Can I change my CalFresh EBT card address over the phone during replacement?

you CAN do both at once!!!! i had the same thing happen in February, just call the EBT customer service number (not your county worker). They'll cancel your old card, update your address, and send a new one all in one call. Make sure you have your ID info ready cuz they ask a ton of security questions.

Yes, you can update your address when requesting a replacement EBT card through the customer service line. They'll need to verify your identity first. The number is 1-877-328-9677 for California EBT customer service. Just remember this only changes the address for your EBT card - you still need to officially update your address with the CalFresh office separately for your case record. Otherwise, you might miss important notices about your benefits.

I just went through this exact situation last month! When you call the EBT customer service, they'll handle the card replacement but they'll tell you that you need to report your address change to your county CalFresh office separately. The EBT customer service and the county CalFresh systems don't automatically sync address information. What worked for me was using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an actual CalFresh worker without waiting on hold forever. Their service connects you with a real person at the county office so you can update your case address officially. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 that shows how it works. Made it way easier to get everything updated in one day instead of missing more work.

I had my card stolen last year too! Such a nightmare! I didn't know I needed to update BOTH places and ended up with my new card sent to my old address! Then I had to start ALL OVER AGAIN with requesting another replacement! Don't make my mistake!!!

You should also know that you can request expedited shipping for your replacement EBT card if you're in an emergency situation. When you call the EBT customer service line, specifically ask if you qualify for expedited delivery based on your circumstances. If approved, you could get your card in 3 business days instead of the standard 7-10 days. They don't always offer this option unless you specifically ask for it. And as others mentioned, definitely follow up with your county office about the address change for your actual CalFresh case. The EBT customer service can only update the address for card delivery, not your actual case file.

I remember when i tried to do this they told me i had to fill out a SAR7 form because moving is a change that needs to be reported even if its in the same building?? did anyone else have to do this or was the worker just being difficult

Also make sure when u call them you tell them ur MAILING address if it's different than your physical! My friend had her card sent to her physical address but she uses a PO box for mail and it caused a HUGE MESS!!!!!

Thank you everyone for all the helpful advice! I called EBT customer service this morning and they're sending me a replacement card. I asked about expedited shipping and they approved it! Should have it by Monday. I also called the county office (used that Claimyr service someone mentioned - it actually worked!) and updated my address with them too. The worker told me since it's just a different unit in the same building, it's a simple change and doesn't affect my eligibility. Really appreciate all the help!

This is such great information! I'm bookmarking this thread because I know I'll probably need to reference it in the future. It's really helpful to see all the different steps laid out - calling EBT customer service for the card replacement, asking about expedited shipping, and then separately updating your address with the county office. I had no idea these were two separate systems that don't sync automatically. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!

Just want to add that if you're in a similar situation and need food immediately while waiting for your replacement card, many food banks and community organizations don't require your EBT card - just some form of ID. I had to use this option when my card was stolen and it really helped bridge the gap until my replacement arrived. Also, some grocery stores will let you write down your EBT card number from memory if you know it, but you'd need to call ahead to ask about their policy. Not all stores allow this, but it's worth asking if you're really in a bind!

I'm so glad I found this thread! I've been putting off dealing with updating my address after my recent move because I was dreading having to navigate the whole system. But seeing everyone's step-by-step experiences here makes it seem much more manageable. The tip about asking for expedited shipping is especially valuable - I had no idea that was even an option. And knowing that the EBT customer service and county CalFresh office are separate systems that don't sync automatically is crucial information that probably saves people a lot of headaches. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences!

This whole thread has been incredibly informative! I'm actually dealing with a similar situation right now - my card was damaged in the washing machine (don't ask lol) and I need a replacement. I was dreading having to figure out the whole process, but you all have basically given me a complete step-by-step guide. I especially appreciate the tip about Claimyr for getting through to the county office - I've wasted so many hours on hold with them before. And I definitely didn't know about the expedited shipping option, which could be really helpful since I'm running low on groceries. Thank you everyone for sharing your real experiences instead of just generic advice!

This is such a comprehensive thread! I'm a case worker at one of the county offices and I just want to confirm that the advice here is spot on. Yes, you absolutely can update your EBT card address through customer service when getting a replacement, but that ONLY changes where the physical card gets mailed - it doesn't update your actual CalFresh case record. You still need to contact your county office separately to update your case address or you'll miss important notices. Also wanted to add that if you're ever in a real food emergency while waiting for your replacement card, you can ask your county worker about emergency food assistance - we have options for situations like this that can provide temporary help. Great job everyone helping each other navigate the system!

This thread is absolutely incredible! As someone who's been navigating CalFresh for a while now, I wish I had found information this clear and detailed when I first started. The fact that you have both community members sharing real experiences AND an actual county case worker confirming everything is just amazing. I'm definitely saving this for future reference and sharing it with friends who are on CalFresh. The breakdown of EBT customer service vs county office systems, the expedited shipping option, the Claimyr service recommendation, emergency food assistance info - this is like a complete survival guide! Thank you everyone for taking the time to share your knowledge and help each other out. This is exactly what community support should look like!

This thread has been such a lifesaver! I'm actually in training to become a community navigator to help people with benefits applications and this conversation is exactly the kind of real-world knowledge they don't teach in the training materials. The distinction between EBT customer service for card issues vs county office for case updates is so important but not always clear to people. I'm definitely going to reference this thread when helping clients in the future. Also really appreciate Teresa sharing the insider perspective - it's so helpful to know about emergency food assistance options that workers can provide while people wait for replacement cards. This is community support at its best!