EBT PIN reset issue - can't find the option to change my PIN on the phone system

did u try pressing 0? sometimes that gets u to a real person instead of the automated stuff. or maybe the websites better? ive had my card 4ever so cant remember how i set up my pin lol

Thanks for responding! I tried pressing 0 and it just kept repeating the same menu options :( Haven't tried the website yet - didn't know I could do it there!

When you call the EBT customer service number, you need to select option 2 (not option 1 for balance). THEN you'll get the PIN change prompt! I had exactly the same issue last month and spent an hour getting nowhere because I kept selecting option 1 first which takes you to a completely different menu that doesn't include PIN services. Also, make sure you have your card number ready because you'll need to enter that before it lets you change the PIN.

Yes!! this is the right answer. the menu options are super confusing. I thought i was losing my mind when i tried changing my pin last year lol

OMG THANK YOU!!! That worked perfectly. I feel so silly now but they really could make these prompts clearer. My kids will be so happy we can finally use our benefits for dinner tonight. THANK YOU!

Just to add some additional info that might help others: There are actually 3 ways to change your EBT PIN in California:\n\n1. Phone: Call 877-328-9677 and select option 2 (like the previous poster mentioned)\n\n2. Online: Log into your account at www.ebt.ca.gov and look for the PIN change option under \

Thats not entirely accurate. I went to the county office last month and they told me they dont handle PIN changes there anymore since 2023. They just give you the same phone number to call. Such a waste of my time and bus fare!!!!

i had this EXACT problem and wasted 3 days trying to figure it out!!! the whole calfresh system is designed to be as confusing as possible i swear!! like why cant they just have a button that says

If anyone is still struggling to get through on the EBT line, I've had luck using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to connect with CalFresh workers. They have this service that calls and waits on hold for you then calls you when a real person answers. Saved me HOURS of hold time last month when I was dealing with a similar PIN issue plus some verification problems. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8

why dont they tell ppl this stuff when they mail the card?? makes no sense

I know right? There was a pamphlet with the card but it just had general info about using EBT, nothing specific about PIN changes or the exact menu options.

One important thing to remember is that when you do get through to change your PIN, choose something you'll remember but that isn't obvious (like not your birth year or 1234). If someone gets hold of your card, they could drain all your benefits if the PIN is too easy to guess. Also, if you ever forget your PIN again in the future, you'll follow the same process - option 2 on the customer service line. Hope this helps!

Thank you for this advice! I definitely picked something more secure this time. My last PIN was my old address number which probably wasn't the smartest choice. Really appreciate everyone's help!

idk if anyone else has this issue but the automated system ALWAYS cuts me off mid-call at least twice before i can finish anything with my calfresh stuff. so frustrating they cant fix this in 2025 lol

omg yes it hangs up on me all the time!!!! thought it was just my phone

Also, just a heads up - if you recently reported your card lost/stolen and got a replacement, sometimes there's a 24-hour waiting period before you can set up the PIN on the new card. The system doesn't tell you this, but it's in the fine print somewhere. If option 2 doesn't work right away, try again tomorrow.

That's good to know! Luckily it worked for me right away, but that could definitely cause confusion for others.

Just wanted to say this thread is SO helpful! I'm bookmarking it because I know I'll probably forget which option to press next time I need to change my PIN. It's crazy how many people struggle with this same issue - you'd think the state would make the phone menu more user-friendly by now. Really glad Oliver got his PIN sorted out and his family can eat tonight! 🙏

Welcome to the community @Yuki Tanaka! You're absolutely right - this should definitely be easier to find. I've been on CalFresh for about 6 months now and I STILL sometimes forget which option to press when I need to do anything with my card. The fact that we all have to help each other figure out basic stuff like PIN changes shows how confusing the system really is. At least you'll be prepared when your card comes! And honestly, don't feel bad about asking questions here - everyone's super helpful and we've all been in the same boat at some point. Good luck with your application process! 🍀

This whole thread is exactly why I love this community! @Oliver Zimmermann I'm so relieved you got your PIN sorted out and your kids could finally eat - that must have been so stressful! 😅 It's honestly mind-boggling that something as basic as changing your EBT PIN requires community detective work to figure out. Like, why is "option 2" some kind of secret code?? The state really needs to overhaul these phone menus because clearly TONS of people are getting stuck on the same confusing system. I've been helping my elderly neighbor with her CalFresh stuff and I'm definitely saving this thread for future reference. Huge thanks to @Natasha Volkova for sharing the actual solution and to everyone else who added helpful tips! This is exactly the kind of real-world help that makes such a difference. 💙

Wow, this entire thread is like a masterclass in community support! 👏 As someone who just joined this group and is still figuring out the CalFresh system, I'm honestly blown away by how everyone jumped in to help @Oliver Zimmermann solve what should have been a straightforward process. The fact that "select option 2" is apparently the magic secret that nobody tells you upfront is just... wow. 🤦‍♀️ I'm definitely bookmarking this thread because I have a feeling I'm going to need these tips when I get my card. It's both frustrating and amazing - frustrating that the system is so confusing that we need to crowdsource basic instructions, but amazing that this community exists to help each other out. @Natasha Volkova you're a lifesaver for sharing that solution, and @Emma Davis thanks for the additional methods! Really hope the state eventually makes these phone menus more intuitive, but until then, I'm so grateful communities like this exist to fill in the gaps. Welcome @Yuki Tanaka and @NebulaNinja - looks like we picked a great community to join! 🌟

