How to check EBT card balance? Multiple ways for CalFresh recipients?

Congrats on getting approved! There are actually several ways to check your balance: 1. Call the number on the back of your EBT card (it's usually 877-328-9677 for California) 2. Check online at www.ebt.ca.gov or create an account on the Connect EBT mobile app 3. Look at your last receipt if you've already used the card 4. Check at an ATM (some show balance for free, others charge) The easiest is probably the app or website. Just need your card number, DOB, and zip code to register.

the app is good but crashes alot when i use it. best way is just call the # on back card. takes like 30 secs

The EBT app is called "Connect EBT" (not the older "Fresh EBT" app which doesn't work as well). It shows your current balance, transaction history for the last 3 months, and when your next deposit will be loaded. You can also use it to find stores that accept EBT and even farmers markets that give you double value with Market Match program. One thing to know - your benefits are deposited on the same day each month based on the last digit of your case number: - Case ends in 1: Benefits available on 1st - Case ends in 2: Benefits on 2nd - And so on up to 0 which is the 10th So check what your case number ends with and that's your monthly deposit day.

when i got my card I jsut went to the grocery store and had them check it for me lol. the cashier just swipped it and told me my balance without buying anything.

If you're having trouble with the app or phone system, you can also try calling your county CalFresh office directly to check your balance. I had issues with the automated system and finally got through to a real person who helped me. I used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through quickly - they have this service that calls the county office for you and then connects you when a real person answers. Saved me hours of hold time! They have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 Just another option if you're stuck.

One important thing to remember: If you're on CalFresh, your EBT card has a separate account for food benefits vs. any cash benefits you might have (like CalWORKs). When checking your balance, make sure you're looking at the correct account. Food benefits can only be used for eligible food items, while cash benefits can be used for other expenses or withdrawn as cash.

Does ANYONE know why they make this SO COMPLICATED??? I've had CalFresh for 3 years and the system is a nightmare. The phone system hangs up on you half the time, the app crashes, and then they expect you to report every tiny change in income but won't answer when YOU need something. The whole system is designed to make people give up. Sorry for the rant, but I'm on hold with them right now for the THIRD time today because my balance disappeared even though it's my deposit day!

also u can text ur zip code to 74544 and it shows u places near u that take ebt. saved me once when i was out of town lol

Welcome to CalFresh! Don't worry, we've all been there with the learning curve. Just wanted to add that you should also keep your EBT card safe and treat it like a debit card - never share your PIN with anyone. If your card gets lost or stolen, call the customer service number immediately to report it and get a replacement. Also, a helpful tip: when you do start using your card at stores, the receipt will show your remaining balance after each transaction, so you can keep track that way too. And don't be embarrassed about using it - CalFresh is there to help people get nutritious food, and you earned this assistance!

Just wanted to add one more option that hasn't been mentioned - you can also check your balance at most ATMs without being charged a fee (as long as you don't withdraw cash). Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and most credit union ATMs will show your EBT balance for free when you insert your card and select "balance inquiry." This can be really handy if you're already at the bank or if the app/phone system is down. Plus ATMs are available 24/7 unlike calling the county office. Just make sure to select the correct account type (SNAP/Food) when prompted!

One more tip that might help - if you're ever worried about your card not working or want to test it before doing a big grocery run, you can do a small test transaction first. Buy something cheap like a banana or an apple for under a dollar, and that will tell you if your card is working properly and also show your balance on the receipt. I learned this the hard way when I went to do a big shopping trip and my card was deactivated because I hadn't used it in a while (they deactivate cards after several months of no activity). Now I always do a small test purchase if it's been a few weeks since I last used it. Better to find out with a 50 cent item than when you have a cart full of groceries!

One thing that really helped me when I first got my EBT card was downloading the Connect EBT app AND writing down the customer service number from the back of my card in my phone contacts. That way I always have a backup if one method isn't working. Also, don't stress about figuring everything out at once! I made so many mistakes my first month - like trying to buy soap with my food benefits (doesn't work) and forgetting my PIN at the store. You'll get the hang of it quickly once you start using it regularly. The most important thing is that you got approved and now have access to help with groceries. That's a huge win! Pro tip: Take a photo of both sides of your card with your phone (but make sure to cover/blur the numbers for security). That way if you ever lose it, you'll still have the customer service number to call for a replacement.

Hey there! Welcome to the CalFresh community! I just wanted to chime in with one more helpful resource that hasn't been mentioned yet. If you're looking for a comprehensive guide on using your EBT card, the California Department of Social Services has a really good PDF guide called "How to Use Your EBT Card" that walks you through everything step by step. You can find it on their website at cdss.ca.gov under the CalFresh section. It covers all the basics like checking balances, what you can and can't buy, how to protect your card, and even has pictures showing you what the screens look like when you're checking out at stores. I found it super helpful when I first started because it answered a lot of those "stupid questions" I was too embarrassed to ask anyone. Plus having it saved on my phone meant I could reference it while I was actually at the grocery store learning the ropes. Don't worry - you'll be a pro at this in no time! The hardest part (getting approved) is already behind you.

Just wanted to add another quick tip that's saved me a lot of hassle - if you're planning to shop at multiple stores in one trip, check your balance before you leave home rather than trying to keep track in your head. I used to try to do mental math while shopping ("okay I spent $15 at the first store, so I have $X left for the second store") but inevitably I'd get confused or forget about tax. Now I just check the app or call the number before I head out, write down my balance on a piece of paper or in my phone notes, and then I can shop with confidence knowing exactly how much I have to work with. Simple but it's made grocery shopping so much less stressful! Also, if you end up loving the Connect EBT app like most people do, you can set it up to send you notifications when your monthly benefits are deposited. Really handy so you don't have to remember your deposit date every month.

Welcome to CalFresh! This thread has so much great info already. One thing I'd add that really helped me as a newcomer - don't be afraid to ask the cashier for help your first few times using the card. Most grocery store employees are used to helping people with EBT and can walk you through the process if you let them know it's your first time. Also, just a heads up that some items that seem like they should be covered aren't (like energy drinks, prepared hot foods, or anything with supplements added). When I first started I got confused about what was eligible, but you'll learn quickly. The good news is if you accidentally try to buy something that's not covered, the register will just remove it from your EBT total and you can pay for it separately with cash/card if you want. One last tip - keep your receipts! Not just for budgeting, but because they show your remaining balance and transaction details. Super helpful for tracking your spending throughout the month.

Hey! Welcome to CalFresh! I just wanted to add something that helped me a ton when I was starting out - if you have a smartphone, you can actually add your EBT card to your phone's wallet app (like Apple Wallet or Google Pay) for contactless payments at many stores now. It's super convenient and means you don't have to worry about forgetting your physical card at home. Also, I noticed someone mentioned the Market Match program earlier - definitely look into that! Many farmers markets will match your EBT spending dollar-for-dollar up to a certain amount, so if you spend $10 in EBT benefits on fresh fruits and veggies, you get an additional $10 in Market Match tokens. It's an amazing way to stretch your benefits and get really fresh, local produce. One more thing - don't stress if you don't spend all your benefits in one month. They roll over to the next month, so there's no "use it or lose it" pressure. Just plan your shopping based on what you actually need rather than feeling like you have to spend everything right away.