EBT card stolen - will I get my CalFresh benefits back in the promised 7-10 days?

I had my EBT card stolen about 6 months ago and reported it immediately. In my case, they did replace the benefits within 8 business days, which was within their promised timeframe. Make sure you've done these things: 1. Filed the police report (sounds like you did) 2. Called the EBT customer service line to report the card stolen 3. Requested a replacement physical card 4. Filed a benefit theft claim form with your county office Especially for theft claims over $1,000, they do take the full time to investigate, but if you have documentation that you weren't the one using the card (like being at work when transactions happened or transactions occurring far from your home), that helps speed up the process.

my ebt got stolen 2x last year!! the 1st time i got my $$ back in like 6 days but the 2nd time it took almost a MONTH and i had to keep calling them over and over. they kept saying "it's processing" but wouldnt give me any real answers. so frustating!!

I work with a lot of CalFresh clients and unfortunately EBT theft is becoming more common. The 7-10 business days is accurate for most clients IF your claim is straightforward. Things that can delay it: if you've had multiple theft claims in the past year, if you waited more than a few days to report it, or if the transactions look similar to your normal shopping patterns. Be aware that you need to request a new physical card with a new number too, not just report the theft. Make sure to use a completely different PIN on the new card. And in future, try to only load small amounts onto the EBT card at a time or transfer benefits off quickly after they're loaded - thieves tend to target the days right after benefits are issued.

i bet they not even gonna give u ur money back thats how they treat us these days do u know how many ppl i know that got they benefits stolen and the government just say too bad??? the whole system is rigged against us tbh

If you're having trouble reaching someone at the county office for updates on your claim, I'd recommend trying Claimyr. I was in a similar situation last year with stolen benefits and couldn't get through to anyone for days. Claimyr helped me get through to an actual human at the CalFresh office who could check on my claim status. Their site is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 In my case, they were able to escalate my claim once I actually got through to someone. It's frustrating that we need services like this to reach government offices, but it saved me a ton of stress.

I had $750 in benefits stolen last year and I DID get it back, but it took exactly 10 business days. The frustrating part was that I couldn't get any updates during that time - it was just a waiting game. Once it was approved, the money appeared on my new card instantly. One tip: if you're really struggling while waiting, call 211 and ask about emergency food resources. Many food banks will help with emergency provisions when your benefits are delayed or stolen. My kids' school also had an emergency food program when I explained our situation.

When this happened to me in January, I found out there's a legal requirement for them to process these claims within 10 BUSINESS days (not calendar days). So that's actually 2 full weeks. Keep in mind they'll investigate your recent card activity too. I was soooo relieved when my $837 finally showed back up on day 9. They even sent a letter explaining the approval. If you haven't already, change your PIN to something totally random - not birthdays or anything personal. These scammers have gotten really sophisticated with skimmers at stores and even create fake EBT websites to steal information.

they should give emergency snap benefits while ur waiting!!! its not fair to make families starve for 2 weeks bcuz of theft! has anybody gotten emergency benefits while waitig for theft claim?

I'm so sorry this happened to your family - EBT theft is incredibly stressful, especially with kids to feed. I went through this exact situation about 8 months ago when someone stole $890 from our card. The good news is that I did get my full benefits back, and it took exactly 9 business days. Here's what helped me during the waiting period: 1. Document EVERYTHING - save screenshots of all the fraudulent transactions from your EBT account online 2. Keep your police report number handy - they may ask for it again 3. Call your county worker directly (not just the EBT hotline) to confirm your claim is being processed 4. Contact 211 immediately for emergency food assistance while you wait I was terrified they wouldn't replace the money, but as long as you reported it quickly (which you did) and the transactions clearly weren't yours, they will replace it. The 7-10 business day timeframe is pretty accurate in my experience. Hang in there - I know it feels hopeless right now, but you WILL get your benefits back. Focus on getting emergency food help for your kids in the meantime.

I'm a social worker who helps families navigate CalFresh issues, and I want to reassure you that legitimate theft claims like yours do get approved. Since you reported it immediately, have clear fraudulent transactions at unfamiliar locations, and filed a police report, your case should be straightforward. A few additional tips while you wait: - Keep checking your EBT account online daily - the benefits often appear before you get any official notification - If you haven't already, ask your kids' school about weekend backpack programs or emergency meal assistance - Many churches and community centers offer free meals without requiring documentation - WIC offices sometimes have emergency food resources even if you don't qualify for WIC The 7-10 business day window is standard, but I've seen theft claims involving larger amounts (like yours at $1,025) sometimes take the full 10 days because they require additional supervisor approval. Your case sounds very legitimate though - hang in there, and don't hesitate to call your county office if you haven't heard anything by day 8.