EBT card compromised during county transfer - need emergency replacement before rent due

Omg this EXACT thing happened to me last spring when I moved from LA to San Bernardino!! You need to call BOTH counties AND the EBT card customer service line (877-328-9677) RIGHT NOW. Don't wait!!! The number is on the back of your card. Tell them ur benefits were stolen and they'll cancel that card immediately and send u a new one. 🚨 But here's the tricky part - the COUNTY is who handles the actual benefit replacement not the EBT customer service. Since you're between counties its gonna be a nightmare. Took me 6 weeks to get my $$ back 😡

I work with CalFresh clients regularly. You need to report the theft to the county currently managing your case (your previous county) until your transfer is complete. California now has an expedited process for replacing stolen benefits under certain conditions: 1. File a police report (can be done online in most counties) 2. Complete the EBT-28 form for benefit replacement 3. Submit both to your county worker You can start this process by phone, but some documentation may need to be uploaded through BenefitsCal or submitted in person. If you explain this is causing a financial hardship, they should expedite your replacement. The timeline is typically 7-10 business days for replacement benefits to be issued after verification.

call ur old county asap!!! my sister had her benefits stolen in 2024 (not during county transfer tho) and it was a NIGHTMARE. they kept disconnecting her when she would call and she wasted like 4 days tryna get thru just to be told she needed to wait for a call back that never came. finally she used this service called Claimyr that got her through to an actual worker in like 10 min. check it out at claimyr.com - there's a video showing how it works here https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 - totally worth it when ur desperate and cant get anyone on the phone. she got her benefits back within 8 days after that.

I experienced the same problem during county transfer last year. Here's what I learned: the responsibility for your case stays with your OLD county until the transfer is complete. You must contact them first. They might tell you it's the new county's problem - IT IS NOT. Stand firm. Request an EBT-28 form for benefit replacement. Now here's the important part that many don't know: California passed new legislation that requires counties to process these claims faster now - you should get replacement benefits within 10 calendar days if you submit all documentation correctly. Call your old county worker directly. If you can't reach them, call the main line and request a supervisor. Mention that you have an "emergency benefits theft situation during county transfer" and need immediate assistance.

Sorry this happened but why did u have $750 just sitting on ur card? That's way too much to keep on EBT, I always spend mine right when I get it each month because of all the theft happening. Not blaming you just saying for future reference dont let benefits pile up on the card

While you're waiting for replacement, call 211 immediately to get connected with emergency food resources. Most counties have emergency food banks that can help right away. Also ask your worker about emergency/expedited CalFresh which you might qualify for due to this hardship situation. They can sometimes issue a partial emergency replacement while the full claim is being processed. Make sure to document EVERYTHING - names of workers you speak with, dates/times, what was said. You'll need this if your claim gets delayed.

Update on benefit theft replacement: I just assisted a client with this exact situation last week. The current process (as of late 2025) is: 1. Report the theft to EBT Customer Service (877-328-9677) immediately to freeze your card 2. File a police report - most departments let you do this online now 3. Contact your CURRENT county of record (previous county until transfer completes) 4. Submit the EBT-28 form AND police report number 5. Request expedited processing due to hardship By law, counties now have 10 days to replace benefits in theft cases, but only if you have proper documentation. Make sure to mention any hardship factors (children in household, no alternative resources, rent due, etc.) as this can prioritize your case.

Anyone else notice how these EBT thefts keep happening right before holidays and rent due dates??? My cousin works for the county and she says they see TONS of "theft" reports at the end of every month. I'm not saying the OP is lying but they investigate these claims REALLY carefully now. If they think ur being dishonest they can terminate ur benefits completely so be 100% truthful about everything

Quick update on the current replacement process: I just confirmed with our local CalFresh office that the rules changed in mid-2025. Now when benefits are stolen electronically (not from a lost/stolen physical card), they can replace up to two months of benefits per federal fiscal year. The process requires: - Police report (required) - EBT-28 form completed in full - Proof of identity - Statement explaining how you believe the theft occurred If your case is still with your previous county, they handle the replacement. If the transfer completed, then your new county handles it. The 10-day processing requirement only starts once ALL documentation is received, so submit everything as quickly as possible.