CalWORKs EBT theft - waiting on replacement check after filing claim. How long does it take?

same thing happened 2 me in september. took almost a month to get a check. they dont reload ur card they mail a paper check. keep calling everyday thats what i did

I work as a benefits advocate and unfortunately, EBT theft is becoming increasingly common. Here's what you need to know about the process: 1. After filing the police report and EBT theft claim, the county has up to 30 days to investigate and process your claim. 2. If approved (which most legitimate theft claims are), they will issue a paper check - they never reload stolen benefits to your EBT card for security reasons. 3. You should receive a notice of action about your claim first, then the check typically arrives 3-5 days after that notice. While waiting, I strongly recommend asking your worker about Emergency Assistance for your rent - you might qualify for a special payment to prevent eviction since this theft was not your fault. Bring documentation from your landlord showing the threat of eviction when you contact them.

just wait it out theres nothing u can do. they all say 'we'll process it' but they take forevvvver. the system is rigged against us tbh. my cousin waited 6 WEEKS to get her money back after someone stole it at an atm.

I had my Cash Aid stolen last year (someone skimmed my card at a store I think). The whole process took exactly 24 days from filing to getting my check. But my worker was really helpful and kept me updated. Have you tried requesting to speak with a supervisor? Sometimes they can expedite things when there's an emergency situation like possible eviction. Also, did they ask you to fill out an affidavit form describing exactly what happened? That's usually required for the investigation. If you haven't done that yet, it might be delaying your claim.

If you're struggling to get through to your CalWORKs worker about your stolen benefits, you might want to try Claimyr. It's a service that helps you skip the phone queue and get connected directly to a caseworker. I was in a similar situation with stolen benefits and couldn't get through for days until I used it. It connected me in about 20 minutes when I had been trying for over a week. You can see how it works at https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE or just go to claimyr.com. For a benefit theft situation where you're facing eviction, getting through quickly could make a big difference.

While you're waiting for your benefits replacement, you should IMMEDIATELY apply for homelessness assistance through CalWORKs! Many people don't know this, but you can qualify if you have an eviction notice or are at risk of homelessness. They can provide emergency funding to prevent eviction while your theft claim is being processed. I also recommend filing a complaint with the state if it's been more than 30 days. Call the CDSS customer service line at (800) 952-5253 and explain that your county office is not responding to your theft claim in a timely manner. They can sometimes light a fire under the county to get things moving.

ok so heres the thing, my sister works for the benefits office (different county) and she says theft claims are actually processed in batches at the end of each month. So if your theft happened at the start of November, it might be in the November batch which gets processed in early December. Its stupid but thats how the system works. did you check if theres a direct deposit option for the replacement instead of waiting for a paper check?

Sorr abiut your situation! This happened to me too and I had to provide LOTS of evidence like exactly where I was when the money was taken and all these extra documents. Did they make you give all that too? They accused me of lying at first it was awful. Have you checked BenefitsCal to see if theres any updates on your case? Sometimes they post notices there before mailing them.

Quick question - did you get you regular december payment yet? I had a theft in july and they froze my NEXT month benefits during the investigation which was terrible. Just wondering if that happened to you too

I want to address a few misconceptions I'm seeing in this thread: 1. The county should NOT freeze your upcoming benefits while investigating a theft claim. Those are separate issues. 2. You don't need to wait for your theft claim to be resolved before applying for Homeless Assistance - these are separate programs and you can access Homeless Assistance immediately if you're at risk of eviction. 3. There is no direct deposit option for benefit theft replacements - they always issue paper checks for security reasons. 4. The 30-day timeline is the maximum allowed by state regulations, not a suggestion. If you're having trouble reaching anyone, I strongly recommend going in person to your county office if possible. Theft claims with eviction risk should be prioritized.

I'm so sorry you're going through this - EBT theft is incredibly stressful, especially when you're facing eviction. I went through something similar earlier this year and here's what I learned: The 30-day timeline others mentioned is correct, but don't wait passively. Document every call you make (date, time, who you spoke with if anyone). If you can't get through by phone, definitely go in person like Sasha suggested. Bring copies of your police report, the theft claim form, and any eviction notices from your landlord. Also, ask specifically about "Immediate Need" payments - some counties can issue emergency funds within 72 hours for people facing homelessness due to circumstances beyond their control. Your situation definitely qualifies. One more tip: if going in person doesn't work, contact your county supervisor's office. They often have staff who can intervene when constituents aren't getting proper service from county departments. Sometimes political pressure is what it takes to get things moving. Hang in there - you WILL get your money back, it's just a matter of pushing the system to do its job properly.