EBT card skimmed - all CalFresh benefits stolen overnight! How long for reimbursement?

same thing happen to me back in october. took them almost 3 weeks to put my money back. its rediculous!!! some stores have those skimmer things they put on the card readers. i always check before i swipe now and also keep my pin covered

I'm sorry this happened to you. Unfortunately, EBT skimming has become extremely common in California. The reimbursement process typically takes 10-30 business days depending on your county and their current caseload. Here are steps to protect yourself in the future: 1. Change your PIN immediately after receiving a replacement card 2. Check for skimming devices before swiping (wiggle the card reader) 3. Set up EBT text alerts to notify you of all transactions 4. When possible, freeze your EBT card between uses through the EBT app 5. Consider contacting your local food bank for emergency assistance while waiting Also, as of 2025, California now requires counties to expedite theft reimbursement for households with children or elderly members, so make sure to mention that when following up.

This happened to me last summer and it was HORRIBLE. I had to go to the food bank for 2 weeks before they finally replaced my benefits. Make sure you fill out that affidavit ASAP and then follow up, follow up, follow up! The squeaky wheel gets the grease with these people. Also they told me I should change my PIN regularly like every month now.

u need to check ur balance EVERYDAY!!! thats what i do now. they got me twice before i started checking it like crazy. these thieves are getting smarter with the skimmers.

If you need emergency food while waiting, contact your county office directly and ask about emergency replacement benefits. Sometimes they can issue a partial emergency allotment while your theft claim is processing. Also, after dealing with the endless hold times trying to reach my county worker about a similar issue, I discovered this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to a real person in about 15 minutes instead of waiting for hours. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8. It really helped when I was desperate to talk to someone about my stolen benefits.

I HATE THOSE THIEVES!!! My sister-in-law just had this happen in January and she didnt get her money back for almost 3 weeks which is completely ridiculous when people have families to feed!!! The system is broken and they dont care that we are starving while they "investigate". Call 211 to find food banks near you meanwhile. Also maybe try asking if you can get expedited benefits while you wait?

use cash only now cant trust the machines

To give you some hope - I had $430 stolen in December and got it back in 8 business days. The key things that helped speed up my process: 1. I submitted the signed affidavit through the BenefitsCal app immediately 2. I called my county worker directly (not just the EBT line) and explained we had no food 3. I brought up the California EBT Theft Reimbursement Law (AB 1965) that mandates timely reimbursement 4. I documented all my calls and followed up every 48 hours Also, once you get your new card, IMMEDIATELY change the PIN to something unpredictable (not birthdays or simple sequences). I now use the card lock feature in the app to lock my card whenever I'm not actively shopping. This prevents unauthorized transactions even if someone has skimmed your card data.

u know they stealing from everyone i heard its like millions of $$$$ being stolen from EBT in california but the news dont talk about it cuz poor people dont matter

Update on reimbursement times: As of March 2025, Sacramento County is processing theft claims in approximately 7-10 business days. Make sure you've filled out form EBT 2259 (Benefit Theft Claim) completely and submitted all requested documentation. The most common reason for delays is incomplete paperwork. For immediate assistance while waiting: 1. Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services: (916) 456-1980 2. River City Food Bank: (916) 446-2627 3. Call 211 for additional emergency food resources To protect your new card, consider purchasing an RFID-blocking wallet which helps prevent remote skimming of card data.

I'm so sorry this happened to you! EBT theft is unfortunately becoming way too common. I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago and it's terrifying when you realize all your food money is just gone. Here's what worked for me to speed things up: - I called my county eligibility worker directly instead of just the EBT fraud line (you can find their number on your last CalFresh notice) - I mentioned I have children and requested expedited processing under the new 2025 rules - I submitted everything electronically through the BenefitsCal portal instead of mailing I got my benefits back in 9 days, which was way faster than the horror stories I'd heard. The key is being persistent but polite when following up. For right now, definitely hit up the food banks Maya mentioned. Also, some churches in Sacramento do emergency food boxes even if you're not a member - might be worth calling around. You shouldn't have to go hungry while waiting for the county to fix their broken system. Stay strong and keep pushing them for updates!