Can I get reimbursed for stolen CalWORKs cash benefits? EBT card was skimmed last week

omg this happened to me in January!! its those skimming devices they put on ATMs. did u use ur card at the gas station ATM? thats where mine got stolen. took 32 DAYS to get my money back. ridiculous.

Yes, CalWORKs will reimburse stolen cash benefits but there's a specific process. This is considered benefit theft and they've been seeing more cases lately with skimming devices. You need to: 1. File a police report (good, you did this) 2. Fill out the EBT 2259 form for Cash Aid theft (different from the food benefits form) 3. Submit the form to your county welfare office along with the police report 4. Follow up persistently The county has 10 days to make a determination from the date they receive your completed claim. If approved, they should reimburse the full amount. Make sure to mention your rent situation - they might be able to expedite or provide emergency assistance.

the county NEVER gave me back my stolen money they said i was irresponsible with my pin even tho i NEVER shared it with anyone!!! they dont care if ur kids starve. better off applying for emergency calfresh while u wait.

I've helped several clients through this process. The good news is that California improved their benefit theft reimbursement policies in 2023. Here's what you need to know: - The EBT 2259 form (for cash benefits) is critical - you can download it from the CDSS website or get it at your county office - The 10-day determination period starts when they receive your COMPLETE claim (form + police report) - If you're facing eviction, also immediately apply for Homeless Assistance through CalWORKs - Document everything: take screenshots of any withdrawal notifications, keep the police report number If you're having trouble reaching your worker to submit this form, I'd recommend using Claimyr (claimyr.com). They can get you through to an actual person at your county office within minutes instead of waiting on hold for hours. Check out their demo: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE - it's been a lifesaver for many of my clients dealing with time-sensitive issues like benefit theft.

I had my benefits stolen late last year and got fully reimbursed, but it took about 3 weeks. Key things that helped my case: 1) I reported it within 24 hours 2) Had the police report 3) Could prove I still had physical possession of my card 4) Showed the ATM withdrawal was in a location I couldn't possibly have been (it was 30 miles away when I don't have a car) Def file that EBT 2259 form ASAP and mark it urgent due to pending eviction. Also call your landlord immediately and explain - they might give you some flexibility when you show them your police report and claim form.

isn't there a credit form you can fill out for emergency cash aid while they investigate?? I swear my sister had this happen and they gave her like a credit or advance on next months benefits until they figured it out

Update: I just checked and the current processing time for benefit theft claims in most counties is 7-14 days if all documentation is correct. Make sure you submit everything together (don't let them tell you to submit the form first and police report later). And definitely emphasize the eviction risk - in some counties, that can qualify for 24-48 hour expedited processing.

ppl saying they got reimbursed but what about if it happens AGAIN?? my cousin got his money stolen 3x last year and the 3rd time they refused to replace it said he was "negligent" with his card security. the whole system is trash

After you get through this immediate crisis, remember to practice these security steps for the future: 1. Change your PIN immediately (and don't use obvious numbers like birth dates) 2. Check for skimming devices at ATMs (wiggle the card slot before inserting) 3. Use ATMs inside banks when possible, not standalone ones 4. Set up text alerts for all transactions 5. Consider withdrawing all cash aid at once instead of making multiple smaller withdrawals Also, counties are now implementing enhanced security measures for EBT cards. Ask your worker if your county has the new chip-enabled cards yet.

I went through this exact same situation 6 months ago and want to share what worked for me. First - breathe, you WILL get your money back if you follow the right steps. I submitted my EBT 2259 form and police report on a Tuesday and had my benefits restored by the following Friday (8 days total). A few things that helped speed up my case: - I submitted everything in person at the county office (not by mail/email) and got a receipt with the date stamp - I brought bank statements showing my regular spending patterns to prove the fraudulent withdrawals were out of character - I emphasized the emergency nature due to rent being due For immediate help with rent, also ask your worker about the Emergency Aid program - it's separate from regular CalWORKs and can sometimes provide a one-time payment for housing emergencies while your theft claim is being processed. Don't let them tell you that you have to choose between programs - you can apply for both. Stay persistent with following up every 2-3 days. Document every phone call and conversation. You've got this!

I'm so sorry this happened to you! I just went through something similar 2 months ago when my EBT card got skimmed at a gas station ATM. The whole process is scary but you CAN get your money back. Here's what saved me time: when I went to submit my EBT 2259 form and police report, I also brought a written statement explaining exactly when/where I used my card last and why the theft timing/location was suspicious. In my case, the fraudulent withdrawal happened at 2am at an ATM 15 miles from my house when I was home sleeping with my toddler. Also - and this is important - ask your worker about CalWORKs Homeless Prevention services while you're there. It's different from the Emergency Aid program Grace mentioned, but it's specifically for people at risk of eviction. They might be able to help with rent assistance while your theft claim processes. I got my benefits back in 11 days, and looking back I wish I had been more aggressive about following up every single day after day 5. Don't let them make you feel like you're being pushy - your kids need housing and this isn't your fault. Good luck tomorrow! Update us on how it goes with submitting your paperwork.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this nightmare! I went through the exact same thing 4 months ago - woke up to find $634 gone from my CalWORKs benefits after my card got skimmed at a corner store ATM. The good news is I DID get my money back, but it took 16 days which felt like forever when you're facing eviction. Here's what I learned that might help you: 1. When you submit that EBT 2259 form tomorrow, also ask for a "Request for Immediate Need" determination - this is different from regular emergency aid and specifically for benefit theft victims facing homelessness. 2. Bring your phone showing the timestamp of the withdrawal notification - mine was at 4:17am and I could prove I was posting on my neighborhood Facebook group at 11pm the night before from home. 3. If your county office gives you any runaround about processing time, mention that you know benefit theft claims are supposed to be expedited for families at risk of eviction under state policy. The waiting is the absolute worst part, but everyone here is right - you WILL get your money back if you stay on top of them. Sending you strength to get through this! 💜

I'm so sorry you're going through this stress with your kids' housing on the line! Based on everyone's advice here, it sounds like you have a solid plan for tomorrow. Just wanted to add one more tip that helped me when I had my benefits stolen last year - take photos of your actual EBT card showing you still have it in your possession. The fraud investigators told me this helped prove I didn't willingly give my card to someone else. Also, if you have any receipts from legitimate purchases you made with the card in the days before the theft, bring those too to show your normal usage pattern. You've got all the right documentation and information now - stay strong and don't let them brush you off tomorrow. Your situation IS urgent and they need to treat it that way. Rooting for you! 🙏

I went through this exact situation last summer and I know how terrifying it is when your rent money disappears overnight! The good news is that California has really strengthened their benefit theft protections, so you absolutely CAN get your money back. A few things that helped speed up my case: - I called the EBT fraud hotline (1-877-328-9677) immediately after filing the police report to create an additional paper trail - When I submitted my EBT 2259 form, I also included a signed affidavit stating I never shared my PIN with anyone - I took photos of the specific ATM where my card was skimmed and included those with my paperwork The most important thing is to emphasize the EMERGENCY nature of your situation when you submit tomorrow. Tell them your exact eviction date and ask if they can flag your case as "expedited due to imminent homelessness." Some counties can process these in as little as 3-5 business days when housing is at immediate risk. Also, while you're there, definitely ask about CalWORKs Homeless Assistance Program (HAP) as backup - it can provide emergency rent assistance even while your theft claim is being processed. Don't let them tell you that you have to wait for one program before applying for another. You've got this! The system isn't perfect but it DOES work when you know the right steps to take. Keep us updated! 💪