How to track pending CalFresh deposits on my EBT card?

U can call the EBT customer service # on back of ur card. they have automated system that tells u benefit amount and when it posts. Just need ur card # and PIN.

No way to see pending deposits. Benefits load at midnight on your assigned day based on your case number. Check your approval letter - should have a date on there when your benefits will be available each month. If you don't have the letter anymore, you'll just have to keep checking your card balance until they show up.

The system doesn't show pending deposits, unfortunately. CalFresh benefits are loaded onto EBT cards based on the last digit of your case number. Benefits are distributed between the 1st and 10th of each month. For example, if your case number ends in 7, your benefits should load on the 7th of each month. For your initial benefits, though, it can take up to 3 business days after approval as your worker mentioned. You can check your balance by: 1. Calling the number on the back of your EBT card 2. Using the BenefitsCal mobile app 3. Logging into www.ebt.ca.gov 4. Checking your balance at an ATM or store that accepts EBT If it's been more than 3 business days since approval, you should contact your county office.

when i was waiting for my first deposit i was freaking out too!! no one tells you this stuff!!! took almost a WEEK for mine to show up even tho they said 3 days. the county workers have NO IDEA how the actual payment system works 🙄 keep calling that ebt number twice a day, morning and night, thats what i did until it finally showed up

I had this exact issue last year. Super annoying because you're approved but can't access the money! If you're desperate, try using Claimyr.com to get through to a real person at the county office. I was on hold for HOURS before I found that service. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8. The worker can check exactly when your benefits will deposit and sometimes even expedite it if you explain your situation.

Check what type of approval you got. If it was emergency CalFresh (expedited service), benefits should be available within 3 calendar days of application. If it was regular CalFresh, they have up to 30 days to issue benefits. Did you receive your initial payment plus ongoing monthly benefits, or just ongoing? Sometimes they're loaded separately. Also, check if you have a BenefitsCal account. Sometimes you can see more detailed information there compared to the basic EBT balance system. If you're still struggling after a few more days, you could try contacting a local food bank while you wait - many can help with emergency food.

Here's what's probably happening: your case is approved in the computer system but the benefit hasn't been processed through the EBT system yet. These are actually two separate systems that don't always sync immediately. Your caseworker marked you as approved but someone else (or an automated process) has to run the batch processing to load funds to EBT cards. If you were approved last week and still don't have benefits, you should definitely contact your county office. Mention specifically that you'd like them to check if your EBT benefit has been issued yet. Sometimes there's a processing error they need to manually fix. It shouldn't take this long after approval.

my friend had this problem and she went in person to the calfresh office and they fixed it right there. sometimes u gotta show up in person to get anything done 🤷‍♀️

Just to follow up: did your benefits ever show up? For anyone else reading this thread in the future, here's what California policy says: For non-expedited cases, benefits must be available no later than 30 calendar days from the date of application. For expedited service cases, benefits must be available no later than the 3rd calendar day after application. Initial benefits are prorated from the application date. New EBT cards typically arrive within 7 business days of approval. Once the card is activated, you should be able to access any benefits that have been issued to your case. If it's been longer than the timeframes above, definitely escalate by contacting your county office or filing for a state hearing if necessary.

For future reference, you can also sign up for text alerts through some counties that will notify you when your benefits are loaded! I set this up after my first month of confusion. Also, if you're ever in a real emergency situation before your benefits load, many counties have emergency food assistance programs that can help bridge the gap. The local 211 helpline (dial 2-1-1) can connect you with food banks and other emergency resources in your area. Glad everything worked out for you!

I work at a local food pantry and see this situation all the time! While you're waiting for your benefits to load, don't forget that many grocery stores will let you check your EBT balance at the register without making a purchase - just swipe your card and select "balance inquiry." This can be faster than calling the hotline during busy times. Also, some stores like Walmart and Target have EBT balance checking built into their apps if you link your card. Once your benefits do load, remember that your monthly deposit date will always be the same (the 3rd in your case), so you can plan your grocery shopping around that schedule!

Just wanted to add another tip for anyone still waiting for their first CalFresh deposit - if you're really struggling with food while waiting, many churches and community centers offer free meals even if you're not a member. I found out about this when I was in a similar situation last year. You can usually find local meal programs by searching "[your city] free meals" or calling 211 like others mentioned. Also, some areas have "blessing boxes" or little free pantries in neighborhoods that are available 24/7. It's not a long-term solution but can help bridge those few days while you're waiting for benefits to load. The whole system definitely needs better communication about timing!