Just joining this conversation as a new community member - this thread is absolutely incredible! 🙌 I'm still waiting for my CalFresh application to be processed, but reading through everyone's experiences here has been so educational. The fact that @Oliver Zimmermann had to go through such a runaround just to change his PIN is honestly shocking - having hungry kids and $678 in benefits you can't access must have been incredibly stressful! 😰 Huge kudos to @Natasha Volkova for cracking the "option 2" code and to everyone else who chimed in with additional tips and methods. It's honestly ridiculous that we have to crowdsource basic instructions that should come with the card, but I'm so grateful this community exists to help each other navigate these confusing systems. I'm definitely screenshotting this whole thread for when my card arrives! The phone system hanging up on people (@Javier Torres @CosmicCommander), the 24-hour waiting periods (@Natasha Volkova mentioned), the county offices not handling PINs anymore (@Malik Johnson) - it's like they designed this system to be as frustrating as possible. But seeing how everyone came together to solve this gives me so much hope about joining this community. Thanks for making newcomers feel welcome and for sharing your hard-earned knowledge! 💙

This thread is such a perfect example of why community support matters! 🌟 As someone brand new to both CalFresh and this group, I'm honestly amazed by how everyone rallied around @Oliver Zimmermann to solve what should be a simple task. The "option 2" mystery is completely mind-boggling - like seriously, who thought it was a good idea to hide PIN services under the second menu option without any clear labeling?! 🤯 @Natasha Volkova you're an absolute hero for figuring out and sharing that solution! And @Emma Davis thank you for listing all the different methods - having multiple options is so helpful. It's honestly wild that we need community detective work just to change an EBT PIN, but I'm so grateful places like this exist where people actually look out for each other. I'm definitely saving this entire thread because I know I'll need these exact steps when my card arrives. The fact that @Oliver Zimmermann had hungry kids and nearly $700 in benefits he couldn't access because of confusing phone menus is exactly the kind of bureaucratic nightmare that makes my blood boil. But seeing how quickly this community came together to help gives me so much hope! Welcome to all the other newcomers jumping into this conversation - looks like we found the right place to get real, practical help when we need it most! 💙

Just wanted to jump in as a newcomer to say THANK YOU to everyone who shared their experiences here! 🙏 I literally just joined this community after struggling with my own EBT issues and stumbled across this thread - what a goldmine of information! @Oliver Zimmermann I can't imagine how stressful that must have been with hungry kids and benefits you couldn't access. And @Natasha Volkova you are absolutely amazing for sharing that "option 2" solution! I'm honestly shocked that something as basic as changing your PIN requires detective work to figure out. The fact that so many people in this thread had the EXACT same problem shows how badly designed that phone system is. Why isn't there just a clear "PIN Services" option?? 🤦‍♀️ Anyway, I'm definitely bookmarking this whole conversation because I have a feeling I'll need these tips in the future. It's both frustrating that we have to crowdsource basic instructions AND amazing that this community exists to help each other navigate these confusing systems. Really glad I found you all - looking forward to learning more and hopefully being able to help others too! 💙

Wow, just discovered this community and this thread is exactly what I needed! 🙌 I'm brand new to CalFresh and was actually dreading dealing with the EBT system based on horror stories I'd heard, but seeing how everyone came together to help @Oliver Zimmermann figure out the PIN issue gives me so much hope! That "option 2" secret is absolutely wild - like why would they bury such an essential function in a confusing menu?? @Natasha Volkova you're a lifesaver for sharing that solution, and @Emma Davis thanks for listing all the different methods! I'm definitely saving this entire thread because I know I'll need these exact steps soon. It's honestly ridiculous that we have to crowdsource basic instructions that should come with the card, but I'm so grateful this community exists to help each other navigate these bureaucratic mazes. The fact that @Oliver Zimmermann had hungry kids and nearly $700 in benefits he couldn't access because of poor phone menu design is exactly the kind of systemic problem that makes my blood boil. But seeing how quickly everyone rallied with solutions and support really restores my faith in people looking out for each other! Welcome to all the other newcomers in this thread - looks like we found the right place to get real help when we need it most! 💙

Just joined this community and wow, what an incredible thread! 🤗 As someone who's completely new to CalFresh (still waiting for my application to be approved), reading through everyone's experiences here has been both eye-opening and reassuring. @Oliver Zimmermann I can't even imagine the stress of having hungry kids and $678 in benefits you can't access because of a confusing phone menu - that must have been absolutely awful! 😰 @Natasha Volkova you are seriously a hero for cracking that "option 2" code! The fact that PIN services are hidden under such a vague menu option is just baffling. Like, why not just have a clear "PIN Management" choice?? And @Emma Davis thank you for listing all the different methods - having multiple options is so helpful for people who might struggle with one approach. I'm definitely bookmarking this entire conversation because I know I'll need these exact instructions when my card arrives. It's honestly wild that we have to become phone system detectives just to perform basic account functions, but I'm so grateful communities like this exist where people actually look out for each other! The way everyone jumped in with solutions, personal experiences, and encouragement really shows what makes this place special. Looking forward to learning more and hopefully being able to help others once I've got some experience under my belt! 💙