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My sister had this happen but it was because she didn't report her teenager got a part-time job, and they found out through income matching with EDD. Even though her account showed active, they were calculating a benefit reduction. Not saying that's your situation, but sometimes there's more going on than just system glitches.
Oh that's concerning. No one in my household has gotten a new job, but my ex did finally start paying child support last month. It's only $325/month though, and I did report it on my last quarterly report. Do you think that could cause a delay?
Child support is countable income for CalFresh, but if you reported it properly on your SAR7, it should already be factored into your current benefit amount. A change in child support wouldn't typically cause your benefits to disappear completely without notice - they would send you a Notice of Action with the new benefit calculation. It sounds more like the system update issue others have mentioned.
UPDATE: My benefits just loaded this morning (the 1st) even though they never showed as pending! Full amount too. Looks like it was just the system update affecting the pending notification like everyone said. Relief!! Thanks everyone for your help and reassurance!
I applied for CalFresh back in January and just to let you know, they're giving higher benefits now in 2025 because they adjusted for inflation. The maximum for a household of 3 (like you and your kids) is around $750/month now I think? My sister gets almost that much for her and her two kids. But it really depends on your income and expenses. Make sure you tell them about your rent, utilities, childcare costs if you have any - all that can help increase your benefit amount because they're deductions from your income calculation.
Yes, you can definitely claim cash childcare payments as an expense! Just be prepared to provide a written statement from your childcare provider (your neighbor) that includes: - Their name and contact information - How much you pay them per week/month - Which children they care for and when It doesn't need to be anything fancy - just a signed note with this info. This expense can significantly increase your benefit amount since childcare is fully deductible for CalFresh calculations when it's necessary for work or school. Also, with rent that high, make sure you're claiming all utilities separately (even if some are included in rent). There's a standard utility allowance that can help increase benefits too.
I went through the EXACT same confusion! Called the P-EBT number 17 TIMES over three days!!! Finally got someone who told me they're only loading quarterly but couldn't even tell me WHEN the next quarter payment would be! The whole system is designed to make it impossible to get help. And the website is completely useless - just shows balance but nothing about future payments or if you're even still eligible. Why can't they just send a simple letter explaining when payments will come???
Just to clarify one additional point that might be causing confusion - P-EBT 3.0 is separate from CalFresh, even though both use EBT cards. If you receive regular CalFresh benefits, those will continue to be deposited monthly according to your regular schedule. The P-EBT benefits for school children are on the quarterly schedule I mentioned earlier. If you're having trouble reaching someone, you might try contacting your local school district's nutrition services department rather than the state P-EBT hotline. They often have more direct information about which students are enrolled in the program.
wait what about the rest of us who shop at gas stations??? i live in muscoy and theres only the 7-11 within walking distance for me. no car. am i just supposed to not eat???
If gas stations are your only option, try to use your EBT inside the store rather than at the outdoor payment terminal. Also, consider asking about the Fresh Access program - San Bernardino County started offering free monthly bus passes to CalFresh recipients who live in food deserts so they can reach full grocery stores. Check with your eligibility worker about enrolling in that program.
This is unfortunately becoming a common issue with CalFresh benefits in the Inland Empire. Here's what you need to know about the current EBT theft situation: 1. Gas stations in San Bernardino County have seen higher rates of skimming devices according to the 2025 CDSS Fraud Report. The Highland Ave corridor has been specifically identified as a hotspot. 2. You must file the EBT-2259 form AND a police report. Despite what some comments suggest, both are required for expedited replacement under the new 2025 guidelines. 3. Under AB-1880, counties must provide replacement benefits within 10 business days of receiving a completed claim. 4. Request "immediate need" replacement when you submit your form - this indicates food insecurity and should prioritize your case. 5. The transaction history on your EBT account should show exactly where the fraudulent charges occurred - print this out as evidence. This is fixable, but you need to be persistent and follow the exact procedures.
Dmitry Popov
For those still waiting, there's a specific timeline for P-EBT 4.0 distribution in California. Cards are being mailed between March and June 2025, with different counties prioritized in different waves. If your children qualified for free or reduced-price meals during the 2023-2024 school year, you should receive a card. If you don't receive one by early July, you can request a replacement through the P-EBT Portal at ca.p-ebt.org or by calling the P-EBT Hotline at 877-328-9677. Just be aware the hotline has extremely long wait times currently.
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NebulaKnight
•Is it based on when you applied for free lunches? My kids were approved back in September and I got the card already, but my neighbor applied in January and hasn't gotten theirs yet.
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Dmitry Popov
•It's not directly tied to when you applied for free/reduced lunches, but rather to when your eligibility data was processed and transmitted to CDSS from your school district. Some districts submit their data earlier than others, which can affect distribution timing. The system also processes cards in batches rather than individually, which explains why people in the same area might receive cards at different times.
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Dylan Wright
UPDATE: Got my card today!!! For anyone still waiting, it was in a very plain white envelope that honestly looked like junk mail. $1,482 for my two kids - such a relief. Thanks everyone for the support and info!
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Ava Rodriguez
•So happy for you! Make sure you activate it right away and create a PIN. And just FYI, the benefits do expire eventually (usually after about a year), so don't forget to use them!
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