Just wanted to follow up - were you able to get any assistance? One thing I forgot to mention is that if you have children, you might also qualify for CalWORKs which does provide cash aid that can be used for housing. The income limits are different from CalFresh but if you're struggling with work hours, it might be worth applying. The application can be submitted through BenefitsCal.com or at your county office.

That's great news that you went in person and got the application expedited! The Housing Support Program has really helped a lot of families in similar situations. While you're waiting for that decision, you might also want to reach out to your local Salvation Army or United Way - they sometimes have emergency funds that can help bridge the gap if the county assistance takes longer than expected. Also, document everything with your landlord (keep texts, emails, etc.) in case you need to show you're actively working to resolve the situation. Hope it all works out for you!

I'm so sorry you went through that skimming experience - it's absolutely terrible that this happens so frequently to people who are already struggling. I've been following this thread and learned so much from everyone's responses. Just wanted to add that you can also set up text alerts for your EBT card through the customer service line. They'll send you a text whenever there's activity on your account, including deposits and purchases. This way you'll know immediately if your benefits were deposited or if there's any suspicious activity, even when your card is locked. I hope you never have to deal with skimming again, but at least now you have all these great security strategies from the community!

I'm a case worker who's helped dozens of clients through skimming situations, and I want to emphasize what others have said - your benefits WILL be deposited even with a locked card. The lock only affects outgoing transactions (purchases/withdrawals), never incoming deposits. A few additional protective measures I recommend to all my clients: - Check your balance before AND after every shopping trip - Take a photo of card readers before inserting your card - if it looks loose, wobbly, or different from usual, don't use it - Shop at larger chain stores when possible - they tend to have better security monitoring on their card readers - Never let anyone "help" you at the ATM or card reader The lock feature has been a game-changer for preventing repeat skimming. I tell all my clients to treat it like locking your phone - it should be your default state unless you're actively using it.

I'm glad you got through! One more tip - document EVERYTHING. Take photos of any papers they give you, write down the names of workers you speak with, and keep notes about all conversations. If the full replacement gets delayed, this documentation will help. Also, when you receive your new card, immediately set up the California EBT Mobile app if you haven't already. It allows you to freeze and unfreeze your card between uses, which provides extra security against theft in the future.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this - it's incredibly stressful when you have kids to feed! I went through something similar last year and wanted to share a few things that helped speed up my case. First, when you go to your appointment tomorrow, bring any receipts from the last few times you used your card to show your normal usage pattern - this helps prove the fraudulent transactions. Second, ask specifically about "expedited processing" for households with children under 18 - some counties can fast-track these cases. Also, if you're still having trouble reaching county workers by phone in the future, try calling right when they open (usually 8 AM) or during lunch hours when call volume is sometimes lower. The food bank was a lifesaver for us during the waiting period. You're doing everything right by staying on top of this and advocating for your family!

Thank you! I'll try both of those. Really hoping I can find something that works with my situation.

UPDATE: I went to the CSA office today and they told me I do qualify for the Homeless Assistance Program even though I'm not on CalWORKs! The worker said because I have children and am in temporary housing (the motel), I meet their definition of

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

I'm so glad to hear your benefits came through! This is exactly why I always recommend people check this community first when they have issues - you get real-time updates from people going through the same thing. The system delays seem to be happening more frequently lately. For anyone else reading this thread in the future, it's worth knowing that the CDSS website posts official notices about system issues, and checking BenefitsCal for any pending tasks or messages is always a good first step. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and advice!