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Great to hear you got it working @Freya Thomsen! I've been having the same issues with the EBT Edge app for weeks now. Going to try the early morning registration trick tomorrow. Quick question - after you got registered, did you notice any lag time when locking/unlocking your card? I'm worried about being stuck at checkout if there's a delay. Also, does the app send you notifications when the card gets locked/unlocked successfully?
Hey @Dmitry Popov! The locking/unlocking is pretty much instant once you're registered - maybe 2-3 seconds max. I tested it at the store yesterday and had no issues. The app does send push notifications when you lock/unlock, which is really helpful for peace of mind. Just make sure to unlock it BEFORE you get to the checkout line, not while you're standing there with people behind you! Good luck with the early morning registration - I really hope it works for you too.
I work at a county office and wanted to add some clarification about the EBT Edge app issues. We've been getting tons of calls about registration problems, and here's what our IT team has found: The app works best on phones with Android 10+ or iOS 14+. If your phone is older, that might be part of the problem. Also, make sure you're entering your SSN exactly as it appears in our system - sometimes there are formatting differences that cause the identity verification to fail. One thing people don't realize is that you can also lock your card through the BenefitsCal website on a computer if the mobile app won't work. It's not as convenient as having it on your phone, but it's better than nothing while you're troubleshooting the app. If anyone is still having issues after trying all these suggestions, you can also ask your county worker to put a "manual lock" on your account temporarily. This means we freeze it on our end until you call to unlock it. It's not ideal for frequent use, but it's good protection if you're going to be away from home or worried about fraud.
Thank you so much for the official clarification @Reina Salazar! This is really helpful information. I had no idea there was a web version through BenefitsCal - that could be a good backup option. Quick question about the manual lock you mentioned - if I ask my county worker to put that on my account, how long does it typically take when I call to unlock it? Like if I'm at the store and need to use my card, would I be waiting on hold for a while? Also, does the manual lock affect automatic deposits of new benefits each month?
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As someone who recently went through a similar scare with my EBT card, I can't stress enough how important it is to act fast like you did @Ava Thompson! I'm so relieved you were able to freeze your card before any benefits were stolen. For anyone new to CalFresh reading this thread - please don't let these stories scare you away from using your benefits, but definitely take the security precautions seriously. Here are a few additional tips I've learned: 1. **Save the EBT customer service number in your phone** - Don't wait until there's an emergency to look it up 2. **Take a photo of your card (front only, never the back with security code)** - This makes it easier to reference your card number when calling customer service 3. **Keep receipts for a few days after shopping** - If there are any discrepancies, you'll have proof of legitimate transactions The rise in EBT fraud is really concerning, but this community sharing experiences and tips like this is so valuable. Knowledge is power when it comes to protecting our benefits! @Ava Thompson - Thanks for sharing your experience and keeping us updated. Your story will definitely help other people know exactly what to do if this happens to them.
This is such great advice @Emma Davis! I'm also relatively new to receiving CalFresh benefits and this whole thread has been incredibly educational (and yes, a little scary!). The tip about saving the EBT customer service number is brilliant - I never would have thought to do that proactively. I love how supportive this community is. Everyone sharing their experiences and tips is helping newcomers like me learn how to protect our benefits before something bad happens. It's so much better to be prepared than to learn these lessons the hard way. @Ava Thompson your quick thinking really saved the day! The fact that you froze your card immediately when you saw something suspicious shows how important it is to trust your instincts. I m'definitely going to start checking my balance more frequently and setting up all those security features people have mentioned. Thanks to everyone who has contributed to this discussion - you re'all helping to protect our entire community from fraud!
Wow, this thread has been incredibly informative! As someone who just started receiving CalFresh benefits this month, I had no idea EBT fraud was such a widespread issue. Reading through everyone's experiences has been both eye-opening and a bit nerve-wracking, but I'm so grateful for all the practical advice shared here. @Ava Thompson - I'm so glad you trusted your instincts and froze your card immediately! Your quick thinking definitely saved your benefits. It's scary that someone tried to use your card in another state, but at least the system worked as intended once you reported it. After reading through all these responses, I'm definitely going to: 1. Set up text alerts for all transactions 2. Start using the freeze/unfreeze feature between shopping trips 3. Save the EBT customer service number in my phone 4. Be much more selective about where I swipe my card The tip about contactless payments being safer is something I never knew - I'll definitely look for that option when shopping. And I had no idea you could set daily spending limits through the app! This community is amazing for looking out for each other. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and security tips. It's so much better to learn about these precautions from you all rather than having to deal with fraud firsthand. Stay safe everyone!
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my kids teacher sent home a note yesterday saying they should all have their pebt by october so maybe theres delays? idk schools always the last to know anything lol
That October timeline might be including the buffer period for any cards that need to be reissued due to mailing problems or address changes. The official distribution should end by September 30, 2025, but resolving issues can take additional time. If you haven't received anything by early October, definitely contact the P-EBT hotline or your local county office.
As a parent who's been through this P-EBT process multiple times, I can confirm it's definitely confusing! For P-EBT 4.0, I received a new card for my daughter last week here in Orange County. The card came in a plain white envelope with just "P-EBT California" as the return address - almost looked like a credit card offer. One thing I learned from previous rounds is to call your child's school office to make sure they have your current address on file. My friend missed her P-EBT 2.0 card because she had moved but forgot to update her address with the school district. The benefits were still issued, but the card went to her old address. Also, if you do get a new card, make sure to activate it right away! I made the mistake of putting it aside "for safekeeping" with my first P-EBT card and then couldn't find it when I needed groceries. The activation phone number is on the sticker attached to the card. Hope this helps ease some of the anxiety around waiting for these cards to arrive!
