This is such an important warning - thank you for sharing your experience! I work with seniors in my community and several of them have gotten these exact calls recently. The scammers are getting really sophisticated with the caller ID spoofing and having personal information. One thing I've learned is that these scammers often target people right around benefit deposit dates when they know recipients are expecting their monthly benefits. They create that false urgency about "suspicious activity" knowing people will panic about losing their food money. I always tell people: when in doubt, hang up and call back using the number YOU know is correct. Real customer service won't mind you being cautious - they actually appreciate it! And never feel embarrassed if you almost fell for it - these scams are designed by professionals to be convincing. Has your county office said anything about whether they're working with law enforcement to track down these scammers?

This is exactly why I always tell people to trust their gut feeling! The fact that you hesitated when they asked for your PIN shows you have good instincts. These scammers are counting on people panicking and not thinking clearly when they hear about "urgent" problems with their benefits. I wanted to add that if anyone is ever unsure about a call, you can also ask the caller for a reference number or case number and tell them you'll call back to verify. A legitimate representative will understand and provide that information. Scammers will usually get aggressive or hang up when you ask for verification details. Also, for anyone reading this - make sure your family members and friends know about this scam too. I've noticed scammers sometimes target elderly relatives or people who might not be as familiar with these types of phone scams. Knowledge is our best defense against these predators who are literally trying to steal food from families!

I was so confused about this too when I first heard about it! To find participating farmers markets in your area, text your zip code to 898211 and they'll send you a list of markets that offer Market Match or similar programs. The system was updated for 2025 and now covers more locations. I take my kids to our local market every Saturday and use the match for strawberries and their favorite veggies - the extra $15 we get makes a huge difference!

I've been using CalFresh for about 3 years and just learned about these programs last month! What really helped me was calling 211 (the helpline) - they connected me to a local food resource coordinator who walked me through all the different programs in my county. Turns out there's a grocery store just 2 miles from me that does the matching program on Wednesdays and Fridays! I had no idea because they don't really advertise it well. Also found out some food banks offer fresh produce vouchers that work similarly. Definitely worth making that call if you're having trouble finding info online.

Just wanted to add one more thing that might help - if you're really struggling to get food before your replacement card arrives, you can also look into local food banks or pantries in your area. Many don't require any paperwork and can help bridge the gap while you wait for your new EBT card. You can search for nearby food assistance on 211.org or call 2-1-1. I had to do this once when I was in a similar situation and it really helped. Also, some grocery stores like Walmart and Target allow you to use your EBT card number over the phone for pickup orders even without the physical card, though you'll need to verify with customer service first. Hope this helps!

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago! Here's what worked for me: I used the ConnectEBT app like Yuki mentioned - it was SO much easier than dealing with the phone system. For the app, you'll need your EBT card number (which you hopefully remember or have written down somewhere), your ZIP code, and last 4 of SSN. The app let me report it stolen and request a replacement to my new address all in one go. But definitely still call your county office separately to update your address for your actual CalFresh case - that's super important for future notices and renewals. In the meantime, definitely hit up local food banks! Most don't ask for any paperwork and can really help you get through the next week or two. Also, if you have any friends or family who can help with groceries temporarily, don't be too proud to ask - we've all been there. Good luck and I hope you get your replacement card soon!

This thread is so reassuring! I just went through the exact same thing last month with my daughter's P-EBT card. It showed up in Informed Delivery on a Wednesday but didn't actually arrive until Friday. I was checking the mailbox obsessively every few hours! One thing I learned from calling the P-EBT hotline (after waiting on hold for over an hour) is that they can actually see in their system when the card was mailed out versus when USPS scanned it for Informed Delivery. The representative told me there's often a 2-3 day gap between those two events during busy periods. Also want to echo what others said about activating immediately - I made the mistake of waiting a week to activate thinking the benefits would still be there, and apparently there are new rules about timing that I wasn't aware of. Luckily everything worked out fine but lesson learned!

This is such a helpful thread! I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - my P-EBT card showed up in Informed Delivery yesterday but still hasn't arrived. Reading everyone's experiences is really reassuring that this seems to be totally normal with the current mail delays. I had no idea about the 30-day activation rule that someone mentioned - that's really important info that I don't think is clearly communicated anywhere! Also didn't know about the 24-hour delay for benefits to become accessible after activation. These are the kinds of details that make such a difference when you're actually trying to use these benefits. Thanks to everyone sharing their timelines and tips. It's so stressful when you're counting on these benefits for groceries, especially with how expensive everything has gotten. This community is amazing for getting real practical advice from people who've actually been through it!

Hey Liam! I've been following this thread and wanted to add one more consideration - make sure you understand Nevada's background check requirements if you do get approved as a provider. Some states have stricter requirements than others, and the process can take weeks or even months. Also, since you'd be working for a family member, Nevada might have additional documentation requirements to prove the care relationship is legitimate (to prevent fraud). I'd suggest calling Nevada's Medicaid office directly and asking for their "family caregiver" packet or guidelines. Better to know all the hoops upfront than get surprised later!

I'm dealing with a somewhat similar situation helping my grandmother in Riverside County while living in San Bernardino County, and I've learned a few things that might help. First, definitely get clarity from your aunt about what specific program she's enrolled in - "the state" could mean several different things (Medicaid waiver, state-funded programs, etc.) and each has different rules about out-of-state providers. One thing I wish I'd known earlier: some programs require the care recipient to live within a certain radius of the provider's home address, regardless of state lines. In my case, even though both counties are in California, there were still residency requirements I had to navigate. Also, if you do move forward, keep DETAILED records of everything - dates you're in Nevada vs California, all income received, gas receipts if you're claiming travel expenses on taxes, etc. The documentation requirements get intense when you're working across jurisdictions. I use a simple Google Sheets to track it all because my county worker asked for very specific breakdowns during my last review. Have you considered whether your aunt might qualify for any programs that would allow remote check-ins or telehealth support instead? Sometimes there are alternatives that don't require as much physical presence and could simplify the whole situation.