EBT cash benefits stolen - how long until CalFresh replaces it?

Sorry this happened to you. I work for a community resource center and unfortunately EBT theft has increased a lot in 2025. The standard processing time for cash benefit replacement is 10-15 business days once they've completed the investigation. The investigation itself can take 3-5 business days. A few tips to speed things up: 1. Make sure you've submitted the EBT-2259 form (Benefit Theft Report) 2. Call your assigned case worker directly at your county office, not just the EBT customer service 3. Provide any evidence you have that you weren't at those ATM locations (work timesheet, receipts from where you actually were) Also, while waiting for the investigation, check with local food banks and ask your county office about emergency assistance for your rent.

OMG this happend to me 2!! My EBT got drained last month at some gas station I never been to. $430 GONE! I filed police report and called but it took 18 DAYS to get my money back!!!! They make u wait while they "investigate" even tho its obvious it wasnt us. Try calling ur worker direct but good luck getting through lol

I've helped several clients through this exact situation this year. Here's what usually happens with CalFresh/EBT theft: 1. Investigation takes 3-5 business days (they review ATM camera footage and transaction patterns) 2. If approved, replacement benefits take another 5-10 business days to load 3. Some counties are faster than others - which county are you in? For your immediate needs, call your county office and ask for an Emergency Food Assistance referral. You may qualify for expedited emergency CalFresh benefits while your claim is being processed. Also, make sure to change your PIN immediately if you haven't already and check if your card was skimmed or if someone had access to your actual card.

Have you tried reaching your county case worker directly? I had my benefits stolen last year ($525) and was freaking out too. Calling the main EBT customer service line got me nowhere, but when I finally reached my actual case worker at the county office, she flagged my case as priority and I got my replacement benefits in 8 days instead of the "standard" 15+ they initially quoted me. I used Claimyr.com to get through to an actual person at the county office after spending days getting disconnected or stuck on hold. They got me connected in under 5 minutes when I had been trying for days. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 Definitely helped speed things up in my case. Good luck!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this! The exact same thing happened to me in April - someone stole $785 from my EBT card at ATMs I'd never been to. Here's my timeline in case it helps: Day 1: Discovered theft, filed police report, called EBT hotline Day 2: Visited county office in person (BRING YOUR POLICE REPORT!) Day 4: Got call confirming investigation started Day 12: Investigation completed, theft confirmed Day 14: Benefits replaced on my card The key for me was going IN PERSON to the county office rather than just calling. I literally sat there until someone helped me. Bring proof of your police report and any evidence you have. Also ask about emergency assistance while you wait - they gave me emergency food benefits (regular CalFresh, not cash) to use while waiting.

always take cash out immediately when benefits hit ur card!!!!! skimmers are EVERYWHERE. ive had 3 friends get money stolen this year alone

Quick update on timeframes: Los Angeles County has actually improved their theft response times recently. As of last month, they're averaging 7-10 business days total for cash benefit replacement instead of the previous 15-20. Make sure when you submit your EBT-2259 form that you check the box for "financial hardship" and provide documentation of your upcoming rent due date. This can help prioritize your case. Also, while you're waiting, apply for emergency housing assistance through DPSS. They can potentially provide a one-time emergency payment to help with your rent if the stolen benefits aren't replaced in time.

I'm really sorry this happened to you! EBT theft is unfortunately becoming way too common. Based on what others have shared, it sounds like going to your county office in person on Monday is your best bet. One thing I'd add - when you go in person, ask specifically about the "Emergency Cash Assistance" program while your case is being investigated. Some people don't know this exists, but LA County can sometimes provide a small emergency cash payment (usually $100-200) within 24-48 hours for situations exactly like yours where stolen benefits are putting you at risk of eviction. Also, document EVERYTHING - take photos of all forms you submit, get receipt confirmations, and ask for case reference numbers. This will help if you need to follow up or escalate. You might also want to contact your landlord now to explain the situation and see if they'll accept a partial payment or give you a few extra days. Many landlords are understanding when there's a legitimate emergency like this, especially if you can show them the police report. Hang in there - I know 7-10 days still feels like forever when you're stressed about rent, but you've got this!

I'm so sorry you're going through this - EBT theft is such a violation and the stress about rent must be overwhelming. Based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds like you have a solid plan with going to the county office Monday morning. Just wanted to add that when you're there, also ask about the CalFresh Emergency Allotment program if you haven't already received it this month. Sometimes they can expedite regular food benefits while you're waiting for the cash replacement, which could free up other money for your rent. Also, if you have any friends or family who could help with even a small loan for part of your rent, that might give you some breathing room while waiting for the replacement. I know it's hard to ask for help, but most people understand that EBT theft isn't your fault. Stay strong - from what everyone's shared, it sounds like LA County has gotten better at handling these cases quickly. You're doing everything right by being proactive about it!