How To Activate The EBT California Card Online Or By Phone?

EBT California Card Activation: If you just received your California P-EBT card, you need to activate it before you can use it. The easiest way is to call the EBT Helpline at (877) 328-9677 or the DPSS Customer Service Center at (866) 613-3777. After activation, the card can be used to buy approved food items anywhere SNAP or EBT cards are accepted.

Activate online

You can also activate your card online.

• Go to the official website at https://www.ebt.ca.gov.
• On the homepage, look for the option that says something like “Activate My Card” and click it.
• You will need to enter your 16-digit card number from the front of the card.
• You may also need to enter your 4-digit PIN if you already have one.
• If you do not have a PIN yet, the system will ask you to create one.
• Choose a number that is easy for you to remember but hard for others to guess.
• Follow the steps shown on the screen.
• Once finished, you will see a confirmation message.

After that, your card is ready to use.

If you have questions about activation, you can call California EBT Customer Service at 1-877-328-9677. For P-EBT specific help, you can call the same number or email pebt@cdss.ca.gov.

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What The P-EBT Program For?

The P-EBT program gives food benefits to families with children who would normally get free or reduced-price school meals. These benefits are added to the EBT card so families can buy groceries.

California uses the Electronic Benefit Transfer system to send public assistance benefits like CalFresh, CalWORKs and other food or cash aid programs. The card used in California is called the Golden State Advantage EBT card. It works not only in California but also in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam.

You can use the card at stores by swiping it like a debit card. You can also hand it to the cashier. If the card is in your child’s name, your child does not need to be present when using it. You just need the PIN you created during activation.

How to Activate by Phone and set a PIN

Another way to activate is by calling 1-800-526-9099. When you call, follow the instructions given on the phone.

• If the card is in your name, enter the EBT number from the front of the card.
• Then enter the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number and your date of birth.
• After that, choose a 4-digit PIN.
• If the card is in your child’s name, you will need the EBT card number, your zip code and your child’s date of birth.
• When asked for the last 4 digits of the Social Security Number, enter 0000.
• Then create a 4-digit PIN.

Once this process is complete, the card can be used to buy eligible food items anywhere SNAP or EBT is accepted.

When to Call Customer Service?

You can call 1-800-526-9099 at any time. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

• Call if you need to activate your card or choose a PIN.
• Call to check your balance or recent transactions.
• Call if your card is lost, stolen or damaged.
• You can also call to change your PIN or ask questions about your account.

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If your EBT Card is Lost, Stolen or Damaged

If your card is lost or stolen, call customer service right away at (877) 328-9677. During the call, wait through two prompts asking for your card number without entering anything. You will then hear an option to report your card as lost or stolen. Once reported, the card will be disabled. You will be told how to get a new one.