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Thanks for all the responses everyone! I feel a lot better knowing it's normal for the cards to arrive at different times. I'll just keep checking the mail for my 1-year-old's card. I activated my son's card yesterday and was surprised by the amount on it! For anyone else wondering, there was $391 loaded on it for summer 2024 benefits.
That's exactly the amount my kid got too! I think it's $120/month for June, July, and part of August. Did anyone get a different amount? I'm wondering if it's the same for all ages.
That's partially correct. The P-EBT benefits won't expire for one year from the date they were issued. However, if the card remains inactive (never activated) for 274 days, it will be canceled. So make sure to at least activate the card within that timeframe, even if you don't use the benefits immediately.
Update on my situation - I finally got through to FTB about my MCTC after using that Claimyr service I mentioned. Turns out they had sent my card to my old address even though I updated it with CalFresh months before. The rep said they can cancel that card and issue a new one to my current address, but it'll take 3-4 weeks. Just a heads up for anyone else dealing with this - make sure they have your current mailing address!
Thanks for the update! I'm definitely going to call tomorrow. Good to know they can reissue it if it went to my old place.
I want to clarify something important: If you're still actively receiving CalFresh benefits, make sure you're clear which office you need to contact. For regular CalFresh questions, contact your county office. For Middle Class Tax Refund questions, contact the Franchise Tax Board at 800-542-9332. These are completely separate programs with different contact points. Also, updating your address with one agency doesn't automatically update it with others - you need to notify each program separately about address changes.
That makes sense but it's frustrating they don't communicate with each other. I'll make sure to call FTB specifically about the MCTC. Appreciate all the help everyone!
Check ur mail!! i just got home and had a letter from sacto county saying some people would have there benefits delayed this month due to "Processing capacity issues" whatever that means. Of course they sent the letter AFTER the delays started 🙄
OMG typical! I'll check my mail when I get home. Why not send a text or email alert instead of mail that arrives after the problem starts? At least now we know it's definitely a system thing. Thanks for the update!
UPDATE: Sacramento County just issued an official statement. The system delay is now resolved and all pending June benefits should be issued by midnight tonight. If you don't receive your benefits by tomorrow morning, then you should contact your caseworker as it may indicate a separate issue with your specific case. They apologized for the inconvenience and communication delay.
Thank you for the update! Just checked my account and the benefits are there now! Such a relief. Going grocery shopping first thing tomorrow.
Natasha Petrova
Dont forget you gotta spend the p-ebt within like a year i think or the benefits expire!!! My sister lost like $300 cuz she didnt know and just set the card aside
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Amina Sy
•Oh wow, I had no idea they expire! Thanks for the heads up - definitely don't want to lose any benefits. I'll make sure we use them.
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Oliver Fischer
Just to clarify a common confusion - P-EBT benefits don't expire after a year of issuance like some think. It's 274 days of inactivity that triggers expiration. So as long as you use the card at least once every 9 months, your benefits will remain. And since your child was born in 2021, they'll qualify for the full school-year amount if they're in a qualifying program now. The P-EBT amount for 2025 was increased to $140/month from the previous $123/month to account for inflation in food costs.
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Amina Sy
•Thank you for this correction! That's a relief about the expiration timeline. And good to know about the increase to $140/month - every bit helps with how expensive groceries have gotten.
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