EBT Electronic Theft Resources
NEW EBT CHIP AND TAP CARD
California completed issuing new EBT cards with chip and tap features to help protect your benefits. Cardholders who did not receive a card due to delivery issues associated with their mailing address can visit their
local county office and receive a replacement card. Magnetic stripe-only EBT cards can still be used until a chip and tap card has been activated or up to 180 days after the new chip and tap EBT card is issued, whichever comes first.
All existing benefits will transfer automatically to the new EBT card and user PINs will stay the same. Cardholders can activate their mailed EBT card by using it as normal to purchase food or withdraw cash at a terminal or ATM.
Some EBT retailers may not accept tap or chip features right away. Use the tap or chip feature first and then swipe the card if prompted by the point-of-sale terminal. If your new EBT card has issues, please call EBT Customer Service at (877) 328-9677 for assistance. The customer service team can help. When you call, tell them where you tried to use the card and what happened. This will help them figure out the problem.
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) created videos with security tips on how you can protect your benefits using the new EBT card. Video (English): Protect Your Benefits with the EBT Chip and Tap Card! Video (Español): ¡Proteja sus beneficios con la tarjeta EBT de chip y toque!
Video: Protect Your Benefits with the EBT Chip and Tap Card!
Video: ¡Proteja sus beneficios con la tarjeta EBT de chip y toque!
California has experienced an increase in Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) theft. If you think your benefits may have been stolen, please report the theft and request a replacement EBT card immediately. Cardholders must file the Report of Electronic Theft (EBT 2259 - English, EBT 2259 - Spanish) within 90 calendar days from the date of the theft in order to be eligible for food or cash benefit replacement. You may complete the theft reporting process online using your BenefitsCal account or by visiting your local county office. Create a BenefitsCal account and learn more by visiting BenefitsCal EBT FAQs. Please watch this video to learn how to protect yourself from benefit theft:
Video: Watch Out for EBT Scams!
Use the free ebtEDGE mobile and
web-based application to manage your CalFresh and/or CalWORKs benefits, check your balances, and review transaction history. Available now for download in the Apple App Store (iOS) and Google Play Store (Android). No mobile device? No problem! You can manage your account online at
www.ebt.ca.gov.
CAN I GET MY STOLEN BENEFITS REPLACED?
You may get your food benefits replaced if:
- You had your EBT card with you when benefits were stolen from your EBT account.
and
- One of the following occurred:
- Your card was skimmed by electronic equipment taking your card information without your knowledge.
or
- You were scammed into giving an unauthorized third-party your EBT card number and personal identification number (PIN). This could be someone that you believed to be the EBT vendor, an approved retailer, or a government entity.
Note: Supplemental Food benefits such as Supplemental Nutrition Benefit (SNB) and Transitional Nutrition Benefit (TNB) are not eligible for replacement benefits.
You may get your cash benefits replaced if:
- You had your EBT card with you when benefits were stolen from your EBT account.
and
- One of the following occurred:
- Your card was skimmed by electronic equipment taking your card information without your knowledge.
or
- You were scammed into giving an unauthorized third-party your EBT card number and personal identification number (PIN). This could be someone that you believed to be the EBT vendor, an approved retailer, or a government entity.
Note: scam replacements for cash benefits are limited to one time within a 36-month period. EBT Scamming Acknowledgment (
EBT 2259A) is not required for electronic food benefit theft claims.