Let me clarify something important that others haven't mentioned yet. Your EBT card is completely different from your online account system. The switch from CalWIN to BenefitsCal only affects how you manage your case online and submit documents. Your existing EBT card will continue to work exactly as before, and your benefits will load onto the same card on the same schedule. Your recertification date also remains unchanged. The only difference is how you complete that recertification - you'll now do it through BenefitsCal instead of CalWIN. When you create your BenefitsCal account, make sure to have your case number and personal information ready. If you have trouble linking your existing case, contact the Fresno County office at 1-855-832-8082 or visit fresnocountyca.gov/calfresh for county-specific guidance.

Am I the only one who thinks its RIDICULOUS that they switch entire systems without properly notifying recipients??? Some of us depend on these benefits to FEED OUR FAMILIES and they just change everything without clear instructions!!! I had the same problem and missed uploading my quarterly report because of this!!! Had to get emergency food from a food bank while they reactivated my benefits!!!

UPDATE: I just spoke with a CalFresh policy specialist about a similar case, and there's been a recent increase in what's called "card cloning" where thieves somehow get your card information and PIN before the card even reaches you. California recently implemented some additional fraud protection measures, but they're not fully in place yet. When you talk to your county office, specifically mention "card cloning fraud" and request the "EBT 2919 Stolen Benefits Investigation Form" - this puts your case into a specific fraud category that may speed up the replacement process. Also, they recently changed the replacement policy - if you report within 4 calendar days of discovering the theft, you're much more likely to get a full replacement. So make sure to formally report this TODAY, even if just through the EBT customer service line.

keep us updated on what happens!! really hope u get ur benefits back quickly!!

You know they got those new EBT cards with the chips now that are supposed to be more secure but idk if that really helps with skimmers. my cousin still got her CalWorks money stolen even with the chip card.

Update: I called the EBT customer service line and they said my balance looks normal with no suspicious transactions. I'm still going to change my PIN just to be safe, and I set up those text alerts that someone mentioned! Thanks everyone for the advice - I'm going to be WAY more careful about where I use my EBT card from now on. The county worker also said they're seeing more skimming cases lately and recommended only using the card at major grocery stores if possible.

This might sound stupid but are you sure you're checking on the right day? My sister thought her benefits were cut but she was just checking too early. CalFresh benefits get deposited on different days based on the last digit of your case number. Mine's a 7 so I get mine on the 7th of each month. When do yours normally come in?

I work with CalFresh recipients and wanted to explain why your benefits may have been reduced. The most common reasons are: 1. Increased income (even small increases can impact benefits) 2. Change in household composition 3. Unreported income discovered during verification 4. Missing or incomplete SAR7 information 5. Expenses like rent or utilities not fully reported To maximize your benefits, make sure you're reporting all allowable expenses on your SAR7 or recertification application. This includes: - Full rent/mortgage amount - Utilities (if not using the standard utility allowance) - Child care expenses - Medical expenses over $35/month for elderly or disabled household members - Court-ordered child support payments Regarding the timing of benefits, they're issued from the 1st-10th of each month based on the last digit of your case number. There are no supplemental payments tied to specific events like the Super Bowl. If you believe your benefits were incorrectly calculated, you can request a state hearing within 90 days of receiving your Notice of Action.

Update on this situation: I just went through EBT theft in March and they DID reimburse everything including my saved balance! The county worker told me California just updated their policy. They asked me to fill out an EBT-106 form and I had to confirm which transactions weren't mine. Got everything back in about 10 days! Maybe call them back and specifically ask about the EBT-106 form for electronic theft replacement?

try calling again sometimes u get a different worker who knows more or is more helpful js