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Mine just came through too! I was getting really worried since I'm a single mom and needed to do grocery shopping today. This whole situation was so stressful - I wish they had sent out better notifications about the delay instead of leaving everyone in the dark. At least now I know to check this community when weird stuff happens with benefits. Thanks to everyone who shared info and resources!
So glad yours came through too! This whole experience really shows how much we rely on this community for real information when the official channels fail us. I'm new here but I'm definitely bookmarking this group - you all were way more helpful than the county's automated phone system! Hope they get their communication sorted out for next time because the stress of not knowing what was happening was almost as bad as not having the benefits.
I'm so relieved to find this thread! I'm new to CalFresh and when my benefits didn't show up on my usual day (the 9th), I thought I had somehow messed up my application or missed a deadline. I was panicking because I didn't know this could be a system-wide issue. Reading everyone's experiences here was way more informative than anything I could find on the official website. My benefits just loaded this morning too, so it looks like they're getting everyone caught up. Thank you all for sharing your situations - it really helped ease my anxiety as a newcomer to the program!
Welcome to the program and to this community! Your experience is so relatable - I think many of us have been in that exact situation where we're new to CalFresh and something unexpected happens, making us wonder if we did something wrong. It's really frustrating that the official channels don't provide clear, real-time information during these system issues. I'm glad you found this thread and that it helped ease your worries. This community has been a lifesaver for navigating all the quirks and challenges that come with the program. Don't hesitate to ask questions here in the future - everyone is super helpful and understanding!
When you get your new card, I recommend having it sent to the actual county office for pickup instead of mailed to your home. Most counties offer this option for security reasons. Also, immediately create a PIN that's not obvious (not your birth year or 1234). And check your balance frequently through the BenefitsCal app. This happens way too often unfortunately.
I'm so sorry this happened to you! This is unfortunately super common in California, especially with the mail delivery issues we've been having. A few additional tips that helped me when I went through this: 1. When you file the police report, ask for a copy of the report number - the county office will need this for your claim 2. If you have any screenshots of the fraudulent transactions from BenefitsCal, save those as evidence 3. Consider signing up for Informed Delivery with USPS so you can track what mail is supposed to come to you 4. Ask the county worker about getting your replacement card expedited shipping (they sometimes offer this for theft victims) The good news is that California's replacement process has gotten better in recent years. Most legitimate theft claims get approved, especially when you have clear evidence like transactions in locations you've never been to. Hang in there - you should have emergency benefits soon and the full replacement within a few weeks!
This is such a helpful thread! I just received my P-EBT cards for my two kids today and was completely baffled by the activation process. Like everyone else here, I kept waiting for the system to ask me to set up a PIN and was so confused when it just gave me the balance and hung up. I actually called back twice thinking I had somehow skipped a step or pressed the wrong button! It's really frustrating that the materials they send with the cards don't explain that the PIN is automatically set to the last 4 digits of the child's SSN. That seems like crucial information that should be included right on the activation instructions. I'm so grateful I found this discussion - it's saved me from a lot more confusion and worry. Planning to test out the cards this weekend using the SSN method and then definitely calling to change the PINs to something more secure. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences!
I'm having the exact same experience! Just got my P-EBT card today and went through the same confusion during activation. It's so reassuring to read all these comments and realize this is totally normal for the 2025 cards. I was literally googling "did I activate my P-EBT card wrong" when I found this thread! It really should be explained better in the materials they send - seems like such basic info to leave out. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and making me feel less alone in this process!
Just got my P-EBT cards for my twins yesterday and went through the exact same confusing activation experience as everyone else here! I called the number expecting to set up PINs like I did years ago with regular CalFresh, but it just asked for the card numbers and gave me balances. I was so worried I had messed something up. Reading all your comments has been such a relief - knowing that the last 4 digits of their SSNs are the default PINs is incredibly helpful information that definitely should have been included in the packet! Planning to test this out at the store tomorrow and then immediately call to change the PINs to something more secure. It's so frustrating that they don't explain this process clearly, but I'm grateful for this community where we can help each other figure these things out. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!
Quick update for everyone: I just checked the BenefitsCal portal and there's actually a notice posted about the early issuance. It states: "Due to the Memorial Day holiday on Monday, May 27, 2025, CalFresh benefits normally issued from the 1st-3rd will be available beginning May 28th. Regular issuance schedule will resume in June." So this confirms what others have said - it's a planned early release due to the holiday.
Same thing happened to me! I'm usually a 3rd of the month person and was so confused when I saw the deposit this morning. I immediately thought something was wrong with my case or they were going to deduct it from next month. Thanks everyone for explaining about the holiday - I had no idea Memorial Day could affect the deposit schedule. This is actually really helpful info to know for future holidays. Does anyone know if they do this for other holidays too like Labor Day or New Year's?
Yes, they typically do this for most federal holidays when banks or government offices are closed! I've noticed it happens for Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's. Usually if your deposit date falls on or right after a holiday, they'll move it up a few days. It's actually pretty consistent once you know to expect it, but like everyone else said, I wish they'd just send us a heads up so we don't panic thinking something went wrong with our case!
Ava Thompson
One additional piece of advice: When you contact Nevada SNAP, request an official closure letter stating when your benefits end. This document can be helpful if California asks about your previous benefits. Also, track exactly when you use your Nevada EBT for the last time, just in case questions arise later. CalFresh applications in California are typically processed within 30 days, though they may expedite it if you meet certain criteria (very low income/resources). Make sure to answer the expedited screening questions accurately during your application.
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Ethan Scott
I went through a similar interstate move situation about 6 months ago (Florida to California) and wanted to share a few things that really helped me: First, definitely keep detailed records of all your communications with both states - dates you called, who you spoke with, confirmation numbers if they give you any. This saved me when there was confusion about my move date later. Second, when you apply for CalFresh, there's actually a question on the application about whether you're receiving benefits in another state. Be completely honest about your Nevada benefits - they'll appreciate the transparency and it helps them coordinate properly. Third, if you're worried about the gap between programs, check if you qualify for emergency/expedited CalFresh. Since you mentioned you won't get paid until next month, you might meet the criteria for faster processing (usually within 3 days instead of 30). Also, pro tip: Screenshot your Nevada EBT balance regularly so you have proof of what you had and when you used it up, just in case there are any questions down the road. Sounds like you're handling this really well though! The fact that you're being proactive and asking questions puts you way ahead of where I was when I moved.
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