For anyone who experiences this issue in the future, there are a few steps you can take: 1. Check the BenefitsCal website for any system announcements 2. Call the EBT customer service line (though wait times may be long) 3. Contact your local county CalFresh office directly 4. Check the CDSS website for any system update notifications 5. If you need immediate food assistance, contact your local food bank It's also good practice to keep some emergency food supplies if possible, as these system delays do happen occasionally. If delays become a regular issue for you, you can request to have your deposit date changed by contacting your county worker during your next recertification.

I'm dealing with this same issue too - my deposit date is the 11th and I've been checking since midnight with no luck. Just saw that others are getting theirs around 10:30am though so I'm hoping mine shows up soon! This is really stressful when you're planning your grocery shopping around these deposits. I wish they would send out notifications ahead of time about these system updates instead of leaving us all wondering what's going on. Going to check my account again now and cross my fingers it's finally there.

UPDATE: It's working again! Just checked and my balance is showing correctly with February benefits loaded. Thanks everyone for your help and reassurance!

Same thing happened to me earlier! I was panicking because I needed to go grocery shopping and couldn't check my balance. But I went ahead and used my card anyway and it worked fine - turns out I had my full February benefits loaded. Really wish they'd send out notifications when they know the system is having issues though. Would save everyone a lot of stress!

thx for posting what the card looks like! hope they bring this program to riverside soon, sounds awesome

Last name starts with M here too and still waiting! I'm in the Chula Vista area. Really hope it shows up soon because I was planning to use it at the farmers market this weekend. Has anyone tried calling that Claimyr service that was mentioned? Wondering if it's worth the cost or if I should just wait it out a few more days.

That's awesome! And really smart to post an update - I always wonder what happened with these things. Enjoy those benefits! The P-EBT program has been a lifesaver for so many families.

Congrats on getting it resolved! Just wanted to add for anyone else reading this thread - if you're still having trouble getting through to the EBT customer service line, you can also try using the automated system on their website at www.ebt.ca.gov. Sometimes the online PIN setup works when the phone lines are jammed. You'll need the same info (card number, child's DOB, ZIP code) but it might save you the long wait times. The P-EBT program really is a game-changer for families - that $1,265 will go a long way for groceries!

dont forget that income limits went up too!!! my benefits went up by like $30/month in January when they did that new calculation thing they do every year. maybe thats part of why u got more?

Just wanted to add another tip for anyone in a similar situation - if you're getting a large lump sum of retroactive benefits like this, consider using some of it to stock up on non-perishable items that you use regularly. Things like rice, beans, pasta, canned goods, frozen vegetables, etc. This way you can stretch those back benefits over time even after you're down to your regular monthly amount. I did this when I got 6 months of back benefits and it really helped my grocery budget for the rest of the year. Just make sure to check expiration dates and rotate your stock!