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Who qualifies for P-EBT in 2025? Riverside County card delivery delays
I just heard some families are getting those P-EBT cards again in 2025 but I'm confused about who actually qualifies. My kids (8 and 10) are on free lunch at their school in Riverside County, but I haven't received anything yet. Does anyone know what the current requirements are? And has anybody in Riverside actually received their P-EBT cards yet? My neighbor said she got hers last week but I'm still waiting and starting to worry we got missed somehow. The extra food money would really help right now with grocery prices being so crazy high.
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California P-EBT 4.0 issuance schedule by first name letter? (Sacramento County)
Has anyone else called the P-EBT hotline recently about when cards are being issued? I've been waiting for my kids' P-EBT 4.0 benefits since they announced the program, and kept getting generic "cards are being mailed in batches" responses. Finally got through to someone helpful today who explained they're doing some kind of alphabetical distribution by first letter of child's first name in Sacramento County: My daughter (L-name) already got hers last week My son (J-name) supposedly getting his by Sept 8th My other kids (T and V names) not until end of September The weird thing is they're not even in alphabetical order? The rep said T-names get cards by Sept 28th but V-names by Sept 26th. Makes no sense. Anyone else in Sacramento hear the same thing or have kids with different first letters who already got their cards? I'm trying to budget for back-to-school and need to know when these will actually arrive.
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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
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.
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
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.
When are the extra CalFresh benefits being deposited in May 2025?
Does anyone know when we're supposed to get the extra CalFresh benefits this month? My regular benefits already came through on the 10th like normal, but I thought we were still getting supplemental benefits too? My neighbor said something about the 18th but wanted to check if anyone has actual info. Really counting on that extra amount for my kids' groceries this month.
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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!
lol their always sayin extra benefits are comin but they never do 🙄
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.
CalFresh EBT theft reported - how long for benefit replacement in Riverside County?
Has anyone in Riverside County had their CalFresh benefits stolen recently? My entire month's benefits ($572) disappeared from my EBT card on June 3rd. Someone must have skimmed my card because I always keep it with me. I filed a police report and went to the Riverside County office yesterday to fill out their theft report form. The worker took all my info but was super vague about when I'd get the money back. Just said it could take "some time" to process. I'm completely out of food money now and my kids are home for summer break so they're eating all meals at home. Should I go back to the office tomorrow and see if they can tell me anything more specific? Would they even have an update that quickly? Or am I just wasting my time and need to wait for the benefits to show up? I'm really stressing about feeding my family until this gets resolved.
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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
Thank you for the suggestion! I actually ended up going there yesterday. They had fresh produce and some canned goods that are helping us get by. Really appreciate the tip!
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!
Did anyone actually get the CalFresh emergency supplement this month?
I was checking my EBT balance today and noticed I didn't get any extra benefits this month. My caseworker mentioned something about an emergency supplement for January 2025 because of the winter storm issues, but nothing showed up on my card. I get $437 normally for my family of 3, and that's all that was deposited. Did anyone else get the extra benefits they were talking about? Or was this just another empty promise from the county? I'm trying to budget for groceries and really needed that extra help they mentioned.
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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
AuthorThat'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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