EBT card skimming wiped out my entire month's CalFresh benefits - what can I do?

This happened to me last month!!! Same exact thing - entire balance gone to places I've never been. They need to do something about these scammers targeting poor people!! I filed a claim but still waiting. The county told me to try calling 211 for emergency food assistance in the meantime. There's also local food banks. If you have school-age kids, make sure they're getting free school meals too.

I work with a local community resource center, and unfortunately EBT fraud is becoming increasingly common. Here are the steps you should take immediately: 1. File a police report - this documentation helps with your claim 2. Contact your county CalFresh office directly to report the theft (not just the EBT customer service) 3. Ask about 'expedited' replacement benefits due to household hardship 4. Visit local food banks (Sacramento Food Bank can provide emergency 3-day supplies) 5. Apply for WIC if you have children under 5 California passed a law improving victim protections, but the implementation has been slow. The county office can sometimes expedite replacement in cases of extreme hardship, especially with families with children.

Ive had my benefits stolen twice!! so frustrating and the govt does NOTHING to protect us! heres what saved me - change your PIN regularly!!!! i do it the night before my benefits load each month. also use the BenefitsCal app to lock your card when not using it. ever since i started doing that (6 months now) no more theft. also never use ur card at sketchy gas stations thats where most skimmers are

This is sooooo common now!! I know at least 5 ppl this happened to. The CalFresh office is IMPOSSIBLE to reach when u need them!!!! I was calling over and over last month bout something else and kept getting hung up on by their stupid system. I finally found this service called Claimyr that got me through to an actual person. You can see how it works at https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 and their website is claimyr.com - they basically wait on hold for you then call you when they get a real person. Saved me HOURS of frustration. U really need to talk to someone about expedited benefits in your situation!

i had this happen and will tell u what no one mentions - even if they approve ur claim they only replace benefits from date of theft to date u reported it. so if u waited even a day to report it thats benefits u lose forever. its a terrible system. file ur claim ASAP and keep calling until u reach someone. theres a form they have to fill out

I'm really sorry this happened to you. There's actually a specific process for this situation called an EBT-2259 Benefit Theft Claim. California law now requires counties to replace stolen benefits, but there's a specific timeline and process. Important specifics: - You must file within 30 days of discovery - The county must process your claim within 10 days - You need to complete form EBT-2259 - Maximum replacement is for benefits stolen within 4 days before you report For immediate help, ask your county worker about the Emergency Food Assistance Program (EFAP) which provides temporary assistance while your claim is processed. Also, the Sacramento Food Bank (916-456-1980) can provide immediate assistance. Be persistent with your county office. If you're getting nowhere, ask to speak with a supervisor specifically about expedited replacement.

this happened to my sister and she ended up getting her benefits back after like 6 weeks. food banks helped but it was rough. sorry ur dealing with this

FOOD BANKS FOOD BANKS FOOD BANKS!!!! Sac Food Bank on 3333 Third Ave gives emergency boxes with no appointment!!! River City on 28th street does Tuesdays and Thursdays!! Also if u have school kids get the P-EBT card set up for them if u havent already!!

Quick update on what I mentioned before - I just checked with a colleague and Sacramento County is actually piloting a faster replacement process for families with children. When you speak with your caseworker, specifically mention you're requesting 'expedited replacement due to household hardship with minor children.' This specific language can help trigger the faster process. Also, bring any documentation showing the fraudulent transactions when you visit the office.

I'm so sorry this happened to you - EBT fraud is unfortunately becoming way too common and it's heartbreaking when families are left without food money. A few things that might help while you're waiting: 1. If you haven't already, try calling your county office first thing in the morning (like 8 AM sharp) - that's usually when you have the best chance of getting through before the lines get overwhelmed. 2. Ask about CalFresh Emergency Allotments if they're still available in your county - some counties have additional emergency funds for situations exactly like this. 3. Don't forget about local churches and community centers - many have food pantries that don't require any paperwork and can help bridge the gap. 4. If you have WIC-eligible kids (under 5), definitely apply for that ASAP as others mentioned - it's a separate program and can provide some immediate help with milk, eggs, cereal, etc. Stay strong and keep pushing - you're doing everything right by acting fast and reaching out for help. Your kids are lucky to have a parent fighting so hard for them!

I'm a caseworker in another California county and want to add some specifics that might help. When you file your EBT-2259 form, make sure to request a copy for your records - this is crucial if there are any delays or issues with processing. Also, ask your worker about the "Replacement Benefits Pending Investigation" option - some counties can issue partial emergency benefits (usually 50% of stolen amount) within 3-5 business days while the full claim is being processed. This isn't widely advertised but it exists specifically for families with children facing food insecurity. Document everything - take photos of the form, get confirmation numbers, and ask for written confirmation that your claim was received. The squeaky wheel gets the grease with these situations unfortunately. Don't give up!