CalWORKs EBT theft - how long did your benefit replacement actually take?

it took me 22 days not 'business days' actual days. they kept saying 'its processing' every time i called. prepare for longer honestly

I had my benefits stolen twice in the past 6 months. First time took about 8 business days, second time almost 3 weeks. Make sure you ask for emergency assistance while you wait! They can sometimes issue a partial payment while your claim is processing - but you have to specifically ASK for emergency assistance or they won't offer it. Also keep your police report number handy because they'll ask for it every time you call.

When my Cash Aid was stolen ($712) in January, I got my replacement in exactly 9 business days. But my friend had hers stolen in February and she's still fighting to get it back. The difference? I think it's because I called EVERY SINGLE DAY to check the status. The squeaky wheel gets the grease with CalWORKs. Did you change your PIN after reporting the theft? That's super important. Also freeze your EBT if you have the BenefitsCal app. And get a new card issued ASAP if you haven't already.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but my EBT cash got stolen ($892) back in December and I'm STILL fighting to get it back. They kept saying it was "under investigation" then told me my claim was denied because I didn't provide enough evidence. Make sure you have EVERYTHING documented - dates, times, transactions, police report, who you spoke with at the county office, etc. The system is designed to wear you down so you give up.

I work for a nonprofit that helps people with benefit issues, and unfortunately, the EBT theft problem is overwhelming the system right now. Here's what helps speed things up: 1. Call daily, but politely ask for a supervisor if you don't get updates 2. Request emergency assistance due to hardship (especially mention your rent and kids) 3. Contact your county board supervisor's office - they can often expedite cases 4. Make sure you've submitted the EBT-2259 form correctly The theft replacement process should legally be completed within 10 business days, but counties are backlogged. Don't take no for an answer if you're facing eviction or utility shutoffs due to this theft.

It took exactly 10 business days for me, but only because I found a way to actually reach someone at the county who could help. I was getting nowhere with the regular customer service line - always on hold for hours or disconnected. I finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to a real person at the CalWORKs office in minutes. Totally worth it because I was able to speak directly to a supervisor who processed my claim that day. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE

@original poster - one more thing to consider: while you're waiting, check if you qualify for CalWORKs Immediate Need payment. It's a different process than the EBT theft replacement, but if you have less than $100 and need help urgently, you might qualify. You'd need to submit an Immediate Need request form at your county office though.

my cash aid got stolen in march and i waited 14 days got nothing called again they said wait 3 more days nothing called again they said it was denied because they didnt think it was actually stolen!!! had to appeal and finally got it back last week so like 6 weeks total. the whole system is broken they treat us like were the criminals when were the victims!!!

Update: I called today and was told my case is "under review" but the worker couldn't tell me when I might actually get my money back. I explained about my rent being due and having kids to feed, and she just said to "check back next week" 😭 This is so stressful. I'm going to try the immediate need application that someone mentioned here. Has anyone actually gotten immediate need approved while waiting for stolen benefits to be replaced?

@original poster - If it helps, the law actually requires them to make a determination on your theft claim within 10 business days, but doesn't necessarily guarantee payment within that time. Once approved, it can take an additional 1-3 days for the funds to appear on your EBT card. For those reading who haven't experienced theft yet, start using the EBT BenefitsCal app to freeze your card when not in use. It's the best prevention method we've seen so far.

I'm so sorry you're going through this! I had my CalWORKs stolen about 6 months ago and it was such a nightmare. Mine took 16 business days to get replaced - way longer than they initially told me. The key things that helped me were: 1) calling every single day to check status, 2) asking to speak with a supervisor when regular workers couldn't help, and 3) documenting EVERYTHING (dates, times, who I spoke with, reference numbers). Also definitely apply for that emergency assistance/immediate need payment while you wait - even if it's partial, it's better than nothing when you have kids to feed. And if you haven't already, make sure you've changed your PIN and requested a new card. The person who stole your benefits might still have access otherwise. Hang in there - I know it's incredibly stressful but most people do eventually get their money back. The system is just overwhelmed right now with all the theft cases. 💙

I'm a caseworker at one of the county offices and I want to give you some insider tips that might help speed things up. First, when you call, specifically ask for the "EBT theft unit" - don't just talk to general intake. They handle these cases faster. Second, if you're facing immediate hardship (which you clearly are with rent due), mention that you want to file for "emergency food assistance" in addition to your theft claim - it's a separate process but can get you some help within 24-48 hours. Third, if it's been more than 10 business days without a decision, you can file a complaint with the state - sometimes that gets counties moving faster. I've seen too many families struggle while waiting, and there ARE ways to get help faster if you know what to ask for. Keep advocating for yourself!