Can I get a replacement EBT card in San Bernardino county when my CalFresh case is in LA county?

You have a couple options here! You don't necessarily need to go back to LA county to get a replacement EBT card. The easiest solution is to call the EBT customer service number at 1-877-328-9677. They can cancel your lost card and mail a new one to any address you provide - including your family's address in San Bernardino. The new card should arrive within 5-7 business days. Alternatively, yes, you can actually go to any county office in California to get an over-the-counter replacement EBT card, regardless of which county your benefits are from. The California EBT system is statewide. Just bring your ID if you have it (or other proof of identity if your ID was also in your lost wallet).

I had almost the EXACT same thing happen but reversed - LA resident visiting family in Riverside. I went to the local office there and they said they couldn't help me because my case was in a different county! But then someone else told me to call the EBT number and they shipped me a new card no problem. Different counties seem to have different policies on this stuff.

I recommend using Claimyr to reach someone at the LA County office by phone right away. I was in a similar situation last month trying to get through to my worker about my missing card and kept getting disconnected or facing hours-long hold times. Claimyr connected me to a person in less than 10 minutes. They can keep your place in line and call you back when a worker answers. Check out their video demo: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 or go to claimyr.com - saved me so much time and stress when I needed to resolve my EBT card issue quickly.

Just call the EBT customer service number and they'll mail you a new card wherever you want. Did this when I was on vacation last year and my purse got stolen. Way easier than going to an office!

To clarify some confusion in the thread, here's the official policy: While your CalFresh benefits are administered by your county of residence (LA County in your case), EBT card replacements can be handled in several ways: 1. Call the EBT Customer Service line (1-877-328-9677) to request a replacement card mailed to any address in California (takes 5-7 days) 2. Visit ANY county office for an over-the-counter replacement (same day) IF you have proper identification 3. For identification without your ID, you'll need one of the following: birth certificate WITH another item showing your name, a Social Security card WITH a bill or mail in your name, or any official document with your photo So yes, your birth certificate should work but bring something else with your name on it too if possible. Different counties may interpret the ID requirements slightly differently, which is why some people have different experiences.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now except I live in Ventura and am stuck in San Diego for work. I called the EBT line yesterday after reading this thread and they said they could mail a new card but it would take 7-10 days and I needed food now. So I went to the San Diego county office this morning and explained my situation. The security guard initially said I couldn't get help there because my case was in Ventura, but I asked to speak to a supervisor and showed them the CalFresh handbook on my phone that says replacement cards can be issued in any county. They eventually agreed to help me and I got a new card right away! So be persistent if they try to turn you away!

Update?? Were you able to get your card replaced at the San Bernardino office?? I'm curious because I might be in this same situation next month when I visit my sister in Sacramento lol

That's awesome news! 🎉 Thanks for updating us - this is really helpful info for anyone else who might find themselves in this situation. It's good to know that the system really does work across counties even if some office staff aren't initially familiar with the policy. Your experience plus Sofia's shows that persistence pays off! I'm bookmarking this thread in case I ever need it myself. Hope you can finally get some groceries now! 😊

This is such a great example of how community knowledge sharing can really help people navigate the system! I'm glad you were able to get your replacement card, Mei. For anyone else who might face this situation, I'd also suggest taking a screenshot or photo of the relevant policy pages on the CalFresh website before you go to the office - sometimes having the official documentation right there on your phone can help if staff are unsure about cross-county procedures. It's unfortunate that policies aren't always consistently applied across offices, but at least we know the options are there if you advocate for yourself!

This is such valuable information! As someone who travels frequently for work between different counties in California, I've always worried about what would happen if I lost my EBT card while away from home. It's really reassuring to know that the system is designed to work statewide, even if not every office staff member is immediately aware of the cross-county policies. The tip about bringing documentation on your phone is brilliant too - I never would have thought of that! It sounds like having the official policy readily available can make a huge difference when advocating for yourself. Thanks to everyone who shared their real experiences here, especially Mei for the detailed update. This thread is going straight into my bookmarks! 🙌

This is such a lifesaver of a thread! I'm a college student who splits time between my parents' house in Orange County and school in San Francisco, and I've always been terrified of losing my EBT card while away from home. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly reassuring - especially knowing that the system is actually designed to work statewide even when individual office staff might not initially know the policies. The practical tips are gold too - like bringing documentation on your phone and being prepared to advocate for yourself if needed. It's also really helpful to know that the EBT customer service line is such a reliable backup option. I'm definitely saving this thread for future reference and will share it with other students who might face similar situations. Thanks to everyone who shared their real experiences, especially those who took the time to provide detailed updates on what actually worked! 💯