Where to pick up my EBT card in San Diego County? First time CalFresh recipient confused

Your EBT card should come in the mail to the address you listed on your application. It usually arrives 5-7 business days after approval. No need to pick it up in person! The card and PIN will come in separate envelopes for security reasons. Your last name doesn't matter for which office - the system is based on case numbers, not alphabetical sorting. If your card doesn't arrive within 10 days, you can request a replacement through your online BenefitsCal account or by calling the EBT customer service line at 877-328-9677.

they should mail it to u. took 9 days to get mine last year but my buddy got his in just 4 days. weird system. u dont need to go anywhere unless the mail never comes then u gotta call but good luck with that lol

I just got approved in San Diego too! My worker actually told me cards are mailed automatically now because of COVID changes they kept in place. BUT if you need emergency benefits they can actually issue a card same-day at the Community Resource Center on Imperial Avenue. I think you'd need to make an appointment though. Did your approval letter mention emergency benefits or just regular timeframe?

THE SYSTEM IS SET UP TO CONFUSE US!!! I've been dealing with CalFresh for 3 years now and every time something changes they NEVER tell you clearly. Half the workers don't even know their own policies. Last year my card was supposed to come in mail but they sent it to wrong address even though I updated it TWICE on my application. Then they made me wait ANOTHER 10 days for replacement!!! The whole thing is designed to make us give up on getting the benefits we qualify for!!!

To answer your question specifically for San Diego County: 1. New EBT cards are mailed automatically to your address on file 2. If you don't receive it within 7-10 business days, you have three options: - Call EBT Customer Service: 877-328-9677 - Visit a San Diego County Family Resource Center (no appointment needed for card replacement) - Request through your BenefitsCal account For San Diego specifically, the main Family Resource Centers are in Chula Vista, El Cajon, Escondido, and the Metropolitan area. Your last name doesn't determine which office to visit - you can go to any of them. When your card arrives, you'll need to call the number on the back to activate it and create your PIN. Your benefits will already be loaded once you activate.

kinda off topic but make sure u download the EBT app once u get ur card its WAY easier than calling that number all the time. u can check ur balance and see when benefits load and even find stores that take EBT. my worker never told me about it i only found out from another mom at my kids school lol

my sister just got calfresh and hers came in the mail like 5 days after approval but they sent the pin letter like 3 days after the card which was weird

Just to follow up on what others have said - since you're in San Diego County, you should also know that if your card doesn't arrive and you need emergency access to your benefits, you can request an in-person card issuance by calling the Access Customer Service Center at 1-866-262-9881. Make sure to explain that your benefits have already been approved but you haven't received your card. They can sometimes issue a temporary card while you wait for your permanent one to arrive. The San Diego FRCs are pretty efficient compared to some other counties.

Welcome to the CalFresh community! I went through the same confusion when I first got approved. Just wanted to add that if you're really anxious about the card arriving on time, you can also check your mail delivery status by creating a free account with USPS Informed Delivery. They'll send you photos of what's coming in your mail each day, so you'll know when your EBT card envelope is on its way. The envelope usually says "Important Benefit Information" or something similar from the county. Also, don't worry if the PIN arrives separately - that's totally normal for security reasons. Once you get both pieces, activation is super quick!

Hey Leslie! I just went through this same process in San Diego County about 6 months ago and totally understand the confusion. Everyone's given you great advice about the card coming in the mail automatically. One thing I'd add is to double-check that the address on your CalFresh application matches exactly what's on your mailbox/lease - even small differences like "St" vs "Street" can cause delays. Also, if you live in an apartment complex, make sure your unit number is clearly marked on your mailbox since the postal service can be picky about that. The waiting is definitely the hardest part, but once you get the card and PIN, the whole system becomes much easier to navigate. Hang in there!

Hey Leslie! I see you're getting great advice here, but I wanted to add something that really helped me when I was in your exact situation last year in San Diego County. Since you mentioned you've been waiting 2 months already and your benefits start next week, I'd recommend setting up text alerts through the BenefitsCal website once you get your case number info. They'll actually text you when your EBT card ships and when your monthly benefits load. It gave me so much peace of mind during that anxious waiting period! Also, just a heads up - San Diego County has been pretty good about getting cards out within that 5-7 day window, but with the holiday season sometimes there are slight mail delays. Don't panic if it takes up to 10 days like others mentioned. You've made it through the hardest part (the approval process), and you're almost there!

Hey Leslie! Congrats on getting approved - that 2 month wait sounds brutal! I'm actually a case worker here in San Diego County and can confirm what everyone's saying about the cards being mailed automatically. One thing I always tell my clients is to make sure your mailbox is secure and clearly labeled with your name, especially if you're in a multi-unit building. We've had cards go missing or returned to us because of unclear addressing. Also, if you're worried about timing since your benefits start next week, you can actually use your case number to check benefit loading even before your physical card arrives - just log into BenefitsCal with your case info. The benefits will be there waiting once you get your card and activate it. And don't stress too much about the activation process - it's really straightforward and there are prompts that walk you through everything. You're so close to the finish line!

Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this exact same process in San Diego County about 8 months ago! The waiting and uncertainty is definitely the worst part, but you're almost done. One small thing I'd add that nobody mentioned yet - when your EBT card does arrive, it might look a bit different than you expect (kind of like a plain white credit card with minimal branding), so don't accidentally throw it away thinking it's junk mail! I almost did that because I was expecting something more official-looking. Also, once you get everything set up, I found it really helpful to write down the customer service numbers somewhere safe in case you ever need them later. The process gets so much easier once you have the card in hand and know how everything works. Hang in there - you're doing great navigating all of this!

Hey Leslie! I'm a newer CalFresh recipient too and just wanted to say how helpful this whole thread has been! I'm still waiting for my approval but seeing everyone's experiences here makes me feel so much more prepared for what comes next. It's really reassuring to see how supportive this community is - I was feeling pretty lost navigating all of this on my own. Thanks for asking the question that I'm sure so many of us newcomers have been wondering about! Hope your card arrives quickly and everything goes smoothly from here. It sounds like you're in good hands with all the great advice everyone's shared.

Hey Leslie! As someone who just went through this same process in San Diego County a few months ago, I totally understand that overwhelming feeling - the approval process is exhausting and then they leave you hanging on the actual logistics! Everyone here has given you fantastic advice about the card being mailed automatically. I just wanted to add that if you're really anxious about the timing (since your benefits start next week), you can actually call the EBT customer service line at 877-328-9677 and ask them to confirm your card has been issued and when it was mailed out. They can usually give you that info even before you receive it. Also, pro tip: once you do get your card, take a photo of the back with all the customer service numbers before you start using it - the numbers can wear off over time and it's super handy to have them saved in your phone. You've made it through the hardest part, and San Diego County is actually pretty good about getting cards out on time. Congrats on getting approved!

Hey Leslie! Just wanted to add one more thing that really helped me when I was in your exact situation last year. Since you mentioned being overwhelmed by the whole process, I'd suggest creating a simple checklist to keep track of everything once your card arrives: 1) Activate card by calling the number on back, 2) Set up your PIN, 3) Download the EBT app, 4) Set up BenefitsCal online account for text alerts, 5) Take photo of card back for your records. Having a clear list made me feel so much more in control during those first few weeks. Also, don't be surprised if you get a welcome packet in the mail a few days after your card - it has useful info about where you can shop and what you can buy. San Diego has tons of farmers markets that accept EBT too, which I wish I'd known about sooner! You're going to do great, and this community is always here if you have more questions down the road.

Hey Leslie! I just wanted to jump in as someone who also recently navigated the CalFresh system in San Diego County. Everyone has given you amazing advice here! One thing I'd add that helped me during the waiting period was to make sure you have alternative transportation options ready just in case you do need to visit an office for any reason (like if the card gets lost in mail). Even though it should come automatically, it's good to have a backup plan. Also, I noticed you mentioned feeling overwhelmed by the process - that's totally normal! The system really isn't user-friendly for first-timers. But once you get through this initial setup phase, it becomes much more manageable. You've already done the hardest part by getting approved. The community here is so supportive, and don't hesitate to ask more questions as they come up. We've all been where you are now, and everyone understands how confusing it can be at first. You've got this!

Hey Leslie! Welcome to the community! I went through this exact same situation about a year ago in San Diego County and completely understand that overwhelming feeling. Everyone here has given you fantastic advice - the card definitely comes in the mail automatically, no pickup needed! One thing I'd add that really helped me is to sign up for USPS text notifications for your address if you haven't already. That way you'll get alerts when mail is being delivered each day, which helped ease my anxiety during the waiting period. Also, just wanted to reassure you that San Diego County has actually been pretty reliable with EBT card delivery times compared to some other counties I've heard about. The 5-7 day timeframe is usually accurate. Once you get everything set up, the whole system becomes so much easier to navigate. Hang in there - you're almost at the finish line and this community is always here to help if you have more questions!

Hey Leslie! Just wanted to add my voice to all the great advice you've already gotten here. I'm a newer member who went through this same process in San Diego County about 4 months ago, and I totally get that overwhelming feeling! One thing that really helped me was creating a simple folder (physical or digital) to keep all my CalFresh documents together - approval letter, case number, important phone numbers, etc. It made me feel more organized and in control during the waiting period. Also, since you mentioned being disconnected after 45 minutes on hold, I'd suggest trying to call the county office early in the morning (right when they open) if you do need to reach them - the wait times are usually shorter then. But honestly, based on everyone's experiences here, you probably won't need to call since the card should arrive automatically. San Diego County has been pretty good about this! You've already made it through the hardest part with that 2-month approval process. This community has been such a lifesaver for navigating all the little details they don't tell you upfront. Welcome, and don't hesitate to ask more questions as you get familiar with everything!

Hey Leslie! I just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this exact same process in San Diego County about 6 months ago. Reading through all these responses brought back memories of how stressed I was during that waiting period! Everyone has given you such solid advice about the card coming automatically in the mail. One small thing I'd add that helped me feel more in control was tracking my case status through the BenefitsCal website - you can actually see when your case moves to "card issued" status, which happens a day or two before it actually ships. It's a tiny detail but it gave me that extra peace of mind during the anxious waiting period. Also, just want to echo what others have said about San Diego County being pretty reliable - my card came in exactly 6 days, right in that typical window everyone mentioned. The hardest part is definitely behind you now that you're approved. This community has been such a lifesaver for me over the months, and it's so heartwarming to see everyone jumping in to help a newcomer navigate this confusing system. You're going to do great, and don't hesitate to come back with more questions as you get familiar with everything!