While $120 per child isn't as much as we'd hope, it's important to note this is a supplement to your regular CalFresh benefits, not a replacement. Combined with the Summer Food Service Program sites and potentially increased regular benefits (if you report rent increases), families should be able to piece together enough resources. It's definitely challenging though.

I'm also a working parent struggling with summer food costs! For the Summer Food Service Program, I've found that some sites partner with local organizations to offer delivery or extended pickup windows. Also, if you qualify for WIC, they sometimes have summer produce vouchers that can help stretch your food budget. It's worth calling 211 (dial 2-1-1) to ask about all available summer food programs in your specific area - they maintain a comprehensive database of local resources that might not be widely advertised.

Just wanted to follow up - were you able to get through to the P-EBT customer service? Did they explain the difference in benefit amounts?

I'm so glad you were able to get this resolved! This is exactly why I always tell people to double-check their P-EBT amounts if something seems off. The system errors have been really common with this latest round of benefits. For anyone else dealing with similar issues, it's also worth noting that you can request a case review if the first representative you speak with can't help or seems unsure about your situation. Don't be afraid to ask for a supervisor if the amounts still don't make sense after the initial explanation. The P-EBT program has been through so many changes that even some customer service reps aren't fully up to speed on all the current guidelines.

Thank you all so much for the suggestions! I've made a list of all the places to call tomorrow morning. I'm still stressed but at least feel like I have some options to try now. I never realized there were so many different programs - the county worker made it sound like the $260 was all the help available to me.

I'm new to this community but wanted to share something that might help. I volunteer with a local nonprofit and we've seen this exact situation a lot. One thing that's worked for some people is contacting your city council member's office directly - they often have discretionary funds or know about local programs that aren't widely advertised. For Lynwood, you can call (310) 603-0220 and explain you're facing eviction. They might be able to connect you with resources or even advocate with your landlord. Also, if you have any utility shut-off notices, sometimes addressing those first can free up money for rent. Don't give up - there are more options out there than what the county initially tells you!

Update: I called again today and spoke with someone different who confirmed the P-EBT 4.0 cards DO get reloaded quarterly! She said the next deposit will be February 11-15 (depending on your case number). She also apologized for the misinformation and said they just had a training about this very issue because too many parents were being told incorrect info. So if anyone else runs into this problem, DEFINITELY call back and speak to someone else!

So glad you called back and got the correct information! This is exactly why I always tell people in my neighborhood to never accept the first answer when it comes to benefits - especially with something as important as feeding your kids. The fact that they had to do a training specifically about this issue shows how widespread the misinformation problem is. It's really concerning that customer service reps are giving out wrong info about programs that families depend on. Thanks for updating us with the February 11-15 timeline - that's super helpful for other parents who might be wondering the same thing!

UPDATE: Our benefits just loaded today! Full $575 per child as expected. Thanks everyone for the help and information! For anyone else waiting in Manteca Unified, check your cards now!

Just wanted to add my experience for anyone still waiting - I'm new to the P-EBT program and had to learn everything from scratch this year. My kids attend a school in San Joaquin County that participates in the Community Eligibility Provision (free meals for all students), but I never knew about P-EBT until a friend mentioned it. I applied late through the ca.p-ebt.org website in May and just received our cards in the mail yesterday. The benefits were already loaded with the full summer amount! So for anyone who might have missed out on automatic enrollment, it's not too late to apply directly through the website. The application was pretty straightforward and asked for basic info about my kids and their school.