New EBT card arrived but CalFresh still showing pending in EBTedge app - county worker couldn't explain why

This is actually pretty normal! The county often mails out EBT cards before the application is fully processed. This is a good sign - they wouldn't send a card if they were planning to deny you. The system is set up this way so that once your benefits are approved, they can load them immediately instead of making you wait additional days for the card to arrive. Typically benefits are loaded within 30 days of your application date (sometimes sooner). Since you applied 3 weeks ago, you're getting close to that timeframe. I'd give it another week, and then if nothing changes, call your county worker directly. Look for the worker's name and direct number on any notices you received. The EBTedge app will update automatically once the benefits are loaded - no need to reapply or take any additional steps. Just keep checking the app every day or two.

Ya its how they do things now. My nephew got his card like 2 weeks b4 any $ was on it. Don't worry ur good.

The EXACT same thing happened to me last month!!! Got the card but nothing on it for TWELVE DAYS!!! Called the county office FOUR TIMES and kept getting disconnected or transferred to voicemail that was full. So frustrating!!! Finally my benefits showed up (they backdated to my application date though). I was literally checking the app 10 times a day. The system is SO broken. Why even send a card if there's nothing on it?? Just gets your hopes up for nothing.

When you applied, did your wife provide all the verification documents they requested? Sometimes they send the card but hold benefits until they receive final verification of income, identity, or residency. Check your BenefitsCal account or any notices you received in the mail to see if they've requested additional verification. If so, upload those documents ASAP as your application will remain pending until they receive them. Also, many county offices are severely understaffed in 2025 (budget cuts), so the workers at the front desk often don't have access to the detailed case notes that would explain your specific situation. You really need to reach your assigned eligibility worker.

The same thing happened to me. It's strange right?? I think they're trying to speed up the process by getting the cards out early, but it definitely caused confusion for me too. Don't worry, it's actually a good sign they've sent the card - means they expect to approve you. My benefits showed up about 4-5 days after I got the card. I found a service called Claimyr that really helped when I needed to reach my CalFresh worker about a different issue. They get you through to a real person at the county office without waiting on hold forever. Their site is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8. Might be worth checking out if you don't see benefits in a few more days and need to reach someone.

To give you a clear explanation about what's happening: 1. EBT cards are issued separately from benefit approval to streamline the process. 2. Your application status is still technically "pending" until final approval, even though they've issued a card. 3. For new applications, counties have up to 30 days to make a determination (some counties like LA and San Bernardino are currently experiencing delays beyond this due to staffing shortages). 4. Benefits will be retroactive to your application date assuming you're approved. 5. If it's been more than 25 days since you applied, you have the right to request an "expedited determination" - especially if you mentioned having little/no income during your interview. Don't panic about the card arriving before benefits. This has been standard practice since mid-2024 when CDSS implemented their new processing guidelines. Keep checking the EBTedge app daily - when your status changes from "pending" to "active," benefits should appear within 24 hours.

anybody else think its weird they send cards with no money on them? no wonder ppl get confused. my neighbor got a card and thought she was approved then had to wait another 3 weeks!

UPDATE: Our benefits just loaded this morning!! Exactly 25 days after we applied. So everyone was right - getting the card early is normal and doesn't mean there's a problem. Thanks to everyone who responded and shared their experiences. For anyone else in this situation - just keep checking the app and be patient!

Congratulations on getting your benefits loaded! This is such a helpful thread for anyone going through the same situation. I went through something similar last year and the uncertainty is really stressful when you're counting on those benefits for groceries. The new system of sending cards early definitely makes sense from a logistics standpoint, but it would be so much better if they included a simple explanation with the card about what to expect. Thanks for taking the time to update everyone - posts like this really help the community!

This is such a reassuring thread! I'm new to CalFresh and just applied two weeks ago - haven't received my card yet but now I know what to expect when it arrives. It's really frustrating that the system works this way without proper explanation from the county offices. You'd think they would include a simple note with the EBT card saying something like "Your card has arrived but benefits are still being processed - check the app in a few days" or something. Would save everyone so much confusion and stress! Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences, especially the detailed timeline explanations. This community is so helpful for navigating these confusing government systems.

