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UPDATE: Just got our P-EBT card in the mail today!! (May 17) We're in the Sherman Oaks area of LA. It did come in a very plain envelope that I almost missed. It has the full amount for all months! Such a relief. Hope everyone else gets theirs soon!
omg yay!! gonna check my mail extra carefully today!!
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NeonNebula
I'm also confused about this whole situation! My kids are in 2nd and 4th grade and we definitely got P-EBT benefits in 2024 that helped so much. Reading through these comments, it sounds like California isn't doing P-EBT 4.0 but maybe there's still the Summer EBT program? Can someone explain the difference between P-EBT and Summer EBT? I want to make sure I understand what my family might be eligible for going forward. Also, should I be doing anything now to make sure we get the Summer EBT benefits when they come available?
Hey! I'm new here but have been following this discussion closely since I'm in the same boat with 2 elementary school kids. From what I've gathered from everyone's responses, here's the key difference: P-EBT was the pandemic emergency program that gave families extra food benefits when schools were closed or had disrupted meal service due to COVID. Summer EBT is a separate, ongoing program that provides food benefits specifically during summer months when kids don't have access to school meals. The Summer EBT is permanent now and gives about $120 per eligible child for the summer. To make sure you get Summer EBT, keep your kids enrolled in free/reduced school meals and make sure your address is current with both the school and BenefitsCal. The school should automatically determine eligibility based on your free/reduced meal status. Hope this helps clarify things!
Thanks everyone for all the helpful information! I'm still hoping California will announce something similar to what Oregon is doing, but it sounds like I should focus on what's actually available. I'm going to check with my kids' school to make sure they're still enrolled in the free lunch program and that our address is current. The Summer EBT program sounds like it will be helpful even if it's not as much as the old P-EBT payments. I also want to double-check that I'm reporting all our expenses correctly on our CalFresh application - someone mentioned childcare costs and I'm not sure if I included those properly. Does anyone know if after-school care expenses count as childcare deductions for CalFresh purposes?
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the whole system is RIGGED against us!!! my friend had her benefits stolen 3 TIMES and they accused HER of selling her benefits!!! this is why i keep telling everyone to withdraw all your money as soon as it hits your account and just use cash!!
Chloe Taylor
•That's incorrect advice and could create more problems. CalFresh benefits CANNOT be withdrawn as cash - that's only possible with CalWORKs cash aid. CalFresh can only be used for food purchases directly. Please be careful about spreading misinformation that could cause people to lose benefits. The county monitors for unusual patterns like immediate full balance purchases, which can trigger fraud investigations.
I'm so sorry you're going through this - EBT theft is absolutely devastating, especially when you have kids depending on those benefits. Since you mentioned the county is questioning the second theft, make sure you emphasize that you DID change your card after the first incident and that you've been following security protocols. Document everything - save all your police reports, correspondence with the county, and any evidence of the theft. One thing that helped me was creating a "theft protection checklist" after my benefits were stolen: 1) Only shop at stores with good lighting and visible security cameras, 2) Never use your card at gas stations or convenience stores (higher risk for skimmers), 3) Always cover your PIN entry with your other hand, and 4) Check your balance daily through the app so you catch any unauthorized use immediately. For immediate food help while waiting for replacement, also try reaching out to local churches and community centers - many have emergency food pantries that don't require extensive paperwork. Hang in there - this isn't your fault, and you WILL get through this.
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Carmen Ortiz
hey did u ever call that pebt number??? curious what they said. my cousin is in similar boat and wondering if its worth her trying
Ethan Davis
•I did call yesterday! Was on hold for almost an hour. The worker confirmed it's too late for 2020-2021 P-EBT claims. She said the final deadline for reporting non-receipt was back in March 2023, and there are no exceptions now. So unfortunately, we're out of luck. 😔 Tell your cousin probably not worth the long hold time just to be told no.
Thanks for the update! Sorry it didn't work out for you but at least now we know for sure. I'll let my cousin know to skip the call and focus on current benefits instead. It's really frustrating how many families got left out of this program due to poor communication and logistics. Hope you're able to maximize your current CalFresh and school meal benefits at least!
I'm so sorry this happened to your family! This is unfortunately a really common story - the P-EBT rollout was such a mess, especially for families with young children. The state really should have done better outreach about the under-6 eligibility since so many parents had no idea their babies and toddlers qualified. Since you mentioned you're in Sacramento County, you might also want to double-check that your current CalFresh case worker has your son properly listed in your household. Sometimes when kids age up from babies to school-age, there can be changes in how benefits are calculated. And definitely make sure he's signed up for free school meals now that he's in kindergarten - that's at least one current benefit you can secure for him. It's really frustrating that the state had such poor communication about this program. You're definitely not alone in missing out on these benefits due to address changes and lack of awareness about the age requirements.
NebulaNomad
so many ppl in the same boat these days... my sister had her benefits cut from $620 to $95 last month and shes a single mom with 2 kids working part time. its impossible to feed a family on that. the whole system needs to be fixed honestly
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Natasha Ivanova
•EXACTLY! And they wonder why people get discouraged and just give up on these programs. I spent 3 hours at the county office last week trying to get someone to explain my benefit calculation and still left confused. The workers themselves barely understand how it's calculated.
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Javier Garcia
After reading through this thread again, I'm concerned there might be confusion about what you're receiving. In 2025, there shouldn't be anything labeled "emergency allotment" on your EBT account statements since those ended years ago. What you might be seeing is either: 1. California's state supplemental CalFresh benefits (if those exist in 2025) 2. A system labeling error where regular benefits are split into two payments 3. A transitional benefit adjustment 4. A correction payment from a previous underpayment When you call your county office, ask them to explain exactly what each payment represents. Request a copy of your most recent Notice of Action letter that shows your benefit calculation in detail. This letter should break down all the factors that determined your new benefit amount. If you haven't received this letter (or lost it), the county can provide another copy. The NOA is crucial for understanding exactly why your benefits changed so dramatically.
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Paolo Rizzo
•I just found my Notice of Action letter and you're right - it shows a detailed calculation. Looking at it more carefully, they counted my overtime hours as regular income even though I specifically noted on my recertification that these were one-time extra hours and not regular. Could that be the issue? I'll bring this up when I call tomorrow.
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