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One thing nobody mentioned - there are different restaurant OPTIONS in different counties. Like San Francisco has some higher-end places that participate compared to LA County. Each county negotiates with different restaurant chains. When I visited my sister in Santa Clara County they had a couple local burger places that accepted RMP that we don't have down here.
As others have said, your RMP benefits will work in any participating county. However, remember that your regular CalFresh food benefits and RMP benefits are different. Regular CalFresh can be used at any grocery store statewide that accepts EBT, but RMP is only for those who qualify (seniors, disabled, homeless) and only at participating restaurants. Also, make sure your RMP eligibility is current. Sometimes it can drop off during recertification if the worker doesn't code your case correctly. You can check by calling the number on the back of your EBT card.
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!!!
There has been a documented increase in EBT skimming theft in California. The state implemented new chip cards that started rolling out in late 2024, but not everyone has received them yet. If you haven't gotten a chip card, you can request one from your county office. In the meantime, check your balance frequently and transfer benefits to a separate account if your county offers that option.
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.
awesome! glad u got it figured out. how long did u have to wait at the office?
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?
That's partially accurate. Children who attended schools with summer programming specifically for students with disabilities might qualify for additional P-EBT days, which would increase the total benefit amount. However, simply having an IEP doesn't automatically qualify for a higher amount - it depends on the specific summer programs offered by your child's school. Contact your school district's nutrition services department for confirmation of your child's specific benefit 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.
still nothing for us ughhh 😤 checking mail everyday
congrats!! hope mine comes soon
so happy 4 u!! my friend had same thing happen but she waited like a month to report it n they denied her claim. its so messed up how many ppl r stealing from folks who just need food..
Y'all be careful tho the bank tellers sometimes dont know wat theyre doing! My sister tried to do this and they made her wait 2 hours and then told her to go to a different branch and THAT one said they couldnt help either!! Some real bs
This is a good point. If a bank branch gives you trouble, ask them to call the EBT Customer Service number while you're there. The EBT representative can explain the process to the bank employee. Also, bringing the official claim approval letter helps significantly. Banks are still getting used to this process since it's relatively new.
LordCommander
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.
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Jayden Hill
•Good to know! I'll keep checking my EBT account online after I apply. Fingers crossed this comes through for us - it would really help with restocking our fridge and replacing stuff we lost during the power outages.
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Steven Adams
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!
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Jayden Hill
•Thanks for sharing your experience! I haven't applied for any other assistance yet, but that's good to know. I've started gathering all my documentation and will make sure to be very specific about the dates I missed work.
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