How to activate new EBT card for CalFresh? Need help with PIN setup

Welcome to CalFresh! To activate the new EBT card, call the number on the back of the card - it should be 1-877-328-9677 for California. When you call, you'll need the card number, your daughter's date of birth, and her zip code to verify identity. Then you'll create a 4-digit PIN. Once activated, you can use it immediately at any store that accepts EBT. The funds should already be loaded on the card, but you can also check your balance when you call to activate. Hope this helps!

The other ppl r right u gotta call # on back. But make sure ur daughter remembers the PIN!! My son forgot his and we had to call again and wait like 20 min to reset it. Also some stores u gotta push EBT button before entering pin. Others u push credit/debit first. Kinda confusing at first lol

I think I'm having a similar issue with my card but it's a replacement one. Called the number THREE TIMES and it keeps saying "system unavailable" ugh!! Did your daughter's card come with instructions? Mine was just the card in an envelope, nothing else. So frustrating when you need to buy food and can't access your benefits!!

make sure u are careful with the pin!! if u enter it wrong 4 times the card will lock and u have to call to reset it. happened to me last month and couldnt buy food that day

Everyone has given you good advice about calling the number on the back of the card. I just wanted to add that you should also create an account on BenefitsCal.com if you haven't already. You can check your balance there anytime and see when your next benefits will be deposited. For a family of 2, $430 sounds about right for a full month's CalFresh benefits in 2025. The system usually loads benefits on the same day each month, based on the last digit of your case number (1st through 10th of the month).

When I got my CalFresh EBT card last month it came with instructions that said to call the number on the back. But I actually had to take mine to the county office because there was a problem with my identity verification or something. But that's probably just because my situation was complicated with my name change. Your daughter's should work fine with just a phone call.

One more thing nobody mentioned - once your daughters EBT card is active you can also use the CalFresh app to check the balance and see where you can use it! The app is called "ebtEDGE" and it even shows farmers markets that double your CalFresh dollars. My kids love going to the farmers market with me and picking out fruits since we get twice as much there!

Just wanted to share another helpful tip for new CalFresh users - if you're ever unsure about what you can buy with your EBT card, look for the "SNAP Eligible" signs in stores or ask at customer service. Generally you can buy most food items (fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, bread, etc.) but not hot prepared foods, alcohol, or non-food items like soap or paper towels. Also, if you shop at places like Target or Walmart, make sure to separate your EBT-eligible items from other purchases at checkout. The cashier can split the transaction so you pay for food with EBT and other items with cash/card. Welcome to the program and don't hesitate to ask questions - we've all been there!

Great advice from everyone here! I just wanted to add that if you're nervous about using the EBT card for the first time, you can always do a small test transaction first - maybe just buy a loaf of bread or some milk to make sure everything works before doing your big grocery shopping trip. That way if there are any issues, you're not holding up a long line with a full cart. Also, most cashiers are really understanding and helpful if you let them know it's your first time using EBT. They can walk you through the process step by step. You've got this!

Is it necessary to activate a Replacement card.? I've called but the system acknowledges both cards.

Is it necessary to activate a replacement EBT card? I've tried numerous ways I can think of? The system acknowledges both cards.

Just wanted to add that if you're still having trouble with the activation process, you can also visit your local county office in person. Sometimes they can activate the card right there or help troubleshoot any issues. Also, a heads up - some stores have a daily limit on how much you can spend with EBT (usually around $300-500), so if you're planning to do a big shopping trip with your $430 in benefits, you might want to split it across a couple of days or ask the store about their limits. The customer service folks at most grocery stores are pretty helpful about explaining how their EBT system works too. Good luck with your first shopping trip!

Welcome to the CalFresh community! I see you already got your card activated - that's awesome! Just wanted to add a few more tips that helped me when I was new to the program. First, if you ever lose your card or it gets damaged, you can request a replacement online through your BenefitsCal account or by calling your county office. Second, keep your receipt after shopping - it shows your remaining balance which is super helpful for budgeting. And finally, don't feel embarrassed about using EBT! It's a program designed to help families access nutritious food, and you have every right to use it. Most people in line won't even notice what payment method you're using. Hope you and your daughter have a great first shopping experience!

Hi StarStrider! I'm so glad you got your daughter's EBT card activated successfully! As someone who's been using CalFresh for about a year now, I wanted to share a couple of additional tips that might be helpful. First, if you're shopping at a store with self-checkout, don't be afraid to ask for help from an employee - the EBT process can be a bit different at self-checkout machines and they're usually very helpful. Second, I've found it really useful to make a shopping list and estimate costs beforehand, especially since you're working with a set monthly amount. And lastly, many stores have weekly sales flyers that can help you stretch your benefits further - I always check those before planning my shopping trips. Welcome to the program and I hope you and your daughter have many successful shopping trips ahead!

