Confused about P-EBT 3.0 - getting additional funds or new card?

i think it depends if u still have ur old card. my neighbor said they loadd her existing card but my sis got a new 1 bc she lost hers last yr. check ur balance on the old card maybe???

P-EBT 3.0 is a bit different from the previous rounds. For most families, the benefits will be loaded onto your existing P-EBT card if you received benefits in the past. However, if your card was lost, damaged, or never activated, they'll send a new card to the address they have on file. You should first check your existing card balance through the P-EBT website or by calling the number on the back of your card. If you forgot your PIN, you can request a reset through the customer service number on the back of the card. If your address has changed since the last P-EBT issuance, you should contact your county office immediately to update your information. The new benefits are being distributed in phases throughout Spring 2025, so not everyone will receive their benefits at the same time.

I called about this last week because I was confused too. The P-EBT 3.0 benefits are mostly going on existing cards, but the timeline for deposits is spread out over several months. The representative told me some counties won't see benefits until June 2025! If you need to reach someone directly at CalFresh to check on your specific situation, I'd recommend using Claimyr (claimyr.com) - it saved me hours of waiting on hold. They have a system that calls the CalFresh office for you and then calls you back when a real person answers. I watched their video demo first (https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8) and it worked exactly like they showed. The representative I spoke with confirmed my kids would get benefits on our existing card and also helped me reset my PIN since I had forgotten it too.

AM I THE ONLY ONE who thinks this whole P-EBT rollout is RIDICULOUS?? They did the same thing last time - vague notices, no clear timeline, and then some families got benefits while others waited MONTHS!!! I called my county office FOUR TIMES and got different answers each time. One worker said my kids weren't eligible (WRONG), another said benefits would come in April, then another said June. And don't get me started on their website that never works when you need it to!!! Why can't they just deposit all the benefits at once instead of this phased approach that just confuses everyone?? My kids need food NOW, not whenever some bureaucrat decides to press the button!!!

Just so everyone is clear - P-EBT is NOT the same as CalFresh/SNAP. They're different programs with different eligibility requirements and administrative processes. The P-EBT 3.0 program is specifically for families with children who would have received free or reduced-price meals if they had attended school in person. If you're struggling with food security right now, don't wait for P-EBT - apply for regular CalFresh benefits if you haven't already. The income limits increased in January 2025, so even if you weren't eligible before, you might be now. A family of four can make up to $4,250/month gross income and still qualify for some benefits. For the original question - yes, most people will see funds added to their existing P-EBT card, but keep an eye on your mail in case you're one of the households receiving a new card.

anyone know if kids in preschool get it too? my daughter is in head start

My cousin works for the school district and she said they're having major problems with the data files they have to submit for P-EBT. That's why the timeline is so spread out. Some districts have their act together and submitted everything properly, while others are still fixing errors. So it's not just the state being slow - it's also about how organized your local school district is with their paperwork!

One more important note - if you didn't receive P-EBT before but think your children should qualify, you can't apply directly for P-EBT. Instead, you need to make sure your children are certified for free or reduced-price school meals through your school district. Once your children are in the system as eligible for free/reduced meals, they should automatically be included in future P-EBT issuances if the program continues. The state uses data from schools to determine eligibility, not applications from parents.

Just wanted to share my experience for anyone still waiting - I finally got my P-EBT 3.0 benefits loaded onto my existing card yesterday! I'm in Riverside County and my kids' school is also Title I. The amount was different for each of my kids based on their attendance, just like someone mentioned earlier. For those still waiting, I'd recommend setting up text alerts through the P-EBT website if you haven't already - I got a notification as soon as the funds were added. Also, if you're having trouble with your PIN like I was, the reset process through customer service was actually pretty quick once I got through to someone. Hang in there everyone - it seems like they really are rolling these out in waves, so your turn is probably coming soon!