UPDATE: I finally got through to my worker today! She confirmed everything and gave me more details. It's officially called the "CalWORKs Family Support Supplement" and it IS happening in most counties including Alameda. Payment amounts are $500 for 1-2 family members, $750 for 3-4, and $900 for 5+. They'll be sending official notices in February and payments should start going out in March. She said it's for all CalWORKs families with children and we don't need to do anything special to get it. Just make sure your case is active and address is current! Thanks everyone for the help confirming this was real. I was starting to think I'd imagined the whole conversation!

This is such great news! I'm a single mom with 3 kids in Los Angeles County and every little bit helps. I haven't heard anything from my worker yet but I'm going to call and ask about it. The timing would be perfect since I'm behind on rent and my oldest needs new shoes. Does anyone know if this will affect our regular monthly cash aid amount or if it's truly separate? I don't want to get excited if it means they'll reduce our regular benefits to make up for it. Also wondering if this will count as income for other programs like SNAP or childcare assistance?

So glad to see this worked out for you! This is a perfect example of why it's so important to be persistent with CalWORKs. The direct worker number tip is golden - I always tell people to look for that on their paperwork first before calling the main line. For anyone else dealing with missed interviews, another tip is to check if your county has a specific "interview unit" with its own phone line - some counties separate regular eligibility calls from interview scheduling calls. Also, if you ever can't get through by phone and need to go in person, try to arrive right when they open at 8am to avoid the longest waits. The system definitely has its problems, but knowing these workarounds can save so much stress!

Welcome to the community @5141cfe34e13! You're absolutely right about how supportive everyone is here - it makes such a difference when dealing with these bureaucratic challenges. Since you're new, here's another tip that might help: if you ever need to submit documents for CalWORKs, try to use the document upload feature in BenefitsCal whenever possible instead of faxing or mailing. It creates a digital trail and you get confirmation that they received it. Also, always keep screenshots/copies of everything you submit. The more you can document your interactions with the system, the better protected you are if any issues come up. This community has been a lifesaver for navigating all these processes - don't hesitate to ask questions!

I used that Claimyr service that someone mentioned earlier today and it actually worked! Got through to my county office in about 4 minutes after trying for days on my own. The worker I spoke with said they've been seeing a big increase in EBT theft cases lately. She put a rush on my case after I explained my situation with the rent being due. Still have to wait for the investigation but at least I feel like someone is actually working on it now.

I'm so sorry this happened to you! This is absolutely terrifying and unfortunately becoming way too common. A few additional things that might help: 1. When you go to the county office Monday, bring copies of EVERYTHING - the police report, your EBT transaction history showing the unauthorized withdrawal, and any correspondence you've had about this. 2. Ask specifically about the "replacement within 10 days" rule - California is supposed to replace stolen benefits within 10 business days if you have all the required documentation. 3. If they give you the runaround, ask to speak with the EBT coordinator or fraud specialist. Every county office should have someone designated to handle these cases. 4. Consider contacting your local legal aid organization - they often have advocates who can help navigate the system faster than going it alone. The fact that this happened two months in a row suggests your card number/PIN was compromised early on. When you get the replacement card, consider only using it at your bank's ATMs if possible - avoid gas stations, convenience stores, and standalone ATMs where skimmers are more common. Stay strong - you WILL get through this. The system is broken but the money should eventually be replaced. Document everything and don't let them dismiss your case!

Update: I just found out my neighbor's benefits were stolen too! Same day as mine. We think there might be a skimmer at the corner store where we both shop. BE CAREFUL everyone and maybe only use ATMs inside actual banks if possible.

This is so frustrating but glad you finally got resolution! I'm dealing with the exact same thing right now - someone got my card info and drained $734 from my account 5 days ago. I've been calling every day and they keep saying "we're processing your claim" but no timeline. Did you have to provide anything besides the EBT-2259 form and police report? I'm worried I'm missing some documentation that's slowing down my case. Also did they give you any kind of case number to track the progress? I feel like I'm calling into a black hole every time.

This is exactly why I always tell people to check out the CalWORKs handbook online before traveling - these restrictions are buried in there but they're real. I learned about the out-of-state cash block the hard way too when I went to help my sister in Portland. What ended up working was having my neighbor withdraw cash from an ATM near my house in California and then Venmo it to me instantly. Also, if you have a smartphone, download the ebtEDGE app - it shows you exactly where your benefits can and can't be used, which would have saved you this headache. The whole system is set up terribly for communication but at least now you know for next time. Hope your mom's recovery goes well and you can get this money situation figured out today!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this - what a stressful situation to be in while trying to help your mom recover! Unfortunately, the out-of-state EBT cash restrictions are very real and have been in place for several years now. I went through something similar when I had to travel to help my dad in New Mexico. What saved me was having my trusted friend back in California withdraw the cash and send it through Zelle - it was instant and free since we both had major bank accounts. Also definitely call Nevada 211 right away - they can connect you with local emergency food assistance and sometimes even emergency cash programs for people temporarily in the state helping with medical situations. Some people have also had luck buying prepaid Visa cards with their EBT cash at certain grocery stores, though this varies by location. It's absolutely inexcusable that they don't clearly explain these restrictions during the CalWORKs application process - this should be highlighted information, not something people discover during family emergencies. Hang in there, and I hope your mom's recovery goes smoothly!