CalFresh EBT card not working - keep getting declined when I try to use my new card

did u call to activate it? u have to do that first before it works. the activation # should be on back of card or on the letter that came with it

You definitely need to activate your new EBT card before you can use it. When you first receive your CalFresh card, you need to call the number on the back to activate it AND set up your personal PIN number. Without completing both these steps, the card will decline every time. The system will ask for your card number, date of birth, and the last 4 digits of your SSN to verify your identity. Then you'll create a 4-digit PIN that you'll use for all transactions. Make sure to pick something you can remember but not something too obvious like 1234. Once activated, your card should work immediately at any store that accepts EBT. If you still have trouble after activating, call your county office directly to make sure there aren't any holds on your account.

I HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM!!!! It's so frustrating because nobody tells you clearly what to do with these cards!!! When I got mine, I tried using it for like TWO WEEKS before someone finally told me I had to activate it. Even worse, when I called the activation number, it kept hanging up on me when I tried to set my PIN. I had to call like 5 times before it finally worked. The whole system is designed to make it hard to get your benefits if you ask me.

quick tip: when u activate make sure ur using the same phone # that's on file with CalFresh or it might not work right. happened to my cousin

If you're having trouble getting through on the EBT customer service line to activate your card, you might want to try Claimyr. I was in the same situation and kept getting disconnected when trying to reach someone. Claimyr helped me get through to a real person at the county office who was able to help me troubleshoot my card activation issues and verify my information was correct in their system. Their service basically waits on hold for you and calls you when a real person answers. I found them at claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 Might save you some frustration if you keep getting disconnected.

After you get your card activated, make sure you also create an account on the EBT app (it's called ebtEDGE). It'll show you your balance and transaction history, plus all the stores near you that accept EBT. Makes things way easier to manage. The app also lets you report if your card is lost or stolen in the future. One thing to watch for - when you're at the checkout, some stores require you to select "Food Stamps" or "EBT Food" on the payment terminal rather than "Debit" even though you're entering a PIN. Confused me at first! Hope you get it working soon!

one more thing always keep ur recipts cuz sometimes the system messes up n takes money from ur account but u dont get the food. happened to me n I had to prove it with the recipt

UPDATE: Finally got it working! Called the activation number (had to try 4 times before it didn't disconnect me) and set up my PIN. Went to the store right after and it worked perfectly. Thank you everyone for your help! Going to download the EBT app now too.

So glad you got it working! This is such a common issue and it's frustrating that the activation process isn't made clearer when you first get the card. For anyone else reading this thread who might have similar problems - another thing to check is making sure your card isn't damaged or the magnetic strip isn't scratched. I've seen cards that looked fine but had invisible damage that prevented them from working even after activation. If you're still having issues after activating, ask your county office to send you a replacement card. Also, some smaller stores have older card readers that don't work well with the newer Golden State Advantage cards, so if one store doesn't work, definitely try a different location before assuming there's a problem with your card.

Just wanted to add that if you're still having trouble after activation, you can also try going to a different type of store. Some grocery stores have newer card readers that work better with the Golden State Advantage cards. Walmart and Target usually have really good systems that rarely have issues. Also, if you're shopping at a farmers market, make sure they actually accept EBT - not all vendors do even if the market advertises it. I learned that the hard way! And definitely keep that customer service number handy because unfortunately EBT system glitches happen more often than they should. Glad you got yours working though - it's such a relief when you can finally access your benefits!

This whole thread is so helpful! I'm bookmarking it because I'm sure I'll need to refer back to it. One thing I'd add is that if you're having trouble remembering your PIN, don't write it on the card itself (obviously) but maybe store it in your phone's notes app with a code name like "grocery card" or something. I made the mistake of picking a PIN I thought I'd remember but then forgot it after a few weeks of not using the card much. Had to go through the whole reset process which was another headache. Also, pro tip: when you're at self-checkout, the EBT option is usually under "Other Payment Methods" rather than with the regular debit/credit options. Took me forever to figure that out the first time!

Just wanted to share another tip that helped me - if you're still having activation issues, try calling during off-peak hours like early morning (around 8 AM) or later in the evening. I found the phone lines are way less busy then and you're more likely to get through without getting disconnected. Also, have all your info ready before you call: your full card number, Social Security number, date of birth, and think about what 4-digit PIN you want to use ahead of time. The automated system moves pretty fast and if you're fumbling around looking for information, it might time out on you. One last thing - if you have any special characters in your name (like apostrophes or hyphens), that sometimes causes issues in their system, so be prepared to spell it out clearly or try different variations if the first attempt doesn't work.

For anyone else reading this who might be dealing with a similar situation - I just went through this exact same problem last month! One thing that really helped me was making sure I had good cell service when calling the activation number. I was trying to call from inside my apartment where I sometimes get spotty signal, and I think that's why I kept getting disconnected. Once I stepped outside and had full bars, the call went through smoothly. Also, don't panic if the automated system asks you to repeat information - sometimes it just doesn't pick up your voice clearly the first time. Just speak slowly and clearly. The whole process took me about 10 minutes once I actually got connected. And yes, definitely download that ebtEDGE app everyone mentioned - it's been super helpful for checking my balance before I go shopping so I know exactly how much I have to spend!

