EBT benefits stolen and used in Texas - County refusing to replace them!

omg this happened to my cousin last year!!! did u give ur card info to anyone?? or use it at a sketchy store with one of those card skimmers?? this is why i always transfer my benefits to my bank account right away

I'm really sorry this happened to you. Unfortunately, EBT card skimming has become very common. Thieves place small devices on card readers at stores that copy your card information when you swipe. The 4-day reporting rule is in the CalFresh regulations, but there are exceptions for situations where you couldn't reasonably have known about the theft. You should: 1. Ask to speak with a supervisor at your county office, not just your worker 2. Explain that you had no way of knowing your benefits were stolen until you tried to use your card 3. Request a State Hearing immediately (you only have 90 days) 4. Contact your local legal aid office - they help with these cases The 2023 EBT theft replacement rules have specific provisions for out-of-state transactions being flagged as suspicious. Push back on this denial.

The 4-day rule is RIDICULOUS! How can anyone report theft they don't know about? I'd file a formal complaint and call your county supervisor's office too. The system is designed to deny benefits ANY way they can! I've been fighting with Contra Costa County for months about a similar issue. They first told me they'd replace my stolen benefits, then denied it, then "lost" my paperwork TWICE. Don't let them push you around!!!

I've helped several clients resolve almost identical situations. The 4-day rule starts from when you *discovered* the theft, not when it actually occurred. Your worker is incorrectly applying the policy. For the immediate food emergency: Contact 211 right away for emergency food pantry referrals in Richmond. Also, request an expedited replacement appointment with your county office - explain you have children with no food. For the theft: California now has specific protections for out-of-state EBT theft. The state legislature passed AB 1875 which specifically addresses this issue. Print this information and bring it to your appointment. Legal aid offices in your area provide free help for these cases. Bay Area Legal Aid serves Richmond and can help with the state hearing process. There's a special EBT theft replacement project at most legal aid offices now because this has become so common.

this is why i always check my ebt balance like every other day... skimmers are everywhere now. even happened at the safeway near me! btw u cant actually transfer ebt to a bank account like that other person said, thats not how it works at all

Had almost the same thing happen in January! My benefits were used in Florida (I'm in Oakland) and I was so stressed! I tried calling the county office every day for a week but kept getting stuck in the automated system and never reached a human. Eventually I found this service called Claimyr that got me through to a real person at the county office in like 10 minutes. They helped me get my benefits replaced by filing it as fraud rather than theft which has different reporting timeframes. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo too: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8. It saved me so much stress and I actually got my benefits back. Best of luck - this situation is absolutely terrible to go through.

Yes there is a fee but it was worth it for me to actually get through. The service just connects you directly to a county worker instead of waiting on hold forever. The important thing is to specifically ask them to file it as FRAUD not theft - different departments handle these cases and have different rules. Bring up AB 1875 like someone mentioned above too.

You need to be persistent with the county! I'm a CalFresh recipient in San Pablo (also Contra Costa County) and had a similar situation last year. The first worker I talked to also denied my claim, but I asked for a supervisor review and eventually got my benefits replaced. A key point: make sure they understand you JUST discovered the theft. The 4-day reporting period starts from discovery, not from when the transactions happened. Also, request emergency replacement benefits while your case is being reviewed - they can issue these while investigating the fraud claim. As for preventing this in the future, you can now lock and unlock your EBT card using the EBT app or website. I keep mine locked except when I'm literally at the store about to use it.

Quick update on the legal resources available to you: 1. Bay Area Legal Aid in Richmond: (510) 233-9954 2. Legal Services of Northern California: (510) 250-6354 Both offer free legal help to low-income individuals with public benefits issues. They can help you prepare for the state hearing and potentially represent you. To request a state hearing, call 1-800-743-8525 or complete the form on the back of your denial notice. You only have 90 days from the date of the denial to request this hearing, so don't delay. In the meantime, as others have suggested, call 211 for emergency food assistance and apply for emergency replacement benefits through your county office.