I'm really new to this community and the CalFresh system, so this situation sounds absolutely terrifying! The fact that your card can just randomly get canceled while your case is still active and you have benefits available is such a scary system flaw, especially when you have kids depending on those benefits. Reading through everyone's experiences, it sounds like this is unfortunately more common than it should be. The consistent advice about calling your county office early in the morning (right when they open at 8am) seems to be the key to getting through quickly. I'm definitely making a note of that tip along with asking about emergency phone lines specifically for EBT issues. It's somewhat reassuring that your benefits are still there and will transfer to a new card, but I can't imagine how stressful it must be to not be able to feed your family while waiting for this to get resolved. I really hope you were able to get through to your county office and get a replacement card today! Please update us when you can - it would be really helpful to know how the resolution process went since this seems to be an ongoing system issue that could affect any of us. Sending positive thoughts that you can get groceries for your kids soon!

I'm brand new to this community and just got approved for CalFresh last month, so reading about your situation is really eye-opening and honestly pretty scary! The fact that cards can just randomly get canceled even when your case is active is something I had no idea could happen. From reading through all the responses here, it sounds like calling your county office directly first thing in the morning (right at 8am) is your best bet for getting through quickly. Several people mentioned this strategy worked much better than calling the general EBT customer service line or trying later in the day. I'm also taking notes on the suggestion to ask about emergency EBT phone lines - apparently some counties have separate numbers for urgent card issues that can bypass the regular wait times. And if phone calls don't work, going to the county office in person early in the morning seems to be the most reliable way to get a same-day replacement card. It's at least reassuring that your $178 in benefits are still there and will transfer to your new card automatically. But I can't imagine how stressful this must be when you need to buy groceries for your kids right now. Really hoping you get this resolved today! Please keep us updated on what happens - as someone new to the system, it would be really helpful to know how these situations typically get resolved. Hang in there!

This has been such an incredibly helpful thread! As someone who's been putting off setting up a regular PIN change routine because it seemed complicated, reading everyone's step-by-step experiences has finally motivated me to actually do it. Just called the automated system (877-328-9677) and wow - you all weren't kidding about how easy it is! The whole process took under 3 minutes and the prompts were super clear. I was actually surprised at how user-friendly it was compared to most government phone systems. I'm going to follow the advice about setting a monthly phone reminder - thinking the 15th will work well for my schedule. Also definitely switching to only using my EBT card at major grocery stores from now on. The gas station near my work always seemed sketchy anyway, and after reading about the skimming risks, I'm not taking any chances with my food security. Thank you everyone for sharing your real experiences and practical tips! This community really shows how much we can help each other stay safe and informed. It's frustrating that we have to worry about scammers targeting our benefits, but having solid strategies like these makes me feel so much more confident about protecting what I depend on.

This thread has been absolutely incredible! I can't believe how much practical, actionable advice everyone has shared. As someone who's been worried about EBT skimming but didn't know where to start, reading through all these real experiences has been a game-changer. I just called the automated line (877-328-9677) that everyone keeps mentioning and it really was that simple! Had my card ready, followed the prompts, and changed my PIN in about 3 minutes. The system is way more user-friendly than I expected from a government service. Setting up a monthly reminder on my phone right now for the 25th - that'll be my new PIN change day. And I'm definitely taking everyone's advice about sticking to major grocery stores. The corner shop near me might be convenient, but my food security is way too important to risk on potentially compromised card readers. Thank you all for creating such a supportive space where we can share real strategies for protecting ourselves. It's frustrating that we have to deal with scammers targeting our benefits, but knowing this community has practical solutions and everyone's looking out for each other makes me feel so much more confident about staying safe!

Hi Melissa! As someone who was in your exact situation just 6 months ago with my daughter's severe milk protein allergy, I wanted to reassure you that ALL types of baby formula are covered by CalFresh - regular, hypoallergenic, amino acid-based, you name it! I've purchased Neocate, EleCare, and Nutramigen all with my EBT card without any issues. One thing that really helped me when I was nervous about my first purchase was going to smaller, local grocery stores instead of big chains initially. The staff tends to be more patient and helpful, and there's usually less of a line so you don't feel rushed. Once I got comfortable with the process, I started shopping at larger stores for better selection and prices. Also, if your baby's current formula isn't working well, don't hesitate to work with your pediatrician to try different options. I went through 4 different specialized formulas before we found the right one, and CalFresh covered every single can. That's exactly what these benefits are for - ensuring babies get proper nutrition! You're going to be just fine, mama. Your baby is lucky to have someone who cares so much about getting him exactly what he needs! 💕

