For future reference, if you have a serious CalFresh emergency like benefits disappearing, you can request an expedited interview with your county office. Under California regulations, they must provide same-day or next-day service for true hardship situations involving food insecurity. Make sure to specifically say "I have no food and need an emergency interview" when you call. That usually gets you past the regular queue.

I'm so glad this worked out for you! This kind of tech glitch is exactly why it's important for everyone to know about the expedited interview option that Caleb mentioned. I've been helping people navigate CalFresh issues for a few years now, and these system errors happen more often than they should. For anyone else reading this - always try your card at a physical store or ATM before panicking about missing benefits. The online balance displays can be unreliable, especially during system maintenance periods. And definitely save important phone numbers like your county worker's direct line and the EBT customer service number somewhere accessible. When you're stressed about food security, the last thing you want is to be searching for contact info! Also, if you ever do have legitimate benefit theft, document everything immediately - take photos of your transaction history, write down dates and times of when you discovered the issue, and report it within those 10 days Olivia mentioned. The replacement process is much smoother when you have all your documentation ready.

Hey! I'm pretty new to the CalFresh F&V program too and was super confused at first. What really helped me was calling the stores directly before going - I'd ask to speak with a manager or someone who knows about EBT programs. A lot of cashiers don't know about the fruit & vegetable incentive part since it's still relatively new. Also found out that some stores that DO accept it might not have trained all their staff yet, so don't give up if the first person you talk to seems confused. I've had luck at a local co-op grocery store that wasn't even on the official list - turns out they just got approved but the website hadn't been updated yet. Might be worth calling some smaller independent grocers in your area too, not just the big chains! The farmer's market suggestion is great if you can get there - they usually know the program really well and some even have transportation programs or delivery options depending on your county.

Just wanted to share my recent experience! I was in the same boat a few weeks ago with about $60 in F&V benefits that I was worried about losing. Turns out my local Food 4 Less does take them, but the key was finding a cashier who knew how to process it. What worked for me was going during slower hours (mid-morning on weekdays) and politely explaining that I had "California Fruit & Vegetable EBT benefits" to use. The first cashier didn't know what I was talking about, but the manager came over and knew exactly what to do - apparently they have to select a specific option on their register. Also discovered that my neighborhood 99 Ranch Market accepts them! Asian grocery stores seem to be really good about participating in the program. The produce is usually fresher and cheaper there anyway, so it's been a win-win. One thing that helped me was printing out the store locator results from that CDSS website someone mentioned - having that official list on paper made the store staff take me more seriously when they weren't sure about the program.

Congratulations Amina! That's such great news after waiting 5 weeks - you must be so relieved! I'm in Ventura County and just went through this same process a couple months ago. My benefits were loaded within 2 business days of approval, which seems to be pretty standard across California counties based on what others are saying here. My card took about 5 days to arrive in the mail, but the money was already there when I got it. Since you were approved yesterday, there's a good chance your benefits might already be loaded today or tomorrow. If you want to check before your card arrives, definitely call that EBT customer service number people have mentioned (1-877-328-9677) - they can tell you your balance with just your case number and some basic info. Also wanted to mention that if you're really tight on groceries, many food banks in LA have emergency food boxes available same-day, no paperwork required. It might help bridge the gap while you're waiting for your card. You can search "food bank near me" or call 211 for local resources. You've made it through the hardest part! $487/month is going to make such a difference for your food security. Hang in there - your card should arrive very soon!

Congratulations on your approval, Amina! I'm in Orange County and just went through this exact same situation last month. My benefits were loaded within 2 business days of approval (which seems to be the standard timeline everyone's mentioning), but my card took 6 days to arrive. The waiting is definitely nerve-wracking when you're low on groceries! One thing I did that really helped was calling the EBT customer service line at 1-877-328-9677 on day 3 to confirm my benefits were loaded - they can give you your balance over the phone with your case number. Also, since you're in LA County, if you really can't wait for the mail, you can go to your local office with ID and your approval paperwork to get an emergency card issued same day. You've already gotten through the hardest part of this whole process! That $487/month is going to make such a difference. Your card should arrive by early next week, and the money will likely already be on it when it does. Hang in there!

That's great news that you found out which P-EBT benefits you're using! Just wanted to add that if you're struggling with food costs while waiting to get your CalFresh reinstated, many food banks don't have income restrictions and can help bridge the gap. You can find local food pantries at 211.org or by calling 2-1-1. Also, some churches and community centers have weekend food programs specifically for families with kids. Don't be afraid to ask for help - that's what these programs are there for!

Just wanted to share my experience with P-EBT card expiration since I went through something similar. My P-EBT card itself expired (the plastic card had an expiration date) but I still had benefits on it. I called the customer service number and they mailed me a replacement card within 5-7 business days, and all my remaining benefits automatically transferred over. No hassle at all! Also, regarding CalFresh reapplication - I was told the same thing about waiting 30 days, but when I called back and spoke to a supervisor, they clarified that you can apply immediately. Sometimes the front-line workers aren't fully informed about all the rules. Don't give up and keep advocating for yourself!

I just want to echo what everyone else is saying - definitely activate that new card ASAP! I learned this the hard way when I ignored my replacement card for almost two weeks because I thought my old one was working fine. Then one day I went to buy groceries and my card just randomly stopped working at the register. It was so stressful, especially with my toddler getting fussy in the cart. Turns out my old card had hit its expiration date and got automatically deactivated. Luckily I remembered seeing that new card in my mail pile at home. The activation process really is super quick and easy - took maybe 5 minutes total. Your balance will be there waiting for you on the new card. Don't overthink it, just get it activated today so you can shop worry-free this weekend!

Just wanted to chime in with my own experience! I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago and was so confused when the new card showed up. Like many others here, I was worried about activating it and potentially messing something up. But after reading advice similar to what's been shared here, I called the activation number and it was honestly the easiest thing ever. The whole process took less than 5 minutes, I kept my same PIN, and my full balance was immediately available on the new card. What really helped me was testing it out with a small purchase first (bought a single banana for like 50 cents) just to make sure everything worked before doing my weekly grocery run. Pro tip: save the activation confirmation number they give you at the end of the call - I wrote mine down and kept it in my wallet for a few weeks just in case I had any issues later. Spoiler alert: I didn't need it, but it gave me peace of mind! The system really does work smoothly once you get over that initial anxiety about change.