CalFresh EBT card blocked after multiple pin attempts - can't buy groceries!

This happens when you enter your PIN incorrectly too many times. Your card gets locked as a security measure. Don't worry though - you don't need an appointment to fix this. Call the EBT Customer Service number directly at 1-877-328-9677 (it's on the back of your card). They can unlock it for you right away after verifying your identity. This is separate from your county office and is available 24/7.

omg THIS LITERALLY JSUT HAPPENED TO ME last month!!!! the stupid machines at FoodMax kept saying my pin was wrong but I KNOW I was putting in the right one!!! so frustrating!!! I ended up having to leave all my groceries there and my kids were crying and everything

For verification, they usually just need your card number, name, date of birth, and sometimes your address and SSN. Basic identifying information. It's a pretty quick process - they'll unlock it and have you create a new PIN right there on the phone.

I had this happen in January and I found out that sometimes the EBT card itself is just bad - like the magnetic strip stops working. They can send you a new one, but it takes days to arrive. This whole system is designed to make things harder for people who actually need help!!! The government doesn't care if our kids go hungry while we wait for their broken systems to work.

I went through this last year and I discovered this service called Claimyr that was a total game-changer. I was also stuck in the EBT phone queue for almost an hour. But with Claimyr.com, they actually wait on hold for you and call you back when a real person is on the line. I watched their demo video (https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8) and it was super simple to use. Got my PIN reset that same day instead of waiting for days. Might be worth checking out if you're still stuck on hold!

i had 2 go to the county office in person cuz nobody picked up the phone. took my whole day off work but they fixed it right there. the lady said they've been having issues with the system lately and alot of cards r getting locked for no reason

Let me clarify some information about EBT card locks, as there's some confusion in this thread: 1. PIN locks: If you enter your PIN incorrectly too many times, your card gets locked. This can be fixed by calling EBT Customer Service (1-877-328-9677). 2. Card deactivation: Sometimes cards get deactivated due to suspected fraud or system issues. This requires contacting your county office. 3. Benefit hold: Sometimes benefits are placed on hold due to verification issues, which is separate from card problems. For your specific situation (PIN lock), the fastest solution is calling EBT Customer Service. If you get stuck in the automated system, try pressing 0 repeatedly or saying "representative" several times. They can unlock your card and have you create a new PIN in minutes. If that doesn't work, then visiting a county office in person is the next best option. Bring your ID and EBT card with you.

dint they give u a temp card at the office? thats wat they did 4 me when i couldnt get in

UPDATE: I finally got through to someone at the EBT Customer Service! You guys were right - they just verified my identity (asked for my name, DOB, address, and last 4 of SSN) and unlocked my card right away. They had me set a new PIN and said I can use it immediately. Such a relief! Thank you all for your help. For anyone else reading this with the same problem, definitely call the EBT customer service number directly, not the county office.

This whole thread got me paranoid so I just checked my EBT card to make sure my benefits are still there! Glad you got it fixed. The system can be such a nightmare sometimes. I've learned to always double check my benefits the day they're supposed to be deposited because you never know when some random glitch will cause problems.

This is such a helpful thread! I'm bookmarking this for future reference. It's crazy how many people go through this same exact situation - makes you realize how common EBT card issues really are. Connor, I'm so relieved you got it resolved quickly! For anyone else reading this later, it sounds like the key takeaways are: 1) Call EBT Customer Service directly (1-877-328-9677) not the county office, 2) Have your basic info ready (name, DOB, address, SSN), and 3) Keep trying to get past the automated system. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this is exactly the kind of community support that makes a real difference when people are struggling with these bureaucratic nightmares.

I'm so glad I found this thread! As someone who's been on CalFresh for about 6 months now, I had no idea there was a separate EBT customer service number. I've been calling my county office for everything, which explains why I can never get through to anyone. This is such valuable information - I'm saving that 1-877-328-9677 number right now. Connor, I'm really happy you got your situation resolved so quickly! It's terrifying when you can't access your benefits, especially with kids depending on you. This community is amazing - everyone jumped in to help with real practical advice instead of just sympathy. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and solutions!

This thread is exactly why I joined this community! As a single mom who's been on CalFresh for about 8 months, I've had my share of EBT nightmares but never knew about that direct customer service line. I've wasted so many hours calling the county office for simple card issues. Connor, I'm so relieved you got your card unlocked - I know that panic when you can't buy groceries for your kids. Reading everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful. I'm definitely saving that 1-877-328-9677 number and all the other tips people shared. It's amazing how something as simple as entering your PIN wrong a few times can create such a crisis. Thank you to everyone who jumped in with practical solutions instead of just offering sympathy - this is the kind of community support that actually makes a difference when you're struggling to navigate these systems!

This thread is so helpful and reassuring! I'm relatively new to CalFresh (started about 3 months ago) and honestly had no idea there were different numbers to call for different issues. Like so many others here, I've been calling my county office for everything and wondering why it takes forever to get through to anyone. Connor, I'm so glad you got your card unlocked quickly - the stress of not being able to buy groceries when you have kids must have been overwhelming. Reading everyone's experiences here has taught me so much about how to actually navigate the EBT system effectively. I'm definitely saving that customer service number (1-877-328-9677) and all the verification info tips. It's crazy how a simple PIN mistake can turn into such a scary situation when those benefits are what's keeping your family fed. Thank you to everyone who shared practical solutions and real advice - this is exactly why communities like this are so valuable for people trying to figure out these complicated government systems!

I'm new to this community and to CalFresh (just got approved last week), and this thread has been incredibly eye-opening! Reading Connor's experience gave me chills because I can totally see myself making the same mistake with my PIN and panicking when I can't access my benefits. I had no idea there was a separate EBT customer service line - I literally thought you had to go through the county office for everything! I'm so grateful everyone shared their real experiences and solutions instead of just empty sympathy. I've already saved that 1-877-328-9677 number in my phone and screenshotted all the verification tips. It's scary how something as simple as entering your PIN wrong can become such a crisis when those benefits are what's keeping you fed. Connor, I'm so relieved you got it sorted out quickly! Thank you to everyone who took the time to share practical advice - this is exactly the kind of community support that makes navigating these overwhelming government systems so much less terrifying for people like me who are just starting out.