I'm really sorry this happened to you! EBT theft is unfortunately becoming way too common. Based on what others have shared, it sounds like going to your county office in person on Monday is your best bet. One thing I'd add - when you go in person, ask specifically about the "Emergency Cash Assistance" program while your case is being investigated. Some people don't know this exists, but LA County can sometimes provide a small emergency cash payment (usually $100-200) within 24-48 hours for situations exactly like yours where stolen benefits are putting you at risk of eviction. Also, document EVERYTHING - take photos of all forms you submit, get receipt confirmations, and ask for case reference numbers. This will help if you need to follow up or escalate. You might also want to contact your landlord now to explain the situation and see if they'll accept a partial payment or give you a few extra days. Many landlords are understanding when there's a legitimate emergency like this, especially if you can show them the police report. Hang in there - I know 7-10 days still feels like forever when you're stressed about rent, but you've got this!

I'm so sorry you're going through this - EBT theft is such a violation and the stress about rent must be overwhelming. Based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds like you have a solid plan with going to the county office Monday morning. Just wanted to add that when you're there, also ask about the CalFresh Emergency Allotment program if you haven't already received it this month. Sometimes they can expedite regular food benefits while you're waiting for the cash replacement, which could free up other money for your rent. Also, if you have any friends or family who could help with even a small loan for part of your rent, that might give you some breathing room while waiting for the replacement. I know it's hard to ask for help, but most people understand that EBT theft isn't your fault. Stay strong - from what everyone's shared, it sounds like LA County has gotten better at handling these cases quickly. You're doing everything right by being proactive about it!

I'm so sorry this happened to you! EBT theft is becoming such a huge problem and it's heartbreaking that people are stealing food money from families. I went through this about 6 months ago when $580 was stolen from my card. Here's what helped me get through the waiting period: 1. Contact your local food bank ASAP - most don't require any paperwork and can help immediately 2. Call 211 for a list of emergency food resources in your area 3. Many Sikh temples (gurdwaras) serve free meals to anyone, no questions asked 4. Some grocery stores have programs where they'll let you shop and pay later if you show them your theft claim paperwork My benefits were replaced in 16 days, but those two weeks felt like forever. The emergency benefits that others mentioned are definitely worth asking for - I didn't know about those when it happened to me. Stay strong and keep following up on your claim. The system is frustrating but most people do eventually get their money back. Sending good thoughts your way! 💙

I'm really sorry this happened to you too! It's such a violation when someone steals money meant for feeding your family. I actually just went through this exact situation about 3 weeks ago - had $420 stolen from my EBT card. Here's my timeline: I reported it on a Tuesday, got my emergency benefits (about 60% of what was stolen) by that Friday, and then got the full reimbursement 13 days after I filed the initial claim. So hang in there! A few things that helped me during the wait: - Downloaded the EBT Edge mobile app to check my balance daily and catch any suspicious activity early - Set up account alerts so I get texted whenever there's a transaction - Started shopping at stores that let you check your balance at the register before swiping (some thieves will test small amounts first) Also, if you haven't already, ask them to expedite your new card delivery. They can usually get it to you in 2-3 business days instead of the standard week. The whole situation is so stressful but it sounds like you're doing all the right things. Keep us posted on how it goes!

To summarize for anyone else confused: 1. There is NO universal December 'bonus' for all CalFresh recipients 2. The School Holiday Nutrition Program (SHNP) provides supplemental benefits to families with children who receive BOTH CalWORKs AND CalFresh 3. The amount varies by county (typically between $40-$80 per child) 4. Distribution dates vary by county, usually between December 1-15 5. This is NOT the same as the pandemic emergency allotments which ended in March 2023 If you only receive CalFresh and not CalWORKs, you would not be eligible for this supplement. The best way to verify your specific case is to contact your county CalFresh office or check your BenefitsCal account for notices.

If you're looking for extra food assistance during the holidays even without the CalWORKs supplement, there are other resources that might help! Many food banks do special holiday distributions in December with extra items like turkeys or holiday meal fixings. Also check if your local churches or community centers are doing holiday food drives. Some counties also have special senior food programs if you're over 60, or WIC supplemental foods if you have young kids. I know it's not the same as extra EBT benefits, but it might help stretch your December budget for holiday meals. You can search for local food banks at feedingamerica.org or call 211 for other local resources.

Raúl, I'm so happy you finally got some help! I went through a similar situation last year and wanted to share something that really helped me during the apartment search - create a "housing assistance packet" to bring with you when viewing apartments. Include copies of: - Your income verification/pay stubs - A letter from your case worker confirming you have housing assistance approved (ask for this on the 17th!) - Your ID and Social Security card copies - A brief personal statement explaining your situation professionally Having everything ready in a folder made landlords take me more seriously and showed I was organized and prepared. Some landlords who were initially hesitant about county assistance changed their minds when they saw I had all my paperwork together and could explain the process clearly. Also, don't forget to ask about the difference between "rapid rehousing" and "homeless prevention" programs - you might qualify for both depending on your situation, and combining them could give you more comprehensive assistance. The restaurant meals program someone mentioned is a lifesaver - I lived on Subway and Jack in the Box for weeks while apartment hunting. It's so much better than trying to survive on snacks from gas stations! You're going to get through this. Having that hotel voucher is the first step, and you're already asking all the right questions. Keep us updated! 🙌

Raúl, this is such encouraging news! I'm really glad you finally got some help after all those failed attempts. The system is so broken when it comes to processing cases quickly, but you persisted and that's what matters. One thing I want to add that I haven't seen mentioned yet - when you go back on the 17th, ask specifically about "transitional housing programs" in addition to the other assistance everyone mentioned. These are different from rapid rehousing and can sometimes provide 6-24 months of subsidized housing while you get fully back on your feet. Also, since you're working part-time, ask if they have any job training or employment services connected to their housing programs. Some counties have partnerships with workforce development agencies that can help people in housing assistance programs find full-time work or better-paying positions. Getting your income up while you have housing assistance could really set you up for long-term stability. And definitely take advantage of having an address (even if it's temporary) to apply for things you might have put off - library cards, voter registration, any services that require proof of residence. Sometimes having those connections can lead to other opportunities. You're handling this really well by thinking ahead instead of just taking it day by day. Keep advocating for yourself! 💪

UPDATE: I wanted to thank everyone for their helpful advice! I ended up trying a few different things. First, I tried Firefox instead of Chrome like someone suggested, but still had the same issue. Then I used Claimyr to get through to my county office (it really did work!) and spoke with a worker who confirmed there's a system update happening that's affected some accounts. She helped me submit my recertification over the phone and also sent me an email confirmation that my benefits won't be discontinued while they resolve the technical issue. I also printed and filled out the SAWS 2 Plus form as a backup and dropped it off at the county office dropbox (with photos for proof like someone suggested). Such a relief to have this figured out! Thanks again to everyone who helped.

So glad to hear you got it resolved! This is exactly why I love this community - everyone jumps in to help when someone's struggling with the system. Your update will definitely help other people who run into the same issue. It's crazy that these system updates cause so much stress for people who are just trying to keep their benefits, but at least now we know what to expect and have multiple backup plans. Thanks for taking the time to update us on what worked!