Do EBT replacement cards keep the same PIN? Can't find PIN change option when calling

Yes, your replacement EBT card will have the same PIN as your original card. The PIN stays with your account, not the physical card. When you get a replacement, it just links to your same CalFresh account with the existing PIN. You don't need to set a new one unless you actually want to change it for security reasons.

the same thing happened to me last month!!! ur good the pin stays the same they dont tell u that anywhere tho lol

Are you SURE about this?? When I got my replacement card last year they made me create a new PIN by calling that number! But maybe they changed the system since then? I'm so confused because I swear I had to make a new one and the automated system definitely had that option when I called...maybe they changed everything in 2025??

my sister had this problem too, she had to press 4 then 3 then 2 on the phone menu to get to the pin change option i think, but yeah the old pin should work fine unless you specifically asked them to reset it when you reported the card lost

I work with CalFresh recipients regularly, and this is a common concern. Your PIN stays with your account, not the physical card. However, if you DO want to change your PIN for security reasons, call the EBT Customer Service number (it's on the back of your card) and follow these steps: 1. Call the number 2. Select option 2 for "Card Services" 3. Enter your 16-digit card number 4. Select option 3 for "Security Functions" 5. Then select option 1 for "Change PIN" The menu options sometimes change, so listen carefully. Also, I recommend always changing your PIN if you think someone else might know it or if your card was stolen (rather than just lost).

Not to hijack this thread, but I've been trying to reach someone at my county office about my CalFresh benefits for THREE DAYS and keep getting disconnected or waiting for hours. Has anyone else had this problem trying to reach a real person? It's driving me crazy and I need to report an income change before my SAR7 is due next week.

Quick question - does anyone know what happens if you DO forget your PIN? Is there a limit to how many attempts you get before they lock your card? I've been so paranoid about this happening to me!

btw make sure ur new card is activated! sometimes u gotta use it first at an atm or something before u can buy groceries with it. just letting u know!

Just wanted to add that you can also check your EBT card balance and recent transactions by calling the customer service number or using the ebtEDGE mobile app (if your state supports it). This way you can confirm your card is working and see that your $345 benefits are loaded before you go shopping. Also, if you're ever unsure about your PIN, you can always do a balance inquiry at an ATM first - it's less embarrassing than having it declined at the grocery store checkout! Good luck with your shopping tomorrow.

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago! Your old PIN will definitely work with the replacement card - the PIN is tied to your account, not the physical card itself. I was so worried about getting locked out too, but it worked perfectly on the first try. Just a heads up though - sometimes the card readers at stores can be a bit slow to recognize new cards on the first use, so don't panic if it takes an extra second or two to process. You should be all set for grocery shopping tomorrow! Also, since your benefits just loaded today, you might want to double-check your balance real quick before you shop just to make sure everything transferred over correctly to the new card.

I just wanted to add that if you're ever worried about your PIN in the future, you can also test it at any ATM that displays the Quest logo (which most do in California) by doing a balance inquiry - this won't risk locking your card since balance inquiries are considered "safe" transactions. I learned this trick from a CalFresh worker when I was nervous about my PIN after getting a replacement card. Also, keep your old card confirmation letter or any paperwork from when you first got CalFresh - sometimes it has helpful info about your account that can be useful if you ever need to call customer service. Hope your grocery shopping goes smoothly tomorrow!

I'm so glad I found this thread! I'm in a very similar situation - just received my replacement card yesterday after losing mine at the grocery store last weekend. I was panicking about whether I'd remember my PIN correctly since I haven't used it in a few days. Reading everyone's responses here has been incredibly helpful and reassuring. It's amazing how this kind of practical information isn't clearly explained anywhere official, but the community here really comes through with real-world experience. I feel much more confident about using my replacement card now. Thank you to everyone who shared their knowledge - this is exactly the kind of support that makes such a difference when you're dealing with these systems for the first time or in stressful situations!

I just wanted to add some additional reassurance here - I've been using CalFresh for about 2 years now and have had to get replacement cards twice (once for a lost card, once because my card got demagnetized). Both times, my PIN stayed exactly the same and worked perfectly on the first try. The system is designed to keep your PIN with your account to make things easier for recipients. One tip I learned from experience: if you're still nervous about your PIN when you go shopping tomorrow, try using it at a smaller store first rather than doing a big grocery haul - that way if there are any issues, you're not stuck with a cart full of items. Also, most cashiers are really understanding about EBT card issues, so don't stress too much about it. You've got this! Enjoy your grocery shopping with those fresh benefits.

I went through this exact same worry when I got my replacement card a few months ago! Your PIN definitely stays the same - it's tied to your CalFresh account, not the physical card. I was so anxious about it too, but it worked perfectly on the first try. Since you just got your benefits loaded today, you should be all set for shopping tomorrow. One thing I learned is that you can always call the EBT customer service line and do a quick balance check over the phone to confirm everything is working before you head to the store. That way you'll know for sure your card and PIN are good to go. Don't stress too much - the system is designed to make replacements as seamless as possible for people in your situation!

Just to add one more reassuring voice here - I've had to replace my CalFresh EBT card three times over the past year (I'm really bad about keeping track of it, embarrassingly), and every single time my PIN stayed exactly the same. The first time I was terrified just like you, but now I know the system keeps your PIN with your account automatically. You should be totally fine using your old PIN tomorrow! Also, since you mentioned your benefits just loaded today, that's perfect timing - your $345 should definitely be available on the new card. One small tip: when you use it for the first time tomorrow, the card reader might take just a second longer than usual to process, but that's totally normal for new cards. Don't panic if there's a brief pause! You're going to do great.

I'm new to CalFresh and this thread has been so helpful! I haven't had to deal with a replacement card yet, but reading everyone's experiences makes me feel much more prepared if it happens. It's really frustrating that this basic information isn't explained clearly in the official materials - like, why wouldn't they just tell you "your PIN stays the same unless you specifically request a reset" when they send the replacement card? Anyway, I'm bookmarking this thread for future reference. Thanks to everyone who shared their knowledge and experiences - this community is such a valuable resource for navigating the system!