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Fresh EBT app is what I've been using for about 2 years now. It lets you check your balance, see transaction history, and even find stores that accept EBT near you. The app also sends notifications when your benefits are loaded each month. Super helpful for budgeting! Much more reliable than BenefitsCal which seems to be down half the time.
Does it tell you when your SAR7 is due too? I always forget and then have to scramble last minute
I don't think it reminds you about SAR7 specifically, but it does show your benefit amount each month so you can kind of tell if something is wrong. Like if you suddenly get $0 you know you probably missed something lol
Update: I was able to get the card number from my mom and downloaded the Fresh EBT app. It worked perfectly! Could see that my May benefits did load ($835 for my household of 3). Thanks everyone for the suggestions!
Great to hear! Just a tip - you might want to request a replacement EBT card anyway since you mentioned yours was damaged. If the card stops working completely, you won't be able to access your benefits until the new one arrives (which can take 7-10 days).
Awesome that it worked out! @Yuki Watanabe is totally right about getting a replacement card. I learned this the hard way when my card completely stopped working at the grocery store checkout with a cart full of food - so embarrassing! You can usually request a replacement through the Fresh EBT app too under account settings, or call that number someone mentioned earlier.
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This whole conversation has been incredibly helpful for understanding the CalFresh timeline! I'm actually in week 3 of my application process and just received my EBT card yesterday with no benefits loaded yet. Reading Sofia's experience and everyone's responses really put my mind at ease - I was starting to think something went wrong with my case. The fact that the card arrives before approval seems to confuse so many people (myself included!). I'm definitely going to log into my BenefitsCal account first thing tomorrow to double-check that all my verification documents went through properly. It sounds like missing or unclear documents are the biggest cause of delays. Thanks to everyone who shared their timelines and experiences - this community is such a valuable resource for navigating this complex system!
I'm so glad this thread helped you too! It's amazing how many of us are going through the exact same confusion with the EBT card arriving before benefits. When I first got my card with zero balance, I honestly thought there was some kind of system error. The whole verification document thing really seems to be the key - I can't believe how many people have had issues with documents not uploading properly or being unclear. It's such a relief to know we're all in this together and can share our experiences. Definitely check those documents tomorrow and don't hesitate to call if something seems off. This community has been a lifesaver for understanding the process!
This thread is exactly what I needed to read! I'm on day 18 of my CalFresh application and got my EBT card 3 days ago with zero balance. Like everyone else here, I was starting to panic thinking something went wrong. It's so frustrating that they don't clearly explain that the card comes BEFORE approval - I wasted so much time worrying for nothing! Reading Sofia's update about the missing ID document really opened my eyes. I thought I had uploaded everything perfectly, but now I'm wondering if one of my documents didn't go through properly. Definitely calling my worker tomorrow to double-check my verification status. This community is amazing for helping us understand what's actually normal in this confusing process!
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Just to clarify some confusing information in this thread, P-EBT has specific eligibility criteria and timeframes. For the current 2024-2025 school year program: 1. Children must qualify for free or reduced-price meals at a school participating in the National School Lunch Program 2. Regular benefits run through the end of the school year (typically June 2025) 3. Summer P-EBT typically covers June-August 2025 4. Benefit amounts are currently $120 per eligible child per month during the school year 5. Summer benefits are typically a one-time payment of $395 per eligible child The state should send you a notice before the program ends. If your situation changes, you should contact your county office.
This is really helpful, thank you! So I should budget for it to end after August. I appreciate everyone's help with this - it's making our financial planning much easier.
I wanted to add something that might help with your planning - keep an eye on your EBT card balance regularly because P-EBT deposits don't always happen on the same date each month. I've noticed they can vary by a few days, which threw off my grocery shopping schedule when I was budgeting really tight. Also, if you haven't already, consider looking into local food banks and pantries as a backup plan for when P-EBT ends. Many don't have income requirements and can help bridge the gap. Our local pantry at the community center has been a lifesaver during tight months. You can usually find locations through 211 (just dial 2-1-1) or the California Association of Food Banks website.
That's such a good point about the irregular deposit dates! I hadn't thought about that affecting my grocery planning. I'll definitely look into local food banks too - I've been hesitant because I wasn't sure if we'd qualify, but it sounds like it's worth checking out. Thanks for the 211 tip, that's really useful! Do you know if most food banks allow you to visit more than once a month?
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Just wanted to add my experience - I was in a similar situation last year with my 3-year-old. Got a P-EBT card out of nowhere and was super confused. Turns out it was totally legitimate! I called the number on the back of the card and they confirmed we qualified because we were already getting CalFresh benefits. Used it without any issues and it didn't affect our regular benefits at all. The customer service rep told me that lots of families don't realize they qualify for these additional benefits. Definitely use it - you earned it and it's there to help feed your family!
That's really reassuring to hear from someone who went through the same thing! I was definitely overthinking it. It's crazy how they don't explain these programs better - so many people probably miss out on benefits they're entitled to just because the whole system is so confusing. Thanks for sharing your experience!
I'm so glad you asked this question! I was in the exact same boat a few months ago - got a P-EBT card for my 4-year-old who doesn't go to daycare and I was terrified it was some kind of mistake. After reading all the responses here and doing some research, I can confirm it's 100% legitimate. The P-EBT program has been extended to cover young children in CalFresh households even if they don't attend school or daycare. I've been using mine for groceries with zero issues and it hasn't affected my regular CalFresh benefits at all. The hardest part was getting past my anxiety about using it, but once I did, it was such a relief to have that extra help with food costs. Don't let that money go to waste - your family deserves that support!
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! It's such a relief to hear from so many people who were in the same situation. I think I'm going to go ahead and use the card this weekend. You're right about not letting the money go to waste - groceries are so expensive right now and this will really help stretch our budget. I appreciate everyone taking the time to explain how this all works!
Reina Salazar
That's a great tip about the Kirkland brand! And I didn't know the benefits roll over - that's a relief. I was worried I'd have to spend everything by the end of each month or lose it.
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QuantumQuest
Welcome to CalFresh! I've been using these benefits for about 2 years now and wanted to share a few practical tips that helped me when I was starting out: 1. Download your store's app before shopping - many grocery stores (Safeway, Vons, etc.) let you add digital coupons that stack with EBT, helping you stretch your benefits further. 2. Check your balance regularly by calling the number on your card or using the eConnectCA app. I got caught short at checkout once because I thought I had more than I did. 3. If you're planning to shop at multiple stores in one trip, ask the cashier to split your payment if needed. You can use EBT for eligible items and pay cash/card for everything else. 4. Keep your receipts! They show your remaining balance and help you track what's EBT-eligible vs what isn't. The learning curve is real but you'll get the hang of it quickly. Don't be embarrassed to ask cashiers questions - most are very helpful and understanding. Good luck with your first shopping trip!
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Samantha Hall
•Thank you so much for these practical tips! I especially appreciate the advice about downloading store apps for digital coupons - I never would have thought of that. The tip about asking cashiers to split payments is also really helpful since I'm definitely planning to buy some non-food items on my Costco trips. I'm curious about the eConnectCA app you mentioned - is that different from the regular EBT app someone else recommended earlier? And do you find it works better than just calling the number on the card? Also, you're right about not being embarrassed! Everyone here has been so helpful and understanding. It's making me feel much more confident about actually using the benefits instead of being anxious about it.
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