After I got my issue solved, the worker told me a lot of families are experiencing this same problem. She mentioned that they're receiving thousands of calls about missing P-EBT benefits, so the system is completely overwhelmed. When I used Claimyr to get through, I spoke to an actual eligibility worker who looked up my son's information directly instead of just reading from a script. Definitely worth trying if you're still stuck.

Quick update on P-EBT distribution for San Bernardino County: According to the latest CDSS update from April 30, 2025, Chaffey Joint district is scheduled for the June 10-24 distribution window. There were data transfer issues with several schools but those have reportedly been resolved. Benefits should be automatically issued during that window as long as your child is properly coded in the system. If you don't receive benefits by June 25, that would be the appropriate time to escalate. In the meantime, document that your child receives free school meals as this may be needed if you need to file for missing benefits later.

The one thing I haven't seen anyone mention - make sure to apply at the office in the county where you're CURRENTLY staying, not based on any previous address. CalFresh is county-administered, and each county has slightly different processes. If you apply to the wrong county, it can cause delays. Also, when they ask for an address, you can: 1. Use "homeless/car" as your living situation 2. Provide a mailing address (maybe a friend's place or general delivery at post office) 3. Ask if you can pick up your EBT card at the office rather than have it mailed For your child with autism - there's a program called IHSS (In-Home Supportive Services) where YOU can actually become a paid caregiver for your child with special needs. Worth asking about at the same time you apply for CalFresh.

UPDATE: I went to the county office this morning and applied for emergency CalFresh! The worker was actually really helpful once I explained our situation. I brought our expired out-of-state IDs, birth certificates, and some medical records for the kids, and that was enough. They did an expedited interview right there. We were approved for emergency benefits ($1,750/month for our family size!) and I got a temporary EBT card SAME DAY! The worker also helped me apply for CalWORKs homeless assistance and gave me referrals to several local food pantries. I'm so relieved we'll be able to get food today. Thank you everyone for your advice - it made a huge difference knowing what to ask for!

i gave up on p-ebt completely. too much hassle for benefits that dont even cover a weeks worth of food tbh

UPDATE: I finally got this resolved! Called using the advice about asking for the Database Reconciliation Team, and they found my daughter's application was stuck between systems due to a TYPO in her birthdate (they had entered 2018 instead of 2017). They fixed it immediately and said her card should arrive within 7-10 business days. They also said this is happening to lots of families right now because they switched computer systems in January and lots of records got jumbled. If anyone else is dealing with this, definitely ask to speak with that specific team!

Even WITH all the proper documentation they STILL mess it up half the time!!! I provided all the required paperwork for my seasonal retail job last holiday season and they STILL calculated my benefits wrong. Took THREE MONTHS to fix and by then the season was over!! The system is broken and the workers don't care because it's not THEIR food security at stake.

One thing that really helped me was keeping a detailed income journal with exactly how much I earned each week and having my boss sign off on it. The county worker said this was really helpful for them to see the pattern of my seasonal work. Also, if you have any work expenses like transportation to the farmers market or supplies you have to buy, make sure to document those as they can sometimes be deducted from your income calculation.

This happened to me in October. The recertification process is a NIGHTMARE - they made me submit the same verification docs THREE SEPARATE TIMES claiming they never received them! When I finally got to speak with a supervisor, turns out everything had been in my file the whole time but wasn't properly "tagged" in their system. Here's what worked for me: I asked for an "expedited restoration" based on immediate need (I have kids too) and they were able to reactivate my case and issue benefits within 48 hours. Don't leave the office until you have something in writing about when your benefits will be restored. RE: the emergency allotment - in my case, they added it retroactively about a week after my regular benefits were restored. So while you might not get it Sunday, you should still receive it eventually if you get your case sorted soon.

UPDATE: Just got back from the county office and wanted to share what happened in case anyone faces something similar. It took 3 hours of waiting but I finally got to speak with a worker. Turns out they had ALL my documents the whole time but hadn't "processed" them in the system! The worker was actually really helpful and apologized for the confusion. They reactivated my case on the spot and said my regular benefits should load onto my EBT card within 24-48 hours. For the emergency allotment, she said it might not come on Sunday with everyone else's, but that it would be added within 7 days after my case was reactivated. She also provided me with information about a local food bank I can use in the meantime. The lesson I learned: ALWAYS keep proof of submission for everything, and don't assume they've actually reviewed what you've sent. And sometimes you just have to show up in person to get anything resolved.