Just want to add - make sure you're ready with your case number, ID, and your child's information when you call. For emergency issuances, they may need to verify your identity again since they're essentially creating a workaround in the system. And don't hesitate to mention the hardship this is causing - be specific about having a child without food, empty cabinets, etc. This helps prioritize your case.

UPDATE: I called this morning using the advice here and it WORKED! I asked specifically for a supervisor and requested a "manual override emergency issuance" due to the system migration error. They verified my identity, confirmed my case was flagged as confidential due to former foster youth status, and processed an emergency benefits issuance that should be on my card within 24 hours! The supervisor also said they're working on fixing the system migration issue for all affected cases and mine should be fully resolved by next week. THANK YOU all for the advice - it truly saved me from having to borrow more money for groceries.

Anyone else notice that the eligibility rules keep changing? For the first round of P-EBT in 2022 you needed like 5+ excused absences, then in 2023 it was any absences related to Covid, now in 2025 nobody seems to know what the actual criteria are. My kids' school sent home a flyer that said one thing, the website says another, and the phone reps say something completely different. And it's not like we're getting enough CalFresh to begin with in this economy...

Update: I finally got some answers! I talked to our school's nutrition services coordinator this morning, and she was super helpful. Turns out there was a data entry error where my daughter's student ID was entered incorrectly when they submitted records to the state. They're sending a correction form, but she said it might take 4-6 weeks to process. She also confirmed my son shouldn't be eligible based on attendance, so that's still a mystery. Thank you all for your suggestions and support - this community has been so helpful when navigating these confusing systems!

My kids got theirs but I'm confused about something else - can this P-EBT be used the same as regular EBT? Like at farmers markets for the matching program?

Just wanted to update everyone - my cards finally came today! Both kids got separate cards, and they had different amounts ($425 for my 5-year-old and $375 for my 3-year-old). So they are definitely still sending them out. Check your mail carefully because the envelope looks like junk mail - very plain with just a PO Box return address.

did they actually confirm the theft claim??? cuz i had benefits stolen too and they kept saying they were investigating but nothing happened for like 2 months and i had to keep calling

Update from my earlier comment - if she's also missing her CalWORKs benefits, this is even more serious. The county is required to process expedited CalWORKs benefits in emergency situations. She should specifically ask about "immediate need CalWORKs" which can be issued within 3 business days when there are children in the household with no resources for basic necessities. Make sure she uses these exact terms when she gets through to someone.

I want to add some clarification: While CalFresh 4.0 benefits are limited to children under 6, there are other programs that might help with your teenager. Your 16-year-old may qualify for free school meals, and some districts have expanded after-school meal programs. Also, when calculating your regular CalFresh benefits, teenagers are actually factored in at a higher rate than younger children because of their increased nutritional needs. So while there's no special supplement labeled specifically for teens, their higher food requirements are considered in your total household benefit calculation.

Wait I'm confused are these 4.0 benefits automatic? I have a 4 year old and didn't notice any extra on my EBT this month...should I be calling somebody? How much extra is it supposed to be?