Just activated EBT card but balance shows $0 - no benefits loaded?

When exactly did you get approved? The benefits usually load at midnight on your assigned day based on the last digit of your case number. So if you just got approved this week, your benefits might not load until your regular issuance date next month. However, if you were approved for expedited service (emergency CalFresh), they should be available within 3 days of approval. Check your approval letter - it should specify your monthly issuance date and whether you qualified for expedited.

the same thing happnd to me last summer!! the lazy workers dont tell u that the first deposit happns based on ur case # NOT when u get the card!! so annoying, i was at the store with a cart full of food and had to leave it there bc my 'approved' card had $0!

If you applied for expedited services and were approved, your benefits should be available within 3 calendar days of approval. However, there's often confusion between being "approved" for CalFresh and when benefits actually become available. Here's what I'd suggest: 1. Check if you received a text or email with your approval details (many counties send electronic notices now) 2. Look for information about your certification period and benefit amount 3. Call the EBT customer service number again (not the activation line, but the regular customer service option) to confirm if any benefits are pending 4. If you still don't have answers, you'll need to contact your county office Unfortunately, county phone lines are often overwhelmed. If you need to reach someone quickly, I've had good luck using Claimyr (claimyr.com) - they hold your place in the phone queue and call you back when a worker is available. They have a demo video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 But before spending time on hold, double-check if you received any notices about your issuance date. If you qualified for expedited services, something may have delayed your benefits.

Did you apply throgh BenefitsCal or on paper? If you used BenefitsCal, log in and check your notifications area. They often post the approval letters in the online portal before they arrive in mail. That letter will tell you your issuance date and benefit amount. Also check if your card is actually activated properly - sometimes you think it went through but it didnt. Call 877-328-9677 again to double check the activation went through correctly.

Could b a few things: 1) Maybe ur case isnt actually approved yet? Sometimes workers say things are approved but theyre still processing something in the background 2) If u did get approved, benefits are issued based on the last digit of ur case #. Check ur approval papers. Cases ending 1-3 get benefits on the 1st, 4-6 on the 5th, 7-9 on the 10th, 0 on the 15th. So u might need 2 wait till March 3) Maybe there's a verification still needed? Did they ask for any docs u didnt send yet? Def call tomorrow. The county offices SUUUUCK at answering phones but keep trying.

Update: I checked my BenefitsCal account like someone suggested and found my approval letter! It says I was approved for regular CalFresh, NOT expedited, and my benefits will be available on the 8th of each month (my case number ends in 8). The worker definitely confused me by saying I could use it right away once I got the card. Mystery solved - I just need to wait until the 8th. Thanks everyone for your help!

so annoying they dont tell u this stuff!! they expect everyone to just magically know how the system works 🙄

This is a common issue with new CalFresh recipients. I'm glad you were able to find your approval letter! Here's some additional info that might help you going forward: 1. Your EBT card will automatically load on the 8th of every month 2. Benefits roll over month-to-month if you don't use them all (they expire after 9 months) 3. You'll need to complete a SAR7 form after 6 months and a recertification at 12 months 4. If your income changes by more than $100, you should report it within 10 days Since you've got a few days until your benefits load, you might want to look into emergency food assistance through local food banks. 211 can connect you with resources in your area if needed.

Great that you got it sorted out! Just wanted to add that you can also download the ebtEDGE mobile app to easily check your balance and transaction history without having to call the number every time. It's really convenient for keeping track of your benefits. Also, if you ever need to replace your card (lost/stolen), you can request a new one through the app or by calling the customer service line. Welcome to CalFresh!

This is such a great example of why the CalFresh system can be so confusing for new recipients! Jordan, I'm really glad you found your approval letter and figured out the issuance date situation. It's frustrating that the worker didn't explain this clearly when they called you - it would have saved you a lot of stress and confusion. For anyone else reading this who might be in a similar situation, I always recommend asking the worker specifically about your monthly issuance date when you get that approval call. It's one of those details that can get overlooked but makes a huge difference in planning your grocery budget. Also, if you're ever in a bind waiting for benefits to load, most counties have emergency food assistance programs that can help bridge the gap. Hope your first shopping trip goes smoothly on the 8th!

