I wanted to add one more thing - when you talk to the school district, ask specifically about their "direct certification" system. This is what they use to identify students eligible for free/reduced meals, which is what P-EBT is based on. Sometimes there are errors in how that information is transmitted to the state. Also, P-EBT cards for different age groups sometimes get sent out in different batches. So it's possible your younger kids' cards are still coming in a later mailing. The address issue is still worth fixing, but I wouldn't panic just yet about the missing cards.

I'm dealing with something similar right now! Just wanted to add that if you have any older P-EBT cards from previous years that worked fine, keep those handy when you call. Sometimes the customer service reps can reference the address from those older cards to help verify your identity, even if they can't tell you what address is currently in their system. Also, I found it helpful to keep a detailed log of every call I made (date, time, representative name if they give it, and what they told me). When I finally got someone who could help, having that record made it easier to explain all the steps I'd already tried. The whole system is definitely frustrating, but don't give up - your kids deserve those benefits!

just fyi the ebt customer service number is different from the county office. u need 2 call the actual county calfresh office not just the ebt card number

I work at a legal aid office and see cases like this regularly. You're doing the right thing by not using the card and calling immediately. One thing I'd add - if you can't get through to your county office by phone, many counties also accept reports through their online portals or you can visit in person. Some counties even have secure email addresses for reporting benefit discrepancies. Also, keep that card in a safe place - don't destroy it even after this gets resolved, as they may need the card number for their investigation. Document everything with dates and times, and if possible, get a case number when you report this so you can reference it in future calls.

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.

Thanks for posting this confirmation! I've been wondering about this for weeks. My neighbor kept insisting that her friend's sister heard there would be more P-EBT payments coming, but I had a feeling the program was really done. It's frustrating that there wasn't better communication about the end date, but at least now I can stop checking my kids' cards every few days. Really appreciate everyone sharing info about the Summer EBT program too - that's the first I've heard about it and it sounds like it could be a real help during those long summer months when the kids are home all day.

I'm so glad you posted this! I've been in the same boat - checking my kids' P-EBT cards obsessively and getting more frustrated each time there was nothing new. It's such a relief to finally have official confirmation that the program is actually over instead of wondering if I missed something or if there was a system glitch. The lack of clear communication from the state was really stressful for families who were depending on those benefits. At least now I can focus my energy on making sure I'm signed up for all the other programs that are still available, like making sure my CalFresh stays current and looking into that Summer EBT program that others mentioned. Thanks for doing the legwork to get a straight answer!

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.