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If I could give 10 stars I would If I could give 10 stars I would Such an amazing service so needed during the times when EDD almost never picks up Claimyr gets me on the phone with EDD every time without fail faster. A much needed service without Claimyr I would have never received the payment I needed to support me during my postpartum recovery. Thank you so much Claimyr!
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Really made a difference, save me time and energy from going to a local office for making the call.
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An incredibly helpful service! Got me connected to a CA EDD agent without major hassle (outside of EDD's agents dropping calls – which Claimyr has free protection for). If you need to file a new claim and can't do it online, pay the $ to Claimyr to get the process started. Absolutely worth it!
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Used this service a couple times now. Before I'd call 200 times in less than a weak frustrated as can be. But using claimyr with a couple hours of waiting i was on the line with an representative or on hold. Dropped a couple times but each reconnected not long after and was mission accomplished, thanks to Claimyr.
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Congrats on getting through! That's such a relief. I've been in a similar situation where documents somehow went "missing" in their system - it's so frustrating but at least now you're back on track. Since they're expediting it, you should hear back within a few days. Just a heads up though - even after approval, it can take 7-10 days to get your actual EBT card in the mail, so don't panic if there's still a bit of a wait. Fingers crossed everything moves quickly for you now!
That's awesome that you got it sorted out! I went through something similar last year where they claimed they never received my bank statements even though I hand-delivered them. It's like their filing system has black holes sometimes lol. But yeah, the EBT card wait is real - mine took almost 2 weeks to arrive, but once it did everything was already loaded and ready to use. Hope yours comes way faster than that!
That's such great news that you finally got through and they're expediting your case! It's unfortunately super common for documents to get "lost" in their system - happened to me too when I first applied. Since you mentioned your rent went up $250, you might want to ask your caseworker if that change affects your benefit amount at all. Sometimes increased housing costs can actually increase your CalFresh allotment. Also, once you get approved and receive your EBT card, don't forget you can use it at farmers markets too if there are any near you - they often have matching programs that double your buying power for fresh produce!
Wait, I think there might be some confusion here - you're replying to your own post! But you're absolutely right about the rent increase potentially affecting your benefit amount. When you talk to your caseworker about the expedited processing, definitely mention that housing cost change. They should be able to update your case with the new rent amount which could increase your monthly benefits. The farmers market tip is great too - I didn't know about those matching programs until someone mentioned it here before!
@Sara Unger You re'totally right, I got confused there! Thanks for catching that. And yes, definitely mention that rent increase to your caseworker - housing costs are a big factor in calculating CalFresh benefits. The higher your housing expenses relative to your income, the more benefits you might qualify for. Also, since you re'dealing with financial stress from the rent hike, make sure to ask about any local food banks or pantries in your area that can help bridge the gap while you re'waiting for benefits to start.
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Wow, what an amazing outcome! Going from $237 to $438 is incredible - that extra $201 per month will make such a huge difference for your family. I'm really impressed that you got through so quickly by calling right when they opened. That's definitely a strategy I'll remember if I ever need to contact my worker. It's also reassuring to see that the system actually worked the way it's supposed to - sometimes you hear so many horror stories that you forget there are success stories too. Thanks for coming back to update everyone, especially those who are dealing with similar situations. Your experience proves that reporting income decreases right away is absolutely worth it, even if the process can be intimidating. Hope things improve with your work situation soon, but at least you have this extra support to help you through the tough time!
This is such an inspiring success story! I'm new to navigating CalFresh and was honestly pretty intimidated by the whole process, but seeing how well things worked out for you gives me a lot of confidence. The jump from $237 to $438 is life-changing money, especially when you're already stressed about feeding your kids. I really appreciate you sharing the practical tip about calling right when they open - that kind of insider knowledge is exactly what newcomers like me need to know. It's also helpful to see that the workers can actually be responsive and get things processed quickly when you have the right documentation. Thank you for taking the time to update everyone instead of just disappearing after getting your issue resolved. Stories like yours make this community so valuable for people trying to figure out the system!
This is such a helpful thread! I'm dealing with a similar situation where my hours just got reduced from 32 to 20 per week, and I was honestly scared to contact my worker because I wasn't sure if I was "allowed" to report it or if I'd get in trouble somehow. Reading all these responses has really clarified that not only CAN I report it, but I SHOULD report it immediately. The tip about calling right when they open is genius - I've been putting off calling because I was dreading sitting on hold for hours. Seeing that you went from $237 to $438 gives me hope that this could really help my family get through this rough patch. Thanks for asking the question that I was too nervous to ask myself!
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UPDATE: Finally got through to EBT fraud department and reported the theft. They're sending me a new card that should arrive in 3-5 days. Also filed a police report online and got a case number. Called my county office first thing this morning and filed the CF 303 form. They said it could take up to 10 business days to process the claim and get my benefits reissued. In the meantime, I called 211 and got referred to two local food banks that can help us get through until the benefits are restored. Thanks everyone for your advice and support during this nightmare!
Great job taking all the right steps! One more tip: when your new card arrives, set up the BenefitsCal mobile app if you haven't already. The 2025 version lets you freeze/unfreeze your EBT card instantly and sends alerts for any transactions. It's much better protection against future theft. Glad you found some food resources in the meantime!
