CalWORKs fraud alert: Someone stole my daughter's Cash Aid - will the county replace it?

omg that happened to me last year!! you need to report it ASAP!! go to your county office in person today if possible

You need to report this as EBT theft immediately. There are two steps: 1. Call the EBT customer service (1-877-328-9677) and report the card as stolen/compromised. They'll deactivate your current card and send a new one. 2. Contact your county CalWORKs office to file a benefit theft report. You'll need to fill out a form stating when you discovered the theft and that you didn't authorize anyone to use your benefits. The good news is that under California policy, they CAN replace stolen Cash Aid benefits, but you must report it within 30 days of discovering the theft. The sooner you report it, the better. Make sure to get a case number for your theft report as you'll need to reference it for follow-up.

This happened to my sister and they replaced her money but it took almost 3 WEEKS!!! The county claimed they needed to do a "thorough investigation" before replacing the benefits. Meanwhile my sister and her kids had to borrow money from everyone to survive. The system is totally broken!!!! They treat us like WE did something wrong when we're the victims!!

I tried claimyr.com when my benefits were stolen last month when nobody would pick up at the county. They got me through to a real person at the CalWORKs office in like 15 minutes when I'd been trying for days. Worth trying if you're desperate to talk to someone. There's a video about how it works here: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE

keep ur card in the freezer when ur not using it thats what i do cuz these scammers hav machines that can steal ur info just by being close to ur purse also never use the ebt at gas stations those r tha worst for skimmers

I think there's some confusion in the comments. If your CalFRESH food benefits are stolen, those won't be replaced. But if it's your Cash Aid from CalWORKs that was stolen (which is what you're describing), then yes - California DOES replace those funds after they verify the theft. Make sure when you report it that you specify it was your Cash Aid portion, not your food benefits. Also, I would recommend filing a police report as well. Having that documentation can speed up the county's investigation. If you're worried about making rent, ask your worker specifically about a "hardship payment" while they investigate. Explain that this theft has put you at risk of homelessness.

I don't want to scare you but my worker told me they're seeing TONS of EBT theft cases right now. She said there's a huge scam going around where people put fake card readers on top of the real ones at stores. I always pull on the card slot before I use it now to make sure it's not a fake one stuck on top. Also NEVER use ATMs that aren't inside an actual bank!!!!!

One important recommendation: While you're waiting for your case to be resolved, you might qualify for emergency CalFresh (food stamps) if you haven't already maxed out your benefits. You can apply for an emergency allotment that can be approved within 3 days if you meet the criteria. Also, contact local food banks and community resource centers immediately. Many have emergency assistance programs specifically for situations like yours. For your EBT card security going forward: 1. Change your PIN as soon as you get a new card 2. Check your balance frequently (ideally daily) 3. Never share your PIN with anyone 4. Consider withdrawing your cash benefits all at once when they're deposited Wishing you the best with resolving this quickly.

I'm so sorry this happened to you! EBT theft is unfortunately becoming more and more common. I work at a community resource center and we see cases like yours every week. A few additional tips that might help: 1. Document EVERYTHING - take screenshots of your account balance showing $0, write down the exact date/time you discovered the theft, and keep records of all your calls and case numbers. 2. If you have trouble reaching your CalWORKs worker, you can also file the theft report online through your county's website in some counties, or visit any county office location - you don't have to go to the specific office where your worker is located. 3. While waiting for resolution, check if your area has any emergency rental assistance programs. Many cities and nonprofits have funds specifically to help prevent evictions. 4. Consider asking your landlord for a few extra days if possible - explain the situation and show them your theft report documentation. Many landlords are understanding when they see you're actively working to resolve the issue. Stay strong - I know this is incredibly stressful but you're taking all the right steps to get this resolved!