Do I need to change my EBT PIN before my CalWORKs cash aid deposits to prevent benefit theft?

Unfortunately benefit theft is a serious problem right now with CalWORKs. Changing your PIN regularly (like monthly) is one way to help protect yourself but there's no magic in doing it the day before deposit - thieves can steal it any time you have funds. What's most important is: 1. NEVER share your PIN with anyone 2. Change your PIN regularly (through the EBT customer service line) 3. Check your balance frequently 4. When possible, transfer money out of your EBT account to a personal bank account right after it deposits 5. Cover the keypad when entering your PIN at ATMs And yes, you can call the number on the back of your EBT card (1-877-328-9677) to change your PIN. You don't need to go to an ATM.

my sister had half her cash stole last month even with her card in her purse!!! these thieves have card skimmers everwhere. she called county but they didn't do nothin about it. said it was her fault smh

You definitely need to be careful! I actually had $642 stolen from my account back in November. The thieves are using skimmers at ATMs and stores to steal card info. Changing your PIN helps but only if your card hasn't already been compromised. I've started transferring my money to my bank account immediately when it hits my EBT card (usually around 12:01am on deposit day). You can do this by going to an ATM that works with your bank, withdrawing the cash, then depositing it immediately. Some banks let you deposit cash through their ATMs without even needing an envelope. Tip: Don't leave money sitting on your EBT card ANY longer than necessary! Especially overnight.

wut i do is split my withdrawls... i take out like $100 at a time from diferent ATMs so if sum1 steals they dont get ALL my money at once

I've been dealing with CalWORKs for 3 years and this theft issue is out of control! Had my benefits stolen TWICE and both times had to wait 2+ MONTHS to get my money back!!! The whole system is terrible and the workers don't care at all. The county tells you to file a police report but the police don't do anything. Then you wait FOREVER for an investigation while you have NO MONEY for rent or bills. How is this even legal??? Just withdraw ALL your money as soon as it hits your card. Don't leave a cent on there. That's the ONLY way to be safe.

I had so many problems reaching someone at my county office when my benefits were stolen. Kept calling for DAYS and could never get through. Finally I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to a real worker in like 15 minutes! They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE Might be worth having this option ready if you ever need to reach someone fast about your benefits. Saved me so much stress after waiting on hold for hours and getting disconnected.

Ugh I hate that we even have to worry about this!! 😫 I've been on CalWORKs for about 7 month now and I change my PIN every two weeks just to be safe. My worker said they're supposed to be adding more security to the EBT cards soon but who knows when that will actually happen. Also don't use your card at sketchy looking ATMs or gas stations! That's where a lot of the skimmers are. My friend only uses the ATM inside her actual bank building now.

One important update - as of January 2025, if your CalWORKs benefits are stolen, you can now apply for one-time replacement funds. There's a form called "EBT-2255" that you need to fill out within 10 days of discovering the theft. You'll need to file a police report too. But it's definitely better to prevent theft in the first place. Beyond changing your PIN, check if your county offers direct deposit of CalWORKs benefits to your personal bank account instead of the EBT card. Not all counties offer this yet, but it's worth asking your worker about.

After helping you all research this - here's what I found from the official CalWORKs guidelines: 1. PIN changes: Can be done anytime by calling 1-877-328-9677 2. Immediate transfer: Yes, you can (and should) transfer money immediately after deposit 3. Replacement benefits: Available once per year, up to the amount stolen 4. Reporting timeframe: Must report theft within 10 days 5. Direct deposit: Available in some counties as a safer alternative The "day before" theory isn't official advice - but regularly changing your PIN is still recommended. Hope this helps everyone!

I'm so glad you asked about this! Benefit theft is unfortunately very real and scary. Here's what has worked for me as someone who's been on CalWORKs for about a year: **Immediate steps you can take:** - Call 1-877-328-9677 RIGHT NOW to change your PIN (don't wait for your deposit) - Set a phone reminder to change it again every 2-3 weeks - Plan to withdraw ALL your cash the moment it hits your card (usually around midnight on deposit day) **If you don't have a bank account yet:** - Consider opening a basic checking account at a credit union - many have low/no fees - Until then, withdraw everything immediately and keep cash in a safe place at home - Some people use prepaid debit cards as a temporary solution **Red flags to avoid:** - Never use ATMs at gas stations or convenience stores - Stick to bank ATMs inside the actual bank building when possible - Always cover the keypad when entering your PIN The theft is happening through card skimmers and data breaches, so even if your physical card never leaves your possession, your info can still be stolen. The key is not leaving money sitting on the EBT card longer than absolutely necessary. You've got this! Just be proactive and you'll be much safer than people who don't know about these precautions.