Do CalFresh benefits transfer when moving to a new county? Got new EBT card but worried about old balance

When I moved counties last year my benefits didnt transfer automatically. You have to call the EBT customer service line (not the county office) and request they transfer the balance. The number should be on the back of your card. Have both card numbers ready when you call. Took about 3 days for mine to show up on the new card after I called.

Thanks so much! I'll try calling the EBT customer service line instead. Do you remember if they asked for any verification or was it pretty straightforward with just the card numbers?

This is a common issue when moving between counties. Two important things to know:\n\n1. Your benefits won't automatically transfer. You need to specifically request this.\n\n2. You have two options:\n - Call the EBT customer service number on the back of your card (fastest)\n - Visit your new county office in person (can take longer)\n\nMake sure to have both your old and new EBT card numbers, your case numbers from both counties, and your ID ready. They'll need to verify your identity. The transfer typically takes 3-5 business days to process once requested.\n\nAlso, just to clarify - you did properly close your Sacramento case and open a new one in San Diego, correct? That's a separate but related process that needs to happen when you move counties.

Yes, I did close the Sacramento case and open the new one in San Diego! That part went smoothly. I was just confused about the benefits transfer. I'll definitely call the EBT customer service line first thing tomorrow. Really appreciate the detailed info!

Just adding to what others said - make sure you use up any benefits on your old card that are more than 9 months old first! When they transfer the balance, they transfer the newest benefits first, and any benefits that are approaching the 12-month expiration might be at risk if you wait too long. The customer service rep should be able to tell you if any of your benefits are nearing expiration.

WAIT WHAT??? Benefits EXPIRE??? I've had my card for 2 years and never knew this!!! Does this mean I've been losing benefits without knowing it?? omg

Yes, CalFresh benefits expire after 12 months of being on your card (from the date they were added). The EBT system automatically uses your oldest benefits first when you make purchases to help prevent this, but if you don't use your card for long periods, they can expire. You can call the EBT customer service line to check if you have any benefits nearing expiration.

im in a similar situation and tried calling the ebt line but got nowhere. was on hold 4ever then got hung up on TWICE. so frustrating!!!

Try using Claimyr - it's a service that holds your place in the phone queue and calls you back when a rep is available. Saved me hours of hold time when I needed to resolve an EBT issue last month. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8. Way better than waiting on hold all day only to get disconnected!

omg thx! im gonna try that tomorrow cuz i seriously cant spend another hour on hold

I moved from Riverside to LA County last year and had to deal with this. In my experience, they never properly transferred my old benefits despite multiple calls and promises that it would be done. I ended up having to drive back to my old county and empty out my old card by buying a bunch of groceries there. The whole system is a mess when you move counties. I'd suggest using up your old card benefits ASAP if possible rather than risking them getting lost in the transfer process.

That's really concerning! I'm definitely going to call tomorrow but maybe I should drive back to Sacramento this weekend just to be safe and use the card. It's a long drive but better than losing $340 in benefits. Did you ever get a clear explanation of why the transfer didn't work?

Nope, never got a straight answer. One person said the transfer was

The same thing happened to my cousin and he said he just kept using both cards until the old one was empty. I don't think you HAVE to transfer the balance. As long as you have physical possession of both cards you should be fine using either one.

This is partially correct but comes with a big caution: You can continue using both cards as long as both cases remain open. However, when you properly close a case in one county and open in another (which is required when permanently moving), eventually the old card will be deactivated. This typically happens within 30-60 days of case closure, but timing varies by county. So while you can use both temporarily, don't count on the old card working indefinitely.

Update us on what happens! I'm curious if the process has improved since last year when I went through it.

Will do! I'm calling first thing in the morning and I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks for all the help everyone!

Just went through this exact situation 3 months ago when I moved from Fresno to Orange County! Here's what worked for me: Call the EBT customer service line early in the morning (around 8 AM) - way shorter wait times. Have your SSN, both case numbers, and both card numbers ready. They'll verify your identity and can do the transfer right on the call. Mine took exactly 2 business days to show up on the new card. One tip nobody mentioned - ask them to email you a confirmation number for the transfer request. That way if something goes wrong you have proof you requested it. Also, keep using your old card for small purchases until you see the balance transfer, just to make sure it's still active. The rep told me some people's old cards get deactivated faster than others depending on how quickly the counties communicate with each other. Good luck! The process is way less scary than it seems once you get the right person on the phone.

Another option if the phone system keeps failing you - try going to your new county office first thing when they open. I know it's not ideal, but sometimes in-person requests get processed faster than phone requests. When I moved from Ventura to San Bernardino County, the phone transfer kept getting "lost in the system" but when I showed up in person with both cards and my paperwork, they were able to submit the transfer request directly and I got a receipt with a reference number. It took about 4 days to process but at least I had documentation that the request was made. Bring your ID, both EBT cards, and any case documentation you have from both counties. The workers there deal with this situation regularly so they know exactly what forms to fill out.

I work at a county eligibility office and see this situation all the time. Here's the official process: When you move counties and close/open cases, the EBT balance does NOT automatically transfer. You have three options: 1. Call EBT customer service (1-877-328-9677) - they can transfer balances between cards tied to the same SSN 2. Visit your new county office with both cards and request a manual transfer 3. Continue using your old card until the balance is depleted (but the old card WILL eventually be deactivated when the system updates, usually 30-90 days after case closure) Pro tip: If you go the phone route, call right at 7 AM when the lines open - much shorter wait times. Always ask for a confirmation/reference number for any transfer request. For anyone reading this - this is also why we always recommend using up old benefits before moving counties if you know a move is coming. The inter-county system coordination isn't perfect and sometimes transfers get stuck in processing limbo. @StarStrider definitely try the early morning call first, but don't hesitate to go in person if the phone system fails you. County workers deal with this daily and know exactly how to process these requests.