have u checked wit local churches?? my cousin got rent help from catholic charities when she was facing eviction. they paid 2 months rent for her when county was being slow. also did u apply for calworks online through BenefitsCal or in person?? going in person can make things go faster sometime.

I see from your comments that you're getting some good advice and making calls tomorrow. One more suggestion - when you go to your CalWORKs appointment, bring ALL your documentation: ID for everyone, birth certificates, social security cards, lease agreement, eviction notice or communications from landlord, utility bills, bank statements, and proof of any income or resources. Being fully prepared can sometimes get you immediate emergency assistance versus having to come back multiple times. Also ask specifically about "Immediate Need" payments through CalWORKs, which can provide up to $200 while your regular application is processing. And regarding the lock changing - this actually gives you significant legal leverage. In many California counties, a landlord who performs an illegal self-help eviction (like changing locks) can be liable for damages up to $100 per day plus actual damages. Document everything and mention this when you speak to legal aid.

if u got regular calfresh too maybe the ppl answering here are confused what ur asking about lol... p-ebt is different

For anyone else landing on this thread: There's been a scheduled system update for P-EBT in February 2025 that's caused some benefit loading delays. According to the CDSS website, benefits that were scheduled for the first week of February may be delayed by 3-5 business days. This might explain why the text notification went out but the benefits aren't showing up yet. Once you do get the P-EBT card, remember to activate it immediately by calling the number on the back and setting a PIN. The benefits should be available immediately after activation. For online shopping, you'll need the 16-digit card number, expiration date, and security code, just like a regular debit card.

my neighbor got hers early on the 23rd so idk maybe its different for each person?? the whole system is so confusing

I just confirmed with my county office - the transition supplement will be issued on the 26th for all case numbers except those ending in 1-3 (which was yesterday, the 25th). The amount is based on a percentage of your regular benefit, so it varies by household. They also mentioned that if you don't see it by the 27th, you should contact your worker because some cases weren't eligible for the final supplement if they had recent income increases or household changes.

If you're having issues resolving this or any other CalFresh questions, I'd recommend using Claimyr to get through to an actual county eligibility worker. I was confused about what I could buy with my benefits and spent days trying to get through on the regular line without success. With Claimyr, I got through to a Fresno County worker in about 10 minutes who explained exactly what supplement products qualify. You can see how it works at https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 or just go to claimyr.com. It saved me so much frustration!

Update: I went to the Aldi on Blackstone today and found two different protein powders. The Earth Grown plant protein had a Nutrition Facts label and worked with EBT! The other one (some fitness brand with a guy flexing on it) had a Supplement Facts label and didn't work. Thanks everyone for your help! For anyone wondering the same thing - check the label!

@OP - to answer your question about the cards, they're using the same P-EBT cards as before for returning students. If you still have your daughter's card from 2021, keep it! They should reload that one. If you lost it, you'll need to request a replacement through the P-EBT Portal or by calling the helpline. Just know they're VERY slow at sending replacements - could take 6-8 weeks.

If you've lost your P-EBT card, you can request a replacement. Here's what to do: 1. Call the P-EBT Helpline at 877-328-9677 (be prepared for long wait times) 2. Or go to the P-EBT Portal at ca.p-ebt.org and report the card lost 3. The system will deactivate the old card and send a new one 4. The new card will have all available benefits loaded You won't lose eligibility just because you lost the card. The replacement process is frustrating but your child's benefits will be preserved.