CalFresh benefits stolen from EBT card - who do I report this to?

You need to call the EBT customer service number on the back of your card IMMEDIATELY to report it stolen. They can deactivate your card so no more funds are taken. Then you need to also contact your county office because they're the ones who can potentially replace your benefits. In California, there's a form called the "EBT 2259 - Statement of Facts for EBT Cash/CalFresh Benefit Theft Claim" that you'll need to submit. Make sure to document everything - when you last used the card, when you noticed the theft, transaction history, etc.

OMG THIS HAPPENED TO ME!!!! they stole all my benefit the day after they were loaded!!! CALL THE NUMBER ON THE BACK OF THE CARD RIGHT NOW!!!! The county is useless with this stuff, u have to report it to the EBT people first!!! Then file police report then go to county with both!!!

Sorry this happened to you! I had something similar last year when someone skimmed my card at a sketchy market. Make sure you also change your PIN number when you get your replacement card. And don't shop at stores with those portable card readers, that's how they get your info a lot of times.

This is a growing problem with EBT benefits. You absolutely need to report it to both the EBT customer service (1-877-328-9677) AND your county office. Here's the process: 1. Call EBT customer service to report the theft and cancel your card 2. Request a new card 3. File a police report (this is required for benefit replacement) 4. Submit form EBT 2259 to your county office with the police report 5. The county has 10 days to make a determination on your claim Under California regulations, they can replace stolen benefits in many cases now, but you must follow all steps and report quickly. Don't delay!

When this happened to me last month, I spent 3 DAYS trying to reach someone at my county office. Kept getting the runaround with voicemails and never got a call back. Finally I used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to a real person at the county office in like 15 minutes. They have this demo video on how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8. Totally worth it since I needed to get my replacement benefits approved ASAP.

I work at a community resource center and we see this issue frequently. The most important thing is TIMING. You must report the theft within 10 days of discovering it, or your claim may be denied. Also, make sure when filling out the EBT 2259 form that you don't accidentally indicate that you shared your PIN or card with anyone - even if you let a family member use it legitimately. That's grounds for automatic denial. While waiting for replacement benefits, contact 211 for emergency food assistance options in your area.

ppl saying call EBT first but i think you gotta call the county too. my sister got her CalWorks stolen not food stamps but they made her do both

I just want to add that while you're waiting, check with local food banks. Also, if you have school-aged kids, talk to their school - many have emergency food programs or can connect you with resources. This happened to my neighbor and her kids' school gave them weekend backpack meals until her benefits were restored.

One more important tip: If you used your EBT card at an ATM recently or at a store with a suspicious card reader, mention that specifically in your report. In 2025, California has been cracking down on EBT skimming fraud, and cases where skimming is suspected are being processed more quickly. Make sure to get a case number from both EBT customer service and the police report - you'll need both for follow-up.

I'm so sorry this happened to you! As someone who's been through this nightmare, I want to emphasize that you should also document EVERYTHING - take screenshots of your transaction history from the EBT app or website, write down the exact times you discovered the theft, and keep records of all your phone calls (case numbers, who you spoke with, etc.). Also, don't panic about feeding your kids while you wait - many food banks don't even require paperwork for emergency situations, just show up and explain what happened. Churches and community centers often have immediate food assistance too. You're doing all the right steps, and California has gotten much better about replacing stolen benefits in 2025. Hang in there!