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Just an update since I see others mentioning the P-EBT hotline issues - the state actually added more staff recently because of all the complaints about wait times. I called last week and only waited about 45 minutes, which is still ridiculous but better than before. They told me they're processing correction requests through June 2025, so if there is an issue with your amount, you have time to address it.
dont 4get this is totally seprate from regular calfresh!!! u should still get ur normal ebt amount on ur regular card even if the pebt seems low
guys i just checked and mine came thru!! last name starts with B so guess that alphabet thing is true
UGH of course... I have to wait because my last name starts with T. So unfair they're making some families wait longer than others!
Btw my cousin had to call about her benefits last month and they told her the emrgency allotments are gonna stop in April 2025. Did anyone else hear this??
Yes, this is accurate information. The emergency allotments were originally tied to the public health emergency declaration, but California secured additional funding to extend them through April 2025. After that, benefits will return to the standard calculation based on household income, expenses, and deductions. It's important for all CalFresh recipients to prepare for this change. Make sure you're reporting all allowable deductions on your SAR7 and recertification forms (like childcare costs, medical expenses for elderly/disabled household members, and housing costs) to maximize your regular benefit amount.
I'm a benefits navigator with a local nonprofit. Quick clarification - the Homeless CalFresh Transitional Program (HCTP) has specific rules about payment processing that differ from regular CalFresh. Your second payment should be issued within 5 business days of them processing your activity log and written statement. Since you submitted through BenefitsCal, I strongly recommend calling your county office immediately. Ask specifically for the "HCTP specialist" or "homeless services liaison" - most counties have dedicated staff for this program. Explain that you submitted documentation by the deadline but haven't received your payment. Also important: Take screenshots of your BenefitsCal submission confirmation page if you still have access to it. This proves you submitted on time if there's any dispute.
Thank you for this detailed information! I didn't know there were HCTP specialists. I'll definitely ask for that when I call tomorrow. I do have the confirmation email from BenefitsCal so I'll keep that handy as proof.
Just checking back - were you able to reach someone about your HCTP payment? What did they say?
Yes! Finally got through after being on hold for almost an hour. They confirmed they received my upload but it was sitting in the general queue. The worker processed it while I was on the phone and said my payment should hit my EBT card within 3 business days. Thanks everyone for the advice!
my kids school sent home a flyer about pebt but it was so confusingggg!!! said something about summer ebt being different? anyone know if thats the same card or different??
Summer EBT and P-EBT are related but distinct programs. Summer EBT is specifically for the summer months when school is out, while regular P-EBT covers the school year. In California for 2025, they're using the same card for both programs, so any Summer EBT benefits (usually distributed in June) will load onto the same P-EBT card your children already have. The Summer EBT amount is typically around $120 per eligible child for the summer period.
Thank you all so much for the helpful information! I've set up the online account at connectebt.com to track her benefits and marked the calendar for mid-May for the next potential deposit. It's a relief to understand how this works now. One last question - does she need to be enrolled in free/reduced lunch at school for this to continue, or is it automatic for all kids in California public schools this year?
For the 2024-2025 school year in California, P-EBT 3.0 eligibility is primarily based on free/reduced lunch status OR attending a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school where all students receive free meals. If your daughter's school provides universal free meals (many CA schools do now), she'll continue receiving P-EBT automatically. If not, she needs to be individually eligible for free/reduced lunch. You can check your school's status by calling the district office. The good news is that once approved, you don't need to reapply during the school year.
Kolton Murphy
Just to clarify some confusion I'm seeing in the comments: P-EBT is separate from CalFresh, though many families qualify for both. P-EBT cards are mailed based on data from schools, while CalFresh is county-administered. For P-EBT issues, you need to contact the P-EBT hotline at 877-328-9677, not your regular CalFresh worker. The second card will almost certainly arrive within 2 weeks, but if not, be ready with both children's names, dates of birth, school information, and your mailing address when you call.
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Jackson Carter
•Thank you for explaining this! I didn't realize they were completely separate systems. I'll keep all that information handy if I need to call in two weeks.
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Julia Hall
Based on the 2025 P-EBT distribution schedule, they're sending cards out by age groups and school districts in phases. Children ages 5-8 were in the first distribution group, which explains why your 7-year-old received a card first. Children 9-13 are in the second phase, scheduled to receive cards approximately 10-14 days later. This is intentional to avoid overwhelming the system. Unless there's a specific issue with your 10-year-old's eligibility, the card should arrive by next week. If it doesn't arrive within the expected timeframe, you can request a replacement through the P-EBT portal or by calling the hotline.
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Jackson Carter
•This is so helpful! I had no idea they were doing it by age groups - that explains everything. I'll definitely wait until the end of next week then before worrying. Thank you for the detailed explanation!
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