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For everyone still waiting, here's some helpful information about the 2025 P-EBT rollout: 1. No application is needed if your children already receive free or reduced-price school meals 2. Distribution for Northern California counties began March 15 and continues through May 30 3. Cards are mailed directly to the address on file with your school district 4. The 2025 benefit amount is $1,850 per eligible child 5. Cards for children in the same household may arrive on different days 6. You'll receive a separate P-EBT card for each eligible child 7. Text notifications are sent if you have a mobile number on file 8. The P-EBT hotline (833-979-3329) can verify if cards have been issued 9. Once received, you must activate the card and create a PIN 10. Benefits remain available for 274 days from issuance If you haven't received your cards by May 30, then you should follow up with both your school district and the P-EBT hotline.
Update: I finally got through to someone after using that Claimyr service the other commenter suggested. The rep confirmed my kids' cards were processed on April 10 and should arrive within 7-10 business days! She also explained that they're sending them out by school district, not by county, which is why some people in the same county are getting them at different times. Just sharing in case it helps others know what to expect!
I got mine for my 4 kids in Fresno yesterday!!!! FINALLY! But one of my kids only got $455 while the other three got $1,230 each. They're all at the same school so I don't understand why there's a difference. Has anyone else had this issue with different amounts for kids at the same school? Should I call and ask about it or just be happy with what we got?
This might be due to enrollment dates or attendance records. If one child wasn't enrolled for the full qualifying period (perhaps started school later or had extended absences), they might receive a prorated amount. Also, if one child was doing in-person learning while others were virtual, that could explain the difference. It's worth calling to confirm the reason, but these are common explanations for varying amounts.
Update: After checking our white P-EBT cards from last year (I completely forgot they were separate from our regular EBT), I found that our benefits were loaded yesterday! $1,230 each for my two kids. Such a relief! Thanks everyone for your help and information.
my sons pebt just loaded yestrday he got $412 and hes in kindergrten. the paper said something bout it being 1st payment of 3. check ur mail maybe there was a letter?
If you haven't received a notification letter explaining your P-EBT distribution schedule, you should be able to check your status through the P-EBT Parent Portal at ca.p-ebt.org. You'll need your child's P-EBT card number to log in. The portal should show your payment history and any pending payments. Alternatively, you can call your county CalFresh office directly rather than the main P-EBT hotline, as they often have more specific information about local distribution schedules. Just make sure to have your case information and child's details ready when you call.
Let me clarify the P-EBT vs. EBT Restaurant Meals Program confusion since there's some misinformation here: 1. P-EBT (Pandemic EBT) was created to help families with children who would normally receive free/reduced school meals. These benefits can ONLY be used at retailers that sell groceries. 2. Regular CalFresh EBT has the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) in certain counties, but ONLY for people who are: - 60 years or older - Disabled - Homeless - AND have an active CalFresh case 3. Even if you qualify for RMP with your regular EBT, your P-EBT card follows different rules and cannot be used at restaurants. 4. You can check your P-EBT balance and transaction history at www.ebt.ca.gov or by calling the number on the back of your card. The 2025 P-EBT benefits are specifically designed to supplement grocery purchases, not restaurant meals. Hope this helps!
my kid got p-ebt 2 and its confusing cuz the card looks almost the same as my calfresh card!! but ya cant use it at mcdonalds or anywhere like that even tho they might have the ebt sign. i tried once at jack in box and it didnt work. wish they would make it more clear on the instuctions they send!!
Ravi Sharma
Has anyone tried going to their local office in person about this? I'm wondering if showing up might get faster results than calling.
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Isabella Santos
•My sister went in person to the San Bernardino office last week and said it was PACKED with people there about theft issues. She waited 3 hours just to be told they can't expedite individual cases and she has to wait like everyone else. Total waste of time imo
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Freya Larsen
Just wanted to provide an update - I've now heard from several clients that replacements for benefits stolen between May 1-10 are being processed this week and next. If your benefits were stolen after May 10th, you're looking at early June for replacement. The state has actually allocated additional staff to help counties process these claims faster, but there were over 40,000 theft reports in May alone across California, which is why it's taking so long. The good news is they are absolutely replacing the benefits - it's just a matter of when. I'd recommend checking your EBT account online every morning as replacements are often being loaded overnight with no notification.
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QuantumLeap
•Thank you for this update! Ours were stolen on May 8th so hopefully we'll see something soon. It's just been so hard making food stretch this long. I appreciate you sharing this timeline info - at least now we have some idea when to expect help.
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