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anyone else kids get different amounts? my 2yr old got $580 but my 5yr old only got $412?? both on same calfresh case
The P-EBT benefit amounts can vary by child based on several factors, including their exact age category and when they became eligible for CalFresh. Children who were eligible for the entire benefit period receive the maximum amount, while those who became eligible partway through receive prorated benefits. That's why your children received different amounts despite being on the same case.
Unfortunately, the emergency allotments (the "extra" CalFresh benefits) ended over two years ago when the federal public health emergency declaration for COVID ended. Each household now only receives their regular calculated benefit amount based on household size, income, and expenses. What might help you is reporting any changes that could increase your benefit amount: 1. Decreased income 2. Increased rent/housing costs 3. Increased utility expenses 4. Childcare expenses 5. Medical expenses over $35/month (for elderly or disabled household members) You can report these changes at BenefitsCal.com or by submitting verification to your county office. This might increase your regular monthly benefit.
Thank you for this detailed explanation! I had no idea the extras were tied to COVID. I'm definitely going to check if I can get more for childcare expenses - I'm paying $950/month for after-school care that I never reported because nobody told me I could!
That's because people keep spreading rumors without understanding how CalFresh actually works! The pandemic emergency allotments ended YEARS ago, but the misinformation keeps circulating. It's actually harmful because people budget expecting money that will never come.
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.
Dylan Mitchell
Just to clarify some confusion in this thread: 1. P-EBT 4.0 is being distributed August-October 2025 for eligible children who received free or reduced-price school meals during the 2024-2025 school year 2. Distribution is happening in batches based on multiple factors (not strictly alphabetical): - First letter of child's first name - School district/county - Previous P-EBT card issuance - Type of eligibility (direct certification vs. application) 3. Children in the same household may receive cards at different times 4. Benefit amounts can vary based on: - Number of school days the child was enrolled - Type of meal program eligibility (free vs. reduced-price) - Absences exceeding 15 consecutive days If you need specific information about your child's P-EBT status, call the hotline at 877-328-9677 (but be prepared for long wait times
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NeonNomad
•Thank you for this clear explanation! When I finally got through, they told me that homeschooled kids also have a different processing schedule, which explains why my T and V named kids who are homeschooled are getting their cards at different times than kids in regular public schools.
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Miguel Alvarez
has anyone had issues with activating the p-ebt cards once u get them? we got one for my grandson last week but the pin setup isn't working when we call the number on the back of the card
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CyberSiren
•This happened to me with my kid's card last year. You need to make sure you're entering their exact birth date as it appears in the school system. If that doesn't work, there's a special P-EBT PIN helpline at 877-328-9677 - select the option for PIN issues. Sometimes there's a delay between when cards are received and when they're actually activated in their system.
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