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I'm so sorry this happened to you - EBT fraud is unfortunately becoming way too common and it's heartbreaking when families are left without food money. A few things that might help while you're waiting: 1. If you haven't already, try calling your county office first thing in the morning (like 8 AM sharp) - that's usually when you have the best chance of getting through before the lines get overwhelmed. 2. Ask about CalFresh Emergency Allotments if they're still available in your county - some counties have additional emergency funds for situations exactly like this. 3. Don't forget about local churches and community centers - many have food pantries that don't require any paperwork and can help bridge the gap. 4. If you have WIC-eligible kids (under 5), definitely apply for that ASAP as others mentioned - it's a separate program and can provide some immediate help with milk, eggs, cereal, etc. Stay strong and keep pushing - you're doing everything right by acting fast and reaching out for help. Your kids are lucky to have a parent fighting so hard for them!
Thank you so much for the encouraging words and practical advice! I really needed to hear that I'm doing the right things. I'll definitely try calling at 8 AM sharp tomorrow - that's a great tip about timing. I hadn't thought about checking with churches and community centers either. My youngest is 3 so I should definitely look into WIC too. It's overwhelming trying to figure out all these different programs while stressed about feeding my family, but your comment really helps me feel less alone in this. I appreciate you taking the time to give such thoughtful advice!
I'm a caseworker in another California county and want to add some specifics that might help. When you file your EBT-2259 form, make sure to request a copy for your records - this is crucial if there are any delays or issues with processing. Also, ask your worker about the "Replacement Benefits Pending Investigation" option - some counties can issue partial emergency benefits (usually 50% of stolen amount) within 3-5 business days while the full claim is being processed. This isn't widely advertised but it exists specifically for families with children facing food insecurity. Document everything - take photos of the form, get confirmation numbers, and ask for written confirmation that your claim was received. The squeaky wheel gets the grease with these situations unfortunately. Don't give up!
This is incredibly valuable insider information - thank you so much for sharing! I had no idea about the "Replacement Benefits Pending Investigation" option. That could be a lifesaver for us right now. I'll definitely ask about the 50% emergency benefits when I call tomorrow morning. And yes, I'm learning quickly that documentation is everything with government programs. I'm going to take photos of everything and get confirmation numbers for every step. It's really reassuring to hear from someone who actually works in the system and knows what options are available that they don't always tell people about. I can't thank you enough for taking the time to help a stranger navigate this nightmare!
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does anyone know how much the sun bucks pays? is it the same amount as the p-ebt we got during covid?
Summer EBT/Sun Bucks provides approximately $40 per eligible child per month during the summer months (typically June, July, and August). It's less than what was provided during COVID under P-EBT, which was around $120 per month at its peak. Unlike P-EBT which was a pandemic response, Summer EBT is now a permanent program to help families when school meals aren't available during summer breaks.
I'm in a similar situation with my 4-year-old who isn't in any formal program yet. After reading through all these responses, it sounds like I need to look into Head Start or other state-funded preschool programs if I want my younger child to qualify for Sun Bucks. Does anyone know if there's a waiting list for Head Start programs, or how early I should apply for next year? It seems like getting into one of these programs would not only help with my child's education but also make them eligible for the summer food benefits.
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As someone who just went through this process last month, I wanted to share a few additional tips that might help! First, if you're calling the 877-328-9677 number, try calling on Wednesdays or Thursdays - I noticed the wait times were shorter those days compared to Mondays when everyone calls after the weekend. Second, when you do get through, ask them to put a note in your file about any address changes or special circumstances. This saved me when I had to call back about a separate issue because the rep could see all the previous notes. Also, if you have multiple kids, you can request replacement cards for all of them in one call rather than calling separately for each child. The system can be really frustrating, but these little strategies made a huge difference for me. Hope this helps and you get your replacement card soon!
This is incredibly helpful information, thank you so much for sharing! I never would have thought about calling on specific days of the week to avoid long wait times - that's such a smart strategy. And the tip about requesting cards for multiple kids in one call is a game changer since I have three children who all got P-EBT benefits last year. I'm going to try calling this Wednesday morning right at 8am with all my documentation ready, including proof of address since we moved. It's amazing how much planning goes into something that should be simple, but I really appreciate everyone in this thread sharing their experiences and tips. At least now I feel like I have a solid plan instead of just randomly calling and getting frustrated!
