I was SO CONFUSED about this too!! I called the county office (took FOREVER to get through) and they confirmed they use the name of whoever is the head of household on the CalFresh case. For me that's my name even though my kids have a different last name. The worker said the alphabetical groups are: A-F (May 10-13), G-M (May 14-17), N-S (May 18-21), and T-Z (May 22-25). After May 25, everyone can access regardless of last name if they somehow missed their window.

As someone who just went through this process, I can confirm what others have said - they definitely use the primary account holder's last name (Johnson in your case) for the alphabetical distribution. I had the same confusion because my stepkids have different last names but are on my CalFresh case. One thing I'd add is that you should make sure your phone number is updated with the county office because they send text notifications about 24-48 hours before your group's window opens. Also, even though the windows are only 3-4 days each, the actual Sun Bucks benefits stay on your EBT card for 30 days once loaded, so you don't have to rush to spend them immediately. Hope this helps ease some of the stress!

UPDATE: I've been using the card lock feature for about a week now, and it's super easy! I just unlock it right before checking out at the store and lock it again right after. Gives me such peace of mind! Also found out you can see all your transaction history in the app which helps me budget better. Thanks everyone for the additional security tips!

Just received my Golden State Advantage card yesterday and this thread has been SO helpful! I had no idea about all these security features. Already downloaded the EBT Edge app and set up the card lock - took me a few tries to get the verification code to work but persistence paid off. Quick question though - does anyone know if there's a way to temporarily unlock the card for a specific amount of time? Like if I'm doing a big grocery shopping trip and don't want to keep unlocking/locking between different stores? Also really appreciate the tip about updating automatic payments - completely forgot I had my card linked to Walmart grocery pickup!

UPDATE: The P-EBT card FINALLY arrived today (Saturday)! Almost a week after showing in informed delivery. The envelope was pretty beat up but the card is intact. Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions - I was getting really worried. For anyone else experiencing this, definitely give it at least 5-7 business days before panicking!

So relieved to see your update! This is exactly what happened to us last year - the informed delivery showed it but then we waited almost a week worrying about it. I think the P-EBT cards go through some kind of extra security processing that regular mail doesn't, which is why they take longer. Your post will definitely help other parents who are going through the same stress. Hope your son enjoys getting to use his benefits!

I just called the Orange County Social Services Agency about this because I was confused too (my last name starts with I). The representative explained that this temporary schedule is part of their transition to a new benefits management system that's supposed to make everything faster in the long run. For anyone experiencing hardship due to the delay, you can apply for expedited benefits by submitting an emergency request through your BenefitsCal account. Click on "Contact My Worker" and select "Emergency Assistance Request" from the dropdown menu. Make sure to explain that the delay is causing immediate food insecurity. They're prioritizing these requests and typically processing them within 24-48 hours.

This is such a relief to read! My last name is Hamilton and I got my benefits around 2 PM today after checking obsessively since the 10th. I was starting to wonder if I had missed some important paperwork or if there was an issue with my case. The lack of communication from the county about this change is really frustrating - I would have been so much less stressed if I had known this was a planned system upgrade rather than thinking something was wrong with my account. At least now I know what to expect and can plan better. Thanks for sharing this timeline breakdown, it's super helpful for everyone else who might be panicking like I was!

Thank you for the update! I finally got in using Chrome (was using Safari before). My benefits did load correctly today. Such a relief! Will definitely be more prepared next time with screenshots and receipts as others suggested.

I've been dealing with CalFresh for about 6 months now and this is such helpful information! I had no idea about the EBT customer service line at 877-328-9677 - that's going to be a lifesaver for checking balances when the website is down. Also really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences with keeping documentation. As a new recipient, I've been pretty trusting that the system just works, but clearly I need to start taking screenshots and getting receipts for everything. This community is so valuable for learning these practical tips that they definitely don't tell you about during the application process!