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Jenna Sloan

Can I pick up a replacement EBT card same-day at Fresno County DSS office?

My EBT card just got stolen yesterday (wallet taken at the bus stop) and I need to buy groceries ASAP. I reported it stolen through the EBT customer service line and they said a new one would be mailed but could take 7-10 days. I'm completely out of food and can't wait that long. Does anyone know if I can just go directly to the Fresno County office on E. California Ave to get a replacement card today? Their phone line just keeps disconnecting me when I try to ask. If I go in person, what documents do I need to bring? Really stressed about feeding my kids this week.

Yes, you can absolutely get a replacement EBT card same-day at the Fresno County DSS office! I had this exact situation last summer. Bring your ID and know your Social Security number. They'll verify your identity, deactivate the old card permanently, and issue you a new one right there. The office on E. California Ave handles these replacements during regular business hours. No appointment needed for card replacements, but be prepared to wait. The morning is usually less crowded than afternoon.

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Thank you so much!! This is a huge relief. Do they give you the same PIN or do I need to create a new one? And will the full balance that was on my stolen card transfer automatically?

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u might wanna call first cuz sometimes they dont have the machine working my cousin went all the way there n they told her system down come back tmrw

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Oh no, I hope that doesn't happen! I've been trying to call but keep getting disconnected after being on hold.

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I work with a community resource center in Fresno, and yes, you can get a replacement card same-day. However, here's what you need to know: 1. Bring your photo ID (driver's license, state ID, etc) 2. Know your SSN 3. Arrive early - ideally before 10am as the card printing sometimes gets backed up in the afternoon 4. Your old balance will automatically transfer to the new card 5. You will need to set up a new PIN Also, the Fresno County DSS office has been experiencing phone system issues lately, which is likely why you're getting disconnected. I've had several clients with the same complaint about the Fresno office specifically.

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Thank you for this detailed info! I really appreciate knowing exactly what to expect. I'll go first thing tomorrow morning and bring my ID.

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I got my card stolen twice last year. The mail option actually came quicker than they said - like 3 days instead of 7-10. But I totally get not being able to wait when you need food NOW.

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I had the opposite experience - mine took almost 2 weeks to arrive in the mail! The Fresno County DSS office is definitely the way to go for immediate replacement. But be warned that the parking lot gets PACKED, especially at the beginning of the month. You might want to use public transportation or get dropped off if possible.

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If you're struggling to reach someone by phone at the Fresno County office, I'd recommend trying Claimyr. I was in a similar situation where I needed to talk to someone about my CalFresh benefits and kept getting disconnected. Claimyr connected me directly to a human at the county office without the endless hold times. They have a video that explains how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8. Their website is claimyr.com - it saved me hours of frustration. But honestly, for a replacement card, going in person is probably your fastest option.

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Thanks for the recommendation. I'll check out that video. Might be useful for future reference since I seem to always have trouble getting through on the phone.

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ABSOLUTELY DO NOT WAIT FOR THE MAIL!!! Go to the office! They print it right there in like 5 minutes once they call you up. I've had to do this THREE TIMES because my mail keeps getting stolen. Just be prepared that you might wait 1-2 hours depending on how busy they are. Bring a book or something. And definitely bring ID!!!!!

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yea the wait is crazy sometimes. went with my mom once and we were there like 3hrs

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Just to follow up on my earlier comment - if you're completely out of food right now and can't wait until tomorrow to go to the office, you might also want to check with the Poverello House or Catholic Charities in Fresno. Both have emergency food assistance that doesn't require an appointment. Catholic Charities is at 149 N Fulton St and Poverello House is at 412 F St. They can help bridge the gap until you get your new EBT card.

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Thank you so much for this suggestion! I actually have just enough to get through tonight, and I'll head to the DSS office first thing tomorrow. It's good to know about these resources though - I've never had my card stolen before and didn't realize how stressful it would be.

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When you go to the Fresno office, make sure you go to the right building! The complex has multiple buildings and it can be confusing. The EBT card replacements are handled in Building A. There should be signs when you enter the complex, but if not, just ask the security guard. I made the mistake of waiting in the wrong building for an hour before someone told me I was in the wrong place.

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Oh wow, thanks for the heads up! I would have probably made the same mistake. I'll look for Building A specifically.

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I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago in Fresno. Here's what I learned that might help: The office opens at 8am, but people start lining up outside around 7:30am. If you get there right when they open, you'll be done by 9am. Also, they have a specific window just for EBT card replacements - it's Window 3 on the right side when you walk in. Don't get in the general assistance line by mistake like I did! And one more tip - they can look up your case with just your SSN if you forgot your case number. The staff there was actually really helpful once I got to the right window. You've got this!

