How to change EBT PIN for CalFresh? Lost card and need urgent access

same thing happen to me last month!! so annoying right? u dont need to go in person, just call the EBT customer service number not the county office. its usually printed on back of card. but ya the wait times can be crazy

omg this system is literally DESIGNED to make us fail!!!! i had same issue and called TWELVE times before someone picked up. they make it impossible on purpose so people give up on benefits they deserve. the county workers are all sitting there laughing while we cant feed our kids!!!

You don't need to visit the office in person to change your EBT PIN. Here's what you need to do: 1. Call the EBT Customer Service number (1-877-328-9677) 2. When the automated system answers, select the option for "PIN change" 3. You'll need your 16-digit EBT card number, date of birth, and the last 4 digits of your SSN to verify your identity 4. Then you can select a new PIN If you can't get through by phone, you can also change your PIN online through the cardholder portal at www.ebt.ca.gov. You'll need to create an account first if you don't already have one. The best times to call are usually early morning (right when they open) or later in the evening before they close. Mid-day tends to have the longest wait times.

I had similar issues with the EBT customer service line... endless waiting and disconnects. I discovered a service called Claimyr that helped me get through to a real person without the wait. I just went to claimyr.com and they had the system call me back when it was my turn instead of waiting on hold. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 It worked for me when I needed to get my PIN reset after my card was stolen. Might be worth checking out if you keep getting disconnected.

When my mom had this issue, she went to the ATM and it let her create a new pin right there! Have you tried just going to an ATM and seeing if it prompts you to create a new PIN? Sometimes the simplest solution works. Anyway, she did this at a Bank of America ATM, but I think any ATM that accepts EBT cards might work.

To clarify some of the advice here: 1. Yes, you can change your PIN by calling the EBT Customer Service line (1-877-328-9677) 2. Yes, you can also change it online at www.ebt.ca.gov (fastest option usually) 3. No, ATMs do NOT let you reset forgotten PINs for EBT cards - you can only change your PIN at an ATM if you already know your current PIN If you keep getting disconnected when calling, try entering your card number immediately when the automated system answers. Sometimes this bypasses the initial menu and gets you to a representative faster. Also, make sure you're calling during their business hours (24/7 for the EBT line). If all else fails, you can visit any county office and they can help reset it, but as you mentioned, that's difficult with your work schedule.

btw did u know u can use ur EBT card at farmers markets?? i just found this out last weekend and they give u extra $$ to spend there. like if u spend $10 they give u $20 in fruits and veggies. its called market match i think

UPDATE: I got it fixed! I ended up using the website (www.ebt.ca.gov) like a few of you suggested. Had to create an account first but it was pretty easy. Once I logged in, there was an option to change/reset PIN. My new card works fine now. Thanks everyone for your help! Special thanks to those who gave me the website option - saved me hours of frustration!

So glad you got this resolved! For anyone else who runs into this issue, I'd also recommend writing down your PIN in a secure place at home once you create it. I learned this the hard way when my 3-year-old "helped" me at the grocery store checkout and somehow changed my PIN by pressing random buttons. Kids and EBT cards don't mix! 😅 The online portal really is a lifesaver - way better than sitting on hold for hours.

I just want to add that if you're having trouble with the phone system, another tip is to try calling right when they open (usually around 7 AM) or during lunch hours when fewer people are calling. I've had better luck getting through during those times. Also, if you have an Android phone, you can use the Google Assistant to "wait on hold" for you - it will notify you when a human picks up so you don't have to sit there listening to hold music for an hour. Really helped me when I had to deal with EBT customer service last month!

Just wanted to chime in as someone who works with CalFresh clients - the online portal at www.ebt.ca.gov really is the best option for PIN resets. It's available 24/7 and usually processes instantly. For those worried about security, the site uses bank-level encryption and you'll need your full card number, DOB, and SSN to verify identity. If you're still having trouble with the phone line, try pressing "0" repeatedly during the automated menu - sometimes it bypasses the system and connects you directly to a representative. Also, keep your confirmation number from any PIN changes in case you need to reference it later!

This thread has been so helpful! As someone who's new to CalFresh, I was dreading having to deal with PIN issues if they ever came up. Reading through all these solutions and tips gives me confidence that there are actually multiple ways to handle it. I'm definitely bookmarking the www.ebt.ca.gov website and writing down all these phone tricks (the Google Assistant hold feature sounds incredible!). It's also really reassuring to see how supportive this community is - everyone jumping in to help with practical advice. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and solutions!

This is such a comprehensive thread! I'm bookmarking this entire conversation. I had a similar PIN issue a few months ago and ended up making three trips to the county office because I didn't know about the online portal option. Wish I had found this community sooner! For anyone else reading this, I'd also suggest taking a screenshot of the confirmation page after you reset your PIN online - it serves as proof that you completed the process in case there are any issues later. The system really can be frustrating, but seeing all these workarounds and tips from everyone makes it feel much more manageable.

I'm so grateful for all the detailed information everyone has shared here! As someone who's been on CalFresh for about 6 months, I've definitely had my share of struggles with the system. What I love about this thread is how it shows there are actually multiple solutions to the same problem - the online portal, phone tips, timing strategies, and even tech tricks like the Google Assistant hold feature. One thing I'd add is that if you're ever in a real emergency situation where you need food immediately and can't access your benefits, many food banks don't require any paperwork or verification - they're there to help when people are in crisis. Obviously getting your EBT working is the priority, but it's good to know there are backup resources available. Also, for parents dealing with kids who "help" with technology - I started using a phone case with a little wallet attachment to keep my EBT card separate from other cards. It's helped me avoid mix-ups at checkout and keeps little hands from grabbing the wrong card! This community continues to amaze me with how supportive and knowledgeable everyone is. Thanks for making these government systems feel less overwhelming!

This entire thread is incredibly helpful and shows just how supportive this community is! I've been receiving CalFresh benefits for about a year now and I had no idea about half of these solutions. The online portal at www.ebt.ca.gov sounds like a total game-changer - I've always dreaded having to call customer service lines because of the endless hold times. I especially appreciate all the phone tips people shared, like calling during lunch hours or pressing "0" repeatedly to bypass the automated system. And that Google Assistant hold feature sounds amazing! I'm definitely going to try that next time I need to call any government agency. One small tip I'd add: if you're using the online portal, make sure you're on a secure internet connection (not public WiFi) when entering your personal information. I learned this the hard way with other government websites. Thanks to everyone who contributed to making this such a comprehensive resource. @Amina Toure I'm so glad you got your issue resolved and that your question helped so many of us learn about all these options!

As someone who's been helping folks with EBT issues for a while, I just wanted to add a few more resources that might be helpful for anyone still struggling with PIN resets or other EBT problems: 1. If you're deaf or hard of hearing, the EBT customer service line has a TTY option at 1-800-735-2929 2. Many local libraries offer free computer access if you don't have internet at home to use the online portal 3. Some county offices have "EBT kiosks" where you can check your balance and reset PINs without waiting in line to speak to a caseworker Also, I noticed someone mentioned Claimyr earlier - while third-party services can be tempting when you're frustrated, I'd recommend sticking with the official channels (phone line or website) since they don't require sharing your personal information with outside companies. This thread really shows how much we can help each other navigate these systems! The collective knowledge here is amazing, and I'm sure this conversation will help many more people who search for EBT PIN help in the future.