Can I get a replacement EBT card same day at the CalFresh office if lost/stolen?

Yes, you can get a replacement card the same day if you go in person to your county office. But make sure you call the EBT customer service line (866-328-9677) FIRST to report it lost/stolen before you go. This immediately deactivates the old card so nobody can use your benefits. When you go to the office, bring your ID and they'll print a new card right there. I had to do this twice last year.

i got mine same day like 3 weeks ago but u have to go EARLY!!!! i waited 4 hrs cuz it was packed. dont forget ur id

Be careful because not ALL county offices can print the cards on site!!!! I went to my local office in February and they told me they didn't have the equipment to print new EBT cards there. I had to go to the MAIN county office instead which was like 45 minutes away. So frustrating!!! Call ahead and CHECK before you waste your time going to an office that can't help. The whole system is designed to make it harder for us to access our benefits IMO. 😤

When I lost my card last time I couldn't get thru to anybody on the regular line. It was so frustrating! I finally tried this service called Claimyr where they got me connected to a real person at CalFresh without the wait. They called and stayed on hold for me then connected me when a worker was available. Saved me hours of frustration. You might try it if you're still having trouble getting through to report the card lost - https://claimyr.com. There's a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8

YES your benefits will still be there! The money stays in your account even when your card is replaced. When they deactivate your old card and give you a new one, all your benefits transfer automatically. The ONLY thing that would change is if someone already used some of your benefits before you reported the card lost/stolen. That money can't be replaced unfortunately. That's why it's super important to report it ASAP when you notice it's missing.

make sure u bring ur case# also they asked me for that and i didnt have it took forever to look it up

Just wanted to add that if you're unable to get to a county office for some reason, and HAVE to wait for a card in the mail, you can request EXPEDITED mailing. Most people don't know this! They can send it 2-day priority instead of regular mail which takes 7-10 days. You have to specifically ask for this though, they won't offer it. Also, the automated phone system is absolutely USELESS for most things, but I found out you CAN report a card lost through the automated system without talking to a person. Just another option if needed.

Please update us after you get your new card! I'm curious how long the process took at your specific county office. Times have really varied for me - once I was in and out in 30 minutes, another time it took half the day. Experiences with different county offices would be helpful for others to know about.

I'm sorry this happened to you! I know how stressful it is, especially when you have kids to feed. One time my card was stolen from my mailbox when I had just gotten recertified. The WORST timing. I think someone in my building took it. Anyway, glad you got it sorted out! 👍

So glad you got your new card! Thanks for the update - this is really helpful info. I've been putting off getting mine replaced after it got damaged (the strip barely works anymore) but your experience makes it seem pretty straightforward. Did they ask you any questions about how/when you lost the original card, or was it just a simple replacement process once you showed your ID and case number?

Thanks for sharing your experience! This is really helpful. I'm dealing with a similar situation - my card got demagnetized somehow and only works about half the time at stores. It's so embarrassing when it gets declined at checkout. Your post gives me confidence to just go get it replaced rather than dealing with the frustration. Did you have to fill out any paperwork at the office or was it all done electronically?

Just want to add another data point - I got my replacement EBT card at the Riverside County office last month and the whole process took about 2 hours, but that included waiting time. The actual replacement part was super quick once I got to the window - maybe 10 minutes max. They printed the card right there and it worked immediately when I tested it at the grocery store next door. One tip: if you have kids with you, bring snacks and something to keep them occupied during the wait! The office doesn't have much for kids to do while you're waiting in line.

Pro tip for anyone dealing with this in the future - if you're going to a busy county office, try to go right when they open (usually 8am) or right after lunch around 1pm. Those tend to be the least crowded times. Also, if you have a smartphone, download the EBT Edge app before you go - you can check your balance instantly after getting your new card to make sure everything transferred correctly. I learned this the hard way after waiting in line for 3 hours at the LA County office! The staff there told me these timing tips and it's saved me so much time on return visits for other issues.