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This is super helpful, thank you! I had no idea people line up that early or that there's a specific window for EBT replacements. I'll definitely get there by 7:30am tomorrow morning and look for Window 3. Really appreciate you sharing your experience - it makes me feel a lot more confident about going in person rather than waiting for the mail.

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Hella where is the office located. Some drop an address please

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The Fresno County DSS office is located at 1052 E California Ave, Fresno, CA 93704. It's the same address that was mentioned earlier in the thread - that's where you can get same-day EBT card replacements. Just make sure to go to Building A and look for Window 3 for EBT services!

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I'm so sorry this happened to you! Having your wallet stolen is such a stressful situation, especially when you have kids to feed. Just wanted to add that when you go to the Fresno office tomorrow, they might ask you to verify some personal information like your address or birth date for security purposes since your card was stolen. Also, if you're worried about the kids being hungry while you're waiting at the office, some people bring snacks - the wait can be unpredictable. Once you get your new card, the balance transfers immediately so you can use it right away. Hang in there - you're doing everything right by going in person instead of waiting for the mail!

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Thank you so much for the encouragement and the heads up about the verification questions! I didn't think about bringing snacks for the kids - that's actually a really good idea since I might be there for a while. It's such a relief to know the balance transfers immediately. I was worried I'd have to wait even longer to actually use the new card. Everyone in this thread has been so helpful - I feel much more prepared now for tomorrow morning!

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Just wanted to share another tip that helped me when I had to get my EBT card replaced in Fresno - if you have any kids with you, there's a small play area in the waiting room that can help keep them occupied during the wait. Also, they have water fountains and restrooms available, which is helpful if you're there for a while. I noticed you mentioned being stressed about feeding your kids this week - once you get your new card, Walmart and FoodMaxx both accept EBT and are open late if you need to shop after your DSS visit. The whole process really is much faster than waiting for mail delivery. You're being a great parent by taking quick action to solve this problem!

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This is such helpful information, thank you! I didn't know about the play area - that will definitely make things easier with the kids. And knowing about the late night shopping options at Walmart and FoodMaxx is perfect since I'll probably be getting out of the DSS office pretty late in the day. I really appreciate everyone taking the time to share their experiences and tips. It's made what felt like an impossible situation much more manageable. Going to set my alarm early and head there first thing tomorrow morning!

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Hey! I'm new to this community but I've been through this exact situation before in Fresno. One thing I didn't see mentioned is that you should definitely check that your old card is actually deactivated before leaving the office. They should give you a receipt or confirmation that the stolen card has been permanently disabled. Also, when you set up your new PIN, make sure you write it down somewhere safe separate from your wallet in case this happens again. The staff at the Fresno office is usually really good about walking you through the whole process. Hope everything goes smoothly for you tomorrow morning - having your wallet stolen with kids to feed is so stressful but you're handling it exactly right!

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Welcome to the community! That's a really important point about getting confirmation that the old card is deactivated - I hadn't thought about asking for that but it makes total sense for peace of mind. And writing down the PIN separately is such smart advice, especially after going through this stressful experience. It's reassuring to hear from someone else who's been through this same situation in Fresno. Thanks for sharing these practical tips - they'll definitely help me feel more prepared and organized when I go tomorrow!

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I'm so glad I found this thread! I'm actually dealing with a similar situation right now - my purse was stolen last night with my EBT card in it. Reading through everyone's advice has been incredibly helpful. I had no idea you could get a same-day replacement at the county office! I was panicking thinking I'd have to wait over a week for a new card to come in the mail. I'm planning to head to the Fresno office tomorrow morning too, and all these tips about arriving early, bringing ID, going to Building A and Window 3 - this is exactly what I needed to know. Thank you all for sharing your experiences. It's amazing how this community comes together to help each other navigate these stressful situations!

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I'm so sorry to hear your purse was stolen too! It's such a violation and so stressful, especially when you depend on your EBT benefits. But you're absolutely right - this community is amazing! I've learned so much from everyone's responses. Maybe we'll run into each other at the Fresno office tomorrow morning - I'll be the one there super early with my kids in tow! It's comforting to know we're not alone in dealing with these situations. Good luck tomorrow, and I hope you get your replacement card quickly and easily!

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I'm really sorry to hear about your wallet being stolen - what a nightmare situation, especially with kids to feed! I went through something similar about a year ago in Fresno. Just wanted to add a couple things that might help: when you go to the DSS office tomorrow, make sure you have backup childcare plans in case the wait is really long (sometimes it can be 3+ hours on busy days). Also, if you're taking the bus there, the Route 26 stops right in front of the complex, which is super convenient. One last tip - they close the EBT window at 4:30pm even though the office stays open later, so definitely get there early like everyone suggested. The morning wait is so much shorter than afternoon. You've got this, and your kids are lucky to have such a proactive parent! Hope everything goes smoothly tomorrow.

