Thanks everyone for all this helpful information! I went to my farmers market yesterday and tried the token system. It was so easy! I swiped my EBT card for $20 and they gave me $20 in wooden tokens PLUS another $15 in Market Match tokens for fruits and vegetables! I got so much more food than I would have at the grocery store. The produce was fresher too. Just wanted to update and say thanks for explaining how it all works!

This is such great information! I had no idea about the token system either. One thing I'd add - if you're planning to go regularly, it helps to ask the market manager what their busiest times are so you can avoid the long lines. At my market, they said Saturday mornings right when they open (8am) and Sunday afternoons (around 2pm) are the worst. I started going on Saturday around 10am and there's usually no wait at all. Also, some markets will let you call ahead to ask about their current Market Match funding status so you don't show up when they've run out for the day.

Update to my earlier comment: I just checked the official CDSS website, and they specify that while police reports aren't required initially, they reserve the right to request one during their investigation. The 2-10 day timeframe is accurate, but only applies to "standard" cases that don't require additional verification. My recommendation is to document everything related to the theft - where you last used the card, when you noticed the missing funds, any suspicious transactions. This will help if they do ask for additional information. Also, be aware that while they're processing faster now, the system can get backlogged near the end of the month when more theft reports come in.

I'm so sorry this happened to you! $675 is a huge chunk of your monthly benefits. I went through something similar about 6 weeks ago and can confirm the policy did change. I didn't need a police report and got my benefits back in 9 days. The key thing is making sure you fill out that EBT-2259 form completely and accurately - don't leave any fields blank even if they seem optional. Also, if you haven't already, call your card issuer (usually on the back of your EBT card) to report it stolen there too, not just to DPSS. Having it reported in both systems helps speed things up. Hang in there - your kids will be okay and the benefits should come through soon!

Just a heads-up for everyone in this thread: The California EBT system will be down for maintenance from February 3-4, 2025 (next weekend) from 11 PM Saturday until 8 AM Sunday. If you're planning to do your beginning-of-month shopping during that time, you'll need to reschedule. This is part of the security upgrades they're implementing to address the skimming issues. If you haven't already, download the ConnectEBT mobile app - it lets you temporarily freeze and unfreeze your card between uses, which is another layer of protection against skimming.

Another thing that's helped me is signing up for text alerts through the EBT customer service line. You can set it up so you get a text every time your card is used, with the amount and location. That way if someone skims your card, you'll know within minutes instead of finding out days later when you go to buy groceries. Also, I've started taking photos of the card readers before I use them. Sounds paranoid but it only takes 2 seconds and if there's a skimmer installed, you'll have evidence for the police report. The legit readers are usually flush with the machine, but skimmers often stick out a little or look slightly different in color. Stay safe everyone - these scammers are getting more sophisticated but we can protect ourselves if we stay vigilant!

I'm so glad I found this thread! I've been stressing about this same issue for weeks. Like @Miguel Ramos, I was getting an extra $298 on top of my regular $623 for my family of 3, and it just disappeared after May. I had no idea it was called the CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable Supplement or that it was always meant to be temporary. I wish they had sent out clearer notices about when it would end - I would have budgeted differently if I knew. The information about Summer EBT is a lifesaver though! I'm heading to BenefitsCal.com right now to apply for my two kids. Has anyone actually received their Summer EBT benefits yet? I'm curious about the timeline for when they get loaded onto the card.

This whole situation is so frustrating! I've been dealing with the same thing - my extra $156 vanished after May and I had no clue why. I'm a college student with a part-time job and that extra money was crucial for buying fresh groceries instead of just ramen and canned food. Thank you @Keisha Johnson and @Zainab Omar for explaining about the Fruit and Vegetable Supplement ending - I literally had no idea that's what it was called or that it was temporary. The lack of communication from CalFresh is really disappointing. I'm definitely going to look into the Market Match program at my local farmers market. Does anyone know if the Summer EBT program is available for college students too, or is it just for families with children under 18?

Thank you everyone for the helpful responses! Looks like I'll stick with my plan to go shopping after 6am on the 11th. Good to know that the time hasn't changed, and I appreciate all the extra information about how the system works.

I've been on CalFresh for about 3 years and can confirm the 6am timing is still accurate. One tip I learned - if you're planning to shop right at 6am, I'd recommend waiting until at least 6:05am just to be safe. Sometimes there can be a few minutes delay in the system processing, especially on heavy benefit days like the 1st-3rd of the month when lots of people are accessing their benefits at once. Also, some store card readers seem to take a minute or two longer to connect with the EBT system in the early morning hours. Better to wait those extra few minutes than have an awkward declined transaction at checkout!