Since you mentioned you're having trouble reaching the county office, make sure you're trying early in the morning right when they open. That's usually the best time to get through. Also, email them through your BenefitsCal account - it creates a documented trail of your attempts to report the theft, which can be important if there are any disputes about when you reported it. For your immediate needs, the county should be able to issue emergency CalFresh benefits within 3 days if you explain your situation. But you MUST get through to them to request this. Be persistent. If your worker isn't responding, ask to speak with a supervisor.

I'm so sorry this happened to you - EBT skimming is unfortunately becoming a huge problem in California. As someone who works with families facing similar situations, here's what you need to know: **Immediate steps:** 1. Good that you canceled your card! While waiting for the new one, you can still use your CalFresh benefits by calling the EBT hotline and doing phone transactions at participating stores. 2. **Police report:** File it in Salinas (where you live) - bring your EBT transaction history, ID, and any documentation you have about the fraudulent charges. 3. **County contact:** Try calling your county office at 8:00 AM sharp when they open. If you can't get through, go to the office in person - they can't ignore you if you're physically there. **Emergency help while waiting:** - Request expedited CalFresh replacement (3-day processing) - Ask about emergency food assistance - Contact 211 (dial 2-1-1) for local food banks and emergency resources in Salinas **Forms you'll need:** - CF 303 for CalFresh replacement - CW 1812 for Cash Aid replacement (remember: only one replacement per year, up to $2000) The Cash Aid replacement law (AB 1613) is newer, so some workers might not be familiar with it. Don't let them tell you it's not possible - cite the law by name if needed. Stay strong - you will get through this! 💪

Sorry this happened to you! For anyone else dealing with this - there's a new law (I think from 2023) that better protects victims of EBT theft. Counties are supposed to replace stolen benefits more quickly now. Make sure when you file your claim you specifically ask about the "EBT theft protection" law and say you need replacement benefits while waiting for the investigation. I'd also recommend contacting your state representative's office - they can sometimes speed things up.

I'm so sorry this happened to you! EBT theft is becoming a huge problem and it's devastating when you're counting on those benefits to survive. A few things that might help: 1. When you go to the CalWORKs office tomorrow, bring documentation of BOTH thefts and emphasize that you have children who need to eat NOW. Use the phrase "immediate need" - they're required to help families with children in emergency situations. 2. Ask specifically for a "restricted use" card that can only be used at stores, not ATMs. This prevents most theft since thieves usually hit ATMs first. 3. Consider opening a basic bank account if you don't have one - even a prepaid card account. Transfer your benefits immediately when they post so they're not sitting on the EBT card. 4. Document EVERYTHING - dates, times, who you spoke with, case numbers. This helps if you need to escalate. The fact that this happened twice in 3 months suggests either card skimming in your area or someone has access to your card info. Check if you've used your card at any gas stations or ATMs recently - those are common skimming locations. You shouldn't have to wait 90 days with no money and 3 kids to feed. Push hard for emergency assistance!

One more thing I forgot to mention - if you're having trouble with the overpayment, you can contact your local legal aid office. They provide free legal help for people with CalWORKs issues, including overpayments. Google "legal aid" plus your county name to find them. Also, if paying back the overpayment would cause you "undue hardship" (like not being able to pay rent or utilities), you can request a hardship waiver. It's not easy to get, but worth trying if you're in a really tough spot. Don't give up on benefits completely - the system is complicated, but once you understand the reporting rules, it gets easier to avoid these situations in the future.

I've been through this exact situation and I want to reassure you that it's not as hopeless as it feels right now. The most important thing is to act quickly and know your rights. First, call your worker ASAP and request form CW 2200 (Request for Overpayment Repayment Agreement). You can negotiate a payment plan as low as $10-25/month depending on your circumstances. Don't let them pressure you into agreeing to more than you can afford. Second, you have 90 days from the date of the overpayment notice to request a fair hearing if you want to dispute it. Even if you did make a mistake, sometimes they'll reduce the amount or find errors in their calculation. Third, regarding your reduced benefits - if your income has dropped since December, you need to report that change immediately. They should recalculate your grant based on your current income, not what you were making in December. The key thing about reporting income going forward: you must report within 10 days if your income goes over your IRT (Income Reporting Threshold). This amount should be listed on your Notice of Action. As long as you stay under that threshold, you only need to report on your SAR7. Don't close your case out of frustration - that actually makes collections more aggressive. Stay on the program and work with them to resolve this. You've got this!

After helping you all research this - here's what I found from the official CalWORKs guidelines: 1. PIN changes: Can be done anytime by calling 1-877-328-9677 2. Immediate transfer: Yes, you can (and should) transfer money immediately after deposit 3. Replacement benefits: Available once per year, up to the amount stolen 4. Reporting timeframe: Must report theft within 10 days 5. Direct deposit: Available in some counties as a safer alternative The "day before" theory isn't official advice - but regularly changing your PIN is still recommended. Hope this helps everyone!

I'm so glad you asked about this! Benefit theft is unfortunately very real and scary. Here's what has worked for me as someone who's been on CalWORKs for about a year: **Immediate steps you can take:** - Call 1-877-328-9677 RIGHT NOW to change your PIN (don't wait for your deposit) - Set a phone reminder to change it again every 2-3 weeks - Plan to withdraw ALL your cash the moment it hits your card (usually around midnight on deposit day) **If you don't have a bank account yet:** - Consider opening a basic checking account at a credit union - many have low/no fees - Until then, withdraw everything immediately and keep cash in a safe place at home - Some people use prepaid debit cards as a temporary solution **Red flags to avoid:** - Never use ATMs at gas stations or convenience stores - Stick to bank ATMs inside the actual bank building when possible - Always cover the keypad when entering your PIN The theft is happening through card skimmers and data breaches, so even if your physical card never leaves your possession, your info can still be stolen. The key is not leaving money sitting on the EBT card longer than absolutely necessary. You've got this! Just be proactive and you'll be much safer than people who don't know about these precautions.

also just wondering did u check online to see if theres a electronic version of the SAR7 u can submit? I do all mine online now and its way faster

Hey there! I totally get your anxiety about this - I've been in similar situations. Based on what others have shared here, it sounds like you should be okay getting your July 4th payment even with the SAR7 due on the 5th. But since July 4th is a federal holiday, you might want to call your county office to confirm when they'll actually load benefits that week. One thing I'd add is to keep a copy of whatever you submit (whether online or in person) and get a receipt if possible. I learned this the hard way when my county claimed they never received my SAR7 even though I submitted it on time. Now I always take a photo of completed forms and keep email confirmations from BenefitsCal. Also, if you do run into any issues or need to speak with someone urgently, weekday mornings (right when they open) tend to have shorter wait times than afternoons. Good luck with everything!