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so can u use the p-ebt at the same stores as regular ebt?? my sister got one for her kid but was told some places dont take it?? is that true??
P-EBT cards work at the same retailers that accept regular EBT/CalFresh. Any grocery store, supermarket, or convenience store that has the EBT sign or logo should accept P-EBT. However, some smaller stores might not be familiar with P-EBT cards specifically and might incorrectly tell you they don't accept them. If that happens, you can explain that it works exactly like a regular EBT card because it uses the same system. Also, remember that P-EBT benefits, like regular CalFresh, can only be used for food items - not for hot prepared foods, alcohol, non-food items, etc.
Thank you everyone for all the helpful information! I called the county office this morning (used that Claimyr service someone mentioned - it really worked!) and got some answers. The worker confirmed that my other three kids should be getting P-EBT cards too, they're just sending them in batches over the next few weeks. She verified all my kids are properly listed with their current schools. She also explained that this benefit is completely separate from our regular CalFresh, so I'll continue getting our usual amount on our regular EBT card. The P-EBT cards are just additional help specifically for the kids because they qualify for free school meals. I'm going to activate my 6-year-old's card today and start using it. And I'll keep an eye out for the other cards in the mail. Thanks again for clearing up my confusion!
That's great news! Just remember to keep each P-EBT card separate and remember which PIN goes with which card. It can get confusing managing multiple cards. Also, it's a good idea to check the balance on each card before shopping. You can do this by calling the number on the back of the card or checking online at www.ebt.ca.gov. Glad you got everything sorted out!
Update: I finally got through to the county office today! For anyone else dealing with this issue, here's what I learned: 1. They ARE extending the deadline to 30 days for Hills Canyon Fire victims 2. I need to submit the CF 303 form WITH some proof of the power outage 3. I'm eligible for replacement up to my full June benefit amount ($425) 4. They recommended I submit everything through BenefitsCal for faster processing Thank you all for your help! I'll post again when I find out if my request is approved.
ANOTHER UPDATE: I got approved!! They replaced the full amount I requested ($350). The benefits were added to my EBT card today, just 5 days after I submitted everything. The worker I spoke with said they're processing Hills Canyon claims quickly because so many people were affected. Don't give up if you're in the same situation!
i just got a letter last week saying the p-ebt program is changing again in october!! something about new requirements?? anyone else get this? so confused!!!
The letter you received is likely referencing the mid-year program adjustment that happens every October. This isn't a new change - it's part of the normal P-EBT annual cycle. The program typically reassesses eligibility based on updated school meal status reports and enrollment data from September. Some children may see benefit amounts adjust slightly (up or down) based on updated information, but the core eligibility rules remain the same. If you have specific questions about the letter, you can upload a photo of it (with personal information blacked out) to the P-EBT portal for clarification.
Thanks everyone for all the helpful information! I just got off the phone with our school district's nutrition services department, and they confirmed our elementary school DOES participate in the CEP program with universal free meals, so my kids should be getting monthly benefits. They said there was a processing delay for our district and the next batch of benefits should be loaded within 5-7 business days. They also gave me a direct number to call if we don't receive the benefits by next Friday. This has been so helpful - I really appreciate all of you taking the time to explain how this works!
That's great news! I'm glad you got clear confirmation. One more tip: create a calendar reminder for yourself around the same date each month to check your P-EBT balance. The deposits tend to follow a pattern once they start, usually arriving within 2-3 days of the same date each month. Having that reminder can help you plan your grocery shopping more effectively.
sry ur going thru this... i had something similar but they took $300 not as much as urs. took like 6 weeks but i did get it back. the letters are super scary and confusing tho, they should really explain the process better
Update: I called my caseworker this morning and requested emergency replacement benefits like someone suggested here. She's processing a partial replacement (40% of my August benefits) that should be available within 3 days! That will help us get through until the full fraud claim gets resolved. She also confirmed my fraud claim is still under review in the "second stage" and should be decided by September 10th. Thank you all for the advice and support! I feel much better knowing this is a normal process, even if it's frustrating. I'll update again when I hear about my full claim.
Honorah King
i had to call like 37 times before i got thru to ftb... they disconnect u after 2hrs on hold its CRIMINAL
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Mary Bates
Try Claimyr - saved me from that exact situation. I was about to give up after trying for weeks.
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