EBT theft: No response about stolen CalWORKs benefits since November - who to call?

I had this happen in September. You need to call the EBT Customer Service AND file a separate report with your county office. The number on the back of your card is just for the EBT processor - they don't handle the investigation. Call your county CalWORKs office directly at their main line (varies by county) and tell them you need to speak with the EBT benefit theft specialist. They should have given you a form called the "EBT 2259 - Cash Benefit Theft Report" to fill out too. Did you complete that form?

Omg the same thing happened to me last year!!!! took FOREVERRR to get my money back. keep calling every single day thats what i had to do

There's a specific protocol for EBT theft that most workers don't explain properly. Here's what you need to do: 1. Make sure you've filed the EBT 2259 form (sounds like you did) 2. Contact your county's Fraud Investigation Unit directly - they handle benefit theft cases, not your regular worker 3. Request an expedited review due to immediate need (mention rent due) 4. Ask for the direct number to the EBT Replacement Specialist By law, they must investigate and make a determination within 10 business days of receiving a complete theft report. If it's been longer than that, they're violating the timelines. Keep records of all calls, dates, and who you spoke with. If they deny your claim, you have the right to appeal.

they probly think ur lying thats what they told me. said i spent the money myself but i DIDNT. took 3 months to get my money back and they only gave me half back. system is so broken.

Try using Claimyr to get through to an actual person at the county office. I was in the same situation last month and spent DAYS trying to get through. Then someone told me about this service that gets you past the phone tree and connects you to a real person. I used it at claimyr.com and got through in about 20 minutes instead of being on hold for hours or getting disconnected. They have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE Once I actually got to talk to someone, they transferred me to the right department and I found out my claim was actually approved but the replacement benefits were delayed due to a system error. Got my money 2 days later.

I work for a homeless prevention program, and we see this ALL the time with our clients. Here's what usually happens - benefit theft investigations are taking 15-25 business days right now due to the huge increase in EBT theft cases. The county simply doesn't have enough staff to process them faster. If you need emergency help with rent while waiting for your benefits to be replaced, call 211 and ask about emergency rental assistance programs in your area. Depending on your county, there may be programs that can help bridge the gap while your claim is being processed. You can also request an immediate need payment from CalWORKs if you explain that your benefits were stolen and you're at risk of eviction.

did u report it to the police too? my cousin didnt get her money back until she filed a police report

check you're benefits account online maybe they already added the money back but didn't tell you? happened to my sister last year