EBT PIN locked out - urgent help needed for accessing CalFresh benefits this weekend!
HELP!! My EBT card is telling me my PIN isn't working and I think it's locked now. I tried 3 times at the grocery store (SO embarrassing with people waiting behind me) and then it just wouldn't let me try again. I have $537 in CalFresh benefits that I NEED to use for my kids this weekend. The customer service number just has a recording saying they're closed until Monday!!! What am I supposed to do? Can I reset the PIN online somewhere? Or do I have to wait until Monday to call? My kids need to eat and I can't afford to wait 2 more days. Has anyone dealt with this before? Any way to fix it without calling?
16 comments
Join the conversation
Arnav Bengali
Take a deep breath, this happens more often than you think! You have a couple options: 1. You can reset your PIN through the BenefitsCal portal if you have an account set up. Just log in, go to EBT Card Management, and there should be a PIN reset option. 2. If that doesn't work, try calling the main EBT customer service line (not your county office): 1-877-328-9677. They're actually open 24/7 for PIN resets, even on weekends! Don't stress too much - this won't affect your benefits amount, just your ability to access them temporarily.
0 coins
Scarlett Forster
•Thank you!!! I just tried the BenefitsCal site but couldn't find that option anywhere? Maybe I'm just panicking and missing it. I'll try the EBT customer service number right now - I didn't realize they had a separate line from the county office!
0 coins
Sayid Hassan
same thing happened to me last month lol. the cashier kept telling me to try again and i was SURE i was using the right pin. turns out my kid had been playing with my card and must have tried to use it somewhere!!! so annoying. anyway you def gotta call that ebt card number not the calfresh office. they can reset it right away
0 coins
Scarlett Forster
•Omg I didn't even think about that!! My 4-year-old was playing in my purse yesterday. That might be exactly what happened. Did they give you any trouble about resetting it over the phone?
0 coins
Rachel Tao
Just curious but when u say its locked what exactly happens when u try to use it? Does it say locked or just declined? Cuz sometimes the machines at certain stores don't work right with EBT and it has nothing to do with your pin.
0 coins
Scarlett Forster
•It said "incorrect PIN" the first two times, then the third time it just said "please see store manager" and wouldn't even let me try again. When I asked the cashier, she said it was probably locked for too many attempts. 😭
0 coins
Derek Olson
If you called the EBT customer service line (1-877-328-9677) already, they should have helped you reset your PIN. This line operates 24/7 specifically for card issues including PIN resets. However, if you're still having trouble getting through or the wait times are excessive, I've had success using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through faster. They have a service that can help you reach a live representative when the regular hold times are long. They have a video demo here: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 Also worth noting - if you absolutely can't get this resolved today, many food banks offer weekend emergency services. Call 211 to find locations near you that might be open Saturday.
0 coins
Scarlett Forster
•I finally got through to EBT customer service! You're right, they're available 24/7. The wait was about 25 minutes but they reset my PIN right away. Thank you all for the help! And thanks for the Claimyr tip - if this happens again and I can't get through, I'll definitely check that out. Huge relief to have this fixed before the weekend shopping.
0 coins
Danielle Mays
The whole EBT system is DESIGNED to be difficult! I swear they WANT us to get locked out and struggle. I've been on CalFresh for 3 years and had my PIN "mysteriously" reset TWICE with no notification. Then when you call, they treat you like you're trying to commit fraud or something. The whole system needs an overhaul!!
0 coins
Arnav Bengali
•I understand your frustration with the system! It definitely has its flaws. For what it's worth, the automatic PIN lockout after three attempts is actually a security feature to prevent unauthorized use if your card is stolen. But I agree they could improve the communication about what to do when this happens and make the reset process more user-friendly.
0 coins
Roger Romero
Happens to me ALL THE TIME. What I do now is keep my PIN written down but in a way nobody would recognize (like I add some fake numbers before and after). Also make sure you're not trying to use it as credit instead of debit - the machine option matters.
0 coins
Anna Kerber
•Writing down your PIN is actually not recommended for security reasons, even if you try to disguise it. If someone steals your purse or wallet, they might figure it out. Better to use a PIN that's meaningful to you but not obvious (like not your birth year).
0 coins
Sayid Hassan
btw while ur on the phone with ebt customer service ask them if ur balance is what u think it is sometimes the problems not the pin but that u already spent some and forgot not saying thats what happened but just double check
0 coins
Scarlett Forster
•Good point! I checked my balance on the app this morning and it showed $537, but I'll confirm when I call. I've definitely had moments where I forgot about a purchase I made earlier in the month 😅
0 coins
Anna Kerber
Not to get off topic but why do they always reset the CalFresh benefits on different days? Mine come on the 7th but my sister gets hers on the 14th. Makes no sense!
0 coins
Arnav Bengali
•CalFresh benefits are actually distributed over the first 10 days of each month based on the last digit of your case number. This helps prevent grocery stores from getting overwhelmed with all EBT customers shopping on the same day. Your sister's case number must end in a different digit than yours, which is why she gets benefits on a different day.
0 coins