CalFresh P-EBT 3.0 alphabetical distribution - anyone with I-J-K kids received cards yet?

My Jackson got his yesterday! We're in Sacramento County. The envelope was super plain looking and almost threw it away thinking it was junk mail. Check your mail carefully! Also make sure your mailing address matches what the school has on file - we moved last year and I had to update it with the school otherwise it would've gone to our old place.

Thanks for the heads up about the envelope! Were there any activation instructions inside? And did they mail it to your home or did Jackson get it at school?

still waitin on my keiths card too... been checking mail everyday for like 2 weeks. they always say one thing and do another with these benefits i swear

The P-EBT 3.0 distribution is actually following a pretty tight schedule this year. It's important to understand that P-EBT is different from regular CalFresh. The I-J-K distribution window is April 10-25, so there are still a few days left in that window. The cards are mailed directly to the address on file with your child's school. If you don't receive it by April 26th, you should contact the P-EBT helpline at 877-328-9677, but be aware they're experiencing extremely high call volumes right now.

ya right like anyone ever answers that number lol called 6 times last week

My Jasmine got her card on Monday! We're in LA County. It came with instructions to activate it online or by phone. Have to admit I was confused at first because I thought it would go directly onto our regular EBT card, but apparently P-EBT 3.0 comes on a separate card even if you already get CalFresh. Just FYI for anyone else who's confused about that part.

That's really helpful to know - I was wondering the same thing since we do get regular CalFresh. Do you know how much the benefit amount is? I heard different things from different parents at school.

For those waiting on P-EBT 3.0 cards, it's important to understand that the distribution schedule is approximate. The I-J-K window (April 10-25) means cards were shipped during that timeframe, but actual delivery depends on mail service in your area. A few important points:\n\n1. Benefit amounts for the 2024-2025 school year are $121 per month for each eligible student\n2. Cards are mailed to the address on file with your child's school\n3. Each eligible child receives their own card, even siblings in the same household\n4. Benefits are retroactive to August 2024 for the current school year\n\nIf you don't receive your child's card by early May, you should contact the P-EBT helpline. Just know they're extremely backed up right now.

The P-EBT helpline is practically USELESS right now. I've been trying to reach them for THREE WEEKS about my daughter's missing card from the last distribution and can't get through!!! Just endless hold music then disconnection. The whole system is a JOKE.

I was having the same problem trying to reach them about my son's card that never showed up. Someone recommended this service called Claimyr that helped me actually get through to a person after weeks of trying. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 or at claimyr.com - it basically keeps your place in line and calls you when a real person is about to answer. Saved me hours of waiting on hold just to get disconnected! Finally got my issue resolved yesterday after using it.

THANK YOU!!! Will definitely check this out. At this point I'd try ANYTHING to get through to a human!!!

does anyone know if kids gettin free lunch at school automatically get the PEBT or did we have to apply for it specilly? my sons school says all kids get free lunch but im not sure if that means we get this card thing

Great question. If your child attends a school that participates in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) where all students receive free meals regardless of income, then yes, your child should automatically receive P-EBT 3.0 benefits. No separate application is needed. However, your child's school must participate in the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program for students to be eligible. If you're unsure, contact your school's nutrition services department to confirm.

ok thx his school def has the free lunch for everyone thing so sounds like we should get it

Just got Isabelle's card today!!! For anyone still waiting, it came in a very plain white envelope that looked exactly like junk mail - almost threw it away! The return address just says

Congrats! Make sure you activate it right away. When we got Jasmine's, we had to enter her birthdate and the zip code of the address it was mailed to. Just sharing in case that helps anyone else with activation!

Thanks for the tip! Just activated it without any issues. So relieved it finally came!

Wait I'm confused... is P-EBT the same as CalFresh? My kid's name starts with I and we got some kind of benefit card in the mail last week but I thought it was part of his free school lunch program not CalFresh?

P-EBT (Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer) and CalFresh are different programs, though they both provide food benefits on EBT cards. P-EBT was initially created during the COVID pandemic and has been extended for the 2024-2025 school year. It provides food benefits to families with children who would receive free or reduced-price school meals. \n\nCalFresh is California's ongoing food assistance program (formerly known as food stamps) for low-income individuals and families.\n\nSo the card you received is specifically for P-EBT benefits, not regular CalFresh, even though they look similar. You can use both types of benefits at the same stores to buy eligible food items.

Ohhh that makes so much more sense! Thank you for explaining the difference. I was wondering why we got this random card when we haven't applied for CalFresh.