Just wanted to share my experience from a few months ago - I had the same worry when my card got damaged and I had to lock it right before my benefits were supposed to load. Everything worked perfectly! The benefits deposited on schedule and were waiting for me when I unlocked the card. One tip though - if you do need to unlock it at the store, try to do it right before you shop rather than unlocking it ahead of time. That way you minimize the window where someone could potentially use it if they somehow got access. The mobile app makes it super quick to unlock right when you need it!

Just wanted to chime in as someone who works at a grocery store and sees EBT transactions all day - your benefits will definitely still load even with the card locked! I've had customers explain this exact situation to me before. The locking feature is really just a spending block, not an account freeze. Your $430 will be there waiting for you tomorrow. Also, pro tip from what I've observed - you can actually check your balance through the EBT app or by calling the customer service number even while the card is locked, so you'll be able to confirm your benefits loaded without having to unlock anything. Stay safe out there!

I'm so frustrated and scared right now - just discovered that $1,200 in P-EBT funds disappeared from my card yesterday! I'm a single mom with four kids and was counting on those benefits to help get us through the summer when they're all home from school. Like everyone else here, I never received any notification letter about this policy change. I had been deliberately saving those funds because I knew summer would be our hardest time financially. Reading through all of your experiences has been both devastating (seeing how many families are affected) and incredibly helpful - especially the specific advice about "Administrative Error Restoration" that Myles shared. I'm definitely going to call my county office first thing tomorrow morning and use that exact language, along with all the documentation tips Simon and Geoff provided. It's really encouraging to see that people like Khalil got most of their benefits back through this process. Thank you all so much for sharing your stories and advice - it helps to know I'm not fighting this alone. I'll make sure to document everything, get case numbers, and be persistent. Will absolutely update everyone on how it goes!

I'm dealing with this exact same situation! Just found out yesterday that $750 in P-EBT benefits disappeared from my card with no warning whatsoever. I'm a single mom with two young kids and had been carefully saving those funds for summer when they'll be home from school and need more meals throughout the day. Like everyone else here, I never received any notification letter about this 9-month expiration policy change. It's so frustrating because I was actually trying to be responsible by budgeting and saving these benefits for when I knew I'd need them most. Reading through all of your experiences has been incredibly helpful though - especially the detailed advice about requesting an "Administrative Error Restoration" that Myles provided. I'm definitely going to call my county office tomorrow morning and use that exact language, along with all the documentation tips everyone has shared. It's really encouraging to see that several people like Khalil have actually gotten most of their benefits restored through this process. Thank you all so much for sharing your stories and specific steps to take - it helps so much to know I'm not alone in this fight and that there's actually hope for getting these benefits back!

UPDATE: I finally got through to someone! Apparently they did an "account reconciliation" and found that they had issued an extra payment back in January that I wasn't eligible for. The frustrating part is they never notified me before taking the money back. The representative said I should have received a Notice of Action but admitted they've been having problems with their mailing system. They're supposed to send notices 10 days before taking any action! They said I can request a fair hearing to dispute it, but since it was technically an overpayment, they probably won't return the money. I'm still going to try because I budgeted based on what was showing on my card. This is so frustrating!

I'm so sorry this happened to you! This is exactly why I always screenshot my EBT balance every few days now - learned that lesson the hard way. Since you found out it was an overpayment from January, definitely file for that fair hearing like others suggested. Even if they don't give you the full amount back, they might work out a payment plan to recoup it more slowly instead of taking it all at once. That's what happened to my neighbor - they let her pay back $20/month instead of taking everything. Also document that phone call where they admitted the mailing system problems - that could really help your case! The fact that you budgeted based on what showed on your card matters.

I'm really sorry this happened to you! EBT theft is unfortunately becoming way too common. Based on what others have shared, it sounds like going to your county office in person on Monday is your best bet. One thing I'd add - when you go in person, ask specifically about the "Emergency Cash Assistance" program while your case is being investigated. Some people don't know this exists, but LA County can sometimes provide a small emergency cash payment (usually $100-200) within 24-48 hours for situations exactly like yours where stolen benefits are putting you at risk of eviction. Also, document EVERYTHING - take photos of all forms you submit, get receipt confirmations, and ask for case reference numbers. This will help if you need to follow up or escalate. You might also want to contact your landlord now to explain the situation and see if they'll accept a partial payment or give you a few extra days. Many landlords are understanding when there's a legitimate emergency like this, especially if you can show them the police report. Hang in there - I know 7-10 days still feels like forever when you're stressed about rent, but you've got this!

I'm so sorry you're going through this - EBT theft is such a violation and the stress about rent must be overwhelming. Based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds like you have a solid plan with going to the county office Monday morning. Just wanted to add that when you're there, also ask about the CalFresh Emergency Allotment program if you haven't already received it this month. Sometimes they can expedite regular food benefits while you're waiting for the cash replacement, which could free up other money for your rent. Also, if you have any friends or family who could help with even a small loan for part of your rent, that might give you some breathing room while waiting for the replacement. I know it's hard to ask for help, but most people understand that EBT theft isn't your fault. Stay strong - from what everyone's shared, it sounds like LA County has gotten better at handling these cases quickly. You're doing everything right by being proactive about it!

UPDATE: I wanted to thank everyone for their helpful advice! I ended up trying a few different things. First, I tried Firefox instead of Chrome like someone suggested, but still had the same issue. Then I used Claimyr to get through to my county office (it really did work!) and spoke with a worker who confirmed there's a system update happening that's affected some accounts. She helped me submit my recertification over the phone and also sent me an email confirmation that my benefits won't be discontinued while they resolve the technical issue. I also printed and filled out the SAWS 2 Plus form as a backup and dropped it off at the county office dropbox (with photos for proof like someone suggested). Such a relief to have this figured out! Thanks again to everyone who helped.

So glad to hear you got it resolved! This is exactly why I love this community - everyone jumps in to help when someone's struggling with the system. Your update will definitely help other people who run into the same issue. It's crazy that these system updates cause so much stress for people who are just trying to keep their benefits, but at least now we know what to expect and have multiple backup plans. Thanks for taking the time to update us on what worked!