This whole thread is so helpful! I'm actually going through the application process right now and this gives me a much better understanding of what to expect. @Jordan Walker I'm glad you got it figured out - that must have been so stressful thinking something went wrong with your approval! I'm definitely going to save this info about checking BenefitsCal for the approval letter and asking specifically about the issuance date when I get my approval call. It's crazy how such important details can get missed during those conversations. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and tips - this community is amazing for navigating all the confusing parts of CalFresh!

This is such a perfect example of why clear communication is so important in the CalFresh process! @Jordan Walker, I'm really glad you were able to find your approval letter in BenefitsCal and get this sorted out. It's unfortunately pretty common for workers to say "you can use it right away" without clarifying that they mean "right away once your issuance date arrives." For anyone else reading this thread, here's a quick tip: when you get that approval call, always ask three specific questions: 1) What is my monthly issuance date? 2) What is my monthly benefit amount? 3) Did I qualify for expedited services? Having these details upfront can save so much confusion later. Also, Jordan, since you mentioned you're a single mom with two kids, you might want to look into WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) if your kids are under 5. It provides additional food assistance and nutrition education that works alongside CalFresh. You can apply through your local health department. Hope your first shopping trip on the 8th goes smoothly! This community is always here if you have more questions as you navigate the program.

This whole thread has been so educational! As someone who's been on CalFresh for about a year now, I remember going through this exact same confusion when I first got approved. @Jordan Walker, you're definitely not alone in this experience - the communication around issuance dates is probably one of the most common sources of confusion for new recipients. I'm really glad you found your approval letter in BenefitsCal and got it all sorted out! One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned yet - once you start receiving your benefits regularly, it's worth noting that they typically load sometime between midnight and 8 AM on your issuance date. So on the 8th, check your balance in the morning if it's not there at midnight. Also, if you ever have issues with your card not working at a store, don't be afraid to ask the cashier to run it as "EBT Food" specifically - sometimes the terminals need that clarification. The learning curve with CalFresh is real, but once you get the hang of the monthly rhythm and know what questions to ask, it becomes much more manageable. This community has been invaluable for me over the past year when I've had questions or run into issues. Welcome to the program, and I hope your first shopping trip goes great!

This is such a helpful thread for new CalFresh recipients! @Jordan Walker, I'm so glad you were able to figure out the issuance date situation through your BenefitsCal account. Your experience really highlights how important it is for workers to clearly explain the timing between approval and when benefits actually become available. I wanted to add one more tip that might be useful for you and others - when you do your first shopping trip on the 8th, consider making a list and checking store prices ahead of time. Some stores have better deals on CalFresh-eligible items than others, and maximizing your benefits can really make a difference, especially in those first few months while you're getting used to budgeting with them. Also, if you ever need to check what items are eligible for purchase with CalFresh, the USDA has a great online tool called the "SNAP Retailer Locator" that also includes information about eligible food items. It can be confusing at first figuring out what you can and can't buy! Welcome to the CalFresh community - don't hesitate to ask questions here. Everyone's been so supportive and knowledgeable in this thread!

This whole conversation has been incredibly eye-opening! As someone who just started the CalFresh application process last week, I'm taking notes on everything shared here. @Jordan Walker, your experience perfectly shows why this community is so valuable - the official process can be so confusing even when everything is working correctly! I'm definitely going to bookmark those three questions that @Dyllan Nantx mentioned to ask during my approval call. It's amazing how one small miscommunication about timing can cause so much stress. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and tips - I feel so much more prepared now for what to expect. This is exactly the kind of real-world information that makes all the difference when navigating government programs!

