Can't reach California CalFresh? Claimyr connects you to a live DSS agent in minutes.
Claimyr is a pay-as-you-go service. We do not charge a recurring subscription.
Using Claimyr will:
- Connect you to a human agent at the DSS
- Skip the long phone menu
- Call the correct department
- Redial until on hold
- Forward a call to your phone with reduced hold time
- Give you free callbacks if the DSS drops your call
If I could give 10 stars I would
If I could give 10 stars I would If I could give 10 stars I would Such an amazing service so needed during the times when EDD almost never picks up Claimyr gets me on the phone with EDD every time without fail faster. A much needed service without Claimyr I would have never received the payment I needed to support me during my postpartum recovery. Thank you so much Claimyr!
Really made a difference
Really made a difference, save me time and energy from going to a local office for making the call.
Worth not wasting your time calling for hours.
Was a bit nervous or untrusting at first, but my calls went thru. First time the wait was a bit long but their customer chat line on their page was helpful and put me at ease that I would receive my call. Today my call dropped because of EDD and Claimyr heard my concern on the same chat and another call was made within the hour.
An incredibly helpful service
An incredibly helpful service! Got me connected to a CA EDD agent without major hassle (outside of EDD's agents dropping calls – which Claimyr has free protection for). If you need to file a new claim and can't do it online, pay the $ to Claimyr to get the process started. Absolutely worth it!
Consistent,frustration free, quality Service.
Used this service a couple times now. Before I'd call 200 times in less than a weak frustrated as can be. But using claimyr with a couple hours of waiting i was on the line with an representative or on hold. Dropped a couple times but each reconnected not long after and was mission accomplished, thanks to Claimyr.
IT WORKS!! Not a scam!
I tried for weeks to get thru to EDD PFL program with no luck. I gave this a try thinking it may be a scam. OMG! It worked and They got thru within an hour and my claim is going to finally get paid!! I upgraded to the $60 call. Best $60 spent!
Ask the community...
- DO post questions about your issues.
- DO answer questions and support each other.
- DO post tips & tricks to help folks.
- DO NOT post call problems here - there is a support tab at the top for that :)
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Grant Vikers
can we use these at farmers markets and get the market match bonus? the regular ebt gives u extra $$ at farmers markets
Amaya Watson
•Yes! P-EBT cards work exactly like regular EBT/CalFresh cards for food purchases. You can use them at farmers markets and qualify for Market Match programs that double your spending power (usually up to $10-20 extra per market visit). Just make sure to tell the market staff you're using an EBT card when you arrive so they can direct you to their token or scrip system.
WHY is this program still running??? I thought all the COVID emergency stuff ended LAST year!!! Not complaining about free money but seems weird
Libby Hassan
•I was wondering the same thing! From what I understand, P-EBT 3.0 is covering the 2022-2023 school year which ended last summer, but the payments are just coming out now in 2025. The government is ALWAYS behind schedule 🙄 The emergency designations did end, but they're still processing benefits for periods when they were active. At least that's what I think is happening.
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Just to clarify some confusion I'm seeing in this thread - the P-EBT 2025 program has three distribution phases in California. Each county has their own schedule, and Yolo County is indeed using alphabetical distribution by last name. However, there have been some processing delays affecting the A-H group specifically, which is why some people with last names in that range haven't received their benefits yet despite being in the first scheduled batch. Important note: P-EBT benefits are loaded onto a separate card from your regular CalFresh EBT card unless you specifically requested consolidation during the last open enrollment period. So some people might be checking the wrong card. If you lost your P-EBT card, you'll need to request a replacement by calling the P-EBT Helpline at 877-328-9677, not your regular EBT customer service number. Also, for the 2025 cycle, benefit amounts increased by about 30% compared to last year, so you'll receive more per eligible child than previous cycles.
Wait so we're supposed to get a completely different card for the P-EBT? I never got one! I've been waiting for it to show up on my regular EBT card this whole time. How would I know if I'm supposed to have a separate card?
UPDATE: Our P-EBT benefits just posted! Checked the separate P-EBT card this morning and the funds are there. Thank you everyone for your help and information. For those still waiting - definitely check the actual P-EBT card if you have one, not your regular CalFresh EBT card (I was checking the wrong one at first too).
thanks for updating! just checked and ours came thru too finally!!
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StarSailor
You're caught in a classic benefits catch-22. Here's what you need to know: 1. Yes, you can cancel an unemployment claim. You'll need to contact EDD to withdraw your claim. 2. For proof: Request an official "Claim Statement" from EDD showing $0 paid to you. This is the document both CalFresh and housing will accept. 3. Going in person is smart since the phone system is overwhelmed. Bring ID and your claim information. 4. Very important: Once you have documentation that you're not receiving unemployment, immediately contact your CalFresh eligibility worker to request a recalculation of your benefits based on your actual income, not potential unemployment. This is a common issue. CalFresh regulations require them to count "available income" but you can appeal if the income isn't actually available to you.
Thank you SO much for the clear steps! I'll definitely ask for that "Claim Statement" showing $0 paid. Do you think I should also get something showing I've withdrawn my claim entirely? I'm worried housing won't accept just the $0 payment proof and will think future payments might come. This whole system is so confusing...just trying to keep a roof over my head.
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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!!!
Dylan Evans
•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!
PixelWarrior
•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.
Savannah Glover
ACTUALLY I just remembered!!! There IS a way to get extra food help for Easter break specifically! Many school districts run a Spring Break meal program where kids can pick up free breakfast and lunch even when school is closed. Check your school district website or call your kids' school office and ask about spring break meals! Might not be money on your EBT card but it does help with food costs when kids are home.
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Ella Cofer
•Thanks for this suggestion! I'll definitely look into it. Every little bit helps these days.
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Felicity Bud
I think the biggest confusion is that there are several different food programs with similar names. Just to clarify: 1. P-EBT (Pandemic EBT) - This was specifically for COVID and is gone 2. Summer EBT - This is newer and some states have it 3. Regular CalFresh/SNAP - Your normal monthly food benefits 4. School Meal Programs - Free/reduced lunch at school It gets confusing because they all help with food but work differently. The holiday extras were technically called "Emergency Allotments" and those are definitely discontinued nationwide.
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Ella Cofer
•This breakdown is super helpful, thank you! I definitely got all these programs mixed up. I'll focus on making sure I'm getting the maximum regular CalFresh benefits we qualify for and check out that Summer EBT program someone mentioned.
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