California CalFresh

just fyi the ebt customer service number is different from the county office. u need 2 call the actual county calfresh office not just the ebt card number

I work at a legal aid office and see cases like this regularly. You're doing the right thing by not using the card and calling immediately. One thing I'd add - if you can't get through to your county office by phone, many counties also accept reports through their online portals or you can visit in person. Some counties even have secure email addresses for reporting benefit discrepancies. Also, keep that card in a safe place - don't destroy it even after this gets resolved, as they may need the card number for their investigation. Document everything with dates and times, and if possible, get a case number when you report this so you can reference it in future calls.

UPDATE: Thank you everyone for your help! I went to my county office this morning and got my EBT card. There was a bit of a line but once I got to the window, it only took about 10 minutes. They said my card had been mailed out but probably got lost. The benefits were already loaded and I set up my PIN right there. So relieved I went before the holiday closure!

So glad you got your card! This is exactly why I always recommend going in person when there are delays. The mail system for EBT cards seems to have issues pretty frequently. Thanks for updating us - it's really helpful for others who might be in the same situation to know that going to the office works and doesn't take too long once you get to the window.

Thank you everyone for the info! Sounds like there's no extra coming (bummer but good to know). I checked my case number and the last digit is 7, so I'll get September benefits on the 7th. Really helps with my planning. And no, I don't have school kids so guess I won't get that summer program either. I'll just have to stretch what I get even further this month.

Hey Kingston! I totally get the tight budget struggle - food prices are absolutely crazy right now. Since you're getting benefits on the 7th, you might want to check out some of the local food banks in your area to help stretch things until then. Many don't require any paperwork and can really help fill the gaps. Also, if you shop at stores that accept EBT, try to look for manager's specials on meat and produce - you can often find good deals and freeze what you can't use right away. Hang in there!

To answer your original question: yes, legitimate county workers may occasionally call you about your CalFresh case, but: 1. They will identify themselves by name and county department 2. They will reference your case number, not your EBT card number 3. They will never ask for your PIN 4. If you express doubt, they'll suggest you call back through the main line If you're worried there might be a real issue, you can always log into your BenefitsCal account to check for any notices or alerts about your case. That's the safest way to verify if there's a legitimate concern that needs addressing.

I'm so glad you trusted your instincts and hung up! I got a similar call a few months ago and they were SO convincing - they had official-sounding hold music and everything. What really tipped me off was when they said I needed to "confirm" my PIN for security reasons. Like others have said, legitimate workers would never ask for that. One thing I learned from my caseworker is that if there's ever a real issue with your benefits, you'll get a written notice first before any phone calls. They're required to send everything in writing. So if someone calls claiming there's an urgent problem but you haven't gotten any mail about it, that's a huge red flag. Also wanted to mention - if you do fall victim to one of these scams, report it immediately to your county office AND to the EBT customer service line on the back of your card. Sometimes they can help track fraudulent transactions if you catch it quickly enough.

Thank you all so much for the suggestions! I've made a list of all the places to call tomorrow morning. I'm still stressed but at least feel like I have some options to try now. I never realized there were so many different programs - the county worker made it sound like the $260 was all the help available to me.

I'm new to this community but wanted to share something that might help. I volunteer with a local nonprofit and we've seen this exact situation a lot. One thing that's worked for some people is contacting your city council member's office directly - they often have discretionary funds or know about local programs that aren't widely advertised. For Lynwood, you can call (310) 603-0220 and explain you're facing eviction. They might be able to connect you with resources or even advocate with your landlord. Also, if you have any utility shut-off notices, sometimes addressing those first can free up money for rent. Don't give up - there are more options out there than what the county initially tells you!