Hey Melissa! I just wanted to chime in as another new CalFresh user - I got my card about 2 months ago and had the exact same worries about buying formula for my son. I'm happy to confirm that yes, all baby formula is covered including the expensive specialized ones! I buy Similac Pro-Advance regularly and it works perfectly with EBT. One thing that really helped me overcome the initial anxiety was practicing what I'd say at checkout. I just tell the cashier "I'm using EBT for eligible items" right when I start, and they handle everything from there. Most cashiers are super professional about it and honestly don't even blink - they see EBT cards all day long. Also, if you download the store apps for places like Target or Safeway, you can actually look up products beforehand to confirm they're EBT eligible. It's a great way to feel more prepared before you go shopping. Don't let any anxiety stop you from getting what your baby needs - you qualified for these benefits for a reason and formula is exactly what they're meant to help with! You've got this mama! 🤱

I'm a CalFresh case worker and want to clarify something important for everyone reading this thread. While signed statements are absolutely acceptable verification for informal childcare arrangements, there are a few key things to keep in mind: 1. The childcare expense must be necessary for work, training, or education - not just convenience 2. The amount should be reasonable for your area and income level 3. The provider doesn't need to be licensed, but they can't be receiving CalFresh themselves as part of your household 4. We may do a collateral contact (phone call) to verify, especially for higher amounts For your $650/month arrangement with your sister, that sounds completely reasonable. Create that signed statement with all the details others mentioned, and make sure your sister isn't listed as part of your CalFresh household. The verification process isn't meant to be a barrier - we just need to confirm it's a legitimate expense that helps you maintain employment. Don't be discouraged if your worker seemed hesitant initially. Some of us are more familiar with these informal arrangements than others. If you run into continued issues, ask to speak with a supervisor who can clarify the verification policies.

I just went through this same verification process a few weeks ago! My mother-in-law watches my twin toddlers and I pay her $700/month in cash. When my CalFresh worker asked for documentation, I was really worried because I had no receipts or formal agreements. What worked for me was creating a simple childcare statement that included: - My mother-in-law's full name, phone number, and address - My twins' names and birthdates - Care schedule (Monday-Friday, 6:30am-5:00pm) - Monthly payment amount ($700, paid weekly in cash) - A note explaining it's an informal family arrangement - Both our signatures and the date I submitted it by fax (got a confirmation receipt) and they accepted it within 3 business days. The childcare deduction increased my monthly benefits from $234 to $342, which made a huge difference for my family. The key thing is making sure all the information matches exactly what you told them in your interview. Since you said $650/month, stick with that exact amount on your statement. Don't overthink it - family childcare arrangements are super common and they understand not everyone has formal daycare receipts. You've got this!

I'm so sorry you're going through this - it's absolutely terrifying when you have kids to feed and your benefits get stolen. I went through a similar situation about 3 months ago when someone used my EBT card at a liquor store 25 miles from where I live. They told me the same 20-day timeline, but I actually got my $198 back in just 6 days! Here's what I think helped speed up my case: **Called immediately and frequently:** I called every 2 days (not every day - didn't want to annoy them) and always asked the same question: "Is there anything else I can provide to help resolve this faster?" **Emphasized the evidence:** Every single call I mentioned that I still had my physical card AND that the store was 25+ miles from my home. Geographic impossibility is apparently one of the strongest pieces of evidence for fraud cases. **Asked for emergency help:** My county worker approved $80 in emergency replacement benefits when I explained I had two kids and we were down to our last few meals. Don't be afraid to advocate for this - they have discretionary funds for exactly these situations. **Documentation:** I took a photo of my work badge/schedule showing I was clocked in at my job when the fraudulent transaction occurred and texted it to the fraud department's number they gave me. The waiting is absolutely brutal when you're watching your kids eat smaller portions, but based on everything I'm reading here, you should get resolution much faster than 20 days. Stay persistent, document everything, and don't hesitate to ask for emergency food assistance while you wait. You're doing everything right! 💪

I'm really sorry you're dealing with this - EBT card fraud is so stressful, especially when you have kids depending on you. I went through something very similar about 2 months ago when $220 disappeared from my card at a store I'd never even heard of, 40 miles away from me! The good news is I got my benefits back in 12 days instead of the full 20 they warned me about. Here's what I think helped: **Stay persistent but polite:** I called every 3 days and always asked "Has my case been assigned to an investigator yet, and is there anything additional I can provide?" This seemed to keep my case visible in their system. **Document everything:** I kept a simple log of every call - date, time, rep name, and what they told me. I also took photos of my work schedule proving I was at my job when the fraud happened and emailed those to the fraud department. **Ask about emergency assistance:** This was huge - my county provided $70 in emergency replacement benefits when I explained I had children and we were facing food insecurity. Don't be shy about asking for this help while you wait! **Use the evidence:** Every call I mentioned that I still had my physical card AND emphasized the 40-mile distance. Geographic impossibility is apparently strong evidence that speeds up approval. The waiting period is absolutely terrifying when you're watching your food supply shrink, but based on what everyone's sharing here about San Bernardino County, you should hopefully see resolution in 10-14 days. Keep advocating for your family - you're doing everything right! 💙