This thread is incredibly helpful! As someone who just applied for CalFresh benefits and is waiting for my card to arrive, I'm so glad I found this discussion. Now I know to look for activation instructions when my card comes and not to panic if it doesn't work right away. It's frustrating that the activation process isn't made more obvious, but at least now I'm prepared. I'm definitely going to download the ebtEDGE app as soon as I get my card activated, and I'll make sure to call during off-peak hours if I run into any issues. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences and tips - this community is such a great resource for navigating these systems that can be so confusing for newcomers!

This is such a valuable thread for anyone dealing with EBT card issues! I work at a local food bank and we get this question ALL the time from folks who just received their new CalFresh cards. The activation step really should be highlighted more clearly in the materials they send out. One additional tip I'd share - if you're having trouble with the automated activation system, you can also visit your local county CalFresh office in person during business hours. The staff there can help activate your card and walk you through setting up your PIN if the phone system keeps giving you trouble. Sometimes it's easier to get help face-to-face, especially if you have questions about your benefits or need to update any information in their system. Also want to echo what others said about keeping receipts - we've helped several clients file disputes when transactions went wrong, and having that receipt makes the process so much smoother. The EBT system isn't perfect, but knowing these workarounds really helps!

Just wanted to add one more thing that might help future readers - if you're having trouble with the activation phone line, make sure you're calling from the phone number that's registered with your CalFresh account. I had issues initially because I was calling from my work phone instead of my personal cell, and the system couldn't verify my identity properly. Once I switched to calling from my registered number, the activation went through without any problems. Also, if you recently moved or changed phone numbers, you might need to update that information with your county office first before the activation will work. The automated system is pretty strict about matching all your details exactly. Hope this helps someone avoid the frustration I went through!

This entire thread has been so incredibly helpful! As someone who's new to CalFresh, I had no idea there were so many potential issues with the EBT cards. The fact that activation isn't clearly explained upfront is really frustrating - it seems like such basic information that should be included prominently with the card. I love how everyone here is sharing practical tips and real experiences. The suggestions about calling during off-peak hours, having all your info ready, ensuring good cell service, and calling from your registered phone number are all things I never would have thought of. And the tip about visiting the county office in person if the phone system doesn't work is a great backup plan. Reading about all the system glitches and transaction issues is concerning, but I appreciate everyone being honest about these problems. At least now I know to always keep my receipts and be prepared for potential hiccups. The ebtEDGE app sounds really useful too - having easy access to balance and transaction history would definitely help with budgeting and catching any errors quickly. It's clear that navigating the EBT system requires a lot more knowledge than it should, but this community is such a valuable resource for sharing that information. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their experiences and solutions!

This thread is pure gold for anyone dealing with EBT issues! I'm a social worker and I'm definitely going to bookmark this to share with my clients. The step-by-step activation process that @Amelia Cartwright laid out should honestly be printed on a flyer and included with every new card. One thing I'd add from my professional experience - if you're helping an elderly family member or someone with limited English proficiency activate their card, most county offices have bilingual staff who can help over the phone. Just ask to speak with someone in your preferred language when you call. Also, some counties offer in-person orientation sessions for new CalFresh recipients that cover card activation and basic usage - worth asking about when you first apply. The community knowledge sharing here is exactly what's needed to fill the gaps in official support. Keep helping each other out!

This whole thread has been incredibly eye-opening! I'm actually waiting for my CalFresh application to be processed right now, and reading through everyone's experiences has me feeling so much more prepared for when my card arrives. It's honestly shocking that card activation isn't explained more clearly upfront - seems like such a basic thing that could prevent so much frustration. I've been taking notes on all the tips shared here: call during off-peak hours, have all info ready, use registered phone number, check cell service, and definitely download that ebtEDGE app. The community knowledge here is amazing and way more helpful than any official documentation I've seen. One question for the group - for someone brand new to this, is there anything else I should know before my card arrives? Any other common pitfalls to watch out for beyond the activation issues? Really appreciate how supportive and informative this community is!

This thread is such a perfect example of why community support matters so much when dealing with government benefit systems! As a newcomer who just joined this community, I'm amazed by how much practical knowledge everyone has shared here. The EBT card activation process really does seem needlessly complicated - it's crazy that something so basic isn't explained clearly upfront. I'm bookmarking this entire discussion because the tips here are incredibly valuable: calling during off-peak hours, having all your information ready, making sure you're calling from your registered phone number, checking your cell service, and downloading the ebtEDGE app. These are the kinds of real-world solutions you just don't get from official sources. What really strikes me is how common this activation issue seems to be - almost everyone who commented had some version of this same problem. That suggests this is a systemic issue that could easily be fixed with better communication from the agencies involved. Until that happens though, communities like this one are absolutely essential for helping people navigate these confusing systems. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and solutions - this kind of peer support makes such a difference for people trying to access the benefits they're entitled to!