Does CalFresh investigate EBT theft? Need to know if they actually check ATM cameras

they dont do anything lol. my benefits got stolen TWICE last year and all i got was a letter saying "no fraud detected" even tho someone took out $400 at 3am from an atm i never use. calfresh doesnt care about us

I went through this process last summer. Yes, they DO check cameras but only if the transaction was at a bank-owned ATM with working cameras. They don't show you the footage (privacy laws), but they document it in the investigation. The 30 days is real - it took 28 days for my claim to be processed and approved. In the meantime, have your aunt apply for emergency CalFresh benefits due to hardship - she should qualify given her age and circumstances. She'll need to fill out form CF 303 and submit it to her county worker.

my neighbor had this happen and the investigator told her they only check cameras if its over $1000 stolen cause otherwise its not worth their time!!! not sure if thats true or he was just being lazy

I had my benefits stolen ($530) last year, and yes, they did check the ATM cameras. They don't show you the images directly, but they confirmed they had footage of the person. The investigation took exactly 21 days, and they replaced my benefits in full. Here's what helped speed things up: 1. File police report immediately (sounds like she did this) 2. Get the report number 3. Call your county worker DIRECTLY (not just the EBT hotline) 4. Submit form CF 303 for emergency replacement 5. Follow up every 3-4 days The process is frustratingly slow, but they do actually investigate. Keep all documentation of when and where the unauthorized transactions happened.

I know how frustrating the wait is when you're depending on those benefits for food. If your aunt needs to speak directly with her county worker instead of waiting on hold forever, she might want to try using Claimyr. It's a service that waits on hold with CalFresh for you and calls you back when a real person answers. Saved me hours last month when I had a similar issue. They have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 and their site is claimyr.com. Made it so much easier to get actual answers from my worker.

EBT fraud investigator here. Yes, we absolutely check security footage when available, but we don't share those images with victims due to legal/privacy concerns and ongoing investigation protocols. The 30-day timeline is standard because we have to: 1. Verify the transaction details with the retailer/bank 2. Obtain and review any available footage 3. Cross-reference with other fraud patterns in the system 4. Complete documentation and approve/deny the claim In the meantime, your aunt should immediately: - Change her PIN if she hasn't already - Request emergency supplemental benefits (form CF 303) - Ask her county worker for referrals to local food banks - Keep checking her EBT account for any additional unauthorized transactions Approximately 85% of valid claims are approved and benefits are restored. The remaining 15% are typically denied due to insufficient evidence or other complicating factors.

I'm really sorry your aunt is going through this - EBT theft is unfortunately way too common and the waiting period is brutal when you need food now. A few things that might help while she waits for the investigation: 1. Contact 211 (dial 2-1-1) - they can connect her to local food pantries and senior meal programs in your area 2. Check if her county has a Senior Nutrition Program - many provide free meals specifically for people 60+ 3. Ask her doctor if they know of any medical food assistance programs, especially since she's on a fixed income Also, make sure she's not using that compromised card anymore until this gets resolved - I've heard of people getting hit multiple times if the scammers still have their info. The emergency benefits form others mentioned (CF 303) is definitely worth pursuing. Hang in there - most people I know who went through this process did eventually get their benefits back, even though the wait feels endless when you're hungry.

I went through something similar with my mom last year when her EBT card got compromised. The investigation process is real but painfully slow. Here's what I learned that might help your aunt: 1. Document EVERYTHING - take screenshots of the unauthorized transactions, keep copies of all forms submitted, note down reference numbers from phone calls 2. The emergency benefits (CF 303 form) is crucial - don't wait on this, file it ASAP while the investigation is pending 3. Call her county office directly rather than the general EBT line - you'll get someone who actually knows her case 4. If she has a caseworker, email them too (paper trail helps) For immediate food assistance while waiting: - Most senior centers have emergency food boxes available same-day - Churches often have pantries that don't require membership - Some pharmacies like CVS have programs for seniors on fixed income The waiting is awful when someone's depending on those benefits to eat, but stay on top of the process. In my mom's case, it took 26 days but she got every penny back. The squeaky wheel gets the grease with these government systems - be persistent but polite.

I work at a legal aid clinic and we see EBT theft cases regularly. A few additional things that might help your aunt: 1. If she has any disabilities or health conditions that make it hard to access food, mention this when filing the CF 303 emergency form - it can help prioritize her case 2. Keep a log of every phone call made about this case (date, time, who you spoke with, reference numbers) - this documentation becomes crucial if you need to escalate 3. Some counties have EBT fraud victim advocates who can walk you through the process - ask her county worker if this service exists in your area 4. Consider reaching out to your local Area Agency on Aging - they often have emergency food programs specifically for seniors and can advocate on her behalf The investigation timeline is frustrating but legitimate. Banks and ATM operators sometimes take weeks just to provide the footage to investigators. The good news is that skimming cases typically have strong evidence once the footage is reviewed. Stay persistent with follow-ups but don't let them brush you off - seniors have additional protections under state law that caseworkers should be aware of.