P-EBT card stolen before delivery - CalFresh customer service confirmed funds already used!

omg thats terrible!! same thing happened to my neighbor last month with her regular ebt card. someone stole it right from her mailbox!! the county made her jump thru so many hoops to prove she wasnt the one who used it. she had to get a police report too and they ended up replacing the benefits but it took like 2 months!! so frustrating when ur kids need to eat NOW not in 2 months!!

This is becoming a major issue with P-EBT and regular CalFresh EBT cards. When you file your police report, make sure to get a copy of the case number and document EVERYTHING. Keep a log of each time you speak with CalFresh representatives including their name, ID number, date/time, and what was discussed. According to regulations, they're required to complete fraud investigations within 90 days, but you can sometimes escalate by requesting to speak with a supervisor or filing a State Hearing request if it goes beyond that timeframe. Also, if you're currently experiencing food insecurity because of this theft, you may qualify for expedited CalFresh benefits (separate from your P-EBT) if your income is below the threshold. I'd recommend applying through BenefitsCal.com or contacting your county office directly about emergency assistance options.

the same thing happened 2 me!! but with my regular calfresh, not pebt. i thot i was just being 4getful and lost it but when i called they said someone used all $345 at a walmart 50 miles from my house!!! i never shop there! they replaced it after like 6 weeks but i had to keep calling every few days

I work for a community organization that helps clients with CalFresh issues, and unfortunately we're seeing this type of P-EBT/EBT theft increasing dramatically in 2025. Here's what you need to know: 1) The investigation timeframe really depends on your county office and their current workload, but the maximum should be 90 days by regulation 2) Request a "Benefit Theft Claim Form" specifically - some representatives may not offer this unless you ask for it by name 3) You have the right to request emergency replacement benefits while the investigation is ongoing, though this is at the county's discretion 4) If you have any proof you were elsewhere when the card was used (work schedule, appointment records, etc.), submit those with your claim 5) Ask them to flag your case for priority processing if you have children in the household with no other food resources I've seen these investigations completed in as little as 3 weeks with the right documentation and follow-up.

When this happened to me last year, I spent WEEKS trying to get through to CalFresh on the phone - constant busy signals or being disconnected after waiting on hold for 2+ hours. I finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that held my place in line and called me back when a representative was available. Saved me hours of frustration and I was able to get my claim processed much faster once I actually talked to someone. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 Don't wait around hoping to get through - I learned that being proactive and persistent is the only way to get these benefit theft cases resolved. The squeaky wheel definitely gets the grease, and you need to talk to actual people, not just leave messages.

I don't understand why they can't just automatically flag suspicious purchases!!! If someone suddenly uses an entire P-EBT balance in one day at stores miles from the delivery address, that should trigger an automatic review. The system is broken when they make the VICTIMS jump through hoops. My sister had her identity stolen last year and they accused HER of fraud initially before finally believing her. The whole system is designed to make people give up fighting for benefits they deserve.

CALL THEM EVERY SINGLE DAY. I'm serious. I had $987 stolen from my P-EBT last year and they kept saying "we're investigating" for weeks. I started calling daily, asking for supervisors, and documenting everything. Suddenly my case was "expedited" and I had replacement benefits within 10 days. They count on people giving up. DON'T GIVE UP. Also, contact your county supervisor's office - they can sometimes help push things along when you mention you have children without food resources.

the people stealing these cards should be ASHAMED of themselves. taking food from children!!! what is wrong with people these days. back in my day we would never dream of stealing from neighbors especially not FOOD MONEY. society is going downhill fast. hope they catch whoever did this to you.

One important update for everyone in this thread: If you're experiencing P-EBT theft, you should be documenting the incident with BOTH the local police AND the USPS Postal Inspector if it was stolen from your mailbox. The Postal Inspector report can carry more weight in your CalFresh fraud investigation because it establishes federal mail theft, which is taken very seriously. You can file a report online at https://www.uspis.gov/report. Also, once your benefits are restored, I strongly recommend setting up online account access immediately so you can monitor for any suspicious activity. You can also request that your replacement card be sent to your local CalFresh office for pickup rather than mailed to your home if mail theft is common in your area.