Lost my EBT card twice in one month - Will CalFresh penalize me for requesting another replacement?

Don't panic! This happens more often than you'd think. Call the EBT Customer Service number on the back of your old card (or google "California EBT customer service") at 1-877-328-9677. They can cancel your lost card and issue a new one immediately over the phone. The replacement should arrive within 5-7 business days. They won't penalize you for losing it twice - there's no limit on replacement cards in California. Though if it becomes a pattern (like 4+ times a year), they might eventually investigate. But twice in a short period? Totally fine.

omg dont go in person, total waste of time!! they just gonna tell u to call anyway. i lost mine like 3 times last year lol. just call and they mail u a new 1. takes like 4-5 days usually

Going to the physical county office won't get you a card any faster. They don't print EBT cards on site - they can only request one for you, which is the same as calling the EBT customer service line. The standard delivery time is 3-5 business days from when you report it lost. Make sure you call to report it lost ASAP so they can deactivate the old card. This protects your benefits if someone finds your card. When you call, make sure to verify your current mailing address is correct to avoid further delays.

When I lost mine, I called right away and blocked the card, but still couldn't get through to a person to request the replacement. Just got stuck in that automated system hell for 45 minutes before it hung up on me! So frustrating!!

I lost mine twice in two weeks last year lol. First time I thought it was stolen so I cancelled it, then I found it but it was already cancelled, then lost the replacement for real. They don't care honestly. Just another day for them.

To address your concern about feeding your family while waiting for the new card - you have a few options: 1. If it's a true emergency, you can request an expedited in-person pickup at your county office. This is not standard practice, but some counties will accommodate true hardship cases. 2. Call 211 to find local food banks or pantries that can help with emergency food assistance. 3. Check if your local school district offers free meals that your children can access. 4. If you have documentation of your CalFresh approval, some farmers markets will allow you to shop on credit until your new card arrives.

The EBT system is DESIGNED to be difficult! They make the cards flimsy on purpose so they break easily and then make you wait for replacements hoping you'll just give up. I've had SIX cards in two years and every time it's the same runaround. The whole system is broken and nobody cares about helping people actually get food. It's all about making it as difficult as possible so they can say fewer people need benefits!

btw make sure u report it lost asap cuz if someone finds it they can use all ur benefits!!! happened to my cousin and they spent like $400 of her food money in one day at some random store before she could cancel it

I'm confused about something - isn't CalFresh just the program name? I thought the actual card was called an EBT card? When I went to my CalFresh appointment they gave me a Golden State Advantage card. Are we all talking about the same thing?

UPDATE: I called the EBT customer service number and they were actually really nice! They didn't give me any trouble about losing the card twice. They deactivated my lost card and are sending a new one that should arrive by next Tuesday. I also called 211 and found a food pantry nearby that can help us get through until then. Thanks everyone for calming me down and helping! This community is amazing ❤️

That's such great news! I'm so relieved everything worked out for you. The food pantry is a really smart solution for the gap period. I've been in similar situations and know how stressful it can be when you're worried about feeding your family. It's awesome that the EBT customer service was understanding - sometimes we build up these worst-case scenarios in our heads that don't actually happen. Thanks for updating us on how it went! Posts like yours really help other people who might be going through the same thing.

I'm so happy to see this worked out for you! As someone who's new to both CalFresh and this community, your post was really helpful to read through. I was worried about what would happen if I ever lost my card, but seeing how supportive everyone was and that the system actually worked smoothly gives me a lot of peace of mind. The tip about taking a photo of the card (minus the CVV) is brilliant - I'm definitely doing that right away. It's amazing how this community comes together to help each other navigate these programs. Thanks for sharing your experience and the positive outcome!

This entire thread has been so educational and heartwarming to read! As someone who just joined this community and is navigating CalFresh for the first time, I was really nervous about potentially making mistakes or losing my card. Seeing how everyone rallied around Sean with practical advice, reassurance, and zero judgment shows what an amazing support network this is. The tips about photographing the card, calling 211, and knowing that replacements are totally normal have all been incredibly valuable. Sean, I'm so glad everything worked out and you found help through the food pantry! Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences - it really helps newcomers like me feel more confident about accessing these benefits.

This whole thread has been such a perfect example of why I love being part of this community! As someone who's still pretty new to both CalFresh and this forum, reading through Sean's experience and everyone's helpful responses has been incredibly reassuring. I was actually wondering about this exact scenario myself - what happens if you lose your EBT card multiple times - and now I feel so much more prepared if it ever happens to me. The practical tips everyone shared (like the 211 number, photographing your card, and knowing that replacements are totally normal) are going to be lifesavers for so many people. Sean, I'm really glad everything worked out with the food pantry helping you bridge the gap! It's amazing how this community turns what could be a really stressful situation into a learning opportunity for everyone. Thank you all for being so welcoming and supportive to newcomers like me!