Thank you for sharing your experience! That's really helpful about checking the address with the school - I never thought about that. My family moved earlier this year and I completely forgot to update our address with my son's school district. I better call them tomorrow to make sure they have our current info before the cards get mailed out. Also good tip about activating right away - I'm definitely the type to put important things "somewhere safe" and then spend hours looking for them later!
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Reading through all these responses has been incredibly eye-opening! I'm also in California (Orange County) and have been putting off applying because I assumed I made too much at $2,650/month with rent at $1,750. But seeing how the shelter deduction and other factors work makes me realize I might actually qualify. @fd111dffc265 I really hope your reapplication with all the proper deductions works out! It's so frustrating that the initial screening doesn't explain all these options clearly. @16f1cf625ae2 @61ec8a31d0a7 thank you for explaining the net income calculation - I had no idea about the 20% earned income deduction or how the shelter costs factor in. This thread has given me the motivation to actually apply instead of just struggling quietly. It's amazing how much support and knowledge everyone is sharing here!
@f13a4e368dfd @886e39611779 @1cb8f35a573b It's so encouraging to see how this thread has motivated so many people to actually apply! I'm also new to this community and have been reading through everyone's experiences. Like many of you, I've been hesitant to apply thinking I wouldn't qualify, but seeing @fd111dffc265's journey and all the helpful advice from @16f1cf625ae2 @61ec8a31d0a7 and others has really opened my eyes. The fact that there's both a gross AND net income test, plus all these deductions like the shelter deduction and automatic 20% earned income deduction, completely changes things. I'm in San Diego paying $1,900 for rent on a $2,900 salary, so I'm definitely in that same boat of rent eating up most of my income. Thanks to everyone for sharing their knowledge and creating such a supportive space - it's given me the confidence to finally apply instead of just assuming I won't qualify. Good luck to everyone who's planning to apply!
Wow, this thread has been such a lifeline! I'm also in California (Riverside County) and have been in the exact same situation - making $2,850/month but paying $1,650 in rent and getting denied repeatedly. I had completely given up after my second denial, thinking the system was just impossible to navigate. But reading @fd111dffc265's experience and seeing all the detailed explanations from @16f1cf625ae2 and @61ec8a31d0a7 about the net income calculation and shelter deduction has completely changed my perspective. I had NO idea they automatically deduct 20% of earned income or that there's a separate net income test beyond just gross income. It's so frustrating that they don't clearly explain these deductions during the initial application process - it feels like you have to be an expert just to understand what you might qualify for. I'm definitely going to reapply now armed with all this information. Thank you everyone for creating such a supportive and informative discussion - it's given so many of us hope and the knowledge we need to actually navigate this system properly!
@c03f0bc28571 @01a75c6de51c @f13a4e368dfd It's incredible how many of us are in the exact same boat! I just joined this community after stumbling across this thread, and I'm honestly shocked at how much helpful information is here that I never knew about. I'm in Fresno making $2,720/month with $1,580 rent, and like so many others here, I just assumed I wouldn't qualify and never even tried applying. Reading about @fd111dffc265's experience and all the detailed breakdowns from @16f1cf625ae2 @61ec8a31d0a7 and others about deductions has been a total game-changer. The fact that they deduct 20% of earned income automatically plus factor in shelter costs when they're over 50% of your income makes such a huge difference in the calculation. It's really frustrating that this information isn't more clearly communicated upfront - it seems like you have to dig deep or get lucky enough to find threads like this to understand how the system actually works. I'm definitely going to apply this week with all this new knowledge. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and expertise - this community support is exactly what people need when navigating these complicated systems!
StarGazer101
The most important thing is timing! When I moved states last year, I timed it so my previous state benefits closed at the end of the month when we moved, then I applied in the new state on the 1st day of the next month. This minimized the gap. You'll definitely want to apply as soon as you have an NC address though - even if you're still in temporary housing there. Just make sure you've officially closed your CA case first. Good luck with your move!
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Sofia Rodriguez
•Thank you! That timing strategy makes a lot of sense. We're moving mid-month, so I think I'll request to close my CA case at the end of that month and apply in NC right away. Moving with kids is stressful enough without worrying about food security!
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Theodore Nelson
As someone who helps families navigate benefit transitions, I wanted to add a few practical tips for your move: 1. Contact food banks in both Sacramento and your destination city in NC - they can help bridge the gap during your transition period and don't have the same residency requirements as government benefits. 2. Consider applying for WIC in NC if you have children under 5 or are pregnant/breastfeeding - it's a separate program that can provide additional food assistance and often has faster processing times. 3. Keep detailed records of everything - dates you contacted CA about closing your case, copies of documents you submit to NC, etc. This paper trail can be crucial if any issues arise. 4. Look into local churches and community organizations in your new NC area - many have emergency food assistance programs that can help immediately while you wait for your SNAP application to process. The transition is definitely stressful, but with proper planning and backup resources, you can minimize the gap in food assistance for your family. Wishing you a smooth move!
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Sofia Morales
•This is such comprehensive advice, thank you! I hadn't thought about food banks or WIC as backup options. We do have a 2-year-old so WIC could definitely help. I'll start researching food banks and community organizations in our new NC area right now so we have those resources identified before we even arrive. Having that safety net will give me so much peace of mind during the transition. Really appreciate you taking the time to share all these practical suggestions!
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