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Quick tip from someone who just went through this: Take a screenshot of your current balance before activating the new card! That way if there's any discrepancy you have proof of what was supposed to transfer. I did this and everything went smoothly, but better safe than sorry with something as important as food benefits.
the whole system is so frustrating why cant they just leave things alone my benefits got delayed last time they did a "system upgrade" and i couldnt feed my kids for 3 days
I'm sorry you had that experience. System upgrades can definitely cause temporary issues, but the 4.0 cards are being implemented to reduce fraud and protect everyone's benefits long-term. If you experience any delays this time, request expedited assistance and mention that you have children with no food. Counties are required to address emergency food needs within 24 hours.
Just to clarify about the 11-month-old receiving a P-EBT card - there was a provision in the 2025 P-EBT extension that allowed benefits for children under 6 in CalFresh households in certain counties heavily impacted by school closures, regardless of school enrollment. San Bernardino County was one of these areas. That's likely why your baby received a card. The current issuance is for the summer 2025 period, and benefits should be spent within 274 days. They won't expire immediately, but don't wait too long to use them either. And yes, keep the physical cards even after spending the balance - if there are any supplemental payments, they'll be loaded onto the same cards.
You can check the balance on each P-EBT card in several ways: 1. Call the number on the back of each card and follow the automated prompts for balance inquiry 2. Visit the ConnectEBT website (connectebt.com) and register each card separately 3. Download the ConnectEBT mobile app (available for iPhone and Android) 4. Check your receipt after making a purchase The easiest ongoing method is probably the app once you've set everything up. Just remember that each P-EBT card needs to be registered individually, and the balances are separate from your regular CalFresh EBT account.
hope u got ur money back by now but if not go to a food bank!!! theres one at the community center on madison street that gives out good stuff on tuesdays and fridays. got us through when our benefits got messed up last year
I wanted to follow up - did you get any resolution when you went back to the office? For others reading this thread in the future, California implemented new EBT theft protections in 2025 that should make these situations less common. They're now using chip cards and have better fraud monitoring systems. If anyone experiences theft: 1. Report it immediately to the EBT customer service line AND local police 2. Submit the EBT-2259 form to your county office within 5 days of discovering the theft 3. Request an emergency allotment if you have no other food resources 4. Check benefit status through the BenefitsCal portal or mobile app 5. Consider transferring benefits to a bank account as soon as they're received (as another commenter suggested) The state is required to process valid claims within 10 calendar days, though some counties may take longer.
Yes! I got some good news finally. I went back yesterday and spoke with a supervisor who confirmed my claim was approved and being processed. They issued an emergency allotment of $200 that loaded onto my card this morning! They said the full replacement should come through by next Tuesday. Such a relief. Thank you everyone for all your help and advice during this stressful time!
i got something extra but it wasnt a disaster thing it was cuz i reported my rent went up on my sar7 and they gave me more benefits starting this month maybe thats what they meant?? did ur costs change recently
That's a good point! If you recently reported increased expenses on your SAR7 (like higher rent, childcare costs, or medical expenses), your regular benefit amount could increase. This isn't a special supplement though - it's just a recalculation of your regular benefits based on your updated expenses. Always make sure to report any increases in your household expenses on your SAR7 or at recertification, as these can help qualify you for higher benefit amounts.
My sister in San Diego got the disaster supplement but she had to apply separately for it. They didn't just automatically add it to her regular benefits. She had to show she lost food due to power outages from the storm. Is that what you're talking about?
Yes, that's exactly what's happening. Your sister applied for D-CalFresh (Disaster CalFresh), which is separate from regular CalFresh. To qualify, applicants need to: 1) live in an approved disaster area county, 2) have experienced a disaster-related expense or income loss, and 3) apply during the specific 7-day application period. It's not automatic - even if you already receive regular CalFresh benefits, you need to submit a separate D-CalFresh application. Additionally, there are different income limits for D-CalFresh compared to regular CalFresh, so some people who don't normally qualify for CalFresh might be eligible for D-CalFresh after a disaster.
Luca Esposito
One more thing about P-EBT that's confusing people - if your kid changed schools during the eligibility period, benefits might be split or delayed. My neighbor's kids switched from one Riverside school to another in January, and she had to call to get it straightened out. Just something to keep in mind if anyone is in that situation.
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StarSeeker
•That's good to know! My younger one did change schools after winter break when we moved to a different part of town. I'll definitely keep an eye out for any issues. Thanks for the heads up!
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Nia Thompson
just checked my mail today and got the NOTICE saying cards coming in 5-10 business days!!! im in riverside/moreno valley area so there definitely sending them out now!!
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Zara Ahmed
•That's great news! It does sound like Riverside County distribution is now underway. For everyone else waiting, this is a good sign that you should be receiving your notices soon. Remember to activate the card as soon as you receive it, and create a PIN you'll remember easily.
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