To clarify some confusion I'm seeing in these comments - your son will need to file a CF 303 form (CalFresh Replacement Request) within 10 days. He'll need to verify: 1) The power outage occurred (utility company documentation), 2) The approximate value of food lost, and 3) That the food was purchased with CalFresh benefits. They typically replace the portion that was lost, so if he spent $200 of his $270 on perishable foods that spoiled, he should request $200 in replacement.

Make sure he doesn't throw away the food until after he submits the form!! My cousin had this happen and they asked her to take pictures of the spoiled food as proof. Also tell him to check his benifitscal account to see if they sent him any messages about it

I think its the stores fault not the banks! My sister works at 7-11 and she said they found skimmers on their card readers TWICE this year. Criminals put those things on and steal everyones info. Doesnt matter what bank you have if the store has skimmers.

Thank you everyone for the helpful advice! I'm going to: 1. Request the new chip card for my EBT benefits 2. Set up text alerts for any transactions on my accounts 3. Be more careful about where I use my cards I appreciate all the information and personal experiences you've shared. It's helping me make better decisions to protect my benefits!

Just a quick update for everyone waiting - CDSS just announced they're extending the P-EBT distribution period through the first week of next month due to \

Thank you for the update! I checked BenefitsCal again and it still shows our cards are on the way. Fingers crossed they arrive soon!

I'm so confused about all of this. I thought the extra CalFresh benefits ended after COVID? Is this something different? My family of 4 gets regular CalFresh but I haven't heard anything about extra money. Should I be looking for something extra on my card too? We're in Inglewood area...

update - mine just loaded this morning!!! check ur accounts everyone

this happened to me too but mine was because i forgot to report my new job on my SAR7. they dont tell u that they stopped benefits they just stop them. check ur paperwork maybe?

mine came in just now!!! just checked my balance and it finally loaded. maybe check yours again?

Dont trust them AT ALL!!! They did this to me too and then claimed I never submitted my docs even though I HAD PROOF i uploaded them!!! Take screenshots of EVERYTHING and write down the confirmation numbers when you upload. The system is designed to trip you up and cut benefits whenever possible.

To directly answer your questions: 1. You should definitely submit the verification documents they requested, even though you received the EBT card. CalFresh regulations allow counties to issue benefits based on your statements during the interview, but they still need verification documents to continue your benefits beyond the first month or two. 2. The best way to submit your paystubs is through BenefitsCal.com - log in to your account, go to "My Benefits" and then you should see an option to "Submit Verification" or something similar. Upload clear photos or scans of your paystubs. 3. About the UIB mention - this is simply informational. The CalFresh worker noticed your husband is unemployed and is letting you know he might qualify for Unemployment Insurance Benefits. This is handled through EDD (Employment Development Department), not CalFresh. He can apply at edd.ca.gov if he lost his job through no fault of his own. 4. Your benefit amount of $530 for a family of 3 with one income seems in the expected range for 2025, especially if you have significant housing costs or childcare expenses that were reported during your interview. Make sure you keep track of your Semi-Annual Report (SAR7) due date, which will be approximately 6 months from approval. This is absolutely critical to continue receiving benefits.

one time my card got blocked cuz i put in the wrong pin too many times didnt even realize lol. maybe thats what happened?

Just as a follow up - I checked with our department and there was indeed a system update last night that affected some EBT card services. Most issues should be resolved by this evening. If you're still having problems tomorrow, definitely contact your county office.

In the immediate term, while you're dealing with the fraud claim, here are emergency food resources you can access this weekend: 1. Call 211 for immediate food assistance resources in your area 2. Most food banks operate on weekends - find your local one at cafoodbanks.org 3. If you have school-aged children, many districts provide weekend meal packages 4. Churches and community centers often have weekend food pantries When you contact EBT fraud, ask specifically about "immediate need" replacement benefits. In cases with children involved, they can sometimes expedite emergency benefits while your claim is being processed. Make sure to get a claim confirmation number for all your records.

Update: finally got through to EBT after using that Claimyr service! They confirmed it was fraud, canceled my card, and are sending me a new one that should arrive in 3-5 business days. They said my fraud claim could take up to 30 days to investigate, but the rep noted my account that I have children and need emergency assistance. Said I should also visit my county office on Monday to request emergency replacement benefits while the claim is pending. Will update how it goes!

am i the only one who thinks its RIDICULOUS we have to do all this?? why isn't the state doing more to protect our benefits??? my cousin had $750 stolen last month and shes a single mom with 3 kids. had to use a food bank until they replaced it weeks later.

In addition to changing your PIN, I recommend checking your EBT balance frequently through the app or website. If you notice unauthorized transactions, report them immediately! The sooner you report, the better chance of getting benefits replaced. Also, for anyone concerned about skimming, the California EBT mobile app lets you check your transaction history easily so you can spot problems fast.

For those still experiencing delays, here are some immediate steps you can take:\n\n1. Check if you're eligible for emergency CalFresh benefits due to the issuance delay. Call the Emergency Benefits Hotline: 1-877-328-9677\n\n2. Contact your local food bank for immediate assistance while waiting for benefits: https://www.cafoodbanks.org/find-food-bank/\n\n3. When calling your county office, specifically mention \

This is incredibly helpful! I just called my kids' school and they're going to send home extra weekend meal packs for families affected by the delay. For anyone reading this later - my benefits did eventually come through late on February 2nd, so there's hope!