How long to receive replacement EBT card for CalFresh benefits? Worried about delays

The standard timeframe for a replacement EBT card in California is 7-10 business days through regular mail. Unfortunately, they don't offer expedited shipping through the regular replacement process. Some counties do offer emergency card pickup at local offices, but it varies by county. You should call your Sacramento County office specifically to ask if they have an emergency pickup option - not all workers will offer this unless you specifically ask.

mine took 6 days to come in the mail last time but that was before the holidays so mail was probably faster. sucks that u cant use ur benefits meanwhile tho

Sacramento County does have emergency card issuance at their main office on 28th Street, but you need to schedule an appointment first. Call their customer service line at 916-874-3100 and specifically ask for an emergency EBT card appointment due to hardship. Make sure to explain that you have benefits you need to access for essential food. Bring ID with you when you go. Also, just for future reference, you can request a replacement card through the BenefitsCal portal online or through the ConnectEBT mobile app too, not just by phone.

I went through this exact thing back in January. The customer service line kept telling me 7-10 days but I was panicking because my kids needed food. I ended up calling the Sacramento County office directly but kept getting voicemail and no callbacks.

PSA: If u do get emergency card at county office BE CAREFUL cause it's a temporary card that expires!!! My friend got 1 & didnt realize she needed to still wait for permanent card in mail. Temp card stopped working after like 20 days and she was so confused

My son lost his card 3 times last year (ugh teenagers!!) and it always took EXACTLY 7 business days. Not 6, not 8... always 7. So annoying how they can't rush it when people are literally unable to buy FOOD. The system is so broken!!!

I just wanted to follow up - were you able to get an emergency card from the county office? The process should be: 1. Call the Sacramento County office (916-874-3100) 2. Explain your situation and request emergency card issuance 3. Bring government-issued photo ID to your appointment 4. They will verify your identity and benefits status 5. You should receive a temporary card you can use immediately Let us know if this worked for you!

So glad you were able to get the temporary card! That's such a relief when you're dealing with food insecurity. For anyone else reading this thread who might face this situation in the future, it's worth noting that some food banks and pantries in Sacramento County can also help bridge the gap while you're waiting for your replacement EBT card. The Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services has several locations and doesn't require documentation - just show up during their distribution hours. It's not ideal having to rely on charity when your benefits are sitting there inaccessible, but it can help ensure you and your family don't go hungry during that waiting period.

Just wanted to add another resource for anyone in this situation - if you're in Sacramento County and can't make it to the main office on 28th Street, some of the smaller district offices can also issue emergency EBT cards. The North Highlands office and the South Sacramento office both offer this service, though you still need to call ahead for an appointment. Sometimes these smaller offices have shorter wait times than the main location. Also, if you're a senior (60+) or disabled, you may qualify for priority processing which can speed things up. Always mention any special circumstances when you call!

Great thread everyone! As someone who works in social services, I wanted to add that if you ever find yourself in this situation again, you can also check if your county participates in the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP). Sacramento County does participate, which means if you're elderly, disabled, or homeless, you can use your EBT benefits at participating restaurants even with a temporary card. Places like Subway, KFC, and some local restaurants accept EBT for hot prepared meals. It's not a complete solution since restaurant food is more expensive than groceries, but it can help in a pinch while you're waiting for your permanent card. You can find a list of participating restaurants on the CDSS website or by calling 211.

This whole thread has been so helpful! I'm actually dealing with a similar situation right now - my EBT card got damaged in the wash (oops) and I submitted a replacement request online through the BenefitsCal portal yesterday. Reading everyone's experiences gives me hope that I'll have my new card within a week. I had no idea about all these backup options like the Restaurant Meals Program and emergency cards at county offices. It's kind of sad that we have to crowdsource this information instead of getting it directly from the system, but I'm grateful for communities like this where people share real experiences and practical solutions. Bookmarking this thread for future reference!

This has been such an informative thread! I'm new to CalFresh and honestly had no idea about any of these backup options if something happens to your EBT card. The fact that there are emergency cards available at county offices, the Restaurant Meals Program for eligible folks, and even food banks as a bridge option - none of this was explained when I first got approved for benefits. It's really eye-opening to see how much people have to figure out on their own. I'm definitely saving all this info just in case, and it's so great to see the community come together to help each other navigate these challenges. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and practical tips!

This thread is incredibly helpful! As someone who works at a Sacramento area grocery store, I see customers struggle with this exact situation pretty regularly. One thing I'd add is that if you're really desperate for groceries while waiting for your replacement card, some stores will let you set up a "layaway" type arrangement where they'll hold essential items (milk, bread, etc.) for a day or two if you explain your EBT situation. It's not official policy anywhere, but I've seen managers make exceptions for families with kids. Also, many of our regular customers don't realize that you can check your EBT balance and transaction history through the ConnectEBT app even without your physical card - at least you can see that your benefits are still there and safe while you wait for the replacement!

As someone who's been on CalFresh for a few years now, I wanted to share a few additional tips that might help others in this situation. First, if you're waiting for a replacement card and have kids, definitely contact your local school district - many have weekend food backpack programs or can connect you with emergency food resources. Second, don't forget that WIC offices (if you qualify) often have emergency food vouchers available even if you're primarily on CalFresh. Lastly, I've found that calling the EBT customer service line early in the morning (like right when they open at 6 AM) gets you through much faster than calling during peak hours. The wait times are brutal in the afternoon! Hope everyone gets their cards quickly - it's such a stressful situation when you can't access your benefits.