@practical_solution They said they DID send a notice, but to my old address even though I'd already updated my address in the system 2 weeks ago! The worker said there's a delay between when you update in BenefitsCal and when their mailing system updates. So frustrating. But at least I have access to my money now.

This is such valuable information for everyone to know! I had no idea that updating your address could automatically trigger a card cancellation. It's ridiculous that they don't make this clear when you're updating your info in BenefitsCal. Thank you for sharing your experience and the solution - going in person really does seem to be the fastest way to resolve these emergency situations. I'm bookmarking this thread in case I ever run into something similar!

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!

Update: I filed the police report online and called my county office. Was on hold for almost an hour before getting through. They're sending me the EBT theft form by email and said I need to return it with the police report number within 5 days. They didn't mention anything about emergency aid until I specifically asked (thank you all for that tip!). The worker said they can potentially issue emergency funds within 3 business days, but I need to provide bank statements showing I don't have other resources. Just a heads up for anyone else dealing with this.

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.

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!