CalWORKs benefits stolen from EBT card at ATM - how to report and get reimbursed with newborn at home?

I'm so sorry this happened to you, especially with a newborn! You need to act immediately: 1. Call Bank of America EBT Customer Service at 1-877-328-9677 RIGHT NOW to report the theft. They're open 24/7 even on holidays. Tell them exactly what happened and they'll deactivate your card so no more money can be stolen. 2. Ask BofA to send you the fraud paperwork. You'll need to fill this out to get your benefits back. 3. File a police report - this is REQUIRED for benefit theft claims now. You can do this online in most counties. 4. Contact your CalWORKs worker when the office reopens on Tuesday to notify them. They can sometimes issue emergency funds while your claim is being processed. The reimbursement usually takes 10-15 business days once everything is submitted correctly. Make sure to keep all documentation and follow up consistently.

the same thing happened to my cousin last year and she never got her money back because she waited too long to report it. you HAVE to report it within 90 days but really should do it immediately like the other person said. btw was ur card skimmed? did u use it at a sketchy atm? just wondering cause theres been a lot of skimmers at gas stations around here

When this happened to me last summer, I contacted my county worker through BenefitsCal messaging system to explain the emergency situation while waiting for BofA. If you have documentation of the fraudulent withdrawal and your rent agreement showing the due date, they might issue emergency funds. Also, since you just had a baby, make sure they've added the newborn to your case! You should get increased benefits for having another household member, and possibly qualify for the $30 monthly diaper stipend for children under 3. That won't solve your immediate problem but will help going forward.

Call your landlord ASAP too and explain the situation. They might work with you if you show them proof you've reported the theft. California has pretty strict eviction laws and they can't just throw you out overnight, especially with a newborn. Sometimes just communicating with them helps. And if you don't mind a suggestion, I had similar problems reaching my worker when my benefits were stolen. I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an actual CalWORKS worker in under 5 minutes instead of waiting on hold forever. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE. Seriously saved me when I was dealing with my emergency situation.

u need 2 call BofA first not the county. they handle all the EBT cards now and the county cant do nothing until u file with the bank. my sister got her benefits stolen and she got the money back in like 2 weeks i think. but def file a police report too!!!

I'm so sorry this happened to you! I went through this EXACT situation in November, and I want to warn you that the process is NOT always as quick as others are suggesting. BofA will investigate, but they're notorious for denying claims initially. Here's what you NEED to know: 1. After you submit your claim, watch your mail like a hawk. They often send requests for additional information with SHORT deadlines. Missing these deadlines means automatic denial. 2. The police report is CRITICAL - without it, your claim will be denied. But some police departments don't prioritize these reports. 3. Document EVERYTHING. Take screenshots of your transaction history, keep copies of all paperwork, and write down the name of every person you speak with. 4. You mentioned Wells Fargo ATM - ask if there's surveillance footage. This helped my case tremendously. In my situation, it took nearly 6 weeks to get my money back, and only after I escalated through my county supervisor's office. Don't be afraid to be persistent and advocate for yourself!

Since you have a newborn, you should also immediately apply for the CalWORKs Immediate Need payment. This is emergency money they can issue within 3 business days if you have an urgent situation like potential eviction. You need to specifically request this - many workers don't offer it unless you ask. The form is called CW 4 "Application for Immediate Need Payment." You can also look into local rental assistance programs through community action agencies or nonprofit organizations. Many counties have emergency rental assistance that doesn't come from CalWORKs. And definitely add your baby to your case ASAP - you'll need the birth certificate or hospital documentation. The increase in your grant amount will be retroactive to when the baby was born if you report within 10 days.

omg this happened to me too!!! there's been a HUGE spike in EBT theft lately. make sure when you call BofA you specifically say "ELECTRONIC BENEFIT THEFT" not just that you lost money. they have different procedures. and yeah the 90 day thing is super important cuz my friend waited too long and got nothing

Also, when you talk to your CalWORKs worker about adding your baby to your case, ask about the CalWORKs Special Needs Pregnancy/Newborn Supplement. Since your baby was born before January 1st, you should be eligible for additional funds. It's not a lot (around $100), but every bit helps right now. And don't forget you're exempt from Welfare to Work requirements for the first 12 months after giving birth, so you don't need to worry about those participation hours right now.

btw make sure u check ur balance everyday!!! thats what i do now. if they steal it u want to catch it right away. and never keep all ur money on the card, i always take mine out as soon as it hits the account