I just want to thank everyone for all the detailed explanations! This thread has been incredibly helpful. I was so confused when I first got that mail about P-EBT, but now I understand it's separate from CalFresh and tied to the school lunch program. Based on what everyone shared, it sounds like I need to: 1. Check if our school filled out that meal application (or if it's a CEP school) 2. Verify our address is correct with the school 3. Wait a bit longer since some counties are still processing 2025 cards 4. Call the P-EBT helpline if nothing comes in the next few weeks It's frustrating that the program isn't more straightforward, but at least now I know what to expect. Really appreciate this community for breaking it all down in terms that actually make sense!

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that P-EBT benefits can also be used for online grocery pickup/delivery at participating stores like Walmart, Amazon Fresh, and some Safeways. This was really helpful for us since we don't always have time to go grocery shopping in person with work schedules. Also, if you're having trouble getting through to the P-EBT helpline, try calling right when they open (usually 8am) or during lunch hours when call volume might be lower. I've had better luck getting through around 12:30pm than in the mornings or late afternoons. And just to echo what others said - definitely save all the paperwork that comes with the cards! There's usually a pamphlet with store locations and online retailers that accept P-EBT, plus information about what you can and can't buy. Super useful to keep in your wallet or purse for reference.

Thank you everyone for the helpful advice! I'm going to: 1. Request the new chip card for my EBT benefits 2. Set up text alerts for any transactions on my accounts 3. Be more careful about where I use my cards I appreciate all the information and personal experiences you've shared. It's helping me make better decisions to protect my benefits!

Just wanted to add that if you do experience theft, don't panic! I had my CalWORKs benefits stolen from my Wells Fargo account in January and while it was stressful, I got everything back within 6 weeks. The key things that helped me were: 1) I reported it within 24 hours to both the bank and the EBT hotline, 2) I kept copies of ALL the forms I filled out, and 3) I followed up weekly with both the bank and county. Also, most food banks don't require any paperwork if you're waiting for stolen benefits to be replaced - they understand this is an emergency situation. Stay strong and don't give up pushing for your money back!

Glad you figured it out! This is such a common mix-up - I've done the same thing before with different benefit dates. It's so easy to get confused when you're receiving multiple types of assistance. At least now you know your benefits will be there tomorrow morning! Hope your grocery shopping goes smoothly then. 😊

Welcome to the community! As someone who's been on CalFresh for a while, I can tell you that keeping track of different benefit dates is definitely tricky at first. A good tip is to set calendar reminders on your phone for each program - I have separate alerts for CalFresh, CalWorks, and Medi-Cal renewals. Also, don't feel bad about calling the EBT hotline if you're ever unsure - that's what it's there for! The automated system can actually give you your exact deposit date and current balance without having to wait for a person. You'll get the hang of it! 😊

I'm a newcomer here but I wanted to share something that might help - when this happened to my sister at a different store, she found out that some counties have what's called a "Bridge Benefits" program that can provide temporary assistance while you're waiting for dispute resolution. It's specifically for situations where system errors leave families short on food money through no fault of their own. You can usually find info on your county's social services website or by calling 211. Also, if you have a smartphone, the ConnectEBT app sometimes shows transaction details faster than calling customer service, so you might be able to screenshot the duplicate charges as additional documentation. I know this is so stressful when you're trying to make sure your kids are fed - hoping you get this resolved quickly!

I'm new to this community but wanted to jump in since I just went through this exact same issue at a different store last month! Three duplicate charges is absolutely crazy - I can't imagine how stressful that must be. One thing I learned that might help is to ask the EBT customer service rep for the "transaction reference number" for each of the duplicate charges when you call. Having those specific numbers made it much easier for them to locate and reverse the erroneous transactions in my case. Also, if you're comfortable sharing which Trader Joe's location this happened at, it might help other community members know to be extra careful with their transactions there. The folks here have given amazing advice about calling early, asking for supervisors, and looking into emergency assistance programs. You've got this - the system error will get fixed, and your family will be okay!

Great to see you got it resolved! For anyone else having similar issues, I'd also recommend checking if your county has text message alerts for CalFresh. Mine sends reminders about reporting deadlines and sometimes includes backup phone numbers when the app is down. You can usually sign up through your BenefitsCal account under notification preferences. It's been a lifesaver when I've had tech issues with both the website and app at the same time.

Another thing that helped me when I had Edge app issues was making sure I had a strong internet connection. The app seems really sensitive to weak WiFi or cellular data. If you're on WiFi, try switching to cellular data or vice versa. Also, some people have reported that logging out of ALL apps on your phone and then restarting before trying Edge works better - something about memory allocation. And if you're still having trouble after trying all these fixes, you can always fax your SAR7 to your county office. Most county fax numbers are on their websites and it's usually processed just as fast as the app uploads.