CalWORKs EBT theft - cash aid completely gone! How long for reimbursement?

omg that happened to me last year!!! took them almost a month to put my money back. u need to call ur caseworker asap and tell them u need emergency benefits cuz of theft!!

Unfortunately, EBT theft is becoming very common. Here's what you need to do: 1. Make sure you've reported it to the EBT customer service line and have your claim number (sounds like you did this already) 2. Contact your CalWORKs worker IMMEDIATELY to report the theft - they can sometimes issue emergency replacement benefits while your claim is being processed 3. File a police report - this is required for the investigation 4. Submit the form "EBT 2259" - Cash Aid Theft Claim Form with your county office Under the new rules (as of late 2024), counties should replace stolen CalWORKs benefits within 10 business days if you've completed all the proper steps. The California Department of Social Services issued guidance that expedites these claims compared to the previous timeline. Keep all documentation of the theft and follow up regularly with your worker.

my sisters boyfriends cousin had the same thing happen got all her money back in like 2-3 weeks i think ?? but she said she had to call like everyday to check on it

UGH this exact thing happened to me in January!!!! Someone cleaned out my ENTIRE cash aid amount ($1,092) in ONE DAY with transactions from some store in Florida (I'm in California!!). It's RIDICULOUS how this keeps happening!! Here's what I learned the hard way: 1) The EBT hotline people are basically useless beyond giving you a claim # 2) YOU MUST TALK TO YOUR ACTUAL CALWORKS WORKER to get emergency aid while waiting 3) File police report IMMEDIATELY, they won't process without it 4) DOCUMENT EVERYTHING!!!!! It took them 19 days to put my money back. I kept calling every other day to check. The worst part was they initially DENIED my claim saying I must have given someone my PIN!!! I had to appeal and fight like crazy. This system is BROKEN!!! Why don't they have better security on these cards?? We should start a class action!!!

trying to call ur caseworkrker is impossible right? they never pick up!! i had this happen (but with calfresh not cash aid) and spent 3 days calling over and over. so frustrating

I work with benefits advocacy and can share accurate information about CalWORKs benefit theft replacement: 1. There is a state-mandated timeline of 10 business days for replacement after a complete claim is submitted 2. A complete claim requires: - EBT 2259 form fully completed - Police report (can be filed online in most counties) - Signed affidavit that you didn't authorize the transactions - Copy of your EBT card (front and back) There's also a provision for emergency replacement benefits while your claim is processed, but this varies by county and is sometimes at the discretion of your worker. Most importantly: Change your PIN immediately, and in the future, consider withdrawing your cash aid as soon as it's deposited rather than leaving it on the card. While not ideal, it's the most secure option until the state implements better EBT security measures.

I've been helping clients with EBT theft claims for the past year, and there's been significant improvement in processing times. What used to take 30+ days is now typically resolved in 7-14 days if you've properly submitted all documentation. One thing to note: if you've experienced previous theft or have multiple claims, they may scrutinize your case more carefully, potentially delaying the process. Also, make sure to document any hardships the theft is causing (potential eviction, utility shutoffs, etc.) as this can help prioritize your emergency benefits request. For emergency assistance while waiting, also consider applying for programs like: - Emergency housing assistance through your county - Local food banks (211 can direct you) - Utility assistance programs Lastly, please change your PIN immediately and consider changing it monthly going forward. Most theft occurs through skimming devices placed on ATMs or payment terminals.

update us when u get ur money back!! im curious if its really faster now like they saying

I'm so sorry this happened to you! EBT theft is unfortunately becoming way too common. I went through something similar about 6 months ago and here's what I learned: The key is getting ALL your paperwork submitted correctly the first time. I made the mistake of not filing the police report immediately, which delayed my case by almost 2 weeks. Once I had everything in order (the EBT 2259 form, police report, and affidavit), it took exactly 9 business days to get my money back. Pro tip: When you call your worker, ask specifically about "emergency replacement benefits" - don't just wait for them to offer it. Some workers won't mention it unless you ask directly. I was able to get about 60% of my stolen amount replaced as emergency aid within 4 days while waiting for the full investigation. Also, definitely change your PIN right away and maybe consider using ATMs inside banks rather than standalone ones if possible. Those skimming devices are everywhere now. Keep us posted on how it goes! The system has definitely improved from what it used to be.