Confused about P-EBT 3.0 vs 4.0 - will old benefits be reloaded or is 4.0 replacing everything?

Thank you so much for explaining! That makes more sense. Do you know if we need to apply for P-EBT 4.0 or is it automatic? And will they send the new cards to the address the school has on file?

That's frustrating but there could be a few reasons for this. Even within the same school, eligibility can vary by individual student based on whether they specifically are enrolled in free/reduced lunch programs. Some children might qualify through direct certification (if their family receives CalFresh/SNAP, for example) while others might need applications. For P-EBT 4.0, I'd recommend having your nephew's parents double-check with the school that he's properly enrolled in the free/reduced meal program to ensure he qualifies for the next round.

Definitely keep the P-EBT 3.0 card just in case, even though P-EBT 4.0 will be issued on a new card. Sometimes there can be retroactive adjustments or late deposits. And yes, the most important thing is making sure your address is current with your child's school. There isn't really a way to pre-check eligibility for P-EBT 4.0, but if your daughter receives free lunch through the National School Lunch Program, she should automatically qualify. The California Department of Social Services website should have updates as the distribution gets closer, but they're often not very specific with exact dates.

The P-EBT 4.0 benefit amounts haven't been officially announced yet, but based on previous patterns, it will likely be around $130-$150 per eligible child per month for school months with an additional amount for summer benefits. The exact amount sometimes varies based on your county's specific school closure/virtual learning situation during the eligibility period. Once the program gets closer to launch, the CDSS website will post the official benefit amounts.

Thanks for the suggestion! I'll definitely look into that if I need to call again. I spent almost 2 hours on hold last time before getting disconnected. So frustrating!

does that actually work? seems sketchy to me

It definitely worked for me. Not sketchy at all - they just stay on hold so you don't have to. When a real person answers, you get a text and jump on the call. Better than wasting half your day on hold!

Good news - your children can receive both regular CalFresh benefits AND P-EBT 4.0! They're completely separate programs. In fact, being on CalFresh actually guarantees your children's eligibility for P-EBT through what's called "direct certification" - meaning the system automatically identifies them as eligible because they receive SNAP/CalFresh benefits. So you'll continue to receive your regular CalFresh benefits on your EBT card, and when P-EBT 4.0 is issued, your children will receive those additional benefits on separate P-EBT cards.

That's strange! I thought the benefits were supposed to stay on the card for at least a year from when they were issued. Did you call to ask about it?

P-EBT benefits don't expire for 274 days (about 9 months) from the date they were issued, not from when you received the card. So if your last benefits were loaded more than 9 months ago, they would have expired. You can call the P-EBT helpline at 877-328-9677 to check the status and last issuance date. It's best to use all P-EBT benefits before the expiration date to avoid losing them.

You're welcome! That's a good plan. Also, if you don't receive the P-EBT 4.0 cards by late summer 2025 and you believe your children qualify, there will likely be a way to request replacement cards through the P-EBT website. They usually set up a portal for families who didn't receive their cards or who need replacements. But checking your address with the school now is definitely the best first step to avoid any issues.

That's such a good point about updating addresses with both school districts when you move! I hadn't thought about that complication. It makes sense that there could be confusion about which district handles the card issuance. Thanks for sharing that tip - it could save a lot of headaches for families who relocate during the school year. I'm also glad to hear I'm not the only one keeping the old cards just in case. Better safe than sorry with