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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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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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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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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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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!
Benjamin Johnson
So glad you got through and are getting help! This is exactly why I always tell people not to give up on the first try. The system is frustrating but California really has made improvements for EBT theft victims. One tip for everyone reading - also check if your local food banks have emergency food boxes while you're waiting for replacement benefits. Most don't require income verification for emergency situations like this. And definitely enable all the security features on the EBT app once you get your new card! Hope you get your benefits back soon Paolo! 🙏
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Drake
•Thank you so much Benjamin! I never even thought about food banks - that's really helpful to know while I'm waiting for the replacement benefits. I'm definitely going to enable all those security features once I get my new card. This whole experience has been so stressful but everyone's advice here has been a lifesaver. Really appreciate this community looking out for each other!
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Oliver Schmidt
I'm so sorry this happened to you! EBT theft is unfortunately becoming more common. Here's what you need to do right away: 1. **Call the EBT customer service line immediately** at 1-877-328-9677 to report the theft and freeze your card 2. **File a police report** - this is required for benefit replacement and serves as proof of theft 3. **Contact your county CalFresh office** to report the theft and request form CF 303E (EBT Benefits Theft Report) The good news is California now has laws requiring them to replace stolen benefits! Under recent legislation, they must replace stolen EBT benefits once per year. Make sure to emphasize this is an EMERGENCY food situation when you call - this can help expedite the process. Also check your EBT transaction history in the app to document where/when the fraudulent purchases happened - this helps prove it wasn't you. Don't panic, most people do get their benefits back within 5-10 business days if you follow all the steps correctly. Hang in there!
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Luca Russo
•This is such helpful and comprehensive advice Oliver! I had no idea California had passed laws requiring benefit replacement - that gives me so much hope. I'm going to call that EBT number right now and then head to the police station. Do you happen to know if I can file the police report online or does it need to be in person? I'm trying to get everything done as quickly as possible since my family depends on these benefits. Thank you for taking the time to write out all these steps!
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Giovanni Mancini
•@Oliver Schmidt Yes, most police departments now allow you to file theft reports online! Just search for [your "city] police online reporting and" look for property theft or fraud categories. You ll'get a case number immediately which is what you need for the county office. Some departments might require an in-person follow-up for large amounts like $1000, but the online report gets the process started faster. The key is getting that case number ASAP so you can reference it when you call the county. Good luck and don t'give up - the system works if you persist through all the steps!
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