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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.
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!
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!!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Yara Sayegh
Just to give you some hope - I had benefits stolen last month ($875) and although it took almost 10 days to get the claim processed, they did eventually restore the full amount. The key was persistent follow-up and getting my county worker involved directly when the EBT customer service wasn't helping. The EBT card system really needs better security. Until then, remember to: 1. Change your PIN regularly 2. Check your balance frequently 3. Consider transferring benefits to your bank account if possible (though this has its own risks) 4. Never respond to texts/emails about your EBT benefits - they're all scams
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Miguel Ortiz
•10 days is a long time to wait when you have hungry kids, but I'm glad you eventually got your benefits back. I didn't know you could transfer benefits to a bank account - I'm going to look into that option too. Thanks for the security tips!
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Zainab Omar
update?? did u get thru to anyone yet??
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Miguel Ortiz
•YES! Finally got through this morning. You guys were right - I called my county office directly instead of the EBT line and spoke to a real person after about 45 minutes on hold. They took my claim and said they're processing an emergency replacement that should be available within 3 days. They also said they've never heard of being "out of claim numbers" so that first rep was definitely giving me incorrect info. Thanks everyone for your help!
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