I'm so glad I found this thread! I just applied for CalFresh three days ago and was wondering what the timeline would look like. Reading through everyone's experiences really helps set expectations. It sounds like the early EBT card delivery is actually a good sign, even though it's confusing at first. I really appreciate how supportive this community is - it's clear that navigating these government programs can be stressful, especially when you're relying on the benefits for basic needs like groceries. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories and timelines, and congrats to @Chloe Green on getting everything sorted out! Posts like this are exactly why I joined this community.

This thread has been so helpful! I'm currently waiting on my CalFresh application (applied about 10 days ago) and was starting to worry about the timeline. Reading everyone's experiences really puts things in perspective - especially knowing that getting the EBT card early is actually normal and a good sign. It's frustrating that the county offices don't explain this process better, but I'm grateful for communities like this where people share real experiences. @Chloe Green thanks for the update about your benefits loading - that's exactly the kind of follow-up that helps others going through the same thing! I'll definitely be more patient now and won't panic if I get my card before seeing benefits in the app.

This has been such an informative thread! I'm about a week into my CalFresh application and was already starting to stress about when I'd hear back. Reading through everyone's experiences - especially the detailed timeline from @Alexis Robinson about the 30-day processing window - has really helped calm my nerves. It's wild that they send EBT cards before approval, but I can see how it would speed things up once you're actually approved. @Chloe Green, congrats on getting your benefits! Thanks for coming back to update us - that kind of follow-through really makes this community special. I'll definitely keep this thread bookmarked for reference as I wait for my own card to arrive!

This thread has been incredibly valuable for understanding the CalFresh application process! I'm getting ready to apply next week and had no idea about the EBT card timing situation. Reading through everyone's experiences - from the initial confusion to @Chloe Green's successful resolution - really helps set realistic expectations. It's concerning that county workers aren't better trained to explain this process, especially since it seems to be standard practice now. The 30-day timeline and early card delivery makes sense from an efficiency standpoint, but definitely needs better communication. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and timelines - this is exactly the kind of real-world information that's so hard to find in official resources. Really appreciate this supportive community!

I'm so grateful I found this thread! I've been lurking in this community for a while but this is my first time posting. I applied for CalFresh about 5 days ago and have been anxiously checking my mailbox every day wondering when I'd hear something back. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been such a relief - especially learning that getting an EBT card before approval is actually normal and a good sign! I had no idea about any of this process. The county office where I applied didn't explain much beyond "you'll hear back within 30 days" which left me with so many questions. It's really frustrating that there isn't better communication about what to expect, but this community fills that gap perfectly. @Chloe Green, congratulations on getting your benefits loaded! Thank you for taking the time to update us - that follow-through is what makes this such a supportive place. I'll definitely be keeping an eye on this thread as I wait for my own card to arrive. It's amazing how much stress this has relieved just knowing what's normal!

This thread has been incredibly helpful for someone just starting the CalFresh process! I submitted my application yesterday and was already wondering what to expect in terms of timing. Reading through everyone's experiences - especially the detailed explanation from @Alexis Robinson about the 30-day processing window and @Chloe Green's successful outcome - has really put my mind at ease. It's pretty shocking that county workers aren't better trained to explain the EBT card delivery process, since it seems like this confuses almost everyone who goes through it. The fact that getting a card early is actually a GOOD sign rather than a problem is something I never would have known without this community. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their experiences and timelines - this is exactly the kind of real-world information that's impossible to find in official resources. I'll definitely come back to update on my own experience once I get through the process!

This thread is exactly what I needed to see! I'm about 3 weeks into my CalFresh application and have been checking my mailbox obsessively waiting for some kind of update. The lack of communication from the county office has been so frustrating - they basically just said "wait 30 days" with no explanation of what that process would look like. Reading everyone's experiences here, especially @Chloe Green's full journey from confusion to resolution, has been incredibly reassuring. I had no idea that getting an EBT card before approval was even possible, let alone normal! It's honestly ridiculous that county workers aren't trained to explain this basic part of the process. But I'm so grateful for this community where people actually share what really happens. Now I know not to panic if I get a card with no money on it - and to just keep checking the app patiently. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their timelines and experiences. I'll definitely come back with an update once I get through the process!