Got my letter yesterday, but it said my kids aren't eligible for P-EBT 4.0 because they weren't enrolled in free/reduced meals. But that's WRONG! I definitely filled out the school meal application last fall and got approved. Has anyone else had this issue? Who do I need to talk to - the school or the P-EBT people?

Still waiting here in West LA! Been checking my mailbox religiously for the past three weeks and nothing yet. My kids are definitely eligible since they've been getting free lunch all year. Reading everyone's updates is giving me hope though - sounds like they're still rolling out in batches. At least I know I'm not the only one still waiting! Going to give it another week before I start worrying about calling the hotline.

My cousin got the same extra $120 but then got a letter saying it was for "supply chain disruptions" or something? Anyone else see that explanation? I'm confused if it's the summer program or something else entirely.

This is such a relief to read! I just discovered the extra $120 on my daughter's card this morning and was panicking that it was some kind of system error. I've been burned before by benefit overpayments that had to be paid back, so I'm always nervous about unexpected money showing up. It's great to know this is legitimate and part of the Summer EBT program. Really wish they'd communicate these changes better though - would save so many of us from the stress and confusion!

The whole P-EBT system is SO BROKEN! My neighbor's kids all got cards with $750 each and they make over $100k a year (private school with scholarship)! Meanwhile my kids who ACTUALLY NEED THE HELP are still waiting! I've called that stupid hotline 27 TIMES and either get disconnected or told they "can't look up individual cases" - WHAT IS THE POINT OF A HOTLINE THEN?!?!

I'm going through the exact same thing! My youngest (2 years old) got her P-EBT card last Friday, but my 7-year-old who's in 2nd grade still hasn't received anything. It's so confusing because I assumed it would be the opposite. After reading through these comments, it sounds like the under-6 rule explains why the little ones are getting cards first. I'm also wondering if there might be some issue with the school data matching - my son's school uses a different spelling of his middle name than what's on our CalFresh case. Definitely going to check on that tomorrow. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - at least I know we're not alone in this chaos!

FOR ANYONE READING THIS WHO TRIES THE APP: Make sure you check your benefits using the PHONE NUMBER before you go shopping, even if the app shows a balance! Don't trust the app alone! I learned this the hard way when I was standing at the register with a cart full of groceries and two screaming kids. Trust me on this one!

I downloaded the EBT Edge app about 6 months ago and have found it pretty useful overall, though like others mentioned it definitely has some quirks. A few tips that might help: - Download it from the official app store and make sure it's the "ebtEDGE" app by Conduent - Give it 24-48 hours after your first setup to sync properly - I always refresh the app before checking my balance (pull down on the main screen) - Keep using the phone number as backup for important shopping trips The transaction history feature is actually my favorite part - it's helped me track my spending patterns and budget better. And being able to see exactly when my next deposit comes in is super convenient for meal planning. One thing I noticed is that it works much better on WiFi than on cellular data. If you're having issues, try connecting to WiFi first. The app isn't perfect but it's definitely more convenient than calling that automated system every time!

I just called the Orange County Social Services Agency about this because I was confused too (my last name starts with I). The representative explained that this temporary schedule is part of their transition to a new benefits management system that's supposed to make everything faster in the long run. For anyone experiencing hardship due to the delay, you can apply for expedited benefits by submitting an emergency request through your BenefitsCal account. Click on "Contact My Worker" and select "Emergency Assistance Request" from the dropdown menu. Make sure to explain that the delay is causing immediate food insecurity. They're prioritizing these requests and typically processing them within 24-48 hours.

This is such a relief to read! My last name is Hamilton and I got my benefits around 2 PM today after checking obsessively since the 10th. I was starting to wonder if I had missed some important paperwork or if there was an issue with my case. The lack of communication from the county about this change is really frustrating - I would have been so much less stressed if I had known this was a planned system upgrade rather than thinking something was wrong with my account. At least now I know what to expect and can plan better. Thanks for sharing this timeline breakdown, it's super helpful for everyone else who might be panicking like I was!