Unauthorized EBT transactions depleting CalFresh balance - police report filed but claim denied!

I'm so sorry this happened to you. Unfortunately, EBT fraud is becoming more common. The distinction here is important - if someone used your physical card, they often deny claims, assuming you gave someone your card/PIN. If it was skimmed/cloned (more likely), you need to specifically state that in your appeal. Call your county worker directly and explain you need to appeal the denial. Request an "Administrative Hearing" specifically. Bring the police report and any evidence showing you were elsewhere when those transactions occurred. They should provisionally restore benefits while under appeal - make sure to ask for this.

omg this EXACT thing happened to me last year!!! they took $270 and the ebt office tried saying i must have given someone my card. like NO i didnt??? took me fighting with them for 3 weeks but i finally got my benefits back. dont give up!!

When you first reported this, did you specifically mention that you believe your card was "electronically compromised" rather than just saying the money was missing? The wording matters A LOT with these claims. If they think you lost your physical card or gave someone your PIN, they almost always deny. But electronic theft claims are treated differently under California EBT regulations. You need to call and specifically request an appeal hearing and use the phrase "electronic benefit theft" in your appeal.

This is why I ALWAYS transfer my benefits to my bank account the SECOND they hit my EBT card. Too many scammers out there and the EBT fraud department is basically useless. Sorry you're going through this.

If you're getting nowhere with the standard appeals process, try reaching Claimyr.com. They can connect you directly to a live CalFresh worker without the endless hold times. I was getting disconnected constantly trying to reach someone about my fraud claim, but they got me through in minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8. Totally worth it when you're dealing with something this urgent.

I experienced something similar and what worked for me was going IN PERSON to my county office with my police report. Phone systems are useless for these situations. Ask specifically to speak with an EBT fraud specialist or supervisor. Don't leave until someone helps you. It's also smart to get your state representative's office involved - they can often cut through red tape fast. And while you're waiting, ask about emergency replacement benefits due to theft. Some counties have emergency funds for precisely these situations.

sux but ur prolly out of luck. happened to my cousin and they never got the $ back. ebt security is joke tbh

I work with CalFresh recipients regularly, and there's an important distinction in your case. When you received the denial letter citing "no service error," that's their standard response for first-level denials of EBT theft. You need to request a formal Administrative Hearing through your county office within 90 days of receiving that denial. Bring documentation showing: 1. Your whereabouts during the fraudulent transactions (receipts, work timesheet, etc) 2. The police report 3. Any transaction history showing the suspicious pattern Also, request that your caseworker document this as "electronic benefit theft" rather than general card misuse. The state has been dealing with increased skimming cases and has special protocols for these situations. Don't accept the first denial - the appeal process has a much higher success rate.

One more thing - while you're fighting this, immediately request expedited emergency CalFresh benefits. Explain that you have less than $150 in income available for food and less than $100 in liquid resources. This should get you emergency benefits within 3 days. This won't replace what was stolen, but it can help bridge the gap while you appeal the fraud case. Make sure to mention any children in the household as that strengthens your emergency request.