CalWORKs EBT theft twice in 6 months - Will they replace benefits a second time?

Yes, they will replace it even if it's the second time! I had my benefits stolen twice last year. The second time was actually processed faster because they already had my info from the first theft. Key things you need to do: 1) Report to the fraud department IMMEDIATELY 2) File a police report 3) Fill out the EBT-2259 form for benefit replacement 4) Request a new card right away. Also, don't remove the funds from your old card until the replacement is processed (they need to verify the theft from your actual account).

omg this happened to me too!!! my calworks got stolen in feb and then AGAIN in march!! they gave me the money back both times but the second time they made me come in person 2 sign some paper saying if it happens again they mite investigate me or something? idk if its the same in all counties tho

You need to specifically request an EBT-2259 form for a second theft claim. Per state policy (MPP Section 16-705), CalWORKs can replace stolen cash aid multiple times, BUT a second claim within 6 months triggers an automatic fraud review. Don't panic though - this doesn't mean they think you're committing fraud, it's just procedure. Make sure when you submit the form you include: 1. Exact date you discovered the theft 2. Last legitimate transaction you made 3. Police report number 4. Any information about where your card might have been compromised Also, after you get your money back, I strongly recommend setting up a transfer to a bank account immediately when benefits post each month. Benefit theft is unfortunately becoming very common.

they never gave me my money back when it happened to me last year!! said i waited to long to report it (it was only 5 days) the whole systems a joke, they take forever to answer phones and then blame us when stufff goes wrong

I had my CalWORKs stolen 3 times in 2024! The first two times they replaced everything without issues, but the third time they did make me come in for an interview with a fraud investigator. It was intimidating but since I wasn't lying they eventually replaced my benefits. One thing that helped me a lot was having transaction records showing where I normally spend my money, so they could see the fraudulent transactions were totally different patterns than my usual spending.

Try using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an actual person at the county office for this. I had almost the exact same situation with getting my CalWORKs stolen twice, and couldn't get through on the phone for days. Claimyr got me connected to a real worker in about 20 minutes instead of waiting on hold forever or getting disconnected. You can see how it works in their video demo: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE When I finally got through, I explained it was my second theft and they still processed my claim. Just be prepared to answer more questions since it's happening again so soon.

Here's what they don't tell you: after a second theft, request that your case be flagged for "Immediate Need" processing. This puts your replacement claim on a 3-day processing timeline instead of the standard 30 days. You'll need to explain that you're at risk of homelessness without the funds (if that's true). Also, when you get your benefits back, IMMEDIATELY transfer them to a bank account. The EBT cards have terrible security, and thieves are specifically targeting CalWORKs recipients right now.

Just to update you on replacement timeframes - the first theft claim can take up to 90 days (though they're usually faster), but second theft claims are prioritized IF you report within 3 days of discovering it. Make sure you explicitly tell them "this is my second benefit theft" when you file the report. Also, ask about emergency assistance while you wait for the replacement. Some counties will issue a small portion of your benefits as an emergency payment while the claim is processed, especially if you have rent due.

I'm so sorry this happened to you again! I went through something similar last year - had my benefits stolen twice within 4 months. The second time was actually easier to report because I knew the process, but they did ask more detailed questions about my card usage patterns. A few things that helped me: 1) Keep detailed records of when/where you normally use your card so you can show the fraudulent transactions were different, 2) Take screenshots of your account balance before and after discovering the theft, 3) If you remember the last legitimate transaction you made, write that down with the date/time. The county workers I dealt with were actually pretty understanding - they know this is happening to a lot of people right now. Don't let the stress overwhelm you - they will replace your benefits, it just takes patience and persistence with the paperwork. Hang in there mama!

I work as a benefits advocate and see EBT theft cases daily - unfortunately you're not alone in this. Multiple thefts are becoming incredibly common, especially for CalWORKs recipients. The good news is that California law requires replacement regardless of how many times it happens, but yes, there will be additional scrutiny after the second incident. Here's what I tell my clients: 1) Document EVERYTHING - dates, times, amounts, where you think the compromise happened, 2) Be completely honest about your card usage patterns, 3) Request expedited processing due to hardship (mention rent/utilities due), 4) Consider asking for a protective payee arrangement temporarily if you're comfortable with that option. The county has to follow state guidelines, and repeat theft victims are specifically protected under MPP 16-705.4. Don't let them make you feel like you did anything wrong - this is a systemic problem with EBT card security, not user error.

I'm really sorry you're dealing with this stress - having your benefits stolen twice is incredibly frustrating and scary, especially when you're counting on that money for rent. I've been in a similar situation and want to share what worked for me. When I had my second theft, I called the EBT customer service line first thing in the morning (around 8 AM) and got through faster than during peak hours. The key is being very organized with your information - have your card number, the exact date you discovered the theft, and your last legitimate transaction ready. I also took photos of my account balance showing $0 and any transaction history I could access. The worker told me that second thefts are unfortunately common right now due to sophisticated skimming operations targeting benefit recipients. They did process my replacement, but it took about 2 weeks instead of the usual timeframe. One thing that really helped was asking specifically about "emergency food assistance" while waiting - they were able to provide a small amount to get groceries immediately. Don't give up calling if you get disconnected - the system is overwhelmed but they will help you. You're not doing anything wrong, this is happening to thousands of people right now.