time to make the move. Don't stress too much - county transfers happen all the time and the system is pretty well set up for it.

I'm also pretty new to CalFresh and this whole thread has been incredibly educational! I had no idea that moving between counties was so different from just updating an address. The checklist that Sean shared is gold - I'm saving that for future reference even though I'm not moving anytime soon. It's really reassuring to see how supportive this community is and how many people have successfully navigated county transfers. Anastasia, you're definitely handling this the right way by being proactive and asking questions upfront. Wishing you the best with your transfer process and congrats on the new job in LA!

I'm so glad this got resolved quickly! As someone who's been through a few of these system outages, I wanted to add that it's also worth knowing that during major outages like this, some community organizations and churches will sometimes set up emergency food distributions specifically for EBT users who are affected. If you're on any local community Facebook groups or NextDoor, those are good places to check for announcements about emergency food resources during system outages. Also, for future reference, the California EBT Customer Service line (1-877-328-9677) usually has a recorded message about known system issues when there are statewide outages - sometimes that's faster than trying to get through to a live person. Hope everyone was able to get the food they needed!

This thread has been so helpful to read through! As someone new to CalFresh, I had no idea that system outages like this could happen. I just got approved last month and this would have completely panicked me if my card suddenly stopped working. It's really good to know that the benefits don't disappear during technical issues and that there are resources like food banks and emergency vouchers available. I'm definitely going to save screenshots of my balance and keep some emergency food supplies on hand now. Thank you to everyone who shared updates and advice - this community is amazing for supporting each other through these situations!

Quick update: I just got through to my county office using the Claimyr service that someone mentioned above. It worked exactly as they said. The worker confirmed this was an unlinked card issue and fixed it on the spot. My benefits are now available! Going shopping tomorrow. Thanks everyone for your help!

I went through this same nightmare last month! It's such a common problem that I'm honestly shocked they haven't fixed the system yet. Here's what worked for me: I called the EBT customer service line (877-328-9677) first thing in the morning around 8 AM when they open - you have a much better chance of getting through early. When I explained I had an "unlinked replacement card," they were able to transfer me directly to someone who could fix it. The whole call took about 45 minutes but they linked my card immediately. Also, make sure you write down the reference number they give you in case you need to call back! It's ridiculous that we have to jump through all these hoops when we're already struggling, but don't give up - your benefits are there waiting for you!

This thread is absolutely incredible! I'm new to the community and just got my CalFresh approval two days ago. Reading through everyone's experiences has been so reassuring - I was starting to worry that something was wrong since I haven't received my card yet. Just signed up for the USPS Informed Delivery service based on all the recommendations here, and wow, what a brilliant tip! I had no idea this existed. Also copying down that 24/7 EBT customer service number (1-877-328-9677) in case I need it. The detail about the plain white envelope is so important - I've been watching for something official-looking from the county, so I definitely could have missed it. As a new mom trying to stretch our grocery budget, this waiting period is really stressful, but knowing there are tools to track the card and backup options like emergency benefits makes me feel so much more prepared. Thank you to everyone who shared their knowledge - this community is amazing for helping people navigate these systems!

This thread has been incredibly helpful for me too! I'm currently on day 6 of waiting for my EBT card after approval and was getting pretty anxious about it. Just downloaded the USPS Informed Delivery app - can't believe I didn't know about this service before! The tip about the plain white envelope is so crucial because I've been looking for something that clearly says it's from CalFresh or the county office. Also saved that 24/7 EBT customer service number just in case. It's really reassuring to read everyone's experiences and know that 7-10 business days is normal, but up to 14 days isn't unusual with postal delays. As someone with kids depending on me for meals, this waiting period is definitely nerve-wracking, but having these tracking tools and knowing about backup options like emergency benefits makes me feel much more prepared. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences - it's so comforting to know I'm not alone in this process!

Hi Zoe! Welcome to CalFresh and this community! I see everyone has already cleared up the confusion about your benefits starting in May - that's totally normal and happens to most new recipients. I just wanted to add that when you do get your first deposit on May 1st, don't forget that you can use your EBT card at discount stores like Aldi, WinCo, and even some dollar stores for food items. These places often have really good prices that can help stretch your $275 further. Also, if you're into cooking, buying basic ingredients like rice, beans, pasta, and frozen vegetables in bulk can be much more economical than pre-made meals. The learning curve feels steep at first, but you'll get the hang of maximizing your benefits quickly. Everyone here is super helpful if you have more questions once you start shopping!

Hey Zoe! I just went through this exact same situation a couple months ago - got my card, checked the balance, and panicked when it showed $0! But everyone here has given you great advice. Since your approval letter says May 2025, you're all set to receive your first deposit on May 1st (just a few days away now!). One thing I wish someone had told me is to activate your card by making a small purchase or balance inquiry at an ATM before your benefits load, just to make sure everything is working properly. That way if there are any issues with the card itself, you can get them sorted out before you actually need to use it for groceries. Also, when you do get your first $275 loaded, I'd suggest starting with a smaller shopping trip to get familiar with how the EBT card works at checkout before doing a big grocery haul. The process is super simple (just swipe and enter your PIN like a debit card), but it can feel a bit nerve-wracking the first time. Welcome to CalFresh and this amazing community - everyone here has been so helpful during my first few months too!