I've been dealing with this same issue and found a really helpful workaround! If you call 211 (the community resource hotline), they actually maintain a real-time database of which stores currently have CNIP funding available. The operator can search by your zip code and tell you exactly which participating stores near you still have matching funds active. I called last week and they found 3 stores within 20 minutes of me that still had funding when all the major chains had run out. Way easier than driving around checking each store! They also told me that some mobile farmers markets that visit low-income neighborhoods often have more flexible funding that lasts longer than the traditional weekend markets.

I'm dealing with the same frustrating situation! Just wanted to add that some CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) programs also accept EBT with matching funds. I found one through LocalHarvest.org that delivers to pickup points around the city and they match up to $40 per month on their produce boxes. It's been a game-changer for my family since the timing is predictable (unlike the grocery stores running out of funding mid-quarter). The signup process was pretty easy and they even let you customize what vegetables you get if you have allergies or preferences. Might be worth checking if there are any CSA programs with EBT matching in your area - it's become my backup plan when all the stores run out of CNIP funding!

Just wanted to share my experience from a few months ago - I had the same worry when my card got damaged and I had to lock it right before my benefits were supposed to load. Everything worked perfectly! The benefits deposited on schedule and were waiting for me when I unlocked the card. One tip though - if you do need to unlock it at the store, try to do it right before you shop rather than unlocking it ahead of time. That way you minimize the window where someone could potentially use it if they somehow got access. The mobile app makes it super quick to unlock right when you need it!

Just wanted to chime in as someone who works at a grocery store and sees EBT transactions all day - your benefits will definitely still load even with the card locked! I've had customers explain this exact situation to me before. The locking feature is really just a spending block, not an account freeze. Your $430 will be there waiting for you tomorrow. Also, pro tip from what I've observed - you can actually check your balance through the EBT app or by calling the customer service number even while the card is locked, so you'll be able to confirm your benefits loaded without having to unlock anything. Stay safe out there!

This thread has been absolutely incredible! As someone who's been navigating the California benefits system for a few years now, I'm amazed at how much useful information everyone has shared here. Grace, your story really resonates with me - I think so many of us have those "junk drawer moments" where we discover forgotten cards or paperwork that could be worth hundreds of dollars. What I love most about this discussion is how it's evolved from a simple expiration question into a comprehensive guide covering everything from the ebtEDGE app to shopping strategies to customer service workarounds. The practical tips people have shared here are honestly better than anything I've found in official documentation. For anyone new to this thread, the key takeaways are: check your cards using the ebtEDGE app, remember the 274-day rule from last use, make small test purchases if you're unsure, and never throw away P-EBT cards even if they seem expired since they might get reloaded later. Grace, I'm so glad you checked and found your benefits were still active! That $375 will definitely help with groceries. Thanks for starting such an informative discussion that's clearly helping so many families better understand and manage their P-EBT benefits!

This thread has been absolutely fantastic! As a parent who's been dealing with various benefit programs for years, I can't tell you how refreshing it is to find such clear, practical advice all in one place. Grace, your story about finding that forgotten card is probably happening to families all across California right now - I bet there are thousands of dollars in P-EBT benefits just sitting unused because people don't know about the 274-day rule or forgot they had cards. I just wanted to add one more tip that's saved me in the past: if you have multiple kids who received P-EBT cards, make sure to check ALL of them! Sometimes each child gets their own card, and it's easy to keep track of one while forgetting about the others. I learned this the hard way when I found my daughter's card months after it had expired, but my son's was still active with over $200 on it. Also, for anyone dealing with lost or damaged cards, don't panic - you can get replacements, but it's much easier if you know your card number and have some transaction history. That's another reason why the ebtEDGE app that folks mentioned is so valuable. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and knowledge here. This is community support at its finest!

UPDATE: I finally got through to someone! Apparently they did an "account reconciliation" and found that they had issued an extra payment back in January that I wasn't eligible for. The frustrating part is they never notified me before taking the money back. The representative said I should have received a Notice of Action but admitted they've been having problems with their mailing system. They're supposed to send notices 10 days before taking any action! They said I can request a fair hearing to dispute it, but since it was technically an overpayment, they probably won't return the money. I'm still going to try because I budgeted based on what was showing on my card. This is so frustrating!

I'm so sorry this happened to you! This is exactly why I always screenshot my EBT balance every few days now - learned that lesson the hard way. Since you found out it was an overpayment from January, definitely file for that fair hearing like others suggested. Even if they don't give you the full amount back, they might work out a payment plan to recoup it more slowly instead of taking it all at once. That's what happened to my neighbor - they let her pay back $20/month instead of taking everything. Also document that phone call where they admitted the mailing system problems - that could really help your case! The fact that you budgeted based on what showed on your card matters.

I'm so frustrated and scared right now - just discovered that $1,200 in P-EBT funds disappeared from my card yesterday! I'm a single mom with four kids and was counting on those benefits to help get us through the summer when they're all home from school. Like everyone else here, I never received any notification letter about this policy change. I had been deliberately saving those funds because I knew summer would be our hardest time financially. Reading through all of your experiences has been both devastating (seeing how many families are affected) and incredibly helpful - especially the specific advice about "Administrative Error Restoration" that Myles shared. I'm definitely going to call my county office first thing tomorrow morning and use that exact language, along with all the documentation tips Simon and Geoff provided. It's really encouraging to see that people like Khalil got most of their benefits back through this process. Thank you all so much for sharing your stories and advice - it helps to know I'm not fighting this alone. I'll make sure to document everything, get case numbers, and be persistent. Will absolutely update everyone on how it goes!

I'm dealing with this exact same situation! Just found out yesterday that $750 in P-EBT benefits disappeared from my card with no warning whatsoever. I'm a single mom with two young kids and had been carefully saving those funds for summer when they'll be home from school and need more meals throughout the day. Like everyone else here, I never received any notification letter about this 9-month expiration policy change. It's so frustrating because I was actually trying to be responsible by budgeting and saving these benefits for when I knew I'd need them most. Reading through all of your experiences has been incredibly helpful though - especially the detailed advice about requesting an "Administrative Error Restoration" that Myles provided. I'm definitely going to call my county office tomorrow morning and use that exact language, along with all the documentation tips everyone has shared. It's really encouraging to see that several people like Khalil have actually gotten most of their benefits restored through this process. Thank you all so much for sharing your stories and specific steps to take - it helps so much to know I'm not alone in this fight and that there's actually hope for getting these benefits back!