This thread is such a great resource! I've been on CalFresh for about 6 months and had no idea that the fraud protection system could trigger automatic card replacements like this. Paolo, your experience really shows how important it is to stay calm and work through the proper channels when something unexpected happens with your EBT card. One thing I learned from my caseworker that might help others: if you ever suspect your card has been compromised or you notice unauthorized transactions, you can actually request a new card proactively by calling your county office. They'll deactivate the old one immediately and rush-deliver a new card, usually within 2-3 business days. It's much less stressful when you're the one initiating the process! Also, for anyone worried about fraud - I started checking my EBT balance every few days just to keep track of my spending and catch any issues early. The automated balance check is quick and gives you peace of mind. Thanks everyone for sharing your knowledge and experiences - this community is so helpful for navigating these systems!

This whole experience really demonstrates how the CalFresh system, while imperfect, does have safeguards in place to protect us. Paolo, I'm so glad you got this resolved! Your story is going to help so many people who might face similar situations. For anyone reading this who might be new to EBT or CalFresh, here are the key takeaways I gathered from this thread: 1. Unexpected replacement cards are usually for legitimate security reasons, even if you don't get notified properly 2. Your benefits don't disappear when you get a new card - they're tied to your account, not the physical card 3. Contact your county office first when you have EBT issues - they have the most direct access to your case 4. Don't panic if you can't get through to customer service immediately - your benefits are safe 5. Always ask for reference numbers when you call about benefit issues The fraud protection system triggering from attempted use in another city shows that the state is actually monitoring for suspicious activity, which gives me some peace of mind. Yes, the communication could be much better, but at least the protection is there. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and advice throughout this thread - this is exactly the kind of community support that makes navigating these systems less overwhelming!

Wow, what an amazing outcome! Going from $237 to $438 is incredible - that extra $201 per month will make such a huge difference for your family. I'm really impressed that you got through so quickly by calling right when they opened. That's definitely a strategy I'll remember if I ever need to contact my worker. It's also reassuring to see that the system actually worked the way it's supposed to - sometimes you hear so many horror stories that you forget there are success stories too. Thanks for coming back to update everyone, especially those who are dealing with similar situations. Your experience proves that reporting income decreases right away is absolutely worth it, even if the process can be intimidating. Hope things improve with your work situation soon, but at least you have this extra support to help you through the tough time!

This is such a helpful thread! I'm dealing with a similar situation where my hours just got reduced from 32 to 20 per week, and I was honestly scared to contact my worker because I wasn't sure if I was "allowed" to report it or if I'd get in trouble somehow. Reading all these responses has really clarified that not only CAN I report it, but I SHOULD report it immediately. The tip about calling right when they open is genius - I've been putting off calling because I was dreading sitting on hold for hours. Seeing that you went from $237 to $438 gives me hope that this could really help my family get through this rough patch. Thanks for asking the question that I was too nervous to ask myself!

This is such a frustrating situation and you're definitely not alone! EBT card skimming has become a huge problem lately. I had my card compromised twice in the past year - once at a gas station and once at a convenience store. Here's what worked for me: Call the EBT customer service line (1-877-328-9677) early in the morning around 8 AM when call volume is lower. When you get through, immediately say "fraud department" to get transferred to someone who actually knows the process. Don't waste time with general customer service - they'll just put you on hold forever. Make sure you get a case number when you report it, and ask them to email you a confirmation of your fraud report if possible. Also, change your PIN immediately over the phone even before you get your replacement card - this prevents any additional theft while you're waiting. The replacement process is slow but they WILL replace your benefits if you follow the steps correctly. I got mine back in about 6-8 weeks both times. In the meantime, see if any local food banks can help tide you over. Many don't ask questions and can provide emergency food assistance while you're waiting for your benefits to be restored. Stay strong - this theft epidemic is a systemic problem with outdated EBT technology, not anything you did wrong!

I'm so sorry you're going through this! EBT theft is unfortunately becoming more and more common. The most important thing right now is to act fast - you need to report this immediately to protect yourself from further losses. Here's what I'd recommend doing TODAY: 1. Call 1-877-328-9677 and ask specifically for the "fraud department" (don't waste time with general customer service) 2. Report the theft and request an immediate PIN change over the phone 3. Ask them to deactivate your current card and send a replacement 4. Get a case/reference number for your fraud report Then within the next few days: - File a police report (you'll need this for benefit replacement) - Contact your county CalFresh office and request form "EBT-106C Claim of SNAP Benefit Theft" - Take photos/screenshots of everything - your card, the fraudulent transactions, etc. The good news is that California law now requires them to replace stolen benefits if you report within 90 days and follow the proper process. It takes a few weeks but you WILL get your money back. Stay strong and don't let them tell you that benefits can't be replaced - that's incorrect information!

Since you mentioned this was due to a fire, make sure to specify this is DISASTER-related emergency assistance on your paperwork. There are specific exemptions for disaster assistance that might not apply to regular rental assistance programs. Also, request a letter from the non-profit stating this is a one-time vendor payment related to a disaster. Having this documentation ready before you submit your SAR7 can prevent misunderstandings that lead to incorrect benefit reductions.

I'm so sorry you're going through this after losing your home in a fire. That's incredibly stressful. Based on what others have shared here, it sounds like you should be okay for CalFresh since the money goes directly to the landlord, but definitely get everything documented properly. Have you considered reaching out to a legal aid organization in Santa Clara County? They often have advocates who specialize in benefits issues and can give you county-specific guidance for both CalFresh and GA. Many offer free consultations for disaster victims. It might be worth having someone in your corner who knows the local rules inside and out, especially since you're dealing with multiple benefit programs.

As someone who just went through this process last month, I wanted to share a few additional tips that might help! First, if you're calling the 877-328-9677 number, try calling on Wednesdays or Thursdays - I noticed the wait times were shorter those days compared to Mondays when everyone calls after the weekend. Second, when you do get through, ask them to put a note in your file about any address changes or special circumstances. This saved me when I had to call back about a separate issue because the rep could see all the previous notes. Also, if you have multiple kids, you can request replacement cards for all of them in one call rather than calling separately for each child. The system can be really frustrating, but these little strategies made a huge difference for me. Hope this helps and you get your replacement card soon!

I went through this exact same situation back in January and it was such a headache! One thing that really helped me was downloading the ebtEDGE mobile app - you can actually check your card balance and see if new benefits have been deposited even without the physical card. This way you'll know if benefits are still being added to your lost card before you go through the hassle of requesting a replacement. Also, I found that calling right at 8:00 AM sharp on weekdays gave me the best chance of getting through. Still took about 30 minutes on hold, but way better than the 2+ hours I was waiting when calling later in the day. Make sure you have your kids' full names and dates of birth ready because they'll ask for that to verify your identity. The whole system definitely needs improvement, but don't give up - those benefits can really help with grocery costs!