CalFresh EBT card skimming protection - EBTedge app vs. BenefitsCal for security?

YES!! 100% SWITCH TO EBTEDGE RIGHT NOW!!! I had my benefits stolen TWICE last year - $1,250 in january and then another $975 in march. The county made me wait 90+ days for "investigation" before reimbursing me. I've been using EBTedge for 7 months now and follow these exact steps: 1. Keep card FROZEN at all times 2. Unfreeze ONLY when at checkout 3. Freeze again IMMEDIATELY after purchase 4. Change PIN every month before benefits load I haven't had a single problem since. The BenefitsCal app is USELESS for security!!!

The EBTedge app is definitely the better option for securing your CalFresh benefits. It allows you to immediately freeze/unfreeze your EBT card, change your PIN, and view transactions in real-time. Here's what you need to know: 1. Download from your app store (it's free) 2. Registration requires your EBT card number, current PIN, and some personal verification 3. The freeze function prevents any transactions when activated 4. You can still check balances and transaction history while card is frozen Skimming has unfortunately become very common with CalFresh benefits. The BenefitsCal app is good for managing your case and documents, but it doesn't have these direct card security features that EBTedge provides.

I had mine stolen twice too but never got reimbursed because they said I must have shared my PIN which I NEVER did!! Scammers are getting more sophisticated with their skimming devices. My caseworker never even told me about the EBTedge app when I reported it stolen. Found out from another recipient at the food bank.

I'm a benefits counselor, and I strongly recommend the EBTedge app to all CalFresh recipients. The freeze/unfreeze feature is the most effective protection against skimming currently available. A few additional tips: 1. Avoid using your EBT card at ATMs for Cash Aid withdrawals when possible (these are prime targets for skimmers) 2. Inspect card readers before inserting your card (look for loose parts or unusual attachments) 3. Set transaction alerts in the app to be notified of all purchases 4. If possible, withdraw Cash Aid benefits all at once and keep in a secure location rather than leaving on the card The state is working on implementing chip cards for EBT, but that's not expected until late 2025 or 2026. Until then, these security measures are your best defense.

been ussing ebtedge for like 6 month and its good but somtimes glitches an says error when i try to unfreeze at the store. had to step out of line once and restart my phone. but still WAY better than getting robbed. had $1430 taken last christmas when i was saving up for holiday meal for my kids. total nightmare getting it back

Another option if you're having trouble reaching the county about security concerns or getting reimbursed for stolen benefits is using Claimyr. It helped me bypass the ridiculous wait times when my benefits were stolen. You can see how it works at https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 or visit claimyr.com. They got me connected to an actual human at the CalFresh office in like 10 minutes when I'd been trying for days on my own. After my benefits were stolen, this saved me so much stress. I was able to report it immediately and start the reimbursement process way faster.

do u kno if u can use ebtedge if u get both calfresh AND calworks? i get both on same card n im worried about setup

One other thing nobody mentioned - when you're setting up EBTedge, make sure to enable BOTH email AND text alerts for all transactions. That way if someone somehow gets past your freeze (which shouldn't happen), you'll know instantly. Also, don't use the same PIN as your debit card or anything else! Make it totally random, not birthdays or address numbers.

Has anyone had problems with the EBTedge app causing yur benefits to be delayed? My cousin said when she started using it her deposit came 2 days late the next month. Probably not related but made me nervous

I got the app set up successfully! One question - will the county worker be able to tell me if I've been assigned an EBT card with chip? My card is pretty old and I'm wondering if I should request a new one that might have better security built in?

Just wanted to share my experience - I switched to EBTedge about 3 months ago after reading horror stories like these. The setup was super straightforward, took maybe 10 minutes. You'll need your current EBT card and PIN to register. The freeze feature has become second nature now - I literally freeze it the moment I walk out of any store. One tip I learned the hard way: if you're shopping at multiple stores in one trip, don't freeze between stores if they're close together. I got paranoid and kept freezing/unfreezing and the system temporarily locked me out for "suspicious activity" - had to call customer service to get it resolved. Now I just unfreeze when I start shopping and freeze when I'm completely done for the day. The peace of mind is worth it though. My benefits load on the 15th and I sleep so much better knowing my card is protected!

I can't believe I'm just learning about this EBTedge app now! I've been so worried about skimming after hearing all these stories. My sister had $450 stolen from her card last summer and it took months to get it back. I'm definitely downloading this tonight before my benefits load next week. Quick question - when you freeze the card, does it affect being able to check your balance at the store? Sometimes I need to see how much I have left while I'm shopping to make sure I don't go over. Also, has anyone tried using it at farmers markets that accept EBT? I shop there regularly and want to make sure the freeze/unfreeze works at those smaller card readers too. This thread has been so helpful - thank you everyone for sharing your experiences! It's scary how common benefit theft has become but at least now I know there's something I can do to protect myself.