Money disappeared from my EBT card overnight - is this theft? How to get my CalFresh benefits back

This is most likely EBT fraud - someone may have skimmed your card or hacked your account. You need to take these steps immediately: 1. Call the EBT Customer Service number (877-328-9677) right away to report the unauthorized transaction and have your card deactivated 2. Request a new card to be issued 3. File a police report - this is often required for benefit replacement 4. Call your county CalFresh office and let them know what happened. They'll need to start the process for benefit replacement California does have a benefit replacement policy for stolen EBT benefits, but you must report it within 10 days of discovering the theft. Document everything - dates, times, transaction details from your EBT account history.

omg same thing happened to my sister last month!!! someone took like $400 from her card at some store she never even been to in san bernardino. she got the money back but it took like 3 weeks tho. make sure u report it FAST

This happened to me too! Check if there are any weird transactions from out-of-state or stores you've never been to. That's how I realized someone had stolen my card info even though I still had the physical card. These thieves are getting really sophisticated with skimmers.

After you call EBT customer service, you need to fill out a "EBT ARU Adjustment Request Form" for unauthorized transactions. Most people miss this step! Your county office has these forms - they'll review your case within 10 business days. By law, CalFresh has to replace stolen benefits if you file within 10 days of discovery and follow their procedures. But if this happens repeatedly, they might flag your account for investigation. Also, change your PIN immediately and don't share it with anyone - even family members. Set a reminder to check your balance twice a week. A lot of people don't realize their benefits were stolen until weeks later when it's too late to report.

Totally sucks this happened to you! The EBT customer service line is IMPOSSIBLE to get through on sometimes. I spent 3 hours trying to report my stolen benefits last year and kept getting disconnected. Try calling right when they open at 8am if you can. And don't wait - every day you delay makes it harder to get your benefits back!

Also, once you get this resolved, consider setting up EBT text alerts for all transactions. You'll get a text message every time your card is used, so you can immediately spot fraudulent charges. Just go to www.ebt.ca.gov and set it up under your account preferences. I've had my benefits stolen twice, and the text alerts helped me catch it immediately the second time.

another thing u shud do is never use ur EBT card at those atms that look sketchy or at gas stations. those r the ones that get tampered with the most!!! my caseworker told me only use the atms inside grocery stores if possible

Just to clarify some misinformation I'm seeing: CalFresh benefits CAN be replaced if stolen electronically, thanks to a 2021 policy change in California. However, there are strict requirements: - You must report within 10 days of discovery - You need to fill out the proper form (EBT 2259 - Statement of Stolen Benefits) - You must have the police report number (in most counties) - They will look at your transaction history and investigate - Replacement is limited to 2 months of benefits maximum They're usually quite good about replacing stolen benefits, but the investigation process takes time. While waiting, ask your county worker about emergency food resources in your area. Many counties can provide emergency CalFresh benefits in situations like this.

As a follow up to my earlier comment - be sure to document EVERYTHING. Write down the names of everyone you speak with, reference/case numbers, and dates/times. This will help if there are delays in replacing your benefits. Also, reach out to 211 for immediate food assistance while you wait for your benefits to be replaced - they can connect you with local food banks and emergency assistance programs.

I'm so sorry this happened to you! EBT fraud is unfortunately becoming more common. I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago - had over $500 stolen from my card. The good news is that California does replace stolen benefits, but you need to act fast. A few additional tips that helped me: - When you call your county office, ask specifically about emergency food assistance while you wait for the replacement benefits. Many counties have programs that can help bridge the gap. - If you have young children, mention that - they often prioritize cases with kids in the household. - Save screenshots of your EBT transaction history showing the unauthorized charges. This will speed up the investigation process. The whole process took about 2.5 weeks for me, but I did get every penny back. Hang in there - you'll get through this! Your kids won't go hungry. There are resources available to help while you wait.

I'm really sorry this happened to you! EBT fraud is becoming such a huge problem. One thing I learned from my own experience - make sure you ask your county office about getting a "rush delivery" on your replacement card. Some counties can get you a new card within 2-3 business days instead of the usual 7-10 days, especially when you have kids. Also, while you're waiting for everything to get sorted out, check if your local food banks allow you to visit more than once per month during emergencies like this. Many have special policies for EBT fraud victims. You've got this - the system is set up to help you, it just takes some persistence to navigate through all the steps!

I'm so sorry this happened to you! EBT fraud is unfortunately very real and becoming more common. The good news is that California has gotten much better about replacing stolen benefits since they updated their policies a few years ago. A couple things that might help speed up your case: - When you call your county office, ask if they can flag your case as "urgent" due to having children in the household - Request that they email you the replacement benefit form (EBT 2259) so you can fill it out ahead of your appointment - If possible, try to get an appointment within the next 2-3 days rather than waiting - the 10-day reporting window is strict Also, while you're waiting for everything to process, contact your local WIC office if your kids are eligible (under 5). They can often provide emergency food assistance even if you're not currently enrolled in WIC. Food banks are also usually very understanding about EBT fraud situations and may let you access additional resources. You're doing all the right things by acting quickly. This is scary and frustrating, but you WILL get your benefits back. Your kids won't go hungry - there are safety nets in place specifically for situations like this. Hang in there! 💙

I'm so sorry this happened to you! EBT fraud is unfortunately becoming really common these days. The most important thing is that you're taking action quickly - that 10-day reporting window is crucial. One thing I learned when this happened to my neighbor last year is to ask your county office about "expedited replacement benefits" specifically. Some counties can issue temporary benefits within 24-48 hours while they investigate your case, especially when you have young children. It's not automatic but worth asking about. Also, when you file your police report, make sure you get the report number immediately - don't wait for them to mail it to you. The county office will need that number to process your replacement request. In the meantime, contact your local school district if your kids are school-aged. Many districts have weekend food backpack programs or can connect you with emergency food resources specifically for families with children. The school counselor or main office can usually point you in the right direction. You're going to get through this! California's replacement policies have gotten much better in recent years, and having kids definitely helps prioritize your case. Document everything and don't be afraid to follow up if things seem to be taking too long.

I'm so sorry you're going through this - EBT fraud is absolutely terrible and it's happening way too often lately. The stress of not knowing if your kids will have enough food is just heartbreaking. One thing that really helped me when this happened was keeping a detailed log of every single phone call and interaction. Write down the date, time, person's name, and what they told you. This became super important later when there were some mix-ups in my case. Also, if you run into any roadblocks with your county office or feel like they're not moving fast enough, don't hesitate to contact your local supervisor's office or even your state assembly member's constituent services. Sometimes having someone higher up make a call can really speed things along, especially when kids are involved. While you're waiting for everything to process, see if your area has any churches or community centers that do free meal programs. A lot of them don't require any paperwork and can help bridge the gap while you're waiting for your benefits to be replaced. You're being so proactive about this and doing everything right. Your kids are lucky to have a parent who's fighting so hard for them. This is temporary - you WILL get your money back and your family will be okay! ❤️