I went through this exact same situation back in January and it was such a headache! One thing that really helped me was downloading the ebtEDGE mobile app - you can actually check your card balance and see if new benefits have been deposited even without the physical card. This way you'll know if benefits are still being added to your lost card before you go through the hassle of requesting a replacement. Also, I found that calling right at 8:00 AM sharp on weekdays gave me the best chance of getting through. Still took about 30 minutes on hold, but way better than the 2+ hours I was waiting when calling later in the day. Make sure you have your kids' full names and dates of birth ready because they'll ask for that to verify your identity. The whole system definitely needs improvement, but don't give up - those benefits can really help with grocery costs!
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Update: I just called the number on the back of my EBT card and checked my transaction history. There were THREE transactions at a store in Madera that I've never even been to! They were for $86, $112, and $205 over the past 4 months. I'm literally shaking right now. That's over $400 of food money for my kids that someone STOLE. What do I do now? Do I call the police? The fraud department? I'm so upset I can barely think straight.
First, take a deep breath. This is fixable, but will require some patience. Don't call the police - this is a county administrative issue. Call the CalFresh customer service line and specifically request to file a "benefits theft claim" related to the publicized fraud case. Mention you have unauthorized transactions and need to speak with a fraud specialist. If they try to brush you off, ask to speak with a supervisor and mention the news article. Be prepared for a long hold time, unfortunately.
I'm so sorry this happened to you! $400 is a huge amount when you're relying on those benefits to feed your family. In addition to what Ethan suggested, make sure to write down the exact dates, amounts, and store locations of those fraudulent transactions before you call. Also ask them to put a security hold on your EBT card immediately so no more unauthorized transactions can happen. They should be able to issue you a new card with a different number within a few days. Stay strong - you WILL get your money back, it just takes persistence with the system.
This is absolutely heartbreaking and infuriating. As someone new to this community, I had no idea this kind of internal fraud was happening with CalFresh benefits. Reading through everyone's experiences - the missing funds, the runaround from workers, the impact on families trying to put food on the table - it's clear this goes way beyond just one bad actor. I'm not in Fresno County myself, but this makes me want to check my own EBT transaction history just in case. Are there warning signs we should all be looking for regardless of which county we're in? Things like unexpected benefit reductions, mysterious "system errors," or workers being evasive when we ask questions about our cases? It sounds like the advice here about documenting everything and being persistent is crucial. Thank you to everyone sharing resources and legal information - this community support is exactly what people need when dealing with government agencies that don't always have our backs.
Welcome to the community, Savannah! You're absolutely right to be concerned - this could be happening in other counties too. Some red flags to watch for: unexplained drops in your monthly benefits, workers who can't clearly explain benefit calculations, getting vague answers about "system updates" or "recalculations," and especially if you notice EBT transactions at stores you've never visited. I'd recommend everyone check their transaction history monthly, not just when problems arise. It's scary how easy it was for this worker to manipulate the system for months before getting caught. The fact that so many people here had suspicions but were dismissed by workers is really telling about how these schemes can continue unchecked.
StormChaser
Yes, you'll submit the SAR7 at the 6-month mark of your certification period. Since you applied last month, you should receive it around June 2025. Make sure you report any income changes accurately, including the child support. If your income has decreased at all since your initial application, you can actually report that now (not just at SAR7 time) and potentially get your benefit amount increased. Also, don't forget that your utility costs can be factored in using the Standard Utility Allowance (SUA) which might increase your benefit amount.
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Dylan Evans
•Thank you! My income is the same but our electric bill has gone way up with summer coming. I'll ask about that SUA thing when I call to check on the Summer EBT in May. Really appreciate everyone's help in understanding these programs better!
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StarSailor}
Just wanted to add that you can also check your state's Summer EBT website for updates! California usually posts information about when benefits will be issued and any important deadlines. Also, if you move during the school year, make sure to update your address with both your school district AND your CalFresh case - I've seen families miss out because their notification letters went to old addresses. The $120 per child really does help stretch the food budget during summer when kids are home all day!
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