What's that silver square on CalFresh EBT cards if it's not a chip?

That silver square is actually just a security feature, not a functional chip. It's confusing because it looks identical to EMV chips on regular debit/credit cards! CalFresh EBT cards in California still use magnetic stripe technology (the black strip on the back). When self-checkout machines prompt for chip insertion, you need to select the 'EBT' payment option first, then swipe instead.\n\nThe state has been talking about upgrading to actual chip technology for security reasons, but as of 2025, California EBT cards still don't have functional chips. Always swipe your EBT card even if it has that silver square.

Thanks for explaining! I feel less crazy now. The cashier looked at me like I was doing something wrong when I kept trying to insert it. So it's just for show basically? Weird choice.

its NOT a chip! i used to think same thing and kept trying to insert it at walmart lol. i ruined my first card trying to force it into the chip reader 😭 they told me when i got my replacement its just decoration or something? idk why they make it look like that when it dont work like that!!!

You're definitely not alone! I work at a grocery store, and at least 3-4 people every shift try to insert their EBT cards into the chip reader. It's a terrible design decision that confuses everyone. For any new CalFresh recipients reading this: ALWAYS SWIPE your EBT card, regardless of what it looks like.

Wait, I'm confused. So the silver square is fake?? My card is new as of January 2025 and it has that silver square. I thought it was a chip but I've been swiping because that's what the cashier told me to do the first time I used it.

It's not exactly fake - it's a security feature that helps prevent counterfeit cards. But it doesn't function as a chip reader like on credit cards. Even the newest California EBT cards (including those issued in 2025) still require swiping. The Department of Social Services keeps proposing chip functionality for better security, but it hasn't been implemented yet due to budget constraints. Using chip technology would require upgrading the entire system infrastructure across all retailers that accept EBT, which is expensive.

This is one of the most common questions I get from CalFresh recipients! That silver square is what's called a

A non-functional chip?! That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. No wonder everyone's confused. The whole point of having a chip is for it to FUNCTION. Why would they deliberately design something to look exactly like a working chip when it isn't one? Just another example of how poorly designed the CalFresh system is. I've wasted so much time at checkout trying to figure this out.

Thanks for explaining and for the Claimyr tip! Might be useful next time I need to call about my benefits. Is the service pretty reliable? I always get disconnected after waiting forever on the county line.

lol tbh i always thought it was a broken chip and that my card was defective! the silver thing looks EXACTLY like the chip on my bank card so i was super confused when it wouldn't work. thx for asking what i was too embarrassed to ask 😅

To add some context: The silver square is technically called a

Thank you for the detailed info! Will the chip cards eventually replace all the current ones or will we need to request them when they become available?

According to the CDSS announcement, once the chip technology is fully implemented, they plan to replace all cards through their normal replacement cycle - meaning you'll get one when your current card expires or if you request a replacement. They're not planning to do a mass reissuance all at once due to cost constraints. The transition period will likely last 1-2 years.

my sister works for the county and she told me they made it look like a chip so the cards don't look different from regular debit cards. its supposed to reduce stigma so people cant tell ur using ebt from looking at ur card. but yeah its just for looks, always swipe

That makes sense in theory, but in practice it's a disaster! I've been stuck in line so many times while people struggle with their EBT cards at checkout. If reducing stigma was really the goal, they could have designed it to ACTUALLY WORK like a chip. Instead they created more problems and drew more attention to EBT users who are fumbling with their cards.

i went to target yesterday and their self checkout has a sticker that says \

This is such a helpful thread! I'm new to CalFresh and just got my card last week. I was so embarrassed at the grocery store because I kept trying to insert it like a chip card and the cashier had to show me how to swipe it. I wish they would put some kind of label or instruction on the card itself explaining this - it would save everyone so much confusion. The silver square really does look exactly like a working chip!

I'm so glad I found this thread! I just started receiving CalFresh benefits last month and have been making the same mistake. I actually asked the customer service desk at my local grocery store if my card was defective because the "chip" wouldn't work. They explained it to me but I thought it was just my specific card that was broken. Now I know it's a design issue that affects everyone. It's honestly pretty frustrating that they make it look identical to a working chip when it serves a completely different purpose. At least now I know to always swipe and won't feel confused anymore when I'm at checkout!