One more thing to know - if you're approved for D-CalFresh, the benefits will be added to your existing EBT card, but they might show up as a separate deposit. So check your EBT account online or call the EBT customer service line to see your balance and transaction history. The D-CalFresh benefits would typically appear within 72 hours of approval with a different transaction name than your regular monthly benefits.

I went through this last year during the coastal flooding disaster. The D-CalFresh benefit was substantial for my family of 5 ($1,100+) but the application process was STRICT. They denied my neighbor because she couldn't prove income loss - it wasn't enough that she had expenses. Make sure you document EVERYTHING and be very specific about dates. Also, the benefit amount is based on household size, not your income or regular CalFresh amount. And heads up - they will ask if you received any other disaster assistance (like FEMA) because that might affect your eligibility. Good luck!

Just got an update from my son's school - they said if your child is on an IEP or has a documented disability, you might get a slightly higher P-EBT amount (around $240 instead of $195). Has anyone else heard this or received the higher amount?

UPDATE: Just got our P-EBT card in the mail today! It really does look like junk mail so check your envelopes carefully. The benefit is $195 as others mentioned. For anyone still waiting, looks like they're moving faster than expected with the distribution.

I understand your frustration. For anyone facing extreme delays (8+ weeks) or issues with address changes, there is an escalation process. You can request your case be marked as

My sister just got hers last week and said it took about 5 weeks total. She said they never sent her any updates until suddenly the card just showed up in her mailbox. Good luck!

Is anyone else seeing a HUGE increase in EBT theft this year??? My sister got her benefits stolen in January, my coworker in March, and now me last week! I think something bigger is going on. The county offices should be taking this more seriously instead of making it so hard to report!!!

UPDATE: I finally got through! For anyone else dealing with this issue, here's what worked: I went to my county office in person this morning with my EBT card, ID, and screenshots of the transactions. The worker helped me fill out the EBT-2259 form and said I should receive provisional credits within 10 days while they investigate. She also mentioned they're now requiring police reports for claims over $500, so I'll need to file one online and send them the report number. Thank you everyone for your help! The in-person visit was definitely the way to go.

My benefits only went down about $30/month after reporting the extra income. They let me deduct some of my craft supplies as business expenses, which helped. The worker said as long as I was reporting it now and hadn't gone over my IRT, they weren't concerned about the past months. Just be upfront at your recertification and you should be fine.

Thanks everyone for the advice! I feel much better about my upcoming recertification now. I'll be honest about the side income and bring documentation of when it started. And I'll try that Claimyr service if I can't get through on the phone tomorrow to ask any follow-up questions. Appreciate all the help!