How to activate new CalFresh EBT card? Mine's not working at grocery store

Yes, you definitely need to activate your new EBT card before using it! Call the number on the back of your card (it should be 1-877-328-9677 for California). You'll need to create a PIN during this call - make sure to pick something you'll remember but others can't easily guess. The activation should be immediate, so you can try using it again right after the call.

Same thing happened to me last month!! So frustrating right? You gotta call and set up a PIN first. The number is on the sticker on the card.

I think u need to call them and make a pin. but is this a replacement card or your first ever card? if replacement they might have kept your old pin active? not sure tho i always forget my pin lol

To activate your new CalFresh EBT card: 1. Call the EBT Customer Service number on the back of your card (1-877-328-9677) 2. You'll need your 16-digit EBT card number 3. You'll be asked to create a 4-digit PIN 4. You'll likely need to verify your identity with your date of birth or SSN Once activated, you can use it immediately. If you have trouble with the automated system, you might need to speak with a representative. Make sure your benefits have actually been loaded to the card too - sometimes there's a short delay between approval and when benefits are available.

when i got my card I had to call AND go online to make an account. the whole system is SO COMPLICATED for something that should be simple!!!! took me 3 days to get mine working last year. good luck!!!!

I had the same issue trying to reach someone about my card activation. Kept getting stuck in the automated system for HOURS. Finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to a real person in about 10 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8. Saved me a ton of frustration when my card wasn't activating properly and I needed to speak to someone directly.

Sounds like everyone already gave you the info you need, but just wanted to add that you should keep the paper that came with your card. Sometimes you need to reference info on there if you have to call about problems. Also don't forget the county uses SAR7 for reporting - you'll need to submit that form every 6 months to keep your benefits, and do full recertification at 12 months. They don't always remind you!

UPDATE: I called the number and got my card activated! It was pretty easy once I found the right number to call. Had to enter my card number, zip code, and date of birth. Then created a PIN and it was activated immediately. Went back to the store and successfully bought groceries! So relieved. Thanks everyone for your help!

That's wonderful news! So glad you got it sorted out and were able to get groceries for your family. For future reference, you can also check your balance by calling that same number or going to ebt.ca.gov - really helpful to know how much you have left before shopping. Welcome to the CalFresh program and don't hesitate to ask if you have any other questions!

Congrats on getting it activated! Just wanted to add for anyone else reading this thread - if you ever lose your card or it gets damaged, you can request a replacement through your local county office or sometimes online through your county's website. The replacement usually takes 7-10 business days to arrive, but they can sometimes expedite it if you explain it's an emergency situation. Also, if you're ever having trouble at a specific store, don't be afraid to ask to speak with a manager - sometimes newer cashiers aren't familiar with EBT procedures and a manager can help troubleshoot.

So glad to see this thread had a happy ending! @Dmitry Petrov, your experience is actually pretty common - a lot of people don't realize the EBT card needs activation before first use. The paperwork they send with new cards could definitely be clearer about this step! For anyone else reading this, another tip is to test your card with a small purchase first (like buying a single item) before doing a big grocery run. That way if there are any issues, you're not stuck at checkout with a cart full of groceries. Also, some stores have different procedures for EBT - at Walmart you usually need to select "EBT" as your payment method on the card reader, then swipe and enter your PIN. Welcome to the CalFresh community and don't hesitate to ask if you run into any other questions!

Just want to echo what everyone else has said - you're definitely not alone in this confusion! The EBT card activation process really should be more straightforward. I remember when I first got my card, I was so excited to finally be able to buy groceries that I rushed straight to the store without reading the fine print. Same result - declined at checkout with confused looks from everyone in line behind me. One thing I'd add is that after you activate your card, it's worth downloading the ebtEDGE mobile app if you have a smartphone. It's the official California EBT app and makes checking your balance super convenient. You can also see your transaction history which helps with budgeting. The app sometimes has issues, but when it works it's really handy. Also, don't feel bad about not knowing this step - the whole CalFresh system has a learning curve and even the county workers sometimes forget to mention important details like activation. You're doing great advocating for your family!

