I'm glad you're getting some good suggestions here. One last thing to know is that even if it takes time to get the additional cards, P-EBT benefits are retroactive to the eligibility date. So when your children's cards do arrive, they should have the full benefit amount they're entitled to, including for the months you were waiting. Don't worry about losing benefits during this resolution period.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now! My daughter got her P-EBT card last month but my son who's in the same grade at the same school still hasn't received his. I called our school's main office and they transferred me to the district's food services coordinator who was actually really helpful. She explained that sometimes there are delays when kids have different spellings of their names in different systems (like if the school uses "Michael" but the state records show "Mike"). She was able to verify both my kids were on the submitted list and gave me a reference number to use when I contact the county office. Definitely try the district food services department - they seem to know way more about the P-EBT process than individual school secretaries!

I'm in a similar situation with my kids - last name starts with L and still waiting! It's really helpful to see everyone's experiences here. I didn't realize the cards looked so different this year or that they come in plain envelopes. I'll definitely be checking our mail more carefully and won't throw away anything that looks like junk mail. Thanks for sharing the portal link too - I'm going to check that tonight to see if there's any status update for our family. It's reassuring to know they're actually following the alphabetical order mostly, even if there are some exceptions based on school districts and counties.

I'm also waiting for my P-EBT cards and this thread has been so helpful! My kids' last name starts with N so I'm hoping we'll get ours in the next week or two based on what everyone is saying. I had no idea about the purple design or that the envelopes look like junk mail - I'll definitely be checking everything carefully. Does anyone know if the cards come with instructions on how to activate them or do you have to call a number? Also wondering if there's a way to check the balance once you get the card activated. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!

I'm dealing with the exact same issue right now! Called the EBT line three times today and keep getting that "information doesn't match" message when I enter my zip code. It's so frustrating because I know I'm entering it correctly - I've been using the same zip for years. Reading through these comments it sounds like there was a system update that caused problems, so hopefully it gets fixed soon. I need to check my balance before I go grocery shopping tomorrow. Has anyone tried using the mobile app instead of calling? Wondering if that works better during these technical issues.

I'm having the exact same problem! Been trying to reset my EBT password since yesterday and keep getting that zip code error. It's so stressful when you need to access your benefits and the system won't cooperate. Based on what everyone's saying here about the system update, I'm hoping it gets resolved soon. In the meantime, I'm going to try some of the suggestions like entering the zip code really slowly and maybe trying the zip+4 format. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - at least I know I'm not going crazy and it's not just me!

Great news! When you get your new card, remember to activate it right away through the automated system. Also, for future reference, you can check your EBT balance and transaction history anytime by calling the number on your card or through the ConnectEBT mobile app. The app is really helpful for monitoring your account regularly.

So glad you were able to get it resolved quickly! That must have been such a relief to hear that no benefits were used. Just wanted to add that if you haven't already, it's also a good idea to check if your county has any local EBT replacement programs - some counties can issue emergency replacement cards same-day if you visit their office in person. Might be worth knowing for the future. Also, once you get your new card, consider writing down the customer service number somewhere safe at home so you'll have it even if your card gets lost again. Hope the rest of your month goes smoothly!

I'm dealing with something similar right now - been waiting since February for my recertification to go through. One thing that helped me was calling the CalFresh hotline at 1-877-847-3663 instead of my county office directly. They can sometimes see what's happening with your case and even contact the county on your behalf. Also, if you're really desperate for food assistance while waiting, check if your area has any emergency food programs through 211 (just dial 2-1-1). Some churches and community centers also have food pantries that don't require applications. Hang in there - the system is frustrating but you're not alone in this struggle!

I'm so sorry you're going through this - the 3+ month wait is absolutely unacceptable when families are struggling to put food on the table. Based on all the helpful suggestions here, it sounds like you've identified some key issues to address. I went through a similar nightmare last year and what finally worked was a combination approach: I used that Claimyr service to actually get through to a real person, AND I filed a complaint with my county supervisor's office at the same time. The supervisor's office seemed to light a fire under someone because my case got resolved within a week after months of delays. Also, definitely check if your county has a "Client Advocate" or "Ombudsman" - some counties have these positions specifically to help with cases that are stuck in the system. You can usually find this info on your county's social services website. Don't give up! You deserve these benefits and the system failing you is not your fault. Keep us posted on your progress!