CalFresh EBT card showing Letter P for benefits - what does this mean?

same thing on mine!! noticed it 2 days ago but my money is still there. maybe its a system update??

The letter 'P' on your CalFresh EBT balance usually indicates that your benefits are in a 'pending' status. This can happen for a few different reasons: 1. You recently submitted your SAR7 or recertification paperwork and it's being processed 2. There was an income verification request that's pending review 3. The system is updating due to a reported change In most cases, you can still use your benefits while the 'P' status is showing. It's just indicating that something in your case is being reviewed. If your benefit amount is showing the normal amount, you should be able to use them as usual.

letter P means PROBLEM!! happened to me and two weeks later they cut my benifits. call your worker ASAP!!!

If you need to reach your CalFresh worker to ask about this, I'd recommend using Claimyr (claimyr.com). I was in a similar situation last month with a weird status code on my account and spent DAYS trying to get through on the county phone lines. Claimyr got me connected to a real person in about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8. Saved me a ton of stress and the worker was able to explain exactly what was happening with my account.

The P status is part of the 2025 updated EBT system in California. It stands for "Processing" and appears when your case is under review or when you've submitted new documentation. The good news is that it doesn't freeze your benefits - you can still use them normally. BUT make sure all your paperwork is in order. If you recently reported an income change, make sure you've submitted all requested verification documents. The system flags accounts with the P while caseworkers review the information. If everything is in order, the P will disappear after processing (usually 7-10 business days).

When I called about something similar back in January my worker said letters can mean different things in different counties!!! In Sacramento County P means pending verification but in LA County it supposedly means something else. What county are you in? The system is so confusing sometimes!!

my friend said she got a P last yr when they were doing some kinda system update and it went away after like 5 days. didnt affect her benifits at all

I had the EXACT same thing happen last month!!! I freaked out thinking they were gonna cut my benefits but it turned out my semi annual report (SAR7) was due the next month and the P was just a reminder notice. Did you check when your SAR7 is due? Maybe it's coming up and that's why you're seeing the P code?

This is EXACTLY why I hate CalFresh! They put random letters and codes on our accounts without explaining what they mean and expect us to just figure it out. Then if we miss something we get our benefits cut and have to fight for months to get them back. I've been on and off CalFresh for 5 years and they NEVER make things clear. The whole system is designed to confuse people so they can kick us off.

UPDATE: I just checked with a colleague who works for CalFresh administration. The 'P' status is indeed part of the new 2025 EBT system update. It appears when: 1. A change has been reported and is being processed 2. Verification documents are under review 3. There's an upcoming reporting deadline (SAR7 or recertification) Your benefits remain usable during this time. The P will automatically clear once processing is complete or when required documents are received. If it doesn't disappear within 10 business days, then it would be worth contacting your worker.