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!

Three months is absolutely outrageous! I'm a newcomer here but had to jump in because this hits close to home - my sister went through something similar last year in a different county. The system is seriously broken when people can't get basic food assistance processed in a reasonable timeframe. One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet - if you're still getting the runaround after trying all these great suggestions, you might want to contact your local legal aid office. Many of them have attorneys who specialize in public benefits cases and can send a demand letter to the county. Sometimes that's what it takes to get them moving. Also, I noticed you mentioned you have kids - make sure to emphasize that when you call. Cases involving families with children are supposed to get priority processing, especially for hardship situations like yours. Hang in there and keep fighting! The fact that you uploaded through BenefitsCal with confirmation should work in your favor - they can't claim they never received it. You deserve better treatment than this, and I hope you get your benefits restored ASAP with full retroactive payments.

I'm new to this community but had to respond because your situation is absolutely unacceptable! Three months without benefits while they claim to be "processing" a form they received in February is beyond ridiculous. I've been reading through all the excellent advice here and wanted to add one more resource - if your county has an ombudsman office or client advocate program, that might be another avenue to escalate this. Some counties have these offices specifically to handle cases where regular channels aren't working. Also, when you do get through to someone, make sure to ask them to notate your file with "PROCESSING DELAY - CLIENT HARDSHIP" so there's a permanent record of this situation. That documentation could be important if you need to take further action. The fact that you have a BenefitsCal confirmation number should make this an open-and-shut case. There's no excuse for a 3-month delay when they have electronic proof of receipt. I really hope all these strategies help you get this resolved immediately - you and your family shouldn't have to suffer because of their administrative failures!

I'm actually going through this exact same situation right now! I'm moving from LA County to Colorado next month and just went through the reporting process last week. A few things I learned that might help: 1. When you report your move through BenefitsCal, make sure to note the exact date you're leaving California - they'll use that to determine your last day of eligibility 2. Colorado (and probably most states) requires proof of residency before you can apply, so you'll need something like a lease agreement, utility bill, or even a letter from someone you're staying with 3. I found out that some states have different application methods - Colorado lets you apply online, by phone, or in person, which gives you more flexibility than California's system The timing is definitely tricky since there will likely be a gap, but everyone here has given such great advice about budgeting for that transition period. Good luck with your move - it sounds like you're planning well ahead which should make the whole process smoother!

As someone who recently moved from Sacramento County to Oregon, I can share my experience! The process was actually more straightforward than I expected once I understood the steps. I reported my move through BenefitsCal about 10 days before leaving (as others mentioned, this is required), and my CA benefits ended at the end of that month. Oregon's application process was surprisingly efficient - I applied online the day after I arrived and got approved within 2 weeks. One thing that really helped was calling Oregon's SNAP office before I moved to ask about their specific documentation requirements. They emailed me a checklist of what I'd need, which made the application much smoother. Also, Oregon has different deductions and income calculations than California, so even with the same income, my benefit amount changed slightly. I'd recommend checking your new state's SNAP website for their benefit calculator and eligibility requirements before you move - it really helped me set realistic expectations and budget for the transition period. The 2-week gap between benefits was manageable since I planned ahead. Good luck with your move!

I just want to add that you should also check if your county has extended hours for phone interviews! I was in the same situation working multiple jobs and couldn't take calls during normal business hours. When I submitted my recertification online, I noticed there was a dropdown menu where you could select "evening hours preferred" or something like that. My county (Los Angeles) actually had workers available until 7pm for recertification interviews, which was a lifesaver. Also, make sure you have your case number handy when you log into BenefitsCal - it'll speed up the whole process. The online system will pre-fill a lot of your information from your previous application, so you mainly just need to update what's changed. Don't let the horror stories scare you - I think the people who have smooth experiences just don't post about it as much! You can definitely get this done without taking time off work.

Hey Charlotte! I totally understand your situation - I was in the exact same boat last year working multiple jobs and stressing about losing my benefits. I successfully completed my recertification online through BenefitsCal.com and it was honestly much easier than I expected. Here's what worked for me: I set aside about an hour on a Saturday morning when I wasn't rushed, made sure I had all my documents saved on my phone (pay stubs from both jobs, rent receipt, utility bill), and logged in early so I wouldn't hit any system timeouts. The online form walks you through everything step by step and even pre-fills information from your previous application. The interview part isn't as scary as it sounds - mine was literally 6 minutes and they just confirmed my income and asked if my living situation had changed. Pro tip: when you submit, there's a section where you can note your preferred interview times, so definitely mention you're only available during lunch or after work hours. Most counties are pretty accommodating about this now. You've got plenty of time before your deadline, just don't wait until the last few days in case they need additional documents. You've got this!

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! 🤱