Just wanted to add that if you're having trouble with the automated phone system, sometimes it helps to speak more slowly and clearly when entering your PIN. The voice recognition system can be finicky, especially if there's background noise. Also, make sure you're calling from a quiet place and using a landline if possible - cell phone audio quality can sometimes cause issues with automated systems. I had this same problem and it turned out I was speaking too fast when prompted to enter my new PIN. Once I slowed down, it worked perfectly. Hope this helps!

I had this exact same frustration a few months ago! The automated system kept failing for me too. What finally worked was going to my local county office during their walk-in hours. They have a little EBT machine right there at the front desk where you can change your PIN immediately - no appointment needed. The whole process took maybe 10 minutes. Just bring your ID and your EBT card. Most offices have these machines now specifically because so many people have trouble with the phone system. You can also ask the front desk staff to help you if you're not sure how to use the machine. Way less stressful than dealing with that automated phone system!

Thanks for updating us! This is actually a common issue - many banks place holds on government deposits, especially if it's a new account or there have been overdrafts in the past. For future reference, you can often ask your bank for an exception to the hold policy for recurring government benefits. Some banks will reduce or eliminate the hold time if you explain it's for essential living expenses.

@Isabella Costa - if your payment is still delayed after what happened with NeonNebula's bank hold situation, I'd definitely try calling your bank first to see if they're holding your deposit. If that's not the issue, then maybe try that Claimyr service Chloe mentioned to get through to someone at the office faster. The emergency payment option Ravi talked about might also be worth looking into if you're in a tight spot financially. Hope yours shows up soon!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this! EBT theft is unfortunately becoming way too common. I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago and here's what saved me: 1. After filing your police report, ask the officer for a CASE NUMBER - you'll need this for your county claim 2. When you call your CalWORKs worker, specifically mention you need "emergency replacement benefits due to theft" - there's actually a fast-track process for this now 3. Most importantly: ask about the CalFresh/CalWORKs Emergency Food and Cash program while your claim is being processed. This can provide temporary assistance within 72 hours For your landlord situation - bring them a copy of the police report AND the EBT theft claim paperwork. In my experience, most landlords will work with you when they see you're dealing with actual theft vs just not having money. Some will even accept a partial payment with a written agreement for the rest. Also, check if your county has a "Fraud Unit" hotline - they often process theft claims faster than going through your regular worker. In Los Angeles County, for example, they have a dedicated EBT fraud line that moves much quicker. You're handling this the right way by acting fast. The replacement benefits DO come through, usually within 5-10 days if you have all your paperwork in order. Hang in there! 💪

I'm really sorry this happened to you - EBT theft is so frustrating and scary, especially when rent is due! I had my benefits stolen twice last year and learned some hard lessons about the process. One thing I want to emphasize that others mentioned but is SUPER important: when you call your CalWORKs worker, don't just say your money was "stolen" - use the specific phrase "I need to report EBT benefit theft and request emergency replacement benefits." The workers have specific protocols they have to follow when you use those exact words. Also, while you're waiting for your benefits to be replaced, check if your county participates in the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP). If they do and you qualify, you might be able to get some immediate food assistance even without cash on your EBT card. For your landlord situation - in addition to showing them the police report, mention that California recently passed stronger laws requiring counties to replace stolen benefits. Most landlords know about the EBT theft epidemic now and understand it's not your fault. One last tip: document EVERYTHING. Take photos of all your paperwork, save confirmation numbers from phone calls, and write down the names of everyone you speak with. This saved me when my first claim got "lost" in the system. You're doing all the right things by acting quickly. The stress is awful but you WILL get through this! 💪

updaTE????? did u figure out why they took ur money?? im worried now they gonna do this to me next month 😭😭😭

That's such a relief that you got it sorted out! This is exactly why I always keep copies of EVERYTHING I send to the county. They "lose" paperwork constantly and then blame us for not submitting it. I scan all my documents and keep them in a folder on my phone so I can resend them immediately when they mess up. For anyone reading this - always keep detailed records of what you submit and when. Take photos of your pay stubs, bank statements, everything. The county workers are overworked and make mistakes all the time, but WE'RE the ones who suffer when they do.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this - it's incredibly frustrating when you're already stressed about keeping your benefits and then they make it worse by missing their own appointments. I've been through similar situations and here's what helped me: Keep detailed records of every call attempt, including dates, times, and how long you waited on hold. If you have a smartphone, take screenshots of your call log showing the duration. When you do get through, immediately ask them to note in your case file that THEY missed the scheduled appointment, not you. Also, if you haven't already, try calling different county offices if your area has multiple locations - sometimes one office answers faster than others. And don't let them rush you off the phone once you do connect - make sure they reschedule your appointment AND confirm they've documented their mistake in your case notes. You're doing everything right by being proactive. The system is broken, but you have rights and protections. Keep fighting for what you need for your family!

I'm going through something similar right now with my recertification! My worker was supposed to call me last Friday and never did. I've been calling every day since then and can barely get through. When I finally did connect yesterday, they told me my worker was "out sick" but couldn't tell me when she'd be back or who was covering her cases. The stress is unreal - I have two kids and work part-time, so losing CalWORKs would be devastating. What really gets me is how they expect us to drop everything when they call, but then they can just not show up with zero consequences. I've started documenting everything too after reading posts here. Taking photos of my phone showing missed calls, writing down who I talk to and when. One thing that's helped me is calling right when they open at 8am - the wait times are usually shorter then. Also, if anyone knows about this, can you request a specific date/time for your makeup appointment or do they just assign whatever they want? I need to make sure I can arrange childcare if they reschedule during my work hours.