I'm so sorry this happened to you but you absolutely did the right thing by hanging up! As someone who's been on CalFresh for a few years now, I can confirm that legitimate county workers will NEVER ask for your PIN or full EBT card number over the phone. Ever. What really gets me angry about these scams is how they specifically target people who are already struggling financially. They know we depend on these benefits and might panic when someone claims there's a problem with our account. It's absolutely disgusting. A few things I've learned from my own experiences: - Real county communications always come in writing first (mail or through your BenefitsCal account) - If they do call, they'll have your case number and worker ID, not ask for your EBT details - They'll never pressure you to "act now" or threaten immediate benefit suspension - Legitimate workers will always be fine with you saying "let me call you back through the main office number" You mentioned being worried about ignoring it if it was real - definitely check your BenefitsCal account online and call your county office using the official number from your paperwork if you want peace of mind. But I'm 99.9% sure what you got was a scam. Thanks for posting this warning - hopefully it helps other people recognize these calls for what they are!

This is such valuable information for our community! I'm relatively new to CalFresh and had no idea these scam calls were so prevalent. Reading everyone's experiences here has been both eye-opening and reassuring - it's clear that trusting your gut instinct was absolutely the right call. What really stands out to me from all these responses is how sophisticated these scammers have become. The fact that they're using official terminology, spoofing caller IDs, and even having partial case information is genuinely frightening. It shows they're specifically researching and targeting our community. I want to echo what others have said about the importance of never giving out your PIN - that's something that should ONLY be used by you at stores or ATMs. No legitimate government worker would ever need that information over the phone. For anyone who might be new to the system like I was, here's what I've learned from this thread: - Always verify by calling back through official county numbers - Check your BenefitsCal account for any real notices - Remember that legitimate issues come in writing first - Trust your instincts if something feels off Thank you so much to everyone who shared their experiences and advice. This kind of community support is invaluable in protecting each other from these predatory scams!

As someone new to this community, I'm amazed by how thorough and supportive everyone has been in helping Lena navigate this tricky situation! Interstate moves with benefits are so stressful because the rules seem unclear and the consequences of making a mistake feel huge. What really stands out to me is how the community provided both practical experience (especially from those who've done CA-to-Nevada moves) and regulatory knowledge to give a complete picture. The fact that Lena was able to get official confirmation from her caseworker based on the advice here shows how valuable these discussions are. This thread is going to be a great resource for anyone else facing similar interstate benefit transitions - it really breaks down what could be an overwhelming process into clear, manageable steps!

As someone who's new to this community, I just wanted to thank everyone for this incredibly thorough and helpful discussion! I'm not personally dealing with an interstate move right now, but reading through all the different perspectives and experiences has been so educational. What really impressed me was how the community worked together to sort through the initial conflicting advice and help Lena get to the right answer. The fact that multiple people shared their actual experiences with CA-to-Nevada moves (and similar interstate transitions) made this so much more valuable than just theoretical advice. And getting that final confirmation from the caseworker was the perfect way to validate everything. This thread is going to be such a useful resource for anyone else facing similar benefit transition challenges during interstate moves - it really demystifies what can feel like an overwhelming process!

Hey there! I'm so sorry you're going through this stress with a little one - I know how overwhelming it can be. I wanted to share something that really helped me when I was in a similar situation. When you reapply for CalFresh (which you can do immediately - no waiting period!), make sure to also look into your county's Emergency Food Assistance Program. San Bernardino County has a program called "Emergency Food Box" that can provide immediate groceries while your CalFresh application is processing. You can usually get this help within 24-48 hours of applying, which might help bridge the gap until your benefits kick in. Also, I noticed you mentioned formula costs - reach out to your baby's pediatrician's office and ask if they have any formula samples. Many pediatric offices get regular shipments of samples from formula companies and they're usually happy to share them with families who need help. Some offices even keep a stash specifically for families going through tough times. You can also call the formula company's customer service line directly - brands like Enfamil and Similac often have programs to help families in need. Keep fighting mama, you're doing everything right and there are people and programs out there to help! 💕

I'm a case worker in San Bernardino County and wanted to jump in with some official info to help clarify things! You can absolutely reapply immediately - there's no waiting period after a denial. What's really important is documenting your changed circumstances clearly. When you reapply, make sure to include a written statement explaining that your work hours were reduced due to seasonal business changes, and include the approximate date this happened. For expedited processing (3 days instead of 30), you'll likely qualify since you have a baby and very low income - just make sure to check the "expedited" box on your application and mention it if you call. Also, definitely apply for emergency food assistance through our county while your CalFresh processes - we have several programs that can provide immediate help. You can call 211 to get connected to all available resources in your area. One more tip: if you're having trouble with the online application, our office has phone workers who can help walk you through it step by step. Don't give up - the system can be confusing but you deserve this help for you and your baby!

Thanks everyone for your help! My benefits did load today and my regular PIN worked perfectly fine. Such a relief! I'm going to let my neighbor know too so she doesn't keep spreading wrong information. I appreciate all of you taking the time to clear this up for me.

So glad everything worked out for you! It's really frustrating how these false rumors spread and cause so much unnecessary anxiety, especially when people are already stressed about making ends meet. You did the right thing asking here - this community is great for getting accurate information. Maybe we should pin a post about common CalFresh myths to help prevent this kind of confusion in the future?

I'm so sorry this happened to you! EBT theft is becoming a huge problem and it's absolutely devastating when you're relying on those benefits to feed your family. A few things that might help while you're waiting for reimbursement: - Contact your county eligibility worker directly (not just the EBT fraud line) and emphasize that you have children - this should qualify you for expedited processing under the new 2025 regulations - Submit your affidavit electronically through the BenefitsCal app if possible - it's much faster than mailing - Call 211 for immediate food assistance resources in your area - Many food pantries don't require appointments and can help bridge the gap For future protection, I've started checking my EBT balance every single day and I use the card lock feature in the ebtEDGE app whenever I'm not actively shopping. Also be extra careful at gas stations - they seem to be hotspots for skimmers. The wait is terrible but most people in this thread got their money back within 2 weeks, and with the new expedited rules for families it should hopefully be faster. Stay on top of them with follow-up calls every few days. You shouldn't have to suffer because of these criminals!

I'm so sorry this happened to you! EBT theft is unfortunately becoming way too common and it's devastating when you're counting on those benefits to feed your family. I went through this exact same situation about 8 months ago - had $520 stolen overnight and was completely panicked. Here's what I learned that might help you: 1. Call your county eligibility worker directly (not just the EBT fraud line) - their number should be on your last CalFresh notice. Tell them you have children and request expedited processing under the new 2025 theft protection laws. 2. Submit your affidavit through the BenefitsCal app instead of mailing it - it's much faster and you get confirmation it was received. 3. Follow up every 2-3 days. Be polite but persistent. Document who you spoke with and when. For immediate help while you wait: - Call 211 for local food banks and emergency assistance - Many churches and community centers do emergency food boxes regardless of membership - Ask your kids' schools about weekend food programs I got my benefits back in 10 business days, which was way better than the horror stories I'd heard. The new expedited rules for families with children really do help if you know to ask for them. Stay strong - I know it feels impossible right now but you WILL get through this. The community here has great advice and you're not alone in dealing with this nightmare!