I'm in the same boat - last name starts with D and still waiting! My neighbor got hers yesterday (also D name - Davidson) so they're definitely going out now. I called the P-EBT line this morning right at 8am like someone suggested and actually got through after about 25 minutes on hold. The rep told me that cards are still being processed for D names through the end of this week, and if we don't get them by Monday to call back. She also mentioned that some people's cards got delayed because their address in the system didn't match what the school had on file. Might be worth double-checking that your address is current in your kids' school records just in case!

I'm also waiting for my D last name card! Reading through all these comments has been really helpful - I didn't know about the address matching issue or that some districts submit data faster than others. I'm going to check with my kids' school tomorrow to make sure our address is current, and I'll try calling right at 8am like Marcus suggested. It's so stressful when you're counting on these benefits and the system seems so disorganized. At least it sounds like D names are still being processed this week, so hopefully we'll all get our cards soon!

make sure u call early in the morning when they open! thats the only time u can get thru without waiting for hours

Just wanted to add that you can also check your benefit details online through your BenefitsCal account or the ebtEDGE app. It should show your monthly benefit amount and any back payments separately, which might help you understand the $1790 before you call tomorrow. Also, even though the card has your son's name on it, you as the parent/guardian can still use it legally to purchase food for your household. But definitely get it corrected for future reference!

Glad you got it figured out! This is exactly why it's so important to keep track of any changes you report to your county office. The processing delays can be really frustrating - sometimes it takes months for them to update your benefits even for something as straightforward as a rent increase. For future reference, if you report changes and don't see them reflected in your benefits within 30 days, it's worth following up. The retroactive payments are nice when they finally come through, but it would be so much better if they just processed things on time in the first place!

This whole thread is so helpful! I'm new to CalFresh and honestly had no idea about all these different reasons why benefit amounts can change. I was getting stressed thinking I might be getting "extra" money by mistake and would have to pay it back later. It's reassuring to know that retroactive adjustments for things like rent increases are totally normal. I'm definitely going to set up my BenefitsCal online account so I can track my notices better. Thanks everyone for explaining how this all works!

I'm so sorry this happened to you and your family. EBT fraud is unfortunately becoming more common and sophisticated. Here are some immediate steps you can take while waiting for your benefits to be restored: 1. **Emergency food assistance**: Call 211 right now to find local food banks, soup kitchens, and emergency food programs in your area. Many don't require paperwork and can help immediately. 2. **School meals**: Make sure your kids are getting free breakfast and lunch at school if they're eligible. 3. **Emergency CalFresh**: Ask your caseworker about emergency food assistance or expedited replacement benefits due to "household hardship with minor children" - this is different from the fraud investigation and can sometimes be processed in 3-5 days. 4. **Document everything**: Keep all your case numbers, call logs, and any documentation. Take photos of your empty EBT balance as proof. In my experience helping families with benefits, fraud claims typically resolve in 10-15 days despite the 30-day window they quote. The key is to keep calling and emphasizing that you have children with no food. Don't give up - you deserve to have your stolen benefits restored quickly. Stay strong, and please update us when you get resolution. We're rooting for you and your family.

I'm so sorry you're going through this nightmare - having your food benefits stolen twice in one day with 3 kids to feed is absolutely devastating. I went through EBT fraud last year and want to share what helped speed things up for me: **Immediate actions:** - File a police report online (most departments allow this now) - having a police report number can help expedite your case - Call your county CalFresh office directly (not just the EBT fraud line) and specifically request "emergency replacement benefits due to household hardship with minor children" - this is a separate process from fraud investigation and can be processed in 3-5 days - Call 211 immediately for emergency food resources - food banks, community meals, etc. **For follow-up:** - Keep calling every 2-3 days with your case numbers. Be persistent but polite, and always mention you have 3 children with no food - Ask to speak with a supervisor since your total fraud amount ($799) is substantial - Set up alerts on your new EBT card through ConnectEBT.com to catch any suspicious activity immediately In my experience, most fraud claims actually resolve in 10-15 days despite the 30-day estimate they give. The emergency replacement benefits can help bridge that gap. Don't let them make you wait without any help - you have options for immediate assistance while the investigation is pending. Hang in there - this community is here to support you through this.

just go to the office!!! phone is useless!! bring a folding chair and phone charger tho lol

I'm dealing with the exact same nightmare! San Bernardino County's phone system is absolutely broken. I've been trying for over a month to get through about my elderly mother's case and it's beyond frustrating. One thing that finally worked for me was calling the statewide CalFresh hotline at 1-877-847-3663. They can't handle everything but they were able to see my mom's case status and actually contacted the local office on our behalf. It took about a week but someone finally called us back. Also, if you have a local community organization or food bank in your area, sometimes they have advocates who can help navigate the system. The San Bernardino County office seems to respond better to calls from advocacy groups than individual clients for some reason. Good luck - this system is beyond broken and I feel for everyone going through this stress!