How long to get CalWORKs benefits back after EBT theft? Filed police report two days ago

it took me lik 3 weeks to get mine back and that was only after callin every single day for updates. The county ppl kept sayin 'its processing' but wouldnt tell me when id actually get my $$ back. Most frustrating thing ever

I went through this last year. The official policy is that they have 10 business days to investigate and replace your stolen Cash Aid after you submit the proper paperwork and police report. However, what actually happens varies by county. In my case, it took 7 business days before the replacement funds were loaded onto my new card. Make sure you specifically asked for expedited processing due to financial hardship when you filed the theft form. If you didn't, call back and request to speak with a supervisor to explain your urgent situation with rent coming due. They can sometimes push your case through faster.

thats why i always transfer my cash aid to my bank account the SECOND it hits my ebt card. too many people getting their money stolen these days

Call them again and specifically mention you have a financial emergency. I had my benefits stolen last summer and initially they told me 10 days, but when I called back crying because I couldn't feed my kids, they processed my replacement in 3 days. Sometimes it depends on who you talk to and how desperate your situation sounds. Don't be afraid to explain exactly how this is affecting you.

The standard timeframe is up to 10 business days (so two full work weeks), but there are a few things you can do: 1. Ask specifically for an "emergency replacement due to imminent harm" - this is language they respond to 2. If you have children, emphasize that this affects their basic needs 3. Get the case worker's name and ID number every time you call 4. Document every call with date, time, who you spoke with, and what was said 5. If it goes beyond 5 business days, ask to speak with a supervisor Also, for immediate emergency assistance while waiting, ask about the Emergency Food Assistance Program at your county office. They might be able to provide temporary help for food while your case is being processed.

I went through this exact nightmare back in January. Took them 18 days to get my money back despite the "10 business day" policy they claim to follow. Meanwhile I got eviction notice and had to borrow money for food. The whole theft investigation process is broken... they act like YOU did something wrong by getting your benefits stolen. Make sure you keep calling EVERY DAY and get names of who you talk to.

I've been trying to call the county for days about my own CalWORKs issue (not theft but a verification problem) and keep getting disconnected after waiting forever. I finally used this service called Claimyr that called for me and got me connected to a real person at my county office. It was super helpful - saved me hours of frustration. You might want to check it out at claimyr.com - they have a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE Might be worth it in your situation since you need to resolve this quickly for your rent.

One more tip - when you do reach someone, ask them to note in your file that you are requesting an emergency replacement due to imminent financial hardship. This specific language can help prioritize your case. Also, if you're at risk of eviction due to this theft, ask about Emergency Housing Assistance through CalWORKs - they might be able to provide some temporary help with your rent while waiting for the stolen benefits to be replaced.

anyone who gets calworks benefits needs to be extra careful right now cuz theres a huge increase in ebt theft happening. dont use your card at sketchy atms and check for skimmers before you put your card in. also cover keypad when entering pin!!!

UPDATE: I finally got through to someone at the county office! Used that Claimyr service someone mentioned above and it actually worked. The worker told me they're processing my claim and it should be resolved within 5-7 business days. She also recommended I apply for emergency food assistance through the local food bank which I'm going to do tomorrow. Thanks everyone for your help and advice!