So glad you got through! The waiting is the worst part but at least you've done everything right. Hope those 10 days go by super fast!
I'm so sorry this happened to you! EBT theft is unfortunately really common right now. Just want to add that if you're having trouble getting through to the EBT customer service line, try calling early in the morning right when they open (around 6 AM) - that's when the wait times are usually shortest. Also, make sure to screenshot or print out those fraudulent transaction records from your EBT account online as proof for your claim. The county will need those exact transaction details. Hang in there - I know it's scary but you're doing all the right things and you WILL get your benefits replaced!
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This is such a frustrating situation and you're definitely not alone! EBT card skimming has become a huge problem lately. I had my card compromised twice in the past year - once at a gas station and once at a convenience store. Here's what worked for me: Call the EBT customer service line (1-877-328-9677) early in the morning around 8 AM when call volume is lower. When you get through, immediately say "fraud department" to get transferred to someone who actually knows the process. Don't waste time with general customer service - they'll just put you on hold forever. Make sure you get a case number when you report it, and ask them to email you a confirmation of your fraud report if possible. Also, change your PIN immediately over the phone even before you get your replacement card - this prevents any additional theft while you're waiting. The replacement process is slow but they WILL replace your benefits if you follow the steps correctly. I got mine back in about 6-8 weeks both times. In the meantime, see if any local food banks can help tide you over. Many don't ask questions and can provide emergency food assistance while you're waiting for your benefits to be restored. Stay strong - this theft epidemic is a systemic problem with outdated EBT technology, not anything you did wrong!
This is really helpful, especially the tip about calling at 8 AM when it's less busy! I've been trying to call during lunch breaks and always get stuck in that endless phone tree. The "fraud department" magic words are exactly what I needed - I keep getting transferred to people who seem confused about theft cases. Getting a case number and email confirmation is smart too, I want everything documented. Thanks for mentioning food banks as a backup option while waiting for replacement - I hadn't thought of that but it's a good safety net. It's oddly comforting to know this happened to you twice and you still got your money back both times. Makes me feel less hopeless about the whole situation!
I'm so sorry you're going through this! EBT theft is unfortunately becoming more and more common. The most important thing right now is to act fast - you need to report this immediately to protect yourself from further losses. Here's what I'd recommend doing TODAY: 1. Call 1-877-328-9677 and ask specifically for the "fraud department" (don't waste time with general customer service) 2. Report the theft and request an immediate PIN change over the phone 3. Ask them to deactivate your current card and send a replacement 4. Get a case/reference number for your fraud report Then within the next few days: - File a police report (you'll need this for benefit replacement) - Contact your county CalFresh office and request form "EBT-106C Claim of SNAP Benefit Theft" - Take photos/screenshots of everything - your card, the fraudulent transactions, etc. The good news is that California law now requires them to replace stolen benefits if you report within 90 days and follow the proper process. It takes a few weeks but you WILL get your money back. Stay strong and don't let them tell you that benefits can't be replaced - that's incorrect information!
Malik Davis
As a newcomer to this community, I want to thank everyone for such amazing practical advice! I'm in a similar situation - family of 4 and our CalFresh benefits have been running out faster and faster each month. Reading through all these suggestions is giving me hope that I can stretch our dollars further. I've been stubbornly sticking to the same stores out of habit, but clearly need to explore these other options. There's both a FoodMaxx and Winco within driving distance that I've never tried. The Market Match program sounds like a game-changer too - I love that it specifically helps with fresh produce since that's where I feel like I'm spending the most. It's so refreshing to find a community where people share real, actionable tips instead of just venting (though sometimes we all need to vent too!). Looking forward to learning more money-saving strategies and hopefully contributing some of my own discoveries once I start trying these new stores.
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Freya Pedersen
•Welcome Malik! So glad you found this community helpful - it really makes such a difference having people who understand the struggle. A family of 4 must be even tougher to feed on these benefits with how crazy prices have gotten. You're absolutely right about needing to break out of the habit of shopping at the same stores - I was doing the same thing until I found this group! Both FoodMaxx and Winco are going to be huge game-changers for you. Just a heads up that Winco can get pretty busy on weekends, so if you can go during weekday mornings it's usually less crowded. And definitely don't miss out on their bulk bins - perfect for feeding a larger family! The Market Match program is amazing for produce, and with 4 people you'll probably max out that $10 match pretty easily. Can't wait to hear about your savings once you start exploring these new options!
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Paolo Romano
Just joined this community and wow, what an incredibly helpful thread! As someone struggling to make CalFresh benefits last the whole month, I'm so grateful for all these practical suggestions. I've been shopping at the same expensive chain stores out of convenience but clearly need to branch out. There's a Winco about 25 minutes from me that I keep meaning to try - this thread is the push I needed! The Market Match program sounds amazing too - I had no idea you could double CalFresh dollars for produce. That could make such a huge difference for getting fresh fruits and veggies. Also really appreciate the tip about reporting childcare expenses to potentially increase benefits - I pay for daycare but never thought to mention it during my last recertification. It's so nice to find a community where people actually share actionable advice instead of just complaining. Looking forward to trying these suggestions and hopefully sharing some money-saving discoveries of my own!
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