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Update: Just checked my EBT account this morning and the extra payment finally showed up! Got $71 extra. Seems like they're definitely rolling them out slowly over several days. Thanks everyone for confirming this was actually happening!
Good to hear! I was about to suggest calling them if it didn't show up by next week.
I finally got through to someone at the county after waiting 1.5 hours on hold! They told me I didn't get the extra payment because we're already receiving the maximum benefit amount for our household size due to our very low income. So apparently if you're already at the max, you don't get the inflation adjustment. Just wanted to update in case anyone else was confused like me.
Oh that makes sense! Sorry you didn't get extra but good you're already getting the maximum amount! I think we got some because we're not at the max (my husband works part-time).
Lol my kids card had $300 on it right from the start but we're in Clovis district not Fresno maybe that's why?? Different areas get different amounts i think
ur so lucky!! fresno always gets the short end of the stick fr 😒 typical
The difference isn't about Clovis vs Fresno - it's about when your child's card was issued and which benefit periods it included. Some cards issued earlier in the cycle included retroactive benefits, which is why the initial amount was higher. The monthly ongoing amount should be similar for qualifying students regardless of district.
To summarize what others have said: - The $120 is just your first partial payment - Monthly reloads will happen automatically (typically $195-210 for Fresno elementary students) - No action needed except having activated the card initially - Benefit amounts are based on school participation in National School Lunch Program - Payment dates vary by the first letter of the student's name (I is usually around the 11th-13th of each month) You can call the P-EBT hotline at 877-328-9677 to confirm your specific details, but be prepared for long wait times. The information should also be in the material that came with the card.
wait is EBT Edge the one with the blue icon or the green icon?? i think i downloaded the wrong one before lol
The legitimate EBT Edge app has a blue icon with white letters and a little shopping cart symbol. If you saw one with a green icon, that might be a different app or possibly not legitimate. Always download directly from the app store and check the developer name (should be FIS Global).
Just to clarify some information I'm seeing in the comments: 1. The EBT Edge app is officially approved for use with CalFresh benefits 2. Even if the app crashes or has technical issues, it cannot "take" your benefits - it's just displaying information 3. The only way benefits can be stolen is if someone has both your physical card AND your PIN 4. Not all county workers mention the app during recertification because it's not required for managing benefits, just a convenience option 5. If you're concerned about app legitimacy, you can always call the official EBT customer service number (877-328-9677) to verify Hope this helps clear up some confusion!
Thank you for clarifying! I went ahead and set up the app and it's working great. Much easier than calling that number every time. I appreciate everyone's help!
Just wanted to add - make sure you're ready for the interview part. They'll call you (sometimes from a blocked/unknown number) after you submit your application. If you miss the call, it can delay your benefits by WEEKS. Keep your phone with you at all times after applying.
They're required to schedule the interview with you in advance. If they didn't and just called randomly, you should file a complaint. I've gone through this three times and they always send me a letter or text with the interview date/time. But yes, absolutely answer that call when it comes!
Thank you everyone for the helpful info! Going to apply today through BenefitsCal. Sounds like we'll probably get around $600-750 which would be life-changing for our grocery budget honestly. Will make sure to document everything clearly and answer when they call for the interview!
Great decision! One last tip: after you're approved, you'll get a plastic EBT card that works like a debit card. Many farmers markets in San Diego County offer "Market Match" which doubles your CalFresh dollars (usually up to $10 per visit) when buying fresh fruits and vegetables. It's an amazing way to stretch your benefits and get healthy food.
Caden Turner
The P-EBT system IS pretty unfair. My sister gets CalFresh and her kids automatically got P-EBT cards with like $1,200 on them last year, while my kids who aren't on any benefits but still need food got nothing. And I'm paying the same taxes that fund these programs! I think they should either expand eligibility or create something for families just above the cutoff. There's so many working families struggling with food costs that get zero help.
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Lydia Santiago
•You make a valid point about the "cliff effect" where families just above income limits get no assistance. This is actually a recognized problem in public benefits design. Some states have started implementing sliding scale benefits that gradually phase out rather than having a hard cutoff, but California hasn't fully adopted this approach for food assistance programs yet. It would make much more sense.
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Melissa Lin
try the calfresh again! i got denied then my friend told me to apply again and tell them about all my bills and i got approved the 2nd time. make sure u tell them EVERYTHING u pay for
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Effie Alexander
•I'm definitely going to reapply with all this new information about deductions! Seems like there's a lot more to it than just reporting income. Really appreciate everyone's suggestions.
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