UPDATE: Our P-EBT card just got reloaded this morning! $198 for each child, which I think covers June and July. So they're definitely starting to issue the June payments now. Check your cards everyone!

For anyone else following this thread who might be confused about P-EBT eligibility: 1. The P-EBT 0-6 program is continuing through fiscal year 2025 (ends September 2025) 2. Children must be under 6 years old 3. Your household must receive CalFresh benefits or be newly eligible under the expanded income guidelines 4. Benefit amounts for 2025 are $33 per child per eligible month 5. Payments come every other month, covering two months of benefits ($66 per child typically) 6. The schedule for 2025 has benefits being issued in January, March, June, August, October, and December If you're having trouble accessing your benefits or have questions about eligibility, contact your county CalFresh office. The P-EBT customer service line (877-328-9677) is often overwhelmed, so reaching your direct county worker is usually more effective.

Update? Were you able to get through to PG&E or get any emergency food assistance? This happened to me last year (though it was with my car insurance, not PG&E) and I ended up having to wait 7 business days for the refund. The most effective thing was filing a complaint with the Department of Insurance, which might be different for utilities. For me, going to the local CalFresh office in person worked better than calling - they provided a one-time emergency supplement once I showed them my bank statement. Hope you got this resolved!

I'm so glad you're making progress with this! That's exactly what I was hoping would happen with the Claimyr service - it really does help cut through PG&E's phone maze. Three things I'd suggest for your CalFresh office visit tomorrow: 1) Bring printed bank statements showing both the unauthorized withdrawal and your current low balance, 2) Take a photo of your PG&E account showing the credit balance (proves it was their error), and 3) Ask specifically for a "household emergency supplement" rather than just "emergency benefits" - the exact terminology can sometimes make a difference with county workers. Also, if the first worker you speak with says no, politely ask to speak with a supervisor. Different workers sometimes interpret the emergency rules differently. Really hoping you get approved for the supplement - keep us posted!

Thanks everyone for the helpful explanations! I understand it now. It's just showing me that $150 of my purchase was SNAP-eligible, but since I only had $100 on my card, I had to pay the other $50 of eligible items plus the $50 non-eligible items with cash. Makes total sense now but the wording on the receipt is definitely confusing! I appreciate all the quick responses.

Just wanted to add that some grocery stores have started putting little icons or symbols next to SNAP-eligible items on their shelf tags, which can be super helpful when you're shopping. Also, if you're ever unsure about whether something is eligible, the cashier can usually run a quick check before you complete your purchase. This way you can decide if you want to pay cash for non-eligible items or swap them out for something that's covered by your benefits.

I've been trying to call them for 3 days! Either busy signal or the automated system keeps transferring me to departments that don't answer. Stanislaus County office is the worst.

I feel your pain with the Stanislaus County phone system! I had the same issue last year. One thing that helped me was calling right at 8 AM when they open - I got through in about 15 minutes instead of hours. Also, if you have your case number handy, you can sometimes check your benefit details online through the C4Yourself portal (c4yourself.com). Your IRT should be listed there under your case information. I know it's frustrating but definitely worth getting that exact number before you start the new job - the peace of mind is worth it!

This happens to me literally every other month lol. The whole system is designed to make us give up on our benefits I swear. Glad you got it fixed! For your recertification, submit it EARLY. Like at least 2 weeks before the deadline. I did mine 3 days before once and they still counted it as late smh

So glad you got it resolved! I've been dealing with BenefitsCal issues for months and this thread is super helpful. That technical support number is gold - I'm definitely saving it. Quick tip for everyone: if you're having ongoing portal problems, ask your worker to add your email to get text notifications about case updates. That way even if the website is down, you'll still know what's happening with your benefits. It's saved me so much stress!