UPDATE: I just spoke with an EBT customer service supervisor who confirmed that benefit replacement for EBT theft is taking about 15-20 days right now due to high volume of cases. So definitely ask about emergency assistance while you wait.

I'm so sorry this happened to you! EBT fraud is unfortunately becoming more common. Here's what worked for me when my benefits were stolen: 1. Call EBT customer service immediately (1-877-328-9677) to report fraud and get a replacement card 2. File a police report - this is required for the county investigation 3. Contact your county CalWORKs office and request form EBT 2259 (Benefit Theft Report) 4. Submit the completed form along with your police report number The replacement process typically takes 2-3 weeks, but don't give up! In the meantime, ask your county about emergency assistance - they can sometimes provide immediate help for families with children who have no other resources. Also, when you call the county, explain that you have children and are facing immediate hardship. Sometimes this helps prioritize your case. Keep calling every few days for updates - persistence really does help move things along. Stay strong - you will get through this!

Hey! I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago with my 3-year-old. You absolutely need to report this within 10 days - don't wait for your SAR7! I made the mistake of waiting and almost got hit with complications. When I transitioned from homeless to paying $1,100/month rent, my CalWORKs went from $927 to about $1,070. Not enough to cover rent obviously, but every bit helps. The key thing is when you call, don't just report the housing change - ask specifically about these programs: - CalWORKs Housing Support Program (helped me with first month's rent) - Homeless Assistance Program (covered my security deposit) - Moving assistance funds Also make sure they recalculate your CalFresh - mine went up by almost $180/month because of the utility allowance! That was honestly more helpful than the CalWORKs increase. One tip: if you can't get through to your worker, try calling right when they open at 8am or use the BenefitsCal online portal to submit the change. You got this! Having your own place is such a game changer even if the budget is still tight.

I'm actually going through something similar right now - just submitted my housing change report last week after being homeless for 8 months. One thing I learned is that you can also submit the change through the GetCalFresh website (getcalfresh.org) if you can't get through by phone - they forward it directly to your county office and give you a confirmation number for your records. Also wanted to mention that some counties have expedited processing for housing-related changes since they know how urgent these situations are. When you call, specifically ask if they can expedite your case review since you're transitioning from homelessness to housed. My worker told me this can sometimes speed up the benefit adjustment by a week or two. Really hoping everything works out with your new place! Having stable housing makes such a difference, even if the finances are still tight. Make sure to keep copies of your lease agreement and any receipts from move-in costs - you might need them for the various assistance programs people mentioned.

I'm so sorry this happened to you again! As a fellow CalWORKs recipient, I know how scary and stressful this is. Just wanted to add a couple things that helped me when I went through this last year: 1. When you submit your paperwork, ask for a confirmation number or receipt that shows they received everything. This helps you track your case if it gets delayed. 2. Keep calling every few days to check status - don't just wait for them to contact you. The squeaky wheel gets the grease with these offices. 3. If you're comfortable with it, consider asking family or friends if they can help with groceries this week while you wait. I know it's hard to ask, but sometimes people want to help and just don't know how. You're doing everything right by acting quickly and filing all the reports. Hang in there - you'll get through this! The system is frustrating but they do eventually make it right.

I'm really sorry you're going through this - EBT theft is such a violation and it's awful that criminals are targeting people who are already struggling. Based on what others have shared here, it sounds like you're on the right track with getting everything reported quickly. One thing I wanted to mention that I learned the hard way - when you get your replacement card, consider setting up account alerts if your county offers them. Some counties will send you text alerts when transactions happen on your card, so you can catch theft faster. Also, I started taking photos of ATMs before I use them to check for anything that looks off or newly attached. The waiting is the worst part, especially when you have bills due. But it sounds like the emergency aid option might help bridge the gap. Definitely keep pushing for that since you have rent coming up. Counties don't always volunteer information about what's available, so you have to advocate for yourself. Sending you strength while you deal with this mess - you shouldn't have to be an expert on fraud protection just to access your basic benefits!

UPDATE: Had my interview this morning! The worker actually was really understanding about our situation. She said my son's medical needs definitely qualify us for a temporary exemption (3 months to start) and gave me the CW 61 form to have his doctor fill out. She's also referring us to the Homeless Assistance Program for help with housing! Thank you everyone for your advice - it really helped me know what to say and what to ask for. I feel so much relief knowing I'll have time to focus on getting us stable without WTW pressure right now.

Congratulations on getting the exemption! That's such a relief. I wanted to add one tip from my experience - when you get the CW 61 form filled out by your son's doctor, ask them to be really specific about why your presence is required for his care. The more detailed they are about his needs and your role as caregiver, the stronger your case will be for renewals. Also, keep copies of everything they give you - the county has a habit of "losing" paperwork. Wishing you and your little one all the best with finding stable housing through the HAP program!

UPDATE: I finally got through to someone today! I tried that Claimyr service that someone recommended here, and it actually worked. Took about 45 minutes but I got connected to a real person who looked at my case. Turns out they had recorded my last two paychecks as weekly income instead of bi-weekly, which is why my benefit amount was so much lower! The worker fixed it and said I should see the corrected amount plus the back pay for last month on my next payment. So relieved! Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions!

I'm so glad you were able to get this resolved! This is exactly the kind of systemic issue we're seeing with the BenefitsCal transition - simple data entry errors that have huge impacts on families. Your experience highlights how important it is for everyone to keep detailed records of their income reporting. For anyone else dealing with similar issues, weekly vs bi-weekly income calculation errors are unfortunately common right now. Always double-check that your pay frequency is recorded correctly in the system, and don't hesitate to ask the worker to verify how they're calculating your income when you're on the phone with them. Thanks for updating us - it gives hope to others who are struggling with the same problems!