Wow, this entire thread has been such a learning experience! As someone who's been helping my elderly neighbor navigate her CalFresh application, I'm realizing we probably would have run into this exact same confusion about the issuance date timing. @Jordan Walker, I'm so glad you were able to find your approval letter in BenefitsCal and get everything sorted out! It really shows how important it is to dig into that online portal - I had no idea you could find approval letters there before they arrive in the mail. The three questions that @Dyllan Nantx mentioned about asking during the approval call are going to be so helpful for my neighbor when her time comes. It's frustrating that something as crucial as when your benefits will actually be available isn't clearly communicated upfront, but at least we have this amazing community to help fill in those gaps. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and practical tips - this is exactly the kind of real-world knowledge that makes navigating CalFresh so much easier!

This thread is such a perfect example of why peer support is so crucial when navigating CalFresh! @Jordan Walker, I'm really glad you got this sorted out and found your approval letter. Your experience is unfortunately super common - I went through the exact same thing about 6 months ago. The worker told me I was "all set" after approval, but didn't mention that my benefits wouldn't actually load for another week and a half based on my case number. I ended up calling the EBT line three times thinking something was wrong with my card! What really helped me was setting up the ebtEDGE app that @Brian Downey mentioned - not just for checking balances, but you can set up notifications so you get a text when your benefits load each month. Takes all the guesswork out of it. Also, for anyone else reading this who might be in a similar situation, if you're ever unsure about your issuance date, you can call the EBT customer service line (not the activation number) and they can tell you when your next deposit is scheduled. Thanks for sharing your experience - it's going to help so many other new recipients who go through this same confusion!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! As someone who works at a local food bank, I see this exact situation constantly - new CalFresh recipients getting confused about the timing between approval and benefit availability. @Jordan Walker, I'm so glad you were able to figure this out through your BenefitsCal account! The worker really should have explained the issuance date clearly during that approval call. For anyone else reading this who might be waiting for their benefits to load, I wanted to mention that most food banks don't require you to wait for your CalFresh to run out before getting emergency food assistance. If you're in a tight spot between now and your issuance date, don't hesitate to reach out to local food pantries - we're here to help bridge those gaps! You can find locations near you by calling 211 or checking the Feeding America website. Also, once you start receiving CalFresh regularly, remember that many food banks offer fresh produce distributions that complement your CalFresh benefits perfectly. Welcome to the program, and thanks for sharing your experience - it's going to help so many people!

This whole thread perfectly captures why clear communication is so vital in the CalFresh process! @Jordan Walker, I'm really glad you found your approval letter and got everything figured out. Your experience is unfortunately way too common - I've been helping people navigate CalFresh for years through a local community organization, and the confusion around issuance dates vs. approval dates is probably the #1 issue we see with new recipients. What's frustrating is that this could be so easily prevented if workers just took an extra 30 seconds during that approval call to say "Your benefits will load on the [X]th of each month" instead of the vague "you can use it right away once you get your card." It's such a small detail that makes a huge difference in people's planning and stress levels. For anyone else who might be reading this thread in the future - those three questions from @Dyllan Nantx are absolutely essential to ask during your approval call. I'm actually going to start sharing those with the families I work with because they cover all the key information that somehow gets missed in these conversations. Thanks for sharing your experience so openly - posts like this help build the collective knowledge that makes navigating this system easier for everyone who comes after you!

This is such an important thread for new CalFresh recipients! @Jordan Walker, I'm so glad you were able to resolve this through your BenefitsCal account - what a relief that must have been! Your experience really highlights a major gap in the communication process that affects so many people. As someone who's been on CalFresh for about two years now, I remember that same sinking feeling when my card showed $0 after activation. It's such an emotional rollercoaster - you've already waited months for approval, then you get excited that your card finally arrived, only to find out you have to wait even longer! One thing I've learned is to always screenshot or write down key information from approval calls because it's easy to miss important details when you're just excited about being approved. Also, for future reference, your county's CalFresh website often has a chart showing issuance dates by case number - might be worth bookmarking for quick reference. The silver lining is that once you get through this first month and understand the rhythm of when your benefits load, it becomes much more predictable. And this thread is going to be so helpful for other new recipients who find themselves in the same confusing situation. Thanks for sharing your experience so openly - it's going to save other families from that same stress and worry!