Confused about EBT 4.0 cards - will my current CalFresh benefits transfer automatically?
Just got notified that I'll be receiving the new EBT 4.0 card in the mail within the next few days. I currently have about $340 in CalFresh benefits on my old card that I've been saving up. I'm confused about what happens to my benefits when I switch cards. Will all my current balance transfer to the new card automatically? Or will I only get my next month's benefits on the new card? The notice wasn't clear, and I'm worried about losing access to my current benefits. Has anyone already received their new 4.0 card and gone through this process? Really don't want to lose those benefits I've been saving!
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Yuki Tanaka
When I got my new card last month, ALL my remaining balance transferred over automatically. They do this behind the scenes - your benefits are tied to your case/account, not the physical card. Just make sure you activate the new card as soon as you get it! The old one will stop working.
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Ethan Davis
•Oh thank goodness! I was so worried. How long did it take for your benefits to show up on the new card after activation? Was it immediate or did you have to wait?
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Carmen Ortiz
Your benefits will automatically transfer to the new card. The EBT 4.0 cards are part of a system update, but your benefits remain attached to your CalFresh account, not the physical card itself. Just remember to activate your new card as soon as you receive it by calling the number on the sticker. There's no need to do anything else - the system will handle the transfer. Your old card will be deactivated once you activate the new one, so don't wait too long to switch over.
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MidnightRider
•is there a grace period??? what if im out of town when the card arrives??!!
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Carmen Ortiz
•Yes, there is a transition period. Your old card won't immediately stop working when the new one is issued - only when you activate the new card. If you're going to be away, just make sure someone can secure your mail or hold it at the post office until you return. The important thing is not to lose the new card since replacement can take 7-10 business days.
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Andre Laurent
mine didnt transfer right i had like $200 on my old card and it took 3 days to show up on the new 1... had to buy groceries with my last $50 cash while waiting super annoying
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Zoe Papadopoulos
•That's unusual - the transfer should be nearly immediate upon activation. Did you call the EBT customer service line? Sometimes there are technical glitches during card transitions that they can fix on their end. For future reference, if anyone experiences delays in benefits showing up on a new card, don't wait - call the EBT customer service number on the back of your card right away so they can investigate.
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Jamal Washington
The EBT 4.0 cards are supposed to be more secure and have better fraud protection. When I got mine, I followed the activation instructions EXACTLY as written and my balance transferred immediately. Just make sure you keep your old card until you've successfully activated the new one and verified your balance transferred. Also - don't throw the old card in the trash without cutting it up! Even though it's deactivated, it still has your info on the magnetic strip.
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Ethan Davis
•Thanks for the info about the security features. That's good to know! I'll definitely cut up my old card once everything transfers successfully. Do you know if the PIN stays the same or do I need to create a new one?
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Jamal Washington
•Your PIN should stay the same by default, but you'll have the option to change it during activation if you want to. I kept mine the same to avoid confusion.
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Mei Wong
If you run into ANY issues with the transfer not happening or benefits not showing up, don't waste time trying the regular EBT customer service line. I've had much better luck using Claimyr to connect directly with my county CalFresh worker. I used it when my card was lost last year and got through in 5 minutes instead of being on hold for hours. Check out their video demo at https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 or go to claimyr.com - saved me so much stress when I was dealing with card issues!
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Ethan Davis
•I've never heard of Claimyr before. Does it actually work for getting through to county workers? The regular line is always such a nightmare with the automated system.
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Mei Wong
•Yeah it does! They basically wait on hold for you and call you back when they get a real person. Way better than sitting on hold for 2+ hours hoping someone picks up. Especially good for urgent issues like missing benefits or card problems.
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Zoe Papadopoulos
To clarify some confusion I'm seeing in other comments: The CalFresh EBT 4.0 rollout is happening county by county throughout 2025. Your benefits are tied to your case number in the system, not to the physical card. The transfer process should be immediate upon activation, but in some counties, there have been reports of delays up to 24 hours due to system synchronization issues. If your balance hasn't transferred within 24 hours of activation, contact your county CalFresh office directly. Also, make sure all authorized household members know about the card change if they use the benefits too.
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MidnightRider
•do we HAVE to switch cards?? my mom is older and gets confused with new cards and stuff :
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Zoe Papadopoulos
•Yes, eventually everyone will need to switch to the new cards as the old system is being phased out. For elderly or disabled individuals who need assistance, you can contact your county CalFresh office and request accommodation or assistance with the transition. Some counties offer in-person help for vulnerable populations during these kinds of system changes.
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MidnightRider
will the new card look different?? i always get my ebt card mixed up with my debit card lol
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Yuki Tanaka
•YES! The new ones have a different design - they're blue and white with a different pattern. Much easier to tell apart from regular debit cards. They also have a little chip in them now like credit cards do.
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Jamal Washington
Quick tip from someone who just went through this: Take a screenshot of your current balance before activating the new card! That way if there's any discrepancy you have proof of what was supposed to transfer. I did this and everything went smoothly, but better safe than sorry with something as important as food benefits.
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Ethan Davis
•That's a really smart idea! I'll definitely do that. Thanks for the suggestion!
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Andre Laurent
the whole system is so frustrating why cant they just leave things alone my benefits got delayed last time they did a "system upgrade" and i couldnt feed my kids for 3 days
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Carmen Ortiz
•I'm sorry you had that experience. System upgrades can definitely cause temporary issues, but the 4.0 cards are being implemented to reduce fraud and protect everyone's benefits long-term. If you experience any delays this time, request expedited assistance and mention that you have children with no food. Counties are required to address emergency food needs within 24 hours.
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