This is such a good reminder to always verify information through official channels first! I've fallen for similar rumors before and it's so disappointing when you're counting on that extra money. For anyone who wants to stay updated on actual CalFresh changes, you can sign up for text alerts through your county office or follow the official CDSS social media accounts. They're pretty good about announcing real program updates there. Also, if you're struggling with low benefits like the original poster, don't forget about local food banks and pantries - many don't have income restrictions and can help stretch your grocery budget between EBT deposits.

I'm new to CalFresh and this community, but I've learned the hard way to always check official sources first! When I first started receiving benefits, I believed every rumor I heard and it caused so much stress. Now I bookmark the CDSS website and my county's benefits page so I can quickly fact-check things. It's really frustrating how these fake stimulus rumors spread so fast on social media - I think people share them because they genuinely want to help others, but it just creates false hope. Thanks to everyone who took the time to clarify this for those of us who might have gotten confused!

just so everyone knows, they can take ur benefits without having your physical card. happened to me. i think it was from using my card at a sketchy liquor store. now i ONLY use my EBT at big grocery chains like ralphs or food 4 less. and i change my pin every 2 weeks. never had a problem since. also if ur benefits get stolen they WILL replace them but you have to be super annoying and keep calling and following up. the squeaky wheel gets the grease lol

This is really helpful information everyone! I had no idea about the card freezing feature either. One thing I wanted to add - if you do need to report stolen benefits, keep detailed records of everything. Write down the date/time you called, who you spoke with, case numbers, etc. I learned this the hard way when my cousin had her benefits stolen and the county "lost" her first report. She had to start the whole process over again because she couldn't prove she had already filed. Also, take screenshots of your balance regularly through the app - this can serve as proof of when the theft occurred. The more documentation you have, the smoother the replacement process will be.

what they told me is there is no way to tell if a machine has a skimmer!!! i only use my card at safeway now. no more corner stores or gas stations.

This is so scary - I had no idea EBT skimming was this widespread! Reading everyone's experiences makes me realize I need to be way more careful with my card. I always thought those warnings about checking card readers were just for credit cards. For anyone dealing with this right now, I found out that some food pantries don't require any paperwork or waiting periods - you can literally just show up and get groceries the same day while you're waiting for your benefits to be restored. The Salvation Army and Catholic Charities usually have emergency food programs. Also, if you have kids, call 211 - they can connect you to local resources for families in crisis situations. Stay safe everyone and thanks for sharing your stories. This community really helps us look out for each other! 💙

UPDATE: I submitted my CF 303 form this morning at the county office! Brought a letter from my property manager confirming the power outage dates/times, photos of some of the spoiled food, and my most recent grocery receipt. The worker said everything looked good and I should see the replacement benefits in 3-5 business days. Thank you all for your help - I would have missed the 10-day deadline if I hadn't posted here!

So glad to see this worked out for you! Your experience is a perfect example of how the system is supposed to work when you have the right documentation and submit everything on time. I hope other community members who face similar situations will see this thread and know exactly what steps to take. It's unfortunate that power outages happen, but at least CalFresh has protections in place for situations like this. Thanks for updating us on the outcome!

Update: Just got off the phone with the P-EBT hotline (finally!) and wanted to share what I learned. The rep confirmed that T-Z last names will start seeing benefits July 16-30, with most being processed during the first week of that window. She also said that all three of my kids should get their benefits loaded on the same day, which is good news. For anyone else waiting - they suggested checking your EBT balance every morning during your alphabetical window as benefits are typically loaded overnight. Thanks everyone for your help!

This is so helpful! I'm in the same boat with a Z last name and two kids in elementary. I've been stressing about when these benefits would come through since I'm trying to plan summer meals and activities. It's really frustrating that they don't just release them all at once, but at least now I know to expect them in the second half of July. Going to set a reminder to start checking my EBT balance daily starting July 16th. Thanks for calling and sharing what you found out!