Yes, you'll submit the SAR7 at the 6-month mark of your certification period. Since you applied last month, you should receive it around June 2025. Make sure you report any income changes accurately, including the child support. If your income has decreased at all since your initial application, you can actually report that now (not just at SAR7 time) and potentially get your benefit amount increased. Also, don't forget that your utility costs can be factored in using the Standard Utility Allowance (SUA) which might increase your benefit amount.

Just wanted to add that you can also check your state's Summer EBT website for updates! California usually posts information about when benefits will be issued and any important deadlines. Also, if you move during the school year, make sure to update your address with both your school district AND your CalFresh case - I've seen families miss out because their notification letters went to old addresses. The $120 per child really does help stretch the food budget during summer when kids are home all day!

I'm so sorry this happened to you - EBT fraud is unfortunately becoming way too common and it's heartbreaking when families are left without food money. A few things that might help while you're waiting: 1. If you haven't already, try calling your county office first thing in the morning (like 8 AM sharp) - that's usually when you have the best chance of getting through before the lines get overwhelmed. 2. Ask about CalFresh Emergency Allotments if they're still available in your county - some counties have additional emergency funds for situations exactly like this. 3. Don't forget about local churches and community centers - many have food pantries that don't require any paperwork and can help bridge the gap. 4. If you have WIC-eligible kids (under 5), definitely apply for that ASAP as others mentioned - it's a separate program and can provide some immediate help with milk, eggs, cereal, etc. Stay strong and keep pushing - you're doing everything right by acting fast and reaching out for help. Your kids are lucky to have a parent fighting so hard for them!

I'm a caseworker in another California county and want to add some specifics that might help. When you file your EBT-2259 form, make sure to request a copy for your records - this is crucial if there are any delays or issues with processing. Also, ask your worker about the "Replacement Benefits Pending Investigation" option - some counties can issue partial emergency benefits (usually 50% of stolen amount) within 3-5 business days while the full claim is being processed. This isn't widely advertised but it exists specifically for families with children facing food insecurity. Document everything - take photos of the form, get confirmation numbers, and ask for written confirmation that your claim was received. The squeaky wheel gets the grease with these situations unfortunately. Don't give up!

does anyone know how much the sun bucks pays? is it the same amount as the p-ebt we got during covid?

I'm in a similar situation with my 4-year-old who isn't in any formal program yet. After reading through all these responses, it sounds like I need to look into Head Start or other state-funded preschool programs if I want my younger child to qualify for Sun Bucks. Does anyone know if there's a waiting list for Head Start programs, or how early I should apply for next year? It seems like getting into one of these programs would not only help with my child's education but also make them eligible for the summer food benefits.

As someone who just went through this process last month, I wanted to share a few additional tips that might help! First, if you're calling the 877-328-9677 number, try calling on Wednesdays or Thursdays - I noticed the wait times were shorter those days compared to Mondays when everyone calls after the weekend. Second, when you do get through, ask them to put a note in your file about any address changes or special circumstances. This saved me when I had to call back about a separate issue because the rep could see all the previous notes. Also, if you have multiple kids, you can request replacement cards for all of them in one call rather than calling separately for each child. The system can be really frustrating, but these little strategies made a huge difference for me. Hope this helps and you get your replacement card soon!

I went through this exact same situation back in January and it was such a headache! One thing that really helped me was downloading the ebtEDGE mobile app - you can actually check your card balance and see if new benefits have been deposited even without the physical card. This way you'll know if benefits are still being added to your lost card before you go through the hassle of requesting a replacement. Also, I found that calling right at 8:00 AM sharp on weekdays gave me the best chance of getting through. Still took about 30 minutes on hold, but way better than the 2+ hours I was waiting when calling later in the day. Make sure you have your kids' full names and dates of birth ready because they'll ask for that to verify your identity. The whole system definitely needs improvement, but don't give up - those benefits can really help with grocery costs!

We haven't gotten ANY letter yet... starting to worry again 😕

Don't worry too much about not getting a letter yet! I'm in the same boat - last name starts with S and I have 2 kids (ages 9 and 11) who qualify for free lunch. No letter or benefits yet but based on what everyone's saying about the N-Z group being this week, we should hopefully see something soon. I called my kids' school yesterday and they confirmed both my children are still listed as eligible for free meals in their system, so at least I know we should be getting it. The waiting is definitely stressful though, especially when you see other families already getting theirs!