So glad you got through and are getting help! This is exactly why I always tell people not to give up on the first try. The system is frustrating but California really has made improvements for EBT theft victims. One tip for everyone reading - also check if your local food banks have emergency food boxes while you're waiting for replacement benefits. Most don't require income verification for emergency situations like this. And definitely enable all the security features on the EBT app once you get your new card! Hope you get your benefits back soon Paolo! 🙏

I'm so sorry this happened to you! EBT theft is unfortunately becoming more common. Here's what you need to do right away: 1. **Call the EBT customer service line immediately** at 1-877-328-9677 to report the theft and freeze your card 2. **File a police report** - this is required for benefit replacement and serves as proof of theft 3. **Contact your county CalFresh office** to report the theft and request form CF 303E (EBT Benefits Theft Report) The good news is California now has laws requiring them to replace stolen benefits! Under recent legislation, they must replace stolen EBT benefits once per year. Make sure to emphasize this is an EMERGENCY food situation when you call - this can help expedite the process. Also check your EBT transaction history in the app to document where/when the fraudulent purchases happened - this helps prove it wasn't you. Don't panic, most people do get their benefits back within 5-10 business days if you follow all the steps correctly. Hang in there!

Welcome to California! Just wanted to add that if you're unsure about your eligibility, you can always contact an immigration attorney or a nonprofit legal aid organization before applying. Many counties also have CalFresh outreach coordinators who specialize in helping immigrant families navigate the eligibility requirements safely. In Orange County specifically, you might want to reach out to the Orange County Community Resources office - they have staff who are trained on the intersection of immigration status and benefits eligibility. They can do a confidential pre-screening to help you understand your options without filing an actual application first. Better to be cautious and get proper guidance than to worry about potential issues later!

Just wanted to share some additional resources that might help as you navigate this! Since you're in Irvine, the Irvine Community Services Department also has a CalFresh outreach program - they often have bilingual staff and can help walk you through the application process. They're located at the Irvine Civic Center. Also, many libraries in Orange County (including Irvine's) have computers you can use to apply online if you need help with the technology side of things, and librarians are usually great at helping people navigate government websites. The University Park Library branch is really close to many of the newer immigrant communities in Irvine. One more tip - if you do end up applying for CalFresh, try to submit your application early in the month. Benefits are processed faster at the beginning of each month, and if approved, you'll get your benefits prorated from your application date. Welcome to the community, and don't hesitate to ask more questions - we're all here to help each other!

I'm new to this community but sadly not new to dealing with government benefit issues. Reading through everyone's experiences here is both validating and infuriating - it's clear that these old overpayment claims are happening to people all across California right now. What strikes me most is how many people mentioned they never received proper notification over the years, yet the county offices act like this is standard procedure. @Isaiah Sanders, your situation is particularly egregious - 10 years is just unconscionable, especially when you've moved multiple times and kept your address updated with other agencies. I wanted to add one thing I learned from my own experience with bureaucratic nightmares: always send any requests for documentation or appeals via certified mail with return receipt requested. That way you have proof of when you submitted everything and they can't claim they "never received" your paperwork. Also, if anyone is feeling overwhelmed by the legal aspects, many areas have legal aid societies that offer free consultations for low-income individuals dealing with government benefit issues. Don't let them intimidate you into just paying - you all have rights and it sounds like many of these cases have serious procedural problems that could work in your favor!

I'm new to this community but unfortunately not new to dealing with government benefit bureaucracy. Reading through everyone's experiences here is both eye-opening and deeply concerning - it seems like there's definitely a pattern of these old CalFresh overpayment claims suddenly appearing after years of silence. What really bothers me is how the system seems designed to overwhelm people into just paying without understanding their rights. @Isaiah Sanders, I'm really rooting for you in fighting this 10-year-old claim - it's absolutely ridiculous that they can come after you after so long, especially when you've been responsible about keeping your address updated with other agencies. I wanted to add something that might help everyone dealing with these situations: if you're having trouble getting through to county workers by phone, try showing up in person at your local office first thing in the morning. Sometimes face-to-face interactions get better results than endless phone tag. Also, bring a notebook and write down the name of every person you speak with, along with dates and what was discussed. Having that paper trail can be incredibly valuable if you need to escalate your case later. This community is such a valuable resource - thank you all for sharing your knowledge and experiences!

Update: I went to the Florin Road office this morning, explained our situation, and got a replacement card within an hour! They made me fill out a form explaining why I needed an emergency replacement, but having kids with no food at home qualified me. Thank you everyone for your help! Special thanks to the person who recommended the Florin Road office specifically - they were right!

That's awesome news! So glad you were able to get your card the same day. This is really useful information for other families in similar situations - it shows that Sacramento County does still offer emergency replacements when you have kids and no food. Thanks for updating us on how it went!

This whole thread has been incredibly educational! I'm currently in the middle of my CalFresh application process and honestly had no idea what to expect after approval. Reading about the 7-10 day wait time, the plain envelope issue, and especially the Claimyr service has been so valuable. It's really reassuring to know there are options like expedited pickup for urgent situations and backup resources like food pantries and emergency vouchers. The community knowledge sharing here is amazing - you've all covered details that definitely aren't in any of the official materials I received. Bookmarking this thread for future reference and really appreciate everyone taking the time to share their real-world experiences!

I just wanted to add that if anyone is in a similar urgent situation, some counties also have "emergency issuance" policies where they can provide temporary benefits through a different method while you wait for your regular EBT card. When I was between jobs last year, my caseworker mentioned they could do a one-time emergency authorization that works kind of like a temporary card for essential groceries. It's not available everywhere and you have to meet certain criteria (like having children or medical needs), but it's worth asking about when you call. The requirements vary by county but typically you need to demonstrate immediate food insecurity. Just another option to keep in your back pocket if you're really stuck waiting for that card to arrive!