5 Shocking Truths About The Final Status Of Your Joann Fabric Gift Card In 2025

As of today, December 17, 2025, the fate of the Joann Fabric gift card is sealed, and the news is devastating for the crafting community: any physical gift card or e-gift card you may possess from the former retailer is now officially worthless. This abrupt and controversial end to the popular currency of the *fabric and craft stores* giant is a direct result of the company’s second Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in early 2025, which ultimately led to the complete closure of all U.S. locations by the end of May 2025. The swift and sudden cutoff of gift card acceptance left countless customers with millions of dollars in *lost funds*, triggering widespread *customer outrage* across social media platforms and the broader *quilting* and *sewing* communities. The collapse of the beloved *craft supplies retailer* marked a painful end to an 80-year legacy, and unfortunately, the gift card policy was one of the most contentious elements of the liquidation process. While these cards were once the perfect present for any *hobbyist* or *DIY enthusiast*, they are now nothing more than a plastic or digital memento of a bygone era. For those who received a *Joann gift card* for Christmas 2024 or had been holding onto one for a special *project*, the window to use the funds closed suddenly and decisively, leaving no viable options for redemption today.

The Final Status: Why Your Joann Gift Card is Now Worthless

The single most important fact for anyone still holding a *Joann Fabric gift card* is that the company is no longer accepting them, either in-store or through its former e-commerce platform, Joann.com. The final nail in the coffin for the cards came early in 2025, shortly after the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

The Controversial Cutoff Deadline

The official acceptance of *Joann gift cards* was discontinued with a shocking speed that infuriated customers. * The Announcement: Joann announced the cessation of gift card acceptance shortly after the bankruptcy filing. * The Deadline: While some initial reports cited a deadline of 14 days after a court order, many sources confirmed the effective cutoff date was around February 28, 2025. * The Reality: In some instances, the company stopped accepting the cards only three days after the announcement of the closures, leaving customers virtually no time to spend their balances. * The Outcome: As of December 2025, all *physical gift cards* and *digital e-gift cards* are deemed to have no remaining value and are not redeemable for cash. This swift action is typical in retail liquidations, where the priority shifts to satisfying secured *creditors* and minimizing liabilities, often at the expense of unsecured creditors, which is the category that gift card holders fall into.

The Legal Recourse That Has Expired: Filing a Proof of Claim

In a Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding, customers holding unspent gift cards are generally classified as unsecured *creditors*. This means there was a legal, albeit low-probability, path to potentially recover some of the lost funds, but that path is now closed.

The General Claims Bar Date

To have any chance of recovering a portion of the *gift card balance*, customers were required to file a formal legal document known as a Proof of Claim with the bankruptcy court. * Requirement: Gift card holders were required to file a Proof of Claim to be recognized as a creditor in the bankruptcy case. * The Deadline: The court-mandated deadline for filing the General Claims Bar Date was set for April 4, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. (ET). * Current Status: As the current date is December 2025, this deadline has long since passed. No new claims can be filed, and there is no further action a gift card holder can take to recover the value. Even for those who successfully filed a claim before the April 4th deadline, the recovery is not guaranteed and is typically only a small fraction of the card's original value, depending on the final liquidation of the company's assets.

Historical Context: The Former Joann Gift Card Ecosystem

Before the closure of all *Joann stores* by May 2025, the *Joann gift card* was a vibrant part of the crafting economy. Understanding its former policies highlights the scale of the loss for loyal customers.

Where They Used to Be Purchased

The cards were widely available, which contributed to the massive number of outstanding cards when the bankruptcy was filed. * In-Store and Online: They could be purchased directly at any of the over 800 *Joann Fabric and Craft Stores* locations nationwide, or through the official Joann.com website. * Third-Party Retailers: *Joann gift cards* were also sold at major retailers and grocery chains, including Walmart, Kroger, and various third-party gift card sites like Gyft and MyGiftCardsPlus. This wide distribution meant the loss impacted a huge number of consumers.

How to Check the Balance (Now Irrelevant)

The methods for checking the *gift card balance* are now moot, but they were once a crucial feature. * Online Check: Customers could visit a specific page on the Joann website and enter the card number and PIN. * Phone Inquiry: A dedicated customer service line (888-345-7674) was available for balance inquiries. * In-Store: Any store cashier could check the balance at the register. While these methods may still technically show a balance, that balance cannot be used for a purchase, making the information purely historical.

Using Coupons and Discounts

A common question among *Joann shoppers* was whether *Joann coupons* could be used in conjunction with a gift card. The answer was yes, gift cards were treated like cash or a credit card, meaning they could be used to pay the final discounted price of merchandise after applying popular *discounts* like the ubiquitous 50% or 60% off coupons. The combination of generous coupons and a pre-paid gift card was a key feature for budget-conscious *crafters* and *hobbyists*. The final closure of *Joann Fabric and Craft Stores* serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with retail *gift cards* during periods of corporate financial instability. For the crafting community, the loss of Joann is a tragedy, and for those holding unspent *Joann gift cards*, it is a financial disappointment with virtually no hope for recovery as of December 2025.