Need CalFresh EBT replacement card TODAY - what are my fastest options?

Yes, you can get a replacement card same day but only at certain County DPSS offices that have EBT card printing capabilities. In LA County, not all offices can print cards on-site. You need to call the county office first to confirm which location can help you TODAY before going in. Bring your ID and be prepared to verify your identity. They'll deactivate your old card and issue a new one with your existing balance.

Been in your exact situation! The RANCHO PARK office on W Pico in LA definitely prints same-day cards - I got mine there in January. BUT go early!!! Get there when they open at 8am or you'll be waiting for hours. And double check they still offer this service before going - policies change. If you can't get through to the county line (which is almost impossible), try using Claimyr.com - they'll get you connected to a real person at DPSS in minutes instead of being stuck in the automated system. They have a video demo of how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8. Saved me so much stress when I needed to confirm which office could help me with my emergency replacement.

It's legitimate - they just connect you through their system so you don't have to wait on hold. You still talk directly to the county worker yourself. I was skeptical too but it worked when I needed my replacement card info.

In meantime b4 u get ur card u can actually use CalFresh benefits without the physical card at some stores!! You gotta call the EBT customer service line (not the county) at 877-328-9677 and get a temporary card number that works for 1 purchase. Learned this when my card was stolen last yr. Not all stores accept it but the big chain groceries usually do - just tell cashier u need to enter card # manually. Hope this helps!!!

The Glendale office prints them same day too and usually less crowded than some of the LA ones...might be worth the drive if ur desperate

In LA they made me wait 3 WEEKS for my replacement card back in October!!! Said the same-day printing machine was broken. This system is such garbage. They expect ppl to just not eat for days?? The whole EBT card system needs to be updated so we can have digital access in emergencies. So infuriating!!

Make sure u bring ID!! I went all the way down to the office and they wouldn't give me a new card cause I didn't have proper ID with me. Had to go back home and get it and by then they were closing so I had to come back next day. So annoying!!!

Can't you just use the BenefitsCal app? I thought they updated it so you could access benefits digitally now?

UPDATE: Just got back from the Rancho Park office! Got my replacement card with all my benefits intact! Took about 3 hours total but worth it. They verified my identity, deactivated the old card, and printed a new one right there. For anyone in the same situation, definitely call ahead to confirm which office can print cards same day. THANK YOU all for your help!!!

Yes! I couldn't get through on the regular line at all - just kept getting automated responses and disconnected. Used Claimyr and got connected to someone in like 5 minutes who confirmed Rancho Park could help. Definitely worth it in an emergency situation like this!

Great to hear you got your card sorted out! For anyone else who might face this emergency in the future, here are the key takeaways from this thread: 1) Call ahead to confirm which LA County offices have working card printers (Rancho Park and Glendale mentioned as good options), 2) Go early when they open at 8am to avoid long waits, 3) Bring proper ID for verification, 4) Use Claimyr.com if you can't get through the regular phone lines, and 5) Try the temporary card number option through EBT customer service (877-328-9677) for emergency grocery purchases while waiting. Hopefully this info helps someone else avoid the stress of being without food access!

Just wanted to add that some food banks and pantries in LA will help bridge the gap while you're waiting for your replacement card! Places like the LA Regional Food Bank have emergency food distribution that doesn't require your EBT card. I know it's not ideal when you have benefits sitting there you can't access, but at least you won't go hungry. The Mid-City location on 41st Street is open today and they don't ask too many questions. Also, if you have any friends or family who can spot you groceries and you can pay them back once your card comes, that might be another option. Hope this helps someone in a similar bind!

Another tip for LA County folks - if you're stuck waiting for a replacement card and need groceries TODAY, some churches and community centers also do emergency food distribution that doesn't require EBT cards. St. Augustine Catholic Church in Culver City has a food pantry that's open walk-in style on Wednesdays and Fridays from 9am-12pm. They don't require any paperwork or proof of need - just show up and they'll help. I know it's frustrating when you have your own benefits that you can't access, but at least it's something to get you through until your replacement card arrives. Also seconding what others said about calling ahead to confirm office locations - saved me a wasted trip when I was in this situation last year!

This whole thread is incredibly helpful! As someone who works with CalFresh recipients, I want to add that if you're ever in this situation and the county offices are closed (weekends/holidays), you can also try calling 211 for emergency food resources in your area. They have a comprehensive database of food banks, soup kitchens, and emergency pantries that are open when government offices aren't. Also, many grocery stores will let you manually enter your EBT card number if you call the EBT customer service line for a temporary authorization - but you have to specifically ask the cashier to process it manually since most don't know this option exists. The system really does need major improvements, but knowing these workarounds can be a lifesaver when you're facing food insecurity!

Just want to echo what everyone else is saying - this thread is a goldmine of information! I've been on CalFresh for about 6 months now and honestly had no clue about most of these emergency options. The fact that you can get a temporary card number for manual entry at stores is amazing - why don't they tell people this when you first get benefits?? Also really appreciate everyone listing specific food banks and pantries with actual addresses and hours. The official resources are so vague and hard to navigate when you're stressed. Definitely saving this whole thread! Hope @Caesar Grant enjoys his grocery shopping today after all that stress this morning! 🛒

This is such an amazing community resource thread! As someone who's been on CalFresh for a while, I've definitely learned some new things here. One thing I wanted to add for future emergencies - if you have a smartphone, you can also download the ebtEDGE mobile app which lets you check your balance and transaction history even without your physical card. While it won't let you make purchases, at least you can confirm your benefits are still there and see recent activity (helpful if you're worried about unauthorized use of a lost card). Also, for anyone dealing with this on weekends when county offices are closed, some 24-hour grocery stores like Vons or Ralphs are more likely to have managers on duty who know how to process manual EBT entries if you get that temporary number. The overnight staff at smaller stores might not be familiar with the process. Really hoping the state eventually rolls out digital wallet integration for CalFresh like they have in some other states!

This thread has been incredibly educational! I'm bookmarking this for future reference. One additional resource I wanted to mention - many colleges and universities in LA also have food pantries that are open to community members, not just students. UCLA, USC, and several community colleges have emergency food programs. Also, the NextDoor app for your neighborhood often has people sharing information about local food distributions and mutual aid groups that can help bridge the gap when EBT systems fail. It's really unfortunate that we need all these workarounds, but I'm amazed by how this community comes together to share practical solutions. Thanks to everyone who contributed their real experiences - this is the kind of information that actually saves people from going hungry!

As someone who's been navigating the CalFresh system for over a year now, this thread is absolutely incredible! I wish I had access to this information when I first started - would have saved me so much stress and confusion. The community knowledge shared here is honestly better than any official resource I've found. One thing I'll add for newcomers like myself who might be reading this: don't be afraid to ask questions in this community! Everyone here has been so helpful and understanding. The CalFresh system can feel overwhelming and isolating, especially when you're dealing with emergencies like lost cards, but threads like this show that there are real people who've been through the same struggles and are willing to share what they've learned. Also, for anyone bookmarking this thread (which you definitely should!), I'd recommend taking screenshots of the key information like phone numbers and addresses, since you never know when you might need quick access to this info when you're in crisis mode and can't easily search through old posts. This community is truly a lifeline for those of us trying to navigate these systems! 🙏