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Update: My third daughter's P-EBT card just arrived today! So all three cards came within 3 days. Thanks everyone for your help and reassurance. I activated each one as they arrived like someone suggested. The weird thing is my oldest daughter's card has $75 more on it than the other two even though they're all at the same school. Should I question this or just be grateful for the extra funds?
Mason Lopez
•Glad all the cards arrived safely! Regarding the different benefit amounts, if your oldest is in a different grade level, that could explain the variance. Also, if she had perfect attendance while your younger children had some absences, that could affect the benefit calculation. P-EBT benefits are based on school attendance records and meal eligibility days. Unless the difference is extremely large, I wouldn't worry about questioning it. The benefit calculations are done automatically based on data from the schools, and small to moderate variations are normal even among siblings at the same school. If you want to understand exactly how it was calculated, you can check the P-EBT information letter that came with each card, as it sometimes explains the benefit period and calculation method.
Vera Visnjic
Wait are they still giving out P-EBT in 2025?? I thought that was just a COVID thing that ended years ago. My kids haven't gotten any cards lately!
The original P-EBT was for COVID, but they've continued it under a modified program. Not all schools participate now though. Your kids' school might not be part of the program anymore, or maybe they don't qualify for free/reduced lunch? Might be worth asking at the school office.
Yes, they're still issuing them in 2025! My kids' school is part of the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program where all students get free meals regardless of income. Maybe check if your school participates in that program? The cards really help with our grocery budget.
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Cynthia Love
Also worth noting that P-EBT customer service is actually improving this year. I called last week and only waited about 45 minutes (used to be impossible to get through). They told me N-C would likely be in the third batch, probably late October. If you don't need immediate help, I'd just wait for the official letter. If you do need to talk to someone, definitely try early morning calling (right when they open) for shortest wait times.
my kids got pebt last year but we didnt reapply for free lunch this year cause i didnt know we had to do it every year. does anyone know if theyll still get it? im really worried now
Khalid Howes
•Good question! If your school participates in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) where all students get free meals regardless of income, your children will still receive P-EBT automatically. If not, you should complete a free/reduced lunch application ASAP - some schools will accept them even after the deadline for P-EBT purposes. Contact your school's nutrition office right away to check.
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Caden Turner
UPDATE: Just wanted to share that our funds got loaded yesterday! It showed up on the old P-EBT card just like you all said. Thanks everyone for the help!
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can someone tell me where to even find the renewal form? mine was supposed to come in the mail but i never got it and now im worried my benefits will stop
Andre Dupont
•If you didn't receive your renewal form, you should log into BenefitsCal.com immediately and complete your renewal there. You can also call your county office to request a new form or ask if you can do it by phone. Don't wait - if you miss your renewal deadline, your benefits will stop and you'll have to reapply from scratch, which takes longer than renewing.
Aisha Khan
To summarize what everyone has correctly said: NO, you do not report P-EBT as income on your CalFresh renewal. Here's why: 1. P-EBT is a benefit program, not income 2. CalFresh regulations specifically exclude other food assistance benefits when calculating income 3. P-EBT was created as an extension of the school meals program during COVID 4. Even though we're past the peak of COVID, the P-EBT 4 distribution follows the same rules If you encounter any issues during your renewal because of confusion about this, request to speak with a supervisor immediately and cite the CalFresh Program Guide that excludes other food assistance programs from countable income.
This is super helpful, thank you! I've completed my renewal now and left P-EBT off the income section. I'm feeling much more confident about it now.
Henry Delgado
wait is this the same as regular calfresh ebt? my family gets benefits on the 10th of each month but my neighbors kid got a different card and she said it was some school thing??
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Holly Lascelles
•No, they're actually different programs. Regular CalFresh EBT benefits come monthly on a schedule based on your case number. P-EBT is specifically for eligible schoolchildren during pandemic-related school closures or limited attendance. The cards look similar but P-EBT cards have the student's name (not the parent's) and are specifically for pandemic food benefits. You can have both programs if you qualify.
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Finley Garrett
Thanks everyone for the helpful responses! I think I understand now - P-EBT isn't a regular monthly benefit but rather special payments for pandemic-related school disruptions. I'll keep the cards in case future payments are approved, but won't expect monthly reloads like I initially thought. Really appreciate all the clarification!
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Madison Tipne
•glad u got ur answer! the whole system is super confusing, ur definitely not the only one who thought they were monthly lol
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