


Ask the community...
Following up on my earlier comment - I want to clarify something important. P-EBT 3.0 is not directly connected to your regular CalFresh benefits. While it's administered through the same agencies, the databases and eligibility systems are separate. If your children are enrolled in a school that participates in free/reduced lunch programs and they were doing virtual learning during the qualifying period, they should be eligible regardless of your household income or regular CalFresh status. One thing to check: are all your children listed under the same primary guardian in the school system? Sometimes when kids have different primary contacts listed in school records (like one parent for some kids, another for others), this can cause processing issues in the P-EBT system.
update on my situation - i filled out the appeal form 2 weeks ago and just got an email yesterday saying my missing kid was approved! card should come in 7-10 days they said. so the appeal form DOES work but takes time
UPDATE: I found the verification request in BenefitsCal (never got it in the mail) and uploaded my pay stubs this morning. Just called using that Claimyr service someone recommended and actually got through to a person! They confirmed my case was on hold pending verification and said they've now received my paystubs. Benefits should load within 3 business days. So relieved but still frustrated this wasn't communicated clearly. Going to sign up for electronic notifications so this doesn't happen again. Thanks everyone for your help!
Great news! Yes, definitely sign up for electronic notifications - they're much more reliable than mail. Also, for future reference, whenever you report an income change, ask your worker specifically if they need verification documents and when your benefits will be available. Getting these details upfront can save a lot of stress.
glad u got it figured out! food banks can help 2 if ur still waiting. also check if ur kids school has free lunch pickup, alot still do that even after covid
BTW any1 know if p-ebt counts as income for calfresh??? i got a letter saying i have to report all these new cards as income on my SAR7 and im freaking out that ill lose my regular ebt!!
UPDATE: I received both cards today (they came earlier than expected). My daughter's card (virtual school all year) has $480 on it, and my son's card (only missed school in November) has $210. So the rep on the phone was definitely wrong! Seems like the system is working correctly after all - my daughter got benefits for multiple months of virtual learning, not just the same amount as my son. Thanks everyone for your help!
Thanks for updating us! This makes much more sense with the benefit calculation guidelines. Your daughter likely received the $120 summer benefit plus approximately $40-45 for each month of virtual learning (depending on your state's specific calculation). Your son received the $120 summer benefit plus one month of COVID-absence benefits at around $90. I'm glad it worked out correctly without you having to go through the appeal process!
did you get WIC too? sometimes people think kids dont get calfresh if they already get WIC but thats wrong you can get both
One more thing - when you call, make sure you're ready with your daughter's full name, date of birth, and Social Security number. Having all this information ready will help them process the change faster. And definitely ask them to review your case for any other errors while they're at it. Sometimes one mistake means there might be others too!
Oliver Alexander
just go to the food bank till u get it fixed thats what i always do when theres problems with my calfresh
0 coins
Layla Sanders
•That's a good suggestion for emergency help. Do you know if they require any documentation or proof of need? I've never had to use a food bank before.
0 coins
Oliver Alexander
•nah most dont ask for anything maybe just tell them how many ppl in ur family. google food banks near u or call 211 they tell u where 2 go
0 coins
Kaylee Cook
I'd like to clarify something important: if your benefits were valid yesterday and disappeared today without any notification, this is almost certainly a system error or administrative issue, not an eligibility problem. Under CalFresh regulations, the county MUST provide you with a Notice of Action (NOA) at least 10 days before reducing or terminating your benefits. The only exceptions are very specific circumstances like confirmed fraud or explicitly requesting case closure. When you call tomorrow, specifically mention that you did not receive the legally required 10-day notice, and that you're requesting immediate benefit restoration while they investigate the issue. Use those exact terms. This often triggers a faster response as it references their legal obligations.
0 coins
Layla Sanders
•This is incredibly helpful advice! I definitely didn't receive any Notice of Action - I check my mail religiously for anything CalFresh related. I'll specifically mention the 10-day notice requirement when I call tomorrow. Thank you!
0 coins