CalWORKs EBT card vs. Golden State Stimulus payment card - activation problems?

yeah i got one of those too! it's not ur calworks card, its totally different. they sent those to people who filed taxes with cali address but didnt have direct deposit info on file. i had same problem with activation, u gotta call the OTHER number thats in the letter that came with the card, not the one on the back. the letter has the real activation #

The Golden State Stimulus cards are completely separate from your CalWORKs EBT card. The state is using a different payment processor (Money Network) for these stimulus payments. To activate it, you need to call 1-800-240-0223, which is different from the customer service number on the back of the card. You'll need to verify your identity by providing the card number, your date of birth, and the last 4 digits of your SSN. Also make sure you sign the back of the card before using it. The good news is that this stimulus payment doesn't count as income for CalWORKs, so it won't affect your benefits amount.

my cousin got one these stimlus cards but ended up throwing it away cuz he thought it was junk mail lol now he has to request a replacement

Important info about these Golden State Stimulus cards that everyone should know: 1. They're issued by Money Network, not the regular EBT vendor 2. There are NO FEES to use the card at most places 3. You can transfer the money to your bank account for free through their website 4. The card will expire after 12 months if not used 5. If you lose the card, call 1-800-240-0223 for a replacement This is completely separate from your CalWORKs benefits and doesn't count against your resource limits or income reporting requirements on your SAR7 form. Just make sure to keep the activation letter and PIN information secure!

I had SO much trouble with my stimulus card too! Called the regular number like 5 times before I realized there was a separate activation line. What worked for me was going to the website printed in the letter - I think it was something like www.gostimuluspayment.com - and activating it there instead of calling. The phone system kept disconnecting me. Also, heads up that some stores don't recognize these cards as regular debit cards, so I had issues at a couple places. Walmart worked fine though.

anyone know if this counts as income for calworks? i'm worried about going over my IRT if i report it on my SAR7

This isn't even related to CalWORKs. The stimulus payments are from the Franchise Tax Board, not CDSS. You should be asking this in a tax forum.

if ur still having trouble calling them my sister said she used that claimyr.com service to get through faster? apparently works for these stimulus people too not just EBT office. they have some video showing how it works https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE it got her through when the regular line kept hanging up on her

Has anyone had issues with the PIN on these cards? I finally got mine activated but when I tried to use it at Target the PIN I set up didn't work! Had to run it as credit instead of debit. So embarrassing with people waiting behind me in line...

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I'm new to CalWORKs and just got one of these Golden State Stimulus cards too! I was so confused because I expected everything to come through my regular EBT card. Thank you everyone for explaining the difference - I had no idea these were two completely separate systems. The activation info about using the number from the letter (not the card) is super helpful. One question though - if we don't have to report this as income, do we still need to keep any paperwork about it for our records? I want to make sure I'm doing everything right with my case worker.