I just went through this same process a few months ago and the waiting period is honestly the worst part! One thing that helped me was downloading the ebtEDGE mobile app (it's the official California EBT app). Sometimes it shows balance updates faster than calling the phone line, and you can set up account alerts. Also, if you're really stuck and need food now, check if your county has emergency food vouchers - some can issue temporary assistance while you wait for your EBT to load. When I called and explained I had no food while waiting for my approved benefits, they connected me with emergency services that gave me a voucher for a local food bank. It's worth asking about! The whole system is so confusing for new recipients but you'll get the hang of it once your monthly schedule is established.

This whole thread is so helpful! I'm going through the same thing right now - got approved 4 days ago and still no benefits on my card. Reading everyone's experiences makes me feel less crazy for being worried about it. I had no idea about the case number distribution schedule or that there were two different systems involved. Going to try that ebtEDGE app and the balance check at grocery stores while I wait. It's honestly ridiculous that they don't explain any of this stuff when you get approved - like they just hand you a card and say "good luck figuring it out!" Thanks everyone for sharing your tips and experiences, this community is a lifesaver! 🙏

One thing that really helped me when I was in your situation was checking multiple sources for my balance throughout the day. I'd check the EBT hotline in the morning, then use the ebtEDGE app around lunch, and sometimes do a balance inquiry at the grocery store in the evening. I found that sometimes one method would show the updated balance before the others did - not sure why, but it happened a few times. Also, if you're in a county that uses BenefitsCal, make sure your contact info is updated there because they sometimes send email notifications when benefits are issued (though not all counties do this). The waiting period is definitely the most stressful part, but once you get into the rhythm of knowing your monthly deposit date, it becomes much more predictable. Hang in there!

Hey everyone! I just wanted to share something that helped me during my waiting period - if you have a smartphone, you can actually use the GPS feature to find nearby locations that accept EBT and also offer balance checking. I used an app called "SNAP Store Locator" which shows you authorized retailers in your area. This was super helpful because I could check my balance at different stores throughout the day without having to make multiple phone calls or use data to access apps. Also, many pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens accept EBT and have those little card readers where you can quickly check your balance. I found this especially useful during evening hours when I didn't want to bother calling the hotline. The waiting period really is anxiety-inducing, but having multiple easy ways to check helped me feel more in control of the situation. Hope this helps someone else going through the same thing!

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Got approved 5 days ago and still checking my balance obsessively every few hours. Reading through all these responses has been so reassuring - I had no idea about the case number distribution schedule or that there were separate approval and EBT systems. My case number ends in 8 so I guess I need to wait until the 8th? The anxiety is real when you're running low on food and don't know when relief is coming. Definitely going to try that ebtEDGE app and the balance checking at stores. It's wild how much detective work we have to do just to understand when our approved benefits will actually be accessible! Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and tips - this thread is more informative than anything I got from my caseworker 🙏

I'm reading through everyone's experiences and it's both reassuring and frustrating to see how common this issue is! I'm currently waiting for my first deposit too (approved 6 days ago) and the lack of clear communication from the county is really stressful when you need food NOW. One thing I discovered that might help others - some Safeway and Albertsons locations have self-service kiosks where you can check your EBT balance without going through a cashier, which I found less awkward than asking at the register. Also, I called my county's main number and asked to speak with an EBT specialist specifically (not just any caseworker) and they were able to tell me that my benefits were "in queue for processing" even though they couldn't give me an exact time. At least that confirmed something was actually happening behind the scenes! It's crazy that we all have to become experts at navigating this system, but this thread has been more helpful than any official documentation I received.

This thread is incredibly valuable! I'm a social worker who helps people navigate CalFresh applications, and I'm honestly learning new tips from everyone's experiences here. The self-service kiosk idea and asking specifically for an EBT specialist are brilliant suggestions I'll definitely share with my clients. One additional resource I'd like to mention: many counties have CalFresh liaisons at local libraries who can help you access your BenefitsCal account and check on benefit status if you don't have reliable internet at home. Also, if anyone is struggling during the waiting period, most counties are required to provide emergency food assistance if you explain that you have no food while waiting for approved benefits to load. Don't be afraid to advocate for yourself - the squeaky wheel often gets the grease in this system. You all are doing an amazing job supporting each other through what should be a much clearer process!