Do I need to activate my new EBT card for CalFresh benefits? Confused about first-time setup

Yes u definitely need to activate it! I made that mistake last year and was standing at the checkout with a cart full of groceries 🤦‍♀️ There should be a sticker on the card with the activation number. Call that number and you'll need to set up a PIN. Your benefits should already be loaded once you activate.

Absolutely, you need to activate your EBT card before using it. You'll need to call the number on the back of your card (usually 1-877-328-9677 for California). When you call, you'll need to provide your card number, ZIP code, date of birth, and set up a 4-digit PIN. This PIN is what you'll use when making purchases, so choose something you can remember but isn't easy for others to guess. Regarding your benefits, they should be loaded automatically once your case is approved. The day your benefits get deposited each month depends on the last digit of your case number. You can check your balance after activation by calling the same number or using the BenefitsCal mobile app. Make sure to keep your PIN private and never share it with anyone who isn't authorized on your case.

Yeah u gotta activate it b4 it works. Call the # on back. Takes like 2 min. When I got mine I had the same question! The weird thing is that sometimes your card comes BEFORE benefits are loaded so even after activating u might need to wait till your benefit date. FYI u can check ur balance by texting too - way easier than calling that number every time.

I see others have answered about activation, but I wanted to add that you should also create an account on BenefitsCal.com if you haven't already. It's the online portal for managing your CalFresh benefits in California. Through this site, you can: - Check your benefit balance - See when your next benefits will be deposited - Update your contact information - Complete your SAR7 (Semi-Annual Report) online - Upload verification documents - Submit your annual recertification It's much easier than trying to get through to the county office by phone for routine matters. If you do need to speak with someone at your county office directly and experience long wait times, you might want to try a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com). They have a system that holds your place in line and calls you back when a representative is available. They have a demo video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8

DONT LOSE THE PIN YOU SET UP!!! I did this and its a NIGHTMARE to reset it!!! Had to go all the way to the county office in person with my ID and everything cause the phone system wouldn't let me reset it. They don't tell you this in the instructions but WRITE DOWN YOUR PIN somewhere safe!!!

congrats on getting approved!! took me 3 tries lol. yeah just call the number and follow prompts. super easy. also tip: i set my pin to match my debit card pin so i dont get confused when shopping

Am I the only one who didn't have to activate mine?? I swear I just got it in the mail last year and used it right away. But maybe my worker did something different or I'm misremembering. Either way definitely try to use it after calling the number just to be safe.

btw once u activate, download the ebt fresh app too! it shows u which farmers markets accept ebt AND which ones do the market match program where they DOUBLE your benefits for fruits & vegetables!

Welcome to the CalFresh community! Yes, you absolutely need to activate your EBT card before using it. Here's what you need to do: 1. Call the customer service number on the back of your card (usually 1-877-328-9677) 2. Have your card number, ZIP code, and date of birth ready 3. Follow the prompts to set up a 4-digit PIN that you'll use for purchases Your benefits should already be loaded on the card once it's activated - they get deposited automatically based on your case approval. You can check your balance by calling the same number after activation. One helpful tip: write down your PIN somewhere safe! If you forget it, resetting can be a hassle. Also, consider downloading the ebt fresh app that someone mentioned - it's great for finding farmers markets that accept EBT and offer matching programs. Don't worry about looking confused at the store - we've all been there! The cashiers are usually helpful if you need assistance with your first EBT purchase. Good luck with your shopping!