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!