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Thank you so much for mentioning the Route 26 bus - that's perfect since my car is having issues right now! And I had no idea they close the EBT window at 4:30pm while the office stays open later. That's really important to know. I'm definitely planning to be there when they open at 8am. The backup childcare tip is smart too - I'll ask my neighbor if she can be on standby in case the wait gets too long for the kids. It's incredible how much practical advice everyone has shared here. This thread has turned what felt like a crisis into a manageable situation with a clear plan. Really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience!

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I'm new to this community but have been reading through all the advice here and it's incredible! I went through a similar situation about 8 months ago when my car was broken into and my purse stolen. Just wanted to add - if you're bringing kids with you tomorrow, the Fresno DSS office has a small snack vending machine near the waiting area that takes dollar bills (not just coins) which saved me when my toddler got cranky during our 2-hour wait. Also, they have free WiFi if you need to keep kids entertained with phones/tablets. The security guards there are really understanding about family situations too. One more thing - after you get your new card, test it at an ATM or store right away while you're still nearby, just to make sure everything is working properly. The staff can fix any issues immediately if you catch them early. Wishing you and your kids the best tomorrow - you're handling this situation amazingly well!

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Welcome to the community and thank you for all these practical tips! The vending machine info is so helpful - I definitely would not have thought to bring dollar bills for that. And testing the card right away is brilliant advice. I'm feeling so much more prepared now thanks to everyone's detailed experiences. It's amazing how this community pulls together to help each other through stressful situations like this. I'm planning to get to the office right when they open and hopefully will have good news to report back here later tomorrow!

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Just wanted to chime in as someone who's been in this exact situation! I had my EBT card stolen about 3 months ago in Fresno and went through the same panic about feeding my family. Everyone's advice here is spot on - definitely go in person to the DSS office rather than waiting for mail. One thing I'd add is to make sure you have your case number handy if you know it, though they can look you up with just your SSN like others mentioned. Also, when I went, they asked me to verify the last purchase I made on the card as an extra security measure, so try to remember what you bought most recently if possible. The whole process really was quick once I got called up - maybe 10 minutes total. The hardest part is just the waiting! You're doing all the right things by acting fast and getting good advice from this community. Your kids will be fed soon, mama! 💕

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This is such great advice! I hadn't thought about the security question regarding my last purchase - that's really smart to mention. I actually do remember my last transaction was at Target yesterday morning before my wallet got stolen, so I should be able to answer that. Having my case number ready is a good tip too, though it's reassuring to know they can look me up with just my SSN if needed. It means so much to have all these reassuring voices from people who've been through the exact same thing. Thank you for the encouragement - I really needed to hear that my kids will be fed soon! This community has been such a lifeline today. 💕

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I'm so sorry this happened to you! I just joined this community and reading through all these responses gives me so much hope in people helping each other. I had my EBT card stolen about 6 weeks ago in Fresno and can totally relate to that panic of needing to feed your family RIGHT NOW. Everyone's advice here is absolutely correct - go straight to the DSS office in person tomorrow morning! I got there around 7:45am and was done by 9:30am. The staff was really compassionate about my situation too. Just wanted to add one thing I learned - if you have any other government benefits (like WIC), make sure to ask if those cards need to be replaced too while you're there. I forgot about my WIC card and had to make a separate trip later. Also, once you get your new EBT card, consider keeping a photo of it (with the numbers covered) on your phone so you have the customer service number easily accessible if this ever happens again. You're being such a strong advocate for your kids - they're lucky to have you! Everything will work out tomorrow. 🙏

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Welcome to the community! Thank you for sharing your experience and for the tip about WIC cards - I completely wouldn't have thought about that but it's so important to take care of all benefit cards at once. The photo idea is really smart too for future reference. It's incredible how supportive everyone has been in this thread. Reading all these responses has completely changed my stress level from panic to feeling prepared and confident about tomorrow. I'm planning to get there by 7:30am and hopefully will be done quickly like you were. Really appreciate you taking the time to share your story and tips! 🙏

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I'm new to this community but wanted to share my recent experience that might help! I had to get an EBT card replacement at the Fresno DSS office just last month. Everything everyone has said is accurate - definitely go in person! One additional tip: if you're bringing your kids and worried about them getting restless, there are actually some coloring books and crayons available at the front desk that you can ask for. The staff keeps them specifically for families with children who have to wait. Also, I noticed they have a "fast track" option for certain emergency situations - when you check in, mention that your card was stolen and you have kids at home with no food. Sometimes they can expedite these cases. The morning really is the best time to go - I was there at 8:15am and out by 9:45am. You've got this! Your quick thinking to reach out to this community and plan to go in person shows you're handling this crisis exactly right.

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