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did u try the online chat through benefitscal.com? sometimes u can get help faster that way than on the phone
I wanted to check back - were you able to get this resolved? If you mentioned expedited service and the 30-day processing requirement, you should have received a much quicker appointment. If not, please consider contacting your local legal aid office as well, as this is a clear violation of CalFresh regulations.
Yes! I used that Claimyr service someone mentioned and finally got through to a supervisor. When I specifically asked about expedited service and mentioned the 30-day requirement, their tone completely changed. They scheduled me for an interview tomorrow morning and said they'd process it as expedited. The supervisor claimed there was a "system error" that caused my application to be misfiled. I'm so relieved and grateful for everyone's help here!
maybe try calling ur local assemblymembers office? my friend did that when her medi-cal got messed up and they fixed it in like 2 days after she was struggling for months
This is excellent advice. County welfare departments often respond quickly to legislative inquiries. Your state assemblymember or senator's office can submit a formal inquiry that typically gets routed to a specialized team that handles legislative cases. In my experience working with clients, these teams resolve issues much faster than the standard channels.
UPDATE: I finally got through to someone helpful! After trying again this morning (another 45min wait), I spoke with a worker named Melissa who actually took the time to look into my case properly. Turns out there WAS an approved supplemental payment from October, but it was coded incorrectly in their system as an "EA" (emergency allotment) when those no longer exist. It was actually an underpayment adjustment because they had calculated my rent wrong during my August recertification. She's processing it now and said I should see the $235 on my EBT card within 3-5 business days. She also gave me her direct extension to call if it doesn't show up. Thanks everyone for your advice and support through this frustrating process!
Great news! This is exactly why persistence pays off with CalFresh issues. Many workers don't fully understand the difference between various supplemental payments and use outdated terminology, causing confusion. I'm glad you finally got someone knowledgeable who could properly identify the issue.
I'm sorry you're dealing with this frustrating situation. To directly answer your question: yes, you should receive your stolen benefits back after the review period, assuming your claim is approved. The 10 business days is the maximum timeframe for processing theft claims according to state regulations, and many counties try to process them faster. A few important points: 1. California has specific EBT theft protection policies. The benefits that were stolen should be replaced as long as you reported it promptly (which you did) and complete the paperwork correctly this time. 2. For your new submission, make sure you include: - Exact date and time you discovered the theft - Specific amount stolen (with dates of transactions if possible) - Any police report information if you filed one 3. The 10 business days means 10 county working days, not including weekends or holidays. 4. If you're experiencing a food emergency while waiting, ask about emergency food resources. Many counties can refer you to food banks or emergency assistance. Keep a copy of all paperwork you submit this time, and get a receipt or confirmation number when you submit it.
Thank you for this detailed information! I'll make sure I have all of those points covered in my new submission. Do you know if I need to provide proof of when I last used the card legitimately? I'm trying to gather all documentation before I go back.
Having your last legitimate transaction information is helpful but not always required. If you can access your EBT account online or through the app, take screenshots of your transaction history showing your normal purchase patterns. This can help demonstrate which transactions were yours versus which were fraudulent. If you have any receipts from your last legitimate purchases, bring those too.
UPDATE: Went to the county office in person today with all my documentation. The worker there was actually really helpful and said my case was pretty straightforward. She expedited my claim and said I should see my benefits replaced within 3-5 business days instead of 10! She said going in person definitely helped speed things up. Thanks everyone for the advice!
To summarize the correct information for anyone finding this thread later: 1. There are NO emergency allotment supplements for June 2025 or any future month planned at this time. Those ended permanently in March 2023. 2. The annual cost-of-living adjustment typically happens in October, not June. 3. Summer EBT is available for households with school-age children who qualify for free/reduced lunch programs. 4. If your circumstances have changed (increased rent, utilities, childcare costs, medical expenses for seniors/disabled), report these changes as they might increase your regular benefit amount. 5. Always check BenefitsCal.com for official announcements about CalFresh changes rather than relying on rumors.
StarSurfer
why doesn't anyone talk about how the county workers NEVER answer their phones???? the whole system is broken!!!
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Yuki Nakamura
•County offices are definitely understaffed, especially since 2025 budget cuts. The average caseworker has 300+ cases to manage. Try calling right when they open (usually 8:00 AM) or during lunch (12:30-1:30 PM) when many people aren't calling. Also, Wednesdays tend to be less busy than Mondays or the beginning of the month.
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Aisha Ali
UPDATE: I went to the county office in person today instead of calling. Had to wait almost 3 hours but finally spoke with someone. They said my CalWORKs payment had already been processed to my old bank account yesterday but will bounce back. They've noted my file to issue a paper check once that happens, AND I completed a form to get future payments on my EBT card instead of direct deposit. They said the paper check should come in about 10 days. Thanks everyone for your help!
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Andre Moreau
•Great job taking initiative and going in person! That was definitely the right move. Getting future payments on your EBT card will simplify things considerably. Make sure you keep checking your mail for that paper check - sometimes they come in plain envelopes that can look like junk mail.
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