Confused about CalFresh Summer EBT distribution in Palmdale/Lancaster area - 2 year old eligible?

my kids got theirs last week but we're in palmdale too and their last names start with B. i think they're sending them out alphabetically maybe? my daughter is 3 and got one so your 2 year old should definitely qualify. check your mail again maybe it got mixed up with junk mail?

The Summer EBT program (now called Summer Food Benefits in California) is being rolled out in phases for 2025. Cards are being mailed based on a combination of region and last name, but not strictly alphabetical. For Antelope Valley, families with last names L-Z should receive their cards by the third week of June according to the schedule. And yes, children age 0-5 who are enrolled in CalFresh absolutely qualify as long as they were included in your household on your last SAR7 or recertification. Each eligible child should receive $43.50 per summer month (June-August), totaling $130.50 for the summer. The cards come in white envelopes with the CDSS logo and do require activation by phone.

mine haven't come yet either and we're in Lancaster!!!! last names start with W though so maybe we're just further down the list???? so frustrating they don't tell us exactly when to expect them!!!!

I work with the local food bank that partners with CDSS. Here's what I know about the Summer Food Benefits program (formerly Summer EBT): 1. Yes, children as young as 2 absolutely qualify if they're part of a CalFresh household 2. The Antelope Valley distribution is scheduled for June 10-24 for last names L-Z 3. The cards are white with minimal marking and often mistaken for junk mail 4. You DO need to activate them by calling the number on the card 5. Funds are retroactive - if you get the card late, you'll still get all months' benefits If you haven't received it by June 25th, then I would call the Summer Food Benefits hotline at 1-877-328-9677, but they're extremely backlogged right now.

I've been trying to reach someone at the CalFresh office about this exact issue for almost a week! Kept getting disconnected or stuck on hold forever. Someone told me about Claimyr.com, and it actually worked! They called the CDSS office for me, navigated the phone tree, and then called me back once they had a real person on the line. Saved me literally hours of waiting. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 The worker confirmed my daughter's card was mailed June 12th (also last name L) and should arrive within 7-10 business days. They also verified they're sending to all eligible children, including toddlers.

This whole Summer EBT thing is so confusing!!! First they called it P-EBT, then Summer EBT, now Summer Food Benefits?? And different counties seem to have different rules and timeframes. I'm in Lancaster too and got my 4-year-old's card yesterday (last name N), but nothing for my 1-year-old yet. When I called, they said the 1-year-old's card is coming in a separate mailing even though they're in the same household! Makes zero sense. The whole system is just designed to be confusing.

i got my kids summer cards last week but im in san bernardino county not la county so maybe different timeline? they all came on the same day tho. my youngest is 3 and got one so ur 2 yr old should get one 2. good luck!

Just to clarify some information in this thread: 1. The program changed names from P-EBT (pandemic-related) to Summer EBT (federal name) to Summer Food Benefits (California's implementation name) 2. Each county follows the same state distribution schedule, but some counties may be processing faster than others 3. Children in the same household may receive cards on different days even with the same last name - this is normal 4. The benefit amount is $43.50 per child per month (June, July, August) totaling $130.50 per child for summer 2025 5. Once activated, benefits remain available for 274 days If you're having trouble reaching someone, you can also check status at calfresh.dss.ca.gov/summer or text SUMMEREBT to 877-877.

It's a completely separate white card that looks different from your regular Golden State Advantage EBT card. It will come in a white envelope addressed to your child (not to you), which is why these sometimes get overlooked in the mail. The card itself will say "California Summer Food Benefits" on it.