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.

I'm dealing with something similar right now - my benefits got cut off unexpectedly last week and I've been getting the runaround trying to figure out why. One thing that helped me was calling the fraud hotline (1-800-344-8477) instead of the regular customer service line. They have shorter wait times and can sometimes see what's happening with your case even if they can't fix it directly. They told me there was a "pending verification" flag on my account that I never got a notice about. At least now I know what documents to bring when I go in person. Also, if you have kids under 6, you might qualify for WIC as a backup food assistance program while you get this sorted out. Hang in there - the system is definitely broken but your family deserves these benefits.

I'm so sorry you're going through this - the phone system is absolutely awful and it's infuriating when you need help urgently. A few things that have helped me and others I know: 1. Try calling your county's main CalFresh line instead of the EBT customer service - they can actually help with benefit issues while the EBT line is just for card problems 2. Call right at 8:00 AM sharp on weekdays, preferably Monday or Tuesday 3. Have your case number, SSN, and SAR7 confirmation ready before you call 4. If you submitted your SAR7 on time but benefits stopped, there might be a verification request that got lost in the mail or sent to an old address Also check if there are any local food banks or emergency food assistance programs in your area while you're getting this resolved. Many don't require applications and can help bridge the gap. The 211 helpline (dial 2-1-1) can connect you with local emergency food resources. Don't give up - you and your kids deserve these benefits and there are people in the system who do want to help once you can reach them. The fraud hotline number someone mentioned above is also worth trying if the regular lines don't work.

FINAL UPDATE: My benefits were finally loaded this morning! Full amount, no reduction. For anyone else experiencing this issue, definitely try that special hotline number that was shared. I got through in about 15 minutes yesterday, and they confirmed my case was affected by the system update but was scheduled for processing last night. Sure enough, funds were there this morning. Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions!

So glad to see this resolved! I'm dealing with the same issue in Fresno County - benefits were supposed to load on the 12th and still nothing. Just tried that special hotline number and actually got through in about 8 minutes! The rep confirmed my case is in the queue and should process within 24-48 hours. She also mentioned they're prioritizing households with children and elderly members, so if that applies to anyone still waiting, definitely mention it when you call. Thanks for sharing all the updates throughout this thread - it really helped knowing I wasn't alone in this situation!