Congratulations on getting your daughter's card activated! I've been using CalFresh for about 6 months now and wanted to share something that really helped me - download the store apps for places like Safeway, Vons, or Ralph's if you shop there. They often have digital coupons that stack with your EBT benefits, which can help you get even more groceries for your family. Also, many stores have special EBT discounts on fresh produce - at my local grocery store, they have a program where you get 50% off fresh fruits and vegetables when you use EBT. It might be worth asking customer service about any special programs they have for EBT users. You're doing great advocating for your family and there's absolutely nothing to be embarrassed about!

Hey StarStrider! I'm so happy to see you got your daughter's card activated and are feeling more confident about using it! As a newcomer to this community myself, I just wanted to say how amazing it is to see everyone being so supportive and helpful. I recently started using CalFresh too and was similarly nervous about my first shopping trip. One thing that really helped me was going during less busy times (like mid-morning on weekdays) when there are shorter lines and less pressure. Also, I've found that having my PIN written down on a small piece of paper tucked in my wallet was a lifesaver the first few times until I memorized it. The cashiers really are understanding - most have seen EBT cards countless times and it's totally routine for them. You're going to do great on your first shopping trip, and your daughter is lucky to have such a caring parent making sure she has access to nutritious food! Welcome to both CalFresh and this wonderful community!

Hi StarStrider! Welcome to CalFresh and this community! I can see from reading through the thread that you successfully got your daughter's card activated - that's wonderful! As someone who's been on the program for about two years now, I wanted to add a couple more tips that might be helpful. First, if you're planning to shop at multiple stores, each store might have slightly different EBT procedures at checkout, so don't worry if the process feels a bit different from place to place. Second, I've found it really helpful to keep a running list on my phone of EBT-eligible vs non-eligible items since it can be confusing at first (like you can buy cold deli items but not hot rotisserie chicken). Also, many food banks and pantries can supplement your CalFresh benefits if you ever need extra help during the month. The California Association of Food Banks website has a great locator tool. You're doing such a great job taking care of your family, and I hope your first shopping experience goes smoothly! This community is always here if you have more questions down the road.

Hi StarStrider! I just wanted to chime in as another community member who's been through the same experience. It looks like you got everything sorted out with activating your daughter's card, which is awesome! I remember feeling the exact same anxiety when I first got my EBT card - worried about holding up lines, not knowing how the process worked, etc. But honestly, after the first couple of times using it, it becomes second nature. One small tip I'd add is that if you're ever unsure about whether something is EBT-eligible while you're shopping, most grocery store apps (like the Kroger or Safeway apps) will actually show "SNAP eligible" right on the product page when you search for items. Super helpful for planning ahead! Also, don't hesitate to let the cashier know it's your first time - they're usually really patient and helpful. You're doing great taking care of your daughter, and this program is here to help families like yours access good nutrition. Welcome to both CalFresh and this supportive community!

Hi StarStrider! I'm so glad you were able to get your daughter's EBT card activated successfully! As a newer member of this community myself, I just wanted to add one more tip that helped me when I started using CalFresh - if you're shopping with your daughter and teaching her about using EBT, it can be a great opportunity to involve her in learning about nutrition and budgeting. My kids actually enjoy helping me compare prices and find the best deals, and they've learned so much about making healthy food choices within our budget. Also, many stores have "family-friendly" checkout lanes that tend to be a bit more patient and understanding if you need extra time during your transaction. Don't forget that you're not just getting food assistance - you're ensuring your daughter has access to proper nutrition, which is so important for her health and development. You should feel proud that you're taking advantage of a program designed to help families thrive. Welcome to both CalFresh and this amazing supportive community!

Hi StarStrider! I'm so happy to see how well everything worked out with activating your daughter's EBT card! As someone relatively new to this community, I've been reading through all the amazing advice everyone has shared and I'm just blown away by how supportive and knowledgeable everyone is here. I wanted to add one quick tip that helped me when I first started using CalFresh - if you're ever at a store and the EBT system goes down (it happens occasionally), don't panic! Most stores can process your transaction manually or hold your groceries until the system comes back online. Also, I've found that some smaller grocery stores and ethnic markets often have really great prices on fresh produce and staples, and they're usually very familiar with EBT since many of their customers use it. Don't be afraid to explore different shopping options in your area! You're doing such a wonderful job taking care of your family, and it's clear your daughter is lucky to have such a caring and resourceful parent. Welcome to this incredible community - everyone here is always ready to help and share their experiences!