How to report stolen CalFresh EBT benefits? Card stolen from my car yesterday

I'm so sorry this happened to you! You need to do a few things ASAP: 1. Call the EBT Customer Service number (877-328-9677) right away to report the card stolen and deactivate it so they can't use it anymore if there's any balance left 2. File a police report - get a copy of the report number 3. Contact your county CalFresh office to report the theft and ask about benefit replacement Unfortunately, California has very specific rules about EBT theft. If someone stole your physical card and used it, you MAY be able to get the benefits back, but it's not guaranteed. It depends on how quickly you report it and if you can prove it wasn't you who used the card.

omg thats terrible!! happened to my cousin last year and she HAD to file police report or they wouldnt even consider replacing the benefits. make sure u get copy of the report not just the number

You should call CDSS fraud hotline 1-800-344-8477 because thats actually benefit fraud when someone steals your food stamps!!!!! Also file police report and keep all the paperwork. I had my card stolen last year and they DIDN'T replace the benefits becuse I waited 3 days to report it. REPORT IT TODAY!!!

I had almost the exact same thing happen to me in January. After calling the EBT customer service line to cancel the card, I spent THREE DAYS trying to reach someone at my county office. Kept getting stuck in their automated phone system and nobody would call me back. Finally I tried this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to a real person at the county office within 20 minutes. They have this system where they wait on hold for you and call you back when a real person answers. They even have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 Once I actually talked to someone, I had to submit Form CF 303 "Request for Replacement" along with a copy of the police report. In my case, they replaced about 80% of what was stolen. The worker told me they review each case individually.

hate to be the bearer of bad news but CalFresh RARELY replaces stolen benefits if your physical card was taken and someone used it with the PIN. They consider it your responsibility to keep the card secure. I went through this last year and they denied my replacement request even WITH a police report. They'll replace benefits if it was skimmed (like someone made a copy somehow) but not usually when the actual card was stolen 😕

There's a lot of misinformation in this thread. Let me clarify the current policy for 2025: Under California EBT regulations, you CAN get replacement benefits for stolen EBT cards if you meet these requirements: 1. Report the card stolen to EBT Customer Service immediately (which you've done) 2. File a police report within 3 days of discovering the theft 3. Submit form CF 303 "Request for Replacement" to your county office 4. Provide documentation that shows you couldn't have made the transactions (being at work/school when purchases were made, purchases made far from your home, etc.) The county has 10 days to make a determination. They generally look more favorably on cases where the theft is reported immediately and where the fraudulent purchases are clearly not something you would have done (different location, unusual stores, etc.) Also, if your situation is dire, ask about emergency CalFresh benefits while your case is being reviewed.

make sure u change ur PIN too!! sometimes theives watch u enter it at the store b4 they steal ur card

NEVER KEEP YOUR PIN WRITTEN DOWN IN YOUR WALLET!!!! So many people do this and its literally giving thieves your money!!! Did you have the pin in your wallet??

After all this gets sorted out, I recommend setting up EBT alert texts for any purchases made with your card. You'll get a text message every time your card is used showing the amount and store. That way you'll know immediately if it happens again. You can set it up through the EBT cardholder portal or by calling customer service.

anybody else notice that CalFresh theft is getting worse?? seems like every week someone on here is posting about stolen benefits. the whole system needs better security!!! regular credit cards have fraud protection but EBT is stuck in the 1990s 🙄

UPDATE: I finally got through to my county office! Used that Claimyr service someone recommended and it worked great - had a caseworker on the phone within 15 minutes. The caseworker was really helpful and walked me through filling out the CF 303 form. She said I need to email them: - The completed form - Copy of police report - Any evidence showing I couldn't have made the purchases She said they'll review it within 10 days but it looks promising since I reported it immediately and the purchases were made far from my home. She also referred me to a local food bank that can help with emergency food while I wait. Thank you everyone for your help! I'll update again when I hear their decision.