EBT card not arriving after 5 business days - urgent CalFresh benefits access help

Sorry you're dealing with this! You have a few options: 1. Go directly to your county office in person and request an emergency/over-the-counter EBT card. Many counties can print one while you wait. 2. Ask for an emergency food box while you're there. Most offices have emergency food supplies for situations like yours. 3. If your benefits have already been issued, they'll be on the card whenever you get it (they don't expire for a year), so you won't lose any benefits. Don't wait any longer though - with three kids, this is definitely an urgent situation they should address immediately.

this happened to me too and i found out someone in my building stole it from the mail!!! make sure u check ur mailbox every day. i had to call like 20 times to get a replacement

In addition to what others have suggested, you can also call the EBT Customer Service line specifically at 1-877-328-9677 to report a card not received and request a replacement. Sometimes this is faster than going through the county. Bring your ID, case number (if you have it), and approval letter to the county office if you go in person. Some counties require you to speak to your assigned worker to get an emergency card, others will help you at the front desk, so be prepared for either scenario. If you're really in a dire situation with the children, also ask about expedited services - they should prioritize your case.

I WENT THROUGH THE SAME THING LAST MONTH!!! The system is SO BROKEN!!! I called for TWO WEEKS and nobody would help me. Finally I had to take the bus to the office and wait 3 HOURS just to get my card. They kept saying it was mailed but it NEVER showed up. When I finally got a supervisor they admitted they never even sent it out!!! Don't believe them when they say they mailed it - GO IN PERSON and DEMAND to see a supervisor!!!!

Try Claimyr.com - it really helped me get through to a CalFresh worker without waiting forever on hold. They'll actually call and wait in the phone queue for you, then call you when they reach a real person. Saved me hours of frustration when I had issues with my EBT card. They have a demo video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8

dont forget u can ask them to expedite the replacement card cuz u have kids!! thats what i did and i got mine in like 2 days instead of waiting another week

Just wanted to add - if you do go to the office, try to arrive early (at least 30 minutes before they open). Many counties prioritize the first people in line, and replacement EBT cards are considered urgent services. Also, while you're there, make sure they verify your address is correct in the system. Many delayed cards happen because of small errors in the address. And since you're new to CalFresh, ask them to explain how to use the card, when benefits are deposited (usually based on the last digit of your case number), and how to check your balance. Lastly, make sure you understand when your SAR7 (Semi-Annual Report) will be due - missing that deadline can cause benefit interruptions in the future.

Did you ever resolve this? Please update us on what worked! Others will likely have the same problem in the future.

So glad to hear you got it sorted out! This is exactly why I always tell people to go in person when possible - they can fix address errors and print cards immediately instead of waiting weeks for mail delivery. Thanks for updating us with the resolution, it'll definitely help other parents in similar situations know that the emergency card option really works!