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago! One thing I'd add is that some county offices now have mobile card printing units that they bring to certain locations on specific days. I found out about this through my local food bank - they had a flyer saying the county would be at the community center with their mobile unit. Saved me a trip to the main office and the wait was way shorter. It might be worth calling your county's main number to ask if they have any mobile card replacement services scheduled in your area this week. Also, definitely keep that police report number handy if you end up filing one about the potential theft - some offices ask for it as additional documentation. Hope this helps someone else avoid the stress!

This thread has been so incredibly helpful! I'm a newcomer to the CalFresh program (just got approved 3 weeks ago) and was totally panicking when I couldn't find my card this morning. Reading everyone's experiences and tips has really calmed me down and given me a clear action plan. I had no idea about things like the mobile card printing units or the optimal times to visit county offices. It's amazing how much practical knowledge this community has! I'm definitely going to call the EBT customer service line first to report it lost, then head to my county office with my ID and case number. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it really makes navigating this system less overwhelming for those of us who are new to it all.

As someone who's been on CalFresh for about 2 years now, I just want to echo what others have said - yes, you can absolutely get a same-day replacement at most county offices! I've had to do this twice (once when my purse was stolen, another time when my card just stopped working). The key things that made it go smoothly for me: 1) Call the EBT customer service line IMMEDIATELY to deactivate the old card - this protects your remaining benefits, 2) Bring your ID (even if expired like yours, they should still accept it), your case number, and any mail with your current address, 3) Go early in the morning if possible - I've found 8-9am is usually the sweet spot before it gets crowded. The actual card printing process is super quick once you get to the window - they just verify your info and print it right there. Don't stress too much about it, the county workers deal with this all the time and it's a pretty routine process for them. You'll have your new card and be able to grocery shop for your kids today! 💪

This thread is exactly what I needed to see today! I just moved to California from Texas last month and I'm still figuring out how the CalFresh system works here. Back in Texas, getting a replacement SNAP card was a nightmare - you had to wait weeks for it to come in the mail and there was no same-day option. It's such a relief to know that California actually lets you get a replacement card printed at the county office the same day! I haven't lost my card yet (knock on wood), but I'm definitely saving all these tips in case it happens. The mobile printing units sound amazing too - I had no idea that was even a thing. Coming from a state with much less helpful social services, I'm genuinely impressed by how much support and practical advice this community provides. Thanks everyone for sharing your real experiences!

I'm so glad you were able to get your replacement card sorted out! Reading through all these responses has been incredibly educational. As someone who just joined this community, I'm amazed by how much practical knowledge everyone shares. The tip about bringing your case number is something I definitely wouldn't have thought of, and knowing about the mobile printing units is a game-changer. It's really reassuring to see how supportive this community is - losing your EBT card when you have kids to feed is such a stressful situation, and everyone jumped in with helpful advice right away. I'm bookmarking this whole thread for future reference!

As someone who works at a county office (though not in EBT services), I just wanted to add that if you're planning to visit in person, it's worth calling ahead to confirm they have the card printer working that day. Sometimes the equipment goes down for maintenance or breaks, and you don't want to make the trip only to find out you'll have to wait for mail delivery anyway. Also, if you're feeling overwhelmed by the process, don't hesitate to ask the front desk staff for help - they're usually really good at explaining what you need and can sometimes point you to the shortest line. Most county workers genuinely want to help, even though the system itself can be frustrating to navigate!

Just wanted to share my recent experience as another data point for future folks dealing with this! I had to get a replacement card last week after mine got damaged in the washing machine (oops!). I went to the San Bernardino County office and the whole process took about 45 minutes including wait time. They were super efficient - I brought my ID, case number, and a utility bill with my address like others suggested. One thing I noticed that might be helpful: they now have a digital check-in system at our office where you scan a QR code and get a text when it's your turn, so you don't have to physically sit in the waiting area the whole time. I was able to grab coffee next door and they texted me when I was up! The new card worked perfectly right away. Thanks to this community for all the great advice that made me feel prepared going in!