I'm dealing with a somewhat similar situation right now - not fraud-related, but I had issues when I moved from Orange County to San Diego County last year. The inter-county communication is absolutely terrible! What really helped me was creating a detailed timeline of events with dates, including when I notified my caseworker, what their response was (or wasn't), and copies of any communications. This documentation was crucial when I had to explain the situation to the new county. Also, when you do your Riverside County application, consider asking if they have any advocates or social workers who can help navigate the inter-county transfer issues. Some counties have people specifically trained to deal with these complications. San Diego County had someone like this who basically walked me through the whole process and made sure nothing got lost in translation. One last tip - if you're worried about the 10% recoupment affecting your budget too much, you can sometimes request a lower recoupment rate if you can show financial hardship. With your rent being 80% of your income, you'd probably qualify for the minimum recoupment rate. Rooting for you! The system shouldn't punish people for being honest about temporary moves.

I'm so sorry you're going through this - the county system really can be a nightmare when it comes to moves and transfers! I went through something similar a few years ago when I moved from Kern County to Ventura County and it was such a headache. A few things that might help based on my experience: 1. When you apply in Riverside, bring a copy of your lease/rental agreement as proof of current residence - they really value that documentation 2. If you have any text messages or emails from when you notified your LA County caseworker about the temporary move, screenshot those! Even if they didn't update your file properly, it shows you tried to follow protocol 3. Consider reaching out to a local legal aid organization - they sometimes have advocates who specialize in CalFresh appeals and can help you navigate both the LA County appeal AND the new Riverside application With your income-to-rent ratio, you should definitely qualify for substantial benefits in Riverside. Don't let the previous county's mistake prevent you from getting the food assistance you need. The fact that you were proactive in reporting your move shows you were acting in good faith. Keep us posted on how it goes! This community is great for sharing real experiences with the system.

I'm so sorry you're going through this - it's absolutely infuriating when the system fails people who are already struggling. I work in community legal aid and see these EBT theft denials constantly. The good news is that appeals DO work when you have the right documentation. A few additional tips that haven't been mentioned yet: 1. When you request the state hearing, also ask for a "case review" first - sometimes they'll reverse the decision without going to a full hearing if you present strong evidence upfront 2. If you have any text messages, emails, or call logs from when you discovered and reported the theft, bring those to show the timeline 3. Check if your bank/credit union offers any services that show where you were using other cards on the day of the fraud - this can corroborate that you weren't at the fraudulent location 4. Ask the fraud investigation unit at your local police department if they've had other reports of EBT skimming in your area - sometimes they'll provide a letter confirming known fraud patterns The fact that these transactions happened 30 miles away at a store you've never used is HUGE in your favor. Counties are supposed to consider geographic impossibility as strong evidence against negligence. Don't let them wear you down - you've got a solid case here!

I'm really sorry you're dealing with this - EBT theft is becoming such a huge problem and the denial process seems designed to discourage people from fighting back. Reading through all these responses, it sounds like you have a really strong case for appeal! One thing I wanted to add that might help: when you gather all your evidence, also check if you made any other purchases (gas, groceries, etc.) with a regular debit/credit card on the same day as the fraudulent EBT transactions. Bank records showing you were shopping locally while someone was using your EBT card 30 miles away would be powerful proof that it wasn't you. Also, I noticed someone mentioned Claimyr earlier - I used them last year when I couldn't get through to my county office about a different issue. The fee was around $20 but honestly worth it just to avoid the endless phone tree nightmare. They got me connected to an actual caseworker in under 30 minutes. Please keep us posted on how your appeal goes! Stories like yours help other people know they're not alone and that it's worth fighting these denials. You've got this! 💪

So glad to hear your trip went well! I've been hesitant to travel out of state because I wasn't sure about using my EBT card, but your experience (and everyone else's) really helps put my mind at ease. I'm planning to visit family in Portland this summer and was worried about grocery shopping while I'm there. It's great to know that the major chains like WinCo and Albertsons work reliably. Thanks for taking the time to update us with your actual experience - that's really valuable info for the community!

That's so helpful about the Portland farmers markets! I didn't even think about them accepting EBT. I love visiting farmers markets when I travel - there's something special about getting fresh local produce. The tip about bringing cash for smaller vendors is smart too. I'm getting more excited about my Portland trip now knowing I'll have good options for both regular grocery stores and the markets. Thanks for sharing your experience living there!

I've been reading through all these amazing responses and wanted to add one more urgent resource - your local Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP). In Sacramento County, this federal program specifically helps families facing immediate homelessness with rental deposits and first month's rent. Call the Sacramento County EFSP coordinator at (916) 874-9712. What makes this program special is they often have less paperwork than other programs and can sometimes approve assistance within 24-48 hours for families with children. They work directly with landlords too, so if you find an apartment, they can often call the property manager to confirm payment is coming. Also, since you mentioned you have a new job starting - bring your job offer letter or employment verification to every appointment. Having proof of future income stability makes agencies much more likely to approve emergency assistance because they know you'll be able to sustain the housing once you get in. One final tip: if any agency says they're out of funds or can't help, ask them "When do you expect your next funding cycle?" Sometimes they get emergency allocations or new funding monthly. Don't give up after one "no" - the landscape of available assistance changes constantly. You're being such a strong advocate for your children. Keep pushing forward - there are people and programs designed specifically to help families like yours!

I'm a newcomer to this community but have been following your situation closely. As someone who works in social services, I want to emphasize something that might get overlooked in your rush to make calls tomorrow - document EVERYTHING. Keep a simple log with the date, time, agency name, person you spoke with, and what they told you. This serves two purposes: 1) if someone gives you incorrect information, you have a record to reference when you call back, and 2) some agencies can expedite your case if you show you've been actively seeking help from multiple sources. Also, when you're making all these calls tomorrow, ask each agency about their "emergency contact" or "crisis line" numbers. Many have after-hours emergency numbers for situations exactly like yours where families are facing imminent homelessness. Having those numbers could be crucial if your 10-day timeline gets even shorter. One last thing - if you run into any agencies that seem unhelpful or dismissive, don't let that discourage you. Ask to speak with a supervisor or call back and try a different representative. Sometimes it really does depend on who you get on the phone, especially for emergency assistance programs. You're doing an incredible job advocating for your family in an extremely difficult situation. Your children are going to remember how hard you fought to keep them safe and housed. Keep pushing forward - you've got an entire community rooting for you!

Just want to add that if you're still nervous about any of these methods, you can also call your county office and ask them to walk you through the renewal process over the phone. Some counties will even accept verbal renewals if your case is straightforward and you haven't had any major changes. When I was pregnant last year and couldn't get out easily, my caseworker did my whole renewal over the phone and just had me confirm my information. It took maybe 15 minutes and saved me so much stress! Not all counties do this but it's worth asking about, especially if transportation or mobility is an issue for you.

As someone who's been through the CalFresh renewal process a few times now, I'd definitely recommend the BenefitsCal website/app route first - it really is the most reliable and you get that instant confirmation which gives you peace of mind. But if you do decide to go in person, I've found that bringing a folder with copies of everything helps keep things organized, and definitely ask for a receipt no matter what! One thing I learned the hard way is to take screenshots or photos of any confirmation pages you get online, because sometimes those confirmation emails can end up in spam folders. Also, if you're worried about the mail system, you could always do certified mail with a return receipt as another backup option - it costs a few extra dollars but gives you tracking and proof of delivery. Whatever you choose, you've got plenty of time before the 15th, so don't stress too much! The system works, it just helps to have a backup plan.