Thanks everyone for all the helpful information! I called my daughter's school district this morning and they confirmed she'll be automatically enrolled since she receives reduced-price lunch. The cards should arrive in early June, and they said I don't need to do anything else. This will be a big help for our summer grocery budget!

That's awesome news! So glad you got it figured out. Just a heads up - when you do receive the card, make sure to activate it right away and check the balance. Sometimes there are delays in loading the funds even after you get the physical card. Also, the Summer EBT cards work just like regular EBT cards at grocery stores, but they can't be used at restaurants or for hot prepared foods. Perfect timing with summer break coming up!

my cousins kid got pebt but they dont get calfresh they just get free school lunch is that different?

I'm in a similar situation with my 5-year-old who's not in kindergarten yet but we've been on CalFresh since last fall. Reading through these comments is so helpful - I had no idea about the automatic issuance for kids under 6! I've been stressing about having to apply separately. Does anyone know roughly how long the cards are taking to arrive once they're mailed out? I want to make sure I don't miss it or that it doesn't get lost in the mail. Also wondering if there's a way to confirm our mailing address is correct in the system without having to call that overwhelmed hotline.

Based on your situation, you should apply immediately through BenefitsCal.com. With zero income, you'll likely qualify for the maximum benefit amount for a single person household, which is $281 for 2025 in California. The online application takes about 30-45 minutes, and you'll need to complete a phone interview after submitting it. For the expedited service (3-day processing), make sure your application clearly shows: - Zero income - Resources (cash/bank accounts) under $100 - Monthly housing costs that exceed your income Have ready: - ID (driver's license or state ID) - Proof of address - Any documentation about your pending SSI appeal - Rent/mortgage information - Utility bills if separate from rent Even with expedited service, you'll eventually need to provide all verification documents within 30 days, so gather what you can now.

Just wanted to add that you can also apply for CalFresh at local food banks while you're waiting for your application to process - many of them have staff who can help you fill out the application right there and answer questions. Plus you can get some immediate food assistance while waiting for your benefits to start. I know it's overwhelming dealing with SSI appeals AND trying to figure out other programs, but you're doing the right thing by applying for CalFresh now. Don't wait - your health and nutrition are too important. Good luck with everything!

UPDATE: I want to thank everyone for their advice. I used the Claimyr service that someone suggested and actually got through to a real person at the county office today! They helped me file the CF 303 form over the phone and took my police report number. Because I have no food for my kids, they're issuing an emergency replacement of $400 (about half) that should be on my card by tomorrow, with the rest coming after they complete the investigation. They also helped me set up the EBT app alerts so I'll get notified immediately if there are any suspicious transactions in the future. Thank you all for your help during this stressful time!

I'm so sorry this happened to you! It's terrifying how common EBT card theft has become. I work at a local community center and we see families dealing with this almost weekly now. A few additional tips that might help others in similar situations: 1. Always cover your PIN when entering it - even if no one seems to be watching 2. If a card reader looks loose, damaged, or different from usual, don't use it 3. Check your balance frequently through the app or by calling the number on your card 4. Report suspicious activity immediately - don't wait The fact that you got emergency replacement benefits so quickly is encouraging! It shows the new theft protection rules are actually working when people know how to navigate the system properly. Thank you for sharing your experience - it will definitely help other families who face this same situation.

My bestie works for the county and she says their computer systems are from like the stone ages lol. Sometimes the CalFresh and CalWORKs payments show different dates in different systems but they almost always go through on schedule. I remember one time my cousin thought her benefits were discontinued but it was just some glitch in the website!!

So glad to hear your benefits came through on time! This is actually a pretty common issue - I've seen it happen to several people in my family too. The EBT app seems to have a delay in showing pending deposits, but as long as BenefitsCal shows your benefits are scheduled, they usually load automatically. It's definitely stressful when you're depending on those benefits though. For anyone else reading this who might have the same concern in the future, BenefitsCal is definitely the more reliable source for checking your benefit status and deposit dates.