Lost my CalFresh EBT card - can I get same-day replacement at county office?

you gotta call the number on the back of your card. o wait u dont have it lol. its 877-328-9677 for the ebt customer service

When you call EBT customer service at 1-877-328-9677, the first thing they'll do is deactivate your lost card so nobody can use your benefits. Then they'll mail you a replacement card, which typically takes 3-5 business days to arrive. Unfortunately, you cannot get a same-day replacement card at most county offices in California - they don't keep physical cards on-site anymore. Some counties do have emergency card printing capabilities for certain hardship situations, but this is rare and usually requires a special appointment and approval. Your best bet is to call EBT customer service ASAP to report it lost and request the replacement. Make sure your mailing address is current when you call!

I WENT THROUGH THIS EXACT NIGHTMARE last month!! Called the EBT customer service line and spent 45 MINUTES on hold just to report my card lost. Then they said 7-10 business days for a new card!!! I have 3 kids and couldn't wait that long! Ended up calling my actual county worker (took forever to reach someone) and explained it was an emergency situation. They were able to expedite the card delivery to 3 days. Still had to borrow money from my sister for groceries though. The system is SO broken!!!

I lost mine about 6 months ago and learned some important things: 1. Call EBT customer service right away (877-328-9677) to deactivate the lost card 2. When you call, ask them to "expedite" the replacement - they can sometimes do 2-3 day delivery instead of standard 3. Make sure your address is current in their system 4. Ask if your county has emergency card printing (some do for hardship cases) 5. While waiting, you can designate an authorized representative to use your benefits temporarily The authorized representative option saved me - I added my mom temporarily so she could buy groceries for us while waiting for my new card. To do this, you need to call your county office directly though.

lost mine 2 times lol. just call the number and they send you one. took like a week both times. kinda sucked but whatever. maybe try instacart while u wait?

I went through something similar back in January. Trying to reach anyone at the CalFresh office was nearly impossible - kept getting disconnected or waiting forever on hold. I finally tried this service called Claimyr that helped me actually get through to a real person at my county office. They connected me to a worker who explained my options for expedited card replacement. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 In my case, I was able to get the county to approve a 2-day expedited delivery instead of waiting a full week. Definitely worth trying if you're getting nowhere with the regular phone lines.

One more important thing I forgot to mention - when you get your new card, you'll need to create a new PIN. The old PIN doesn't automatically transfer to the replacement card. And make sure you're home to receive the card because they won't leave it if nobody's there to sign for it.

my cousin said u can get emergency food at food banks while u wait for ur card. they dont even ask for id at some of them

Just to update with the most current 2025 information: Some counties now offer virtual EBT cards through the BenefitsCal app while you wait for your physical replacement. This is a newer feature that not all counties have implemented yet, but worth asking about when you call. The virtual card works with retailers that accept mobile payment. Also, for your reference, the standard EBT card replacement timeframes are: - Regular mail: 3-5 business days (free) - Expedited mail: 1-3 business days (sometimes offered for hardship) - Emergency same-day: Only available in limited counties for extreme circumstances Hope this helps!

I'm so sorry you're going through this stress! As a fellow CalFresh recipient, I know how panicky it feels when you can't access your benefits. Just wanted to add that if you're having trouble getting through to the EBT customer service line (it can be really busy), try calling early in the morning right when they open - I've had better luck around 8 AM. Also, some grocery stores like Walmart and Target have customer service desks that can help you find the EBT customer service number if you need it again. Hang in there, and I hope your replacement card arrives quickly! Your kids won't go hungry - there are always backup options like food banks if needed.

I've been in this exact situation before and I feel for you! One thing that helped me was calling my county's CalFresh office directly (not just the EBT customer service line) and explaining it was an emergency food situation with kids involved. Some counties have special protocols for families with children where they can expedite the replacement or even arrange temporary assistance. Also, while you're waiting for the new card, check if any local churches or community centers in your area do emergency food distributions - many don't require paperwork and can help bridge the gap. I had to do this once and it really saved us during the waiting period. The good news is your benefits will still be there when you get your new card! Stay strong and don't hesitate to reach out to multiple resources - there are people who want to help families in situations like this.

I went through this same nightmare last year and want to share what worked for me! First, definitely call that EBT number (877-328-9677) ASAP to deactivate your lost card - that's the most important step. When I called, I specifically asked if they could expedite shipping due to having children at home, and they were able to do 2-day delivery instead of the standard 5 days. While waiting for the new card, I found out that some food banks in my area actually partner with CalFresh and understand the situation when people lose their cards. They were super helpful and didn't make me feel embarrassed about needing emergency food assistance. Also, if you have any trusted family or friends, you might be able to temporarily add them as an authorized representative to use your benefits - I had to do this through my county office though. The whole situation is stressful but your $340 in benefits will definitely still be there when you get your replacement card! Hang in there and don't be afraid to ask for help from multiple sources while you wait.

Hey Steven! I went through this exact same thing about 8 months ago and I totally understand the panic. Here's what I learned that might help you right now: 1. Call 877-328-9677 immediately to report it lost - they'll deactivate your card right away so no one else can use your benefits 2. When you call, specifically mention you have children and ask about expedited delivery - many counties can do 2-3 day shipping instead of the standard 5 days for families with kids 3. Your $340 will definitely still be there when you get your new card, so don't worry about losing the benefits For immediate help while waiting: Some counties allow you to temporarily add an authorized representative (like a family member) who can use your benefits for you. You'd need to call your local CalFresh office for this, not just the EBT line. Also, don't feel embarrassed about checking local food banks - many of them specifically understand the CalFresh card replacement situation and can help bridge the gap. Some churches also do emergency food boxes without requiring any paperwork. The whole process is stressful but you've got this! Your family won't go without food, there are backup options available. Good luck and I hope your replacement card arrives super quickly!

I'm really sorry this happened to you! I know how scary it is when you can't access your benefits, especially with kids to feed. I lost my EBT card about a year ago and here's what I wish someone had told me: Call 877-328-9677 right away to report it lost - they'll freeze your card immediately so no one can use your $340. When you call, definitely mention you have children and ask about expedited shipping. They were able to get my replacement to me in 2 days instead of the usual 5 when I explained it was a family emergency. While you're waiting, check if your county allows temporary authorized representatives - I was able to add my sister so she could buy groceries for us using my benefits until the new card arrived. You'd need to call your local CalFresh office for this option though. Also don't hesitate to reach out to local food banks or churches - many understand the CalFresh situation and can help bridge the gap without making you feel bad about it. Your benefits will absolutely still be there when you get the new card! The money doesn't disappear, just the access temporarily. Hang in there - you've got this and your kids won't go hungry!

I'm so glad to hear you were able to get through to EBT customer service and get your card deactivated! That 2-day expedited shipping is a lifesaver when you have kids to feed. I went through something similar last year and the panic is so real when you realize you can't access your benefits. One small tip for when your new card arrives - make sure you're available to sign for it or have someone trusted who can receive it, because they typically require a signature for replacement EBT cards. Also remember you'll need to set up a new PIN when you activate it. It sounds like you have a solid backup plan with the authorized representative option too. This community really is amazing for support during these stressful situations. Your kids are lucky to have such a proactive parent who knows how to ask for help when needed. Hang in there - Thursday will be here before you know it!