Confused about CalFresh vs Cash Aid - worried about benefit theft on EBT card

CalFresh and Cash Aid (CalWORKs) are two different programs, but they can both be loaded onto the same EBT card. CalFresh is specifically for food and can only be used to purchase eligible food items. CalWORKs provides cash assistance for families with children. You can apply for both programs at the same time through BenefitsCal.com or at your local county office. The application process requires verification of income, household composition, and other eligibility factors. Regarding benefit theft - typically thieves can only steal the cash portion through card skimming at ATMs or point-of-sale terminals. CalFresh benefits have more protection because they can only be used for food purchases. Since October 2023, California has implemented enhanced skimming protections and will replace stolen cash benefits under certain circumstances.

If your single w/ no kids, you probably won't qualify for CalWORKs cash aid FYI. Thats mainly for families with children. You might qualify for General Assistance/Relief instead - thats cash aid for single adults without kids but its way less $ and has different rules. You apply at the same county office tho. And yeah they load both benefits on 1 card but there seperate. Food stamps cant be stolen as easy bc you need a pin AND can only buy food. The cash part can be used at ATMs or to buy stuff at stores that accept EBT cash.

To protect your benefits from theft, NEVER use your EBT card at ATMs attached to gas stations or small convenience stores - those are skimming hotspots! Only use bank ATMs when possible. And change your PIN regularly through the EBT customer service line. When California implemented EBT theft protection last year, they started replacing stolen cash benefits, but you have to report it within 10 days of the theft and file a police report. They'll only replace stolen benefits TWICE per year now, so you still need to be careful. I recommend checking your EBT balance frequently through the mobile app so you can spot unauthorized transactions immediately.

My sister had $342 stolen from her EBT cash account last summer and the county made her jump through SO MANY HOOPS to get it back. She had to file a police report and fill out fraud forms and wait like 3 months to get reimbursed. Meanwhile her rent was late!!! The system is broken tbh

I apply for CalFresh n cash aid last year. they make me do interveiw and bring lots of papers like ID and bills and paystubs. took like 30 days to get approved. they gave me 1 card for both. If you dont have kids ur not getting calworks cash aid tho!! apply for general assistance

To answer your question about using the cash portion for rent - you have two options: 1. You can withdraw the cash from an ATM and then pay your rent with cash, money order, or by depositing it in your bank account. 2. Some landlords accept direct EBT cash payments, but that's becoming less common. For General Assistance, which is what you'd likely qualify for as a single adult without children, the application process is similar to CalWORKs. You'll need to provide identification, proof of residency, income verification, and resource information. Most counties also require you to register for work and participate in employment services. The benefit amount varies by county but is typically much lower than CalWORKs - generally between $200-$400 per month depending on your county.

Just wanted to add that if you're worried about benefit theft, you can also set up text alerts through the EBT Edge mobile app to get notified every time your card is used. That way you'll know immediately if there's unauthorized activity. Also, when you go to apply, bring extra copies of everything - ID, utility bills, bank statements, etc. The county workers sometimes ask for documents you weren't expecting, and having extras can save you from having to make multiple trips. Good luck with your application!

One more tip about benefit theft protection - if you ever suspect your card has been compromised, call the EBT customer service line immediately to freeze your card (1-877-328-9677). They can deactivate it right away and rush you a new one, usually within 7-10 days. Don't wait to see if more transactions show up! Also, when you're at the store using your EBT card, always cover your PIN when entering it and check that the card reader looks normal (no weird attachments or loose parts). Skimmers can be really hard to spot but they're often attached to legitimate card readers. The BenefitsCal website can be confusing at first, but once you create an account you can track your application status and upload documents online instead of having to go to the office for everything. Makes the whole process a lot easier!

Hey Landon! Don't feel bad about asking these questions - this stuff is confusing and it's better to get the right info upfront. Everyone here has given you great advice already. Just to add one more thing about the application process - when you apply for CalFresh and General Assistance through BenefitsCal, you can actually start the application online and then schedule your interview appointment. This saves time because you don't have to wait in line at the county office just to pick up paperwork. Also, keep your confirmation numbers and take screenshots of everything when you submit documents online. Sometimes the system glitches and having proof that you submitted something on time can save you headaches later. The whole process can feel overwhelming but you've got this! Take it one step at a time and don't hesitate to ask questions if you get stuck.

Just want to echo what everyone else said about being careful with your EBT card! I work at a community center and we see benefit theft cases regularly. One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet - if you have a smartphone, download the ebtEDGE app right when you get your card. You can check your balance, see transaction history, and even temporarily lock your card if you think it might be compromised. Also, for the General Assistance application - different counties have different work requirements. Some make you do 20 hours of community service per month, others require job search activities. Call your county's social services office to ask specifically what they require before you apply so you're prepared. And don't worry about asking "dumb" questions - we've all been there! The benefits system is intentionally confusing sometimes. Better to ask and get it right the first time than mess up your application and have to wait even longer for help.