San Diego County residents receiving CalFresh, CalWORKs, and General Relief benefits will soon receive upgraded Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards featuring enhanced security measures. This significant initiative aims to protect vulnerable communities from fraud, ensuring that essential benefits reach those who need them most.
With approximately 405,000 county residents relying on EBT cards for food and financial assistance, security concerns have been paramount. Fraudulent activities such as skimming and scamming have resulted in nearly 23,000 reported thefts in San Diego County alone over the past year, with hundreds of thousands of cases reported statewide. In response, the State of California is rolling out new chip-enabled EBT cards designed to prevent unauthorized access and misuse.
Enhanced Security for Greater Protection
The transition to chip-enabled EBT cards marks a crucial step in safeguarding recipients’ benefits. The embedded chip, coupled with other advanced security features, makes it significantly more difficult for criminals to clone, reprint, or misuse cards.
“We are excited that the State has taken this vital step to protect our customers,” said Rick Wanne, Director of County Self-Sufficiency Services. “These benefits play an essential role in supporting San Diegans on their path to self-sufficiency. This security enhancement will provide much-needed peace of mind to thousands of families.”
What EBT Recipients Need to Know
To ensure a smooth transition, the State is advising all EBT recipients to check their mail starting February 25, 2025, for the arrival of their new cards. Once received, recipients must activate the new card promptly by using it at an eligible retailer. Activation must occur within 180 days of receipt to avoid any service disruptions.
Recipients should also note the following key changes:
✅ Use the Chip for Transactions: To maximize security, recipients should insert or tap the chip-enabled card at payment terminals rather than swiping it. This helps prevent skimming fraud, where thieves steal data from the card’s magnetic strip.
✅ Seamless Benefit Transfer: All benefits will automatically transfer to the new card, ensuring uninterrupted access to food and financial assistance.
✅ No Changes to PIN or Personal Information: PIN numbers and personal details will remain unchanged, allowing for a seamless transition.
✅ Destroy Old EBT Cards: Once the new card is activated, recipients should securely dispose of their old EBT cards to prevent any potential misuse.
Additional Security Features of the New EBT Cards
The new chip-enabled EBT cards come with several design and security upgrades to further safeguard recipients:
🔹 Personal Information Moved to the Back: This prevents unauthorized access to sensitive details when using the card in public.
🔹 Card Security Code Added: Similar to standard debit and credit cards, the new EBT cards now feature a three-digit security code (CVV) to enhance protection during transactions.
🔹 Expiration Date for the Card: While the card itself will now have an expiration date, this does not impact benefit eligibility. Recipients will receive a replacement card when needed.
Why This Upgrade Matters
The shift to chip-enabled EBT cards represents a proactive approach to combating fraud and securing public assistance programs. Skimming and scamming have cost countless families their essential benefits, forcing many into financial hardship. By implementing this advanced security measure, the State is ensuring that support reaches those who depend on it most.
Moreover, this change aligns with modern banking security standards, reinforcing the integrity of California’s public assistance programs. With fraudsters constantly evolving their tactics, the introduction of chip technology is a necessary step toward protecting low-income families from financial exploitation.
Need Assistance? Here’s How to Get Help
For any questions regarding the new EBT cards, recipients can contact the State’s EBT Customer Service Helpline at (877) 328-9677 for support.
CalFresh customers use their EBT cards to purchase fresh, nutritious food at thousands of stores statewide. CalWORKs and General Relief recipients rely on these benefits to cover essential living expenses such as food, housing, clothing, and other necessities. With these security enhancements, the State is ensuring that recipients can access their benefits safely and securely.
This transition is more than just a technological upgrade—it’s a commitment to protecting California’s most vulnerable residents from fraud while preserving the integrity of vital public assistance programs.