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As a newcomer to this community, I want to thank everyone for such amazing practical advice! I'm in a similar situation - family of 4 and our CalFresh benefits have been running out faster and faster each month. Reading through all these suggestions is giving me hope that I can stretch our dollars further. I've been stubbornly sticking to the same stores out of habit, but clearly need to explore these other options. There's both a FoodMaxx and Winco within driving distance that I've never tried. The Market Match program sounds like a game-changer too - I love that it specifically helps with fresh produce since that's where I feel like I'm spending the most. It's so refreshing to find a community where people share real, actionable tips instead of just venting (though sometimes we all need to vent too!). Looking forward to learning more money-saving strategies and hopefully contributing some of my own discoveries once I start trying these new stores.
Welcome Malik! So glad you found this community helpful - it really makes such a difference having people who understand the struggle. A family of 4 must be even tougher to feed on these benefits with how crazy prices have gotten. You're absolutely right about needing to break out of the habit of shopping at the same stores - I was doing the same thing until I found this group! Both FoodMaxx and Winco are going to be huge game-changers for you. Just a heads up that Winco can get pretty busy on weekends, so if you can go during weekday mornings it's usually less crowded. And definitely don't miss out on their bulk bins - perfect for feeding a larger family! The Market Match program is amazing for produce, and with 4 people you'll probably max out that $10 match pretty easily. Can't wait to hear about your savings once you start exploring these new options!
Just joined this community and wow, what an incredibly helpful thread! As someone struggling to make CalFresh benefits last the whole month, I'm so grateful for all these practical suggestions. I've been shopping at the same expensive chain stores out of convenience but clearly need to branch out. There's a Winco about 25 minutes from me that I keep meaning to try - this thread is the push I needed! The Market Match program sounds amazing too - I had no idea you could double CalFresh dollars for produce. That could make such a huge difference for getting fresh fruits and veggies. Also really appreciate the tip about reporting childcare expenses to potentially increase benefits - I pay for daycare but never thought to mention it during my last recertification. It's so nice to find a community where people actually share actionable advice instead of just complaining. Looking forward to trying these suggestions and hopefully sharing some money-saving discoveries of my own!
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I went through this exact same stress when I moved from Los Angeles to San Francisco County about 6 months ago! Had over $280 on my old card and was terrified I'd lose it all. Here's what ended up working for me: Called the EBT customer service line at exactly 7 AM (1-877-328-9677) and got through in about 10 minutes - way better than the afternoon wait times. The rep was super helpful and walked me through everything. They needed: - My SSN for verification - Both EBT card numbers (16 digits each) - Both case numbers from old and new counties The whole call took maybe 15 minutes and they gave me a confirmation number (definitely ask for this!). The balance showed up on my new card 3 business days later - all $280 transferred perfectly. One thing that surprised me - they told me I could keep using my old card for small purchases while waiting for the transfer, just to make sure it stayed active. I bought a pack of gum with it the day after my call and it worked fine. Don't stress too much about it - the system actually works pretty well once you get the right person on the phone. The early morning call time makes ALL the difference though. Good luck @StarStrider!
This is exactly what I needed to hear! Thank you so much for sharing your successful experience with the same situation. It's such a relief to know that the $280 transferred perfectly and that the process actually worked smoothly once you got through. The timing tip about calling at 7 AM seems to be the key - I had no idea that would make such a huge difference in wait times. I'm definitely going to try that tomorrow morning and make sure to get that confirmation number. The fact that you could even use your old card for small purchases while waiting is reassuring too. Really appreciate you taking the time to share all the specific details and the encouragement!
This thread is so helpful! I'm bookmarking it for future reference. Quick question for everyone - when you call the EBT customer service line, do they require any specific documentation beyond what's already been mentioned? Like proof of address in the new county or anything like that? I'm planning a move from San Jose to Sacramento County next month and want to make sure I have everything ready ahead of time. Also, has anyone tried doing this process online or is phone/in-person the only way? Thanks!
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This thread is so eye-opening and scary at the same time! I've been on CalFresh for about 6 months and have been pretty careless with my card - using it at random corner stores, gas stations, you name it. After reading everyone's stories about losing hundreds of dollars, I'm honestly shocked this isn't talked about more when you first get approved. I had no idea about changing your PIN monthly or that 7-Eleven stores might be compromised. I've definitely used my card there multiple times recently. Now I'm paranoid that my benefits might get stolen too. Thank you @Aileen Rodriguez for the detailed info about the CF 303 form and AB 1270 - I'm saving this info just in case. And @NebulaKnight thanks for the text balance tip! I just tried texting "BAL" to 96977 and it worked perfectly. I'm definitely going to check this every day now. This whole situation just shows how vulnerable we are in this system. It's already hard enough to make ends meet, and now we have to worry about criminals stealing the little help we do get. But at least we have each other to share information and protect one another. This community is amazing!
Welcome to the community, Chloe! Don't feel bad about being careless before - most of us had no clue about these risks when we first started. The fact that they don't warn people about EBT skimming during the application process is honestly criminal. Since you mentioned using your card at 7-Eleven recently, I'd definitely recommend changing your PIN ASAP and monitoring your balance closely over the next few days. Better to be overly cautious than sorry! And yeah, that text balance check is a lifesaver - so much easier than calling and waiting on hold. It really is frustrating that we have to become security experts just to buy groceries safely. But threads like this prove that when we share information and look out for each other, we can protect ourselves better. Stay vigilant and don't hesitate to ask questions - we're all in this together!
