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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.
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.
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!
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.
Always keep ALL your notices!!! I learned this the hard way. And write the date on them when you get them because sometimes they don't print the date clearly. I organize mine by month in a folder now because you never know when you'll need to reference something. Also take pictures of important notices with your phone as backup.
UPDATE: Found the notice! You all were right - it's about a system correction. They're giving me an extra $175 on May 12th because they miscalculated my utility allowance from February-April. Not quite the emergency allotment I thought, but still helpful! Thanks everyone for helping me figure this out.
That's great news! The Standard Utility Allowance (SUA) is often overlooked but can make a significant difference in your benefit calculation. Since February 2025, the SUA in California increased from $487 to $519, which can increase monthly benefits by $9-30 depending on household size and income. Sounds like they're giving you the retroactive adjustment for those three months. Make sure your future calculations include the correct SUA amount.
Sorry, didn't mean to ask something that gets asked all the time! I'm new to all this and my worker didn't really explain much when I got approved - just sent a letter with my benefit amount.
Not your fault. I'm just frustrated with the system. They should give clear information to new applicants instead of leaving everyone confused.
THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO KEEP US CONFUSED AND UNDERPAID!!! They intentionally make the process complicated so fewer people get the benefits they deserve. I had to fight for months to get my correct benefit amount after they 'lost' my verification documents THREE TIMES. And now they just cancel extra benefits with barely any notice???
for real!! so true. my friend had to submit her pay stubs like 5 times last year cuz they kept saying they never got them even tho she uploaded them online with confirmation numbers and everything
UPDATE: I finally got through to someone at my county office! They confirmed what several of you said - the extra supplement ended in May. The worker actually was really helpful and went through all my expenses with me. Turns out I've been undercounting my housing and childcare costs. She said my regular benefits should increase by about $80/month after she processes the updated information, which doesn't completely replace the supplement but helps a lot. Thanks everyone for your advice!
That's great news! So glad you were able to get some of the benefit back through proper expense reporting. This is exactly why it's so important to report ALL qualifying expenses. For anyone else reading this thread, remember that even things like child support payments and certain educational expenses can count as deductions for CalFresh calculations.
Makayla Shoemaker
P-EBT is being sent out in LA county based on first name. My kids are K and P and havent gotten theres yet. Your A-name kid got it first cause of the alphabet. But your baby wont get one period since its only for school kids. Just to save you the worry of waiting!
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Savannah Vin
Thanks everyone for your help! I totally understand now - P-EBT is just for school kids who get free/reduced lunch, not for babies. We'll stick with WIC and regular CalFresh for the little one. Learning something new every day about these benefit programs! πΆπ»
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