CA AB843

Prohibits recipients from incurring any loss of electronic benefits stolen through unauthorized contact, withdrawal, or use that does not involve a physical EBT card, requiring prompt replacement of such benefits.

Requires the State Department of Social Services to establish a unified protocol across the state for reporting electronic benefits theft that minimizes recipient burden and ensures prompt replacement while maintaining program integrity.

Mandates the protocol include online forms for reimbursement requests, electronic and telephonic signing options, and an automatic 90-day reporting window from discovery of theft.

Specifies that fraud investigation referrals cannot delay prompt benefit replacement and limits reimbursement to once per 36 months for recipients who knowingly provide card information to unauthorized third parties they mistakenly believe are legitimate entities.

Codifies the 2020 California Court of Appeal decision in Ortega v. Johnson regarding CalFresh recipients' right to timely replacement of electronically stolen food benefits.