CalWORKs benefit theft in Monterey County - How long to get replacement Cash Aid after Form 2259 & police report?

omg same thing happened to me!!! took almost 3 weeks to get my $$ back and i was bout to be evicted. monterey county is THE WORST with this stuff

The official policy is that they have to process your replacement within 10 business days of receiving a completed CW 2259 form and police report. But honestly, with Monterey County being short-staffed right now, many replacements are taking 15-20 calendar days. Make sure you check that your form was marked as a 'benefits theft claim' and not a regular 'benefit replacement' - they're processed differently and the theft claims should be expedited. Also, if your rent is due and you're at risk of eviction, ask to speak with a supervisor about getting an emergency replacement. They can issue partial payments in emergency situations while they investigate the full claim.

had this happen last summer it took 2.5 weeks but my sister in monterey got hers in 1 week so it depends on ur worker i think

I worked through this exact situation in December. Monterey County is overwhelmed with benefit theft claims right now. What helped me was calling early (right when they open at 8am) and specifically asking for the Benefit Replacement Specialist, not just any eligibility worker. Also, if it's been more than 10 business days, you can request an expedited decision based on immediate need. Have you checked BenefitsCal to see if there's any status update on your case? Sometimes the online portal shows updates before anyone tells you over the phone.

Keep in mind that they count 10 BUSINESS days, not calendar days. So weekends don't count. And if you submitted on a Friday, they probably didn't even start looking at it until Monday. The system is totally rigged against us when we're the victims!!! I had to borrow money from everyone I knew while waiting for my replacement. It's criminal how they make us wait when WE didn't do anything wrong!!

I went through this in Monterey County last month. The key is persistence - I called EVERY DAY until it was resolved. Make sure you have your case number, police report number, and the date you submitted the CW 2259 ready when you call. Here's what made a difference for me: I was trying to reach someone for days with no luck - constant busy signals or disconnections. Someone recommended I try Claimyr.com and it actually worked! They got me through to a real person in about 15 minutes after I'd been trying for days. You can see how it works at https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE. After I got through, I explained my situation was urgent and they processed my replacement in 3 days. Don't let them leave you hanging - the law is on your side for benefit theft replacement!

antoehr thing is did u have EBT theft or direct deposit theft? if it was EBT they hvae a different process than if somone got into ur bank account. my worker told me EBT is fastre to replace usually

Update on the timeline: I just checked with our client advocacy group, and Monterey County is currently averaging 12-14 business days for EBT theft replacements. The main delay is because they're required to review ATM camera footage to verify the transactions weren't made by the cardholder. One additional tip - if you have children in your household, make sure the worker knows this. Cases with children should be prioritized for expedited processing when basic needs are at risk. Also, while you're waiting, ask about the Immediate Need program which can provide emergency funds within 3 days if you qualify. Lastly, if it's been more than 15 business days, you have the right to file for a State Hearing. Sometimes just telling them you're planning to file for a hearing gets things moving faster.

ok update - i just txted my cousin who works for san benito county (next to monterey) and she said right now ALL counties are backed up with benefit theft claims cuz theres been a huge spike in EBT fraud. so monterey aint the only slow one fyi

I'm so sorry this happened to you! I went through the same thing in Monterey County about 6 months ago. The wait was absolutely nerve-wracking, especially with bills piling up. What really helped me was documenting everything - I kept a log of every phone call, who I spoke with, and what they told me. Also, if you haven't already, make sure you request a card replacement in addition to the benefit replacement. They're separate processes and you'll need the new card to access your benefits once they're restored. One more thing - see if your local food bank or churches have emergency assistance programs while you wait. I found a few places that helped with groceries so I could save whatever little money I had left for rent. Hang in there, you'll get through this!