@Dmitry Petrov So happy to see your update that you got it working! This is exactly why I love this community - people really look out for each other here. Your story is going to help so many other families who get stuck at the same step. One more tip since you're new to CalFresh: if you ever have issues with your card being declined even when you know you have benefits, sometimes it's worth trying a different card reader or asking the cashier to manually enter your card number. I've had weird technical glitches at certain stores where the card reader just doesn't want to read the magnetic stripe properly. Also, keep in mind that EBT cards expire (usually every 3-4 years), and when they send you a replacement, you'll need to go through this same activation process again - but now you'll know exactly what to do! Welcome to the program and this community. Your kids are lucky to have such a dedicated parent fighting to make sure they're fed. 💙

This whole thread is such a perfect example of how confusing the EBT system can be for new recipients! @Dmitry Petrov, I'm so glad you got everything sorted out and were able to feed your family today. When I first got my CalFresh card about 8 months ago, I made the exact same mistake - went straight to Target without activating it first and felt so embarrassed when it got declined. The paperwork they send really doesn't make the activation step clear enough. For anyone else who might be reading this thread in the future, I'd also recommend saving the customer service number (1-877-328-9677) in your phone contacts right away. You'll probably need it again at some point - whether to check your balance, report a lost card, or get help with technical issues. And definitely keep your PIN somewhere safe but memorable. I wrote mine down and hid it in my wallet just in case I forget it during a stressful shopping trip. This community has been such a lifesaver for navigating all the little details that nobody tells you about CalFresh. Welcome to the program, and don't hesitate to ask if you run into any other questions down the road!

What a wonderful thread to read through! @Dmitry Petrov, I'm so relieved you got your card activated and were able to get groceries for your family today. As someone who's been using CalFresh for about a year now, I remember that exact feeling of panic when my card was first declined - it's such a helpless feeling when you have hungry kids waiting at home. This community really is amazing - seeing everyone jump in with helpful advice and personal experiences shows what a supportive space this is. For other newcomers who might find this thread later, I'd add one small tip: when you call to activate your card, make sure you're in a quiet place where you can hear clearly. The automated system can sometimes be hard to understand, and you don't want to accidentally enter the wrong information and have to start over. Also, once you get comfortable with using your card, don't forget that you can use CalFresh benefits at many farmers markets too! They often have matching programs that can stretch your food budget even further. Welcome to the program, Dmitry - you're doing great advocating for your family! 🌟

This whole thread has been such an incredible learning experience! As a brand new member of this community, I'm honestly blown away by how supportive and knowledgeable everyone is here. @Dmitry Petrov, I'm so glad you got your card working and were able to feed your family today - that must have been such a relief after waiting so long for approval. I'm actually in a similar situation - just got approved for CalFresh last week and I'm still waiting for my card to arrive in the mail. Reading through everyone's experiences and tips here has already saved me from making the same activation mistake you did. I never would have known to call that number first before trying to use the card at the store! The tip about testing with a small purchase first is genius, and I'm definitely going to download that ebtEDGE app and save the customer service number in my contacts right away. It's amazing how many little details like the farmers market programs and the SAR7 reporting requirements you all have shared that aren't mentioned anywhere in the official paperwork. Thank you to this entire community for creating such a welcoming space where people can ask questions without judgment and get real, practical advice from people who've been through it. As someone new to navigating these systems, having this kind of support makes all the difference! 💙

This thread is exactly what makes me love this community! @Dmitry Petrov, I'm so happy you got your card activated and were able to get groceries for your kids today. That feeling of relief must have been incredible after all that waiting and stress. As someone who's been on CalFresh for about 2 years now, I remember my own activation confusion - I actually called the wrong number at first (some random customer service line I found online) and wasted an hour before realizing my mistake! The real number is definitely the one everyone mentioned: 1-877-328-9677. One thing I'd add for future reference is that if you ever move, make sure to update your address with both your county office AND the EBT customer service line. I learned this the hard way when my replacement card got sent to my old address and I had to wait another week for a new one. Also, don't be surprised if some cashiers seem unfamiliar with EBT procedures - I've found that explaining "it's like a debit card" usually helps them understand the process better. Welcome to the program and to this amazing community! 🙌

Reading through this entire thread as a new community member has been so educational! @Dmitry Petrov, I'm thrilled you got your card activated and could feed your family today - what a relief that must have been after such a long wait for approval. I just wanted to add one more tip for anyone else who might find this thread: if you're ever at a store and your EBT card isn't working, don't be afraid to step aside and call that customer service number (1-877-328-9677) right from the store. I've had to do this a couple times when there were technical issues, and the representatives can often troubleshoot the problem immediately or at least tell you if there's a system-wide outage. Most stores are understanding about EBT technical difficulties. This community is absolutely amazing - seeing everyone share their experiences and practical tips shows what a supportive space this is for people navigating CalFresh. As someone still learning the ropes myself, threads like this are incredibly valuable. Welcome to the program, Dmitry, and don't hesitate to ask if you run into any other questions! 💙