This thread has been incredibly valuable - thank you all for sharing your experiences and practical advice! I'm fairly new to receiving CalFresh benefits and honestly had no idea that EBT skimming was such a widespread problem. Reading about everyone's stolen benefits is both heartbreaking and eye-opening. I've been pretty careless about where I use my card, but after seeing how much money people are losing (hundreds of dollars that take weeks to replace!), I'm definitely going to change my habits. The tips about wiggling card readers, changing PINs monthly, and using the text balance check (96977) are going to be part of my routine now. One thing that really stood out to me is how the system seems designed to make it hard for victims to get help. Having to fill out forms, file police reports, and wait weeks for replacement benefits while your family goes hungry is just wrong. We're already struggling, and then when we become victims of crime, we're treated like we did something wrong. I'm going to start shopping only at major grocery chains and avoid those standalone ATMs completely. And I'm definitely going to ask my caseworker about those text alerts @Sofia Morales mentioned - that sounds like it could really help catch theft quickly. Thanks to everyone for looking out for each other and sharing this crucial information. It's terrible that we have to become experts in fraud prevention just to safely access our benefits, but at least we can protect ourselves with knowledge!
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So glad you got through and are getting help! This is exactly why I always tell people not to give up on the first try. The system is frustrating but California really has made improvements for EBT theft victims. One tip for everyone reading - also check if your local food banks have emergency food boxes while you're waiting for replacement benefits. Most don't require income verification for emergency situations like this. And definitely enable all the security features on the EBT app once you get your new card! Hope you get your benefits back soon Paolo! 🙏
Thank you so much Benjamin! I never even thought about food banks - that's really helpful to know while I'm waiting for the replacement benefits. I'm definitely going to enable all those security features once I get my new card. This whole experience has been so stressful but everyone's advice here has been a lifesaver. Really appreciate this community looking out for each other!
I'm so sorry this happened to you! EBT theft is unfortunately becoming more common. Here's what you need to do right away: 1. **Call the EBT customer service line immediately** at 1-877-328-9677 to report the theft and freeze your card 2. **File a police report** - this is required for benefit replacement and serves as proof of theft 3. **Contact your county CalFresh office** to report the theft and request form CF 303E (EBT Benefits Theft Report) The good news is California now has laws requiring them to replace stolen benefits! Under recent legislation, they must replace stolen EBT benefits once per year. Make sure to emphasize this is an EMERGENCY food situation when you call - this can help expedite the process. Also check your EBT transaction history in the app to document where/when the fraudulent purchases happened - this helps prove it wasn't you. Don't panic, most people do get their benefits back within 5-10 business days if you follow all the steps correctly. Hang in there!
This is such helpful and comprehensive advice Oliver! I had no idea California had passed laws requiring benefit replacement - that gives me so much hope. I'm going to call that EBT number right now and then head to the police station. Do you happen to know if I can file the police report online or does it need to be in person? I'm trying to get everything done as quickly as possible since my family depends on these benefits. Thank you for taking the time to write out all these steps!
@Oliver Schmidt Yes, most police departments now allow you to file theft reports online! Just search for [your "city] police online reporting and" look for property theft or fraud categories. You ll'get a case number immediately which is what you need for the county office. Some departments might require an in-person follow-up for large amounts like $1000, but the online report gets the process started faster. The key is getting that case number ASAP so you can reference it when you call the county. Good luck and don t'give up - the system works if you persist through all the steps!
KhalilStar
I'm a caseworker in another California county and want to add some specifics that might help. When you file your EBT-2259 form, make sure to request a copy for your records - this is crucial if there are any delays or issues with processing. Also, ask your worker about the "Replacement Benefits Pending Investigation" option - some counties can issue partial emergency benefits (usually 50% of stolen amount) within 3-5 business days while the full claim is being processed. This isn't widely advertised but it exists specifically for families with children facing food insecurity. Document everything - take photos of the form, get confirmation numbers, and ask for written confirmation that your claim was received. The squeaky wheel gets the grease with these situations unfortunately. Don't give up!
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Dmitry Ivanov
•This is incredibly valuable insider information - thank you so much for sharing! I had no idea about the "Replacement Benefits Pending Investigation" option. That could be a lifesaver for us right now. I'll definitely ask about the 50% emergency benefits when I call tomorrow morning. And yes, I'm learning quickly that documentation is everything with government programs. I'm going to take photos of everything and get confirmation numbers for every step. It's really reassuring to hear from someone who actually works in the system and knows what options are available that they don't always tell people about. I can't thank you enough for taking the time to help a stranger navigate this nightmare!
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Paolo Rizzo
I'm so sorry this happened to you and your family. EBT fraud is absolutely devastating and it's infuriating that families are left scrambling while bureaucracy moves at a snail's pace. A few additional resources that might help while you're fighting for your benefits back: 1. Contact 211 (dial 2-1-1) - they can connect you with local emergency food programs and sometimes have access to one-time emergency assistance funds specifically for situations like this. 2. Check if your kids' schools participate in weekend backpack programs - many schools send food home on Fridays to help families bridge the gap over weekends. 3. Look into your local Sikh temples (gurdwaras) if there are any nearby - they traditionally offer free meals to anyone regardless of background, no questions asked. 4. Some Walmart and Target locations partner with local food banks for mobile pantries - call ahead to see if any are scheduled in your area this week. The fact that this is happening to so many people shows how broken the system is. You shouldn't have to become an expert in navigating bureaucracy just to feed your children after being victimized by criminals. Keep pushing and don't let them make you feel like you're asking for too much - you deserve to have your stolen benefits replaced quickly. Your family's wellbeing depends on it.
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