CalFresh EBT card suddenly canceled despite active case and remaining balance - what happened?
So confused right now! I just tried to use my EBT card at the grocery store and it was declined. When I called the EBT customer service, they said my card was canceled but my CalFresh case is still active and I have $178 left in benefits from last month. The automated system confirmed my case is active and showed my balance. I haven't received any notices about card issues and my recertification isn't due for another 4 months. Has anyone experienced this before? Do I need to request a replacement card or is something else going on? My kids are hungry and I can't access our food benefits!
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Mateo Rodriguez
this happened to me last yr!! they said my card was inactive cuz i didnt use it for 90 days but i DEFINITELY used it every month. turned out they had a system glitch
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Nia Thompson
AuthorDid you have to get a new card? I use mine all the time so it can't be inactivity. The last time I used it was just 3 days ago at Walmart.
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Aisha Abdullah
There are a few reasons why an EBT card might get canceled even when your CalFresh case is active: 1. Card security issues - if the system detected unusual activity 2. Card reported as lost/stolen (sometimes by mistake) 3. System errors during benefit transfers 4. County worker accidentally canceled the card during case maintenance 5. Card damaged/demagnetized (though this would usually just fail to read, not show as canceled) You'll need to contact your county office to resolve this. They can issue you a new card, but you might need to visit in person to pick it up. Some counties offer emergency replacement cards same-day if you explain your situation.
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Ethan Wilson
My county office is ALWAYS busy and it takes hours to get through. I hate dealing with them tbh
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NeonNova
SAME EXACT THING just happened to my sister last month!! She had to go DOWN TO THE OFFICE and wait 4 HOURS to get a new card. They claimed she "requested" a replacement which she NEVER DID. They made her fill out a fraud form and everything. The whole system is messed up!!! And of course they don't care that her kids had nothing to eat for 2 days while this got sorted out. 😡
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Nia Thompson
AuthorThat's awful! I really hope I don't have to wait days for a new card. Did they at least give her an emergency card that day once she got seen?
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NeonNova
Yeah they finally gave her a card that day but it took FOREVER. Make sure you bring your ID and your case number if you have it. Also bring your children if possible - hate to say it but they might hurry things up if they see you've got hungry kids with you.
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Yuki Tanaka
Have you tried checking your BenefitsCal account online? Sometimes there are notices or messages there that explain what's happening with your case that might not have arrived in the mail yet. Also, did you recently move or update your address? Sometimes they automatically deactivate cards when address changes happen as a security measure.
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Nia Thompson
AuthorI checked my BenefitsCal and there's nothing there about card issues. Just shows my case is active and my next SAR7 is due in two months. Haven't moved or changed anything. I'm going to try calling my county office but their phone lines are always jammed.
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Carmen Diaz
This is a pretty common issue unfortunately. Your benefits are still there (that's good!), but you'll need to get a replacement card. Call your county office ASAP - ask specifically for the EBT card desk or emergency replacement. If you explain you have children and no access to food benefits, they should prioritize your case. One tip that helped me get through to the CalFresh office quickly was using Claimyr.com. It got me through to a real person in about 10 minutes when I was dealing with a similar card issue. They have a short video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8. Saved me hours of repeated calling and automated system frustration.
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Nia Thompson
AuthorThank you! I've been trying to call for the past hour with no luck. I'll check out that service - anything to get this fixed today. Did you have to physically go in to get your replacement card or were they able to mail it?
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Carmen Diaz
In my county (Sacramento), I had to go in person to get an immediate replacement card. But they were able to schedule a specific appointment time for me over the phone so I didn't have to wait in the general line. Some counties can expedite mail delivery to 1-2 days if you really can't go in. Make sure to ask about both options when you get through!
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Andre Laurent
did u check if ur card expired? ebt cards have expiration dates just like credit cards... its usually like 4 years or smthing but maybe urs hit the date? the annoying thing is they dont always send u a new one automatically lol
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Nia Thompson
AuthorJust checked and my card doesn't expire until 2027. I got it last year when I first applied. But thanks for the suggestion!
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Aisha Abdullah
UPDATE: I called my county office and after waiting on hold for 45 minutes, they confirmed there was a system error that canceled several cards in my county. They've issued me a new card which I can pick up tomorrow morning with ID. They said my benefits are safe and will transfer to the new card automatically. For anyone else experiencing this issue, definitely call your county office directly - the EBT customer service line couldn't do anything to help. Thanks everyone for your advice!
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Mateo Rodriguez
glad u got it fixed! so annoying they dont tell ppl when theres a problem with their system 🙄
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Yuki Tanaka
Thanks for updating! This is really useful information. It sounds like there might be a wider system issue affecting multiple cards. I hope they get your new card to you quickly!
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Dyllan Nantx
Wait, I think there's some confusion here - this update is posted by Aisha Abdullah but the original post was from Nia Thompson. Are you updating on behalf of Nia or is this your own similar experience? Just want to make sure we're getting accurate info!
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Ethan Wilson
wait i'm confused... is CalFresh the same as food stamps? I just moved to cali from arizona and am still trying 2 figure out the system here. I had SNAP benefits before
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Aisha Abdullah
Yes, CalFresh is California's name for the SNAP program (formerly called food stamps). It's the same federal program, just with a different name in our state. You'll need to reapply here in California since SNAP benefits don't transfer between states. You can apply online through BenefitsCal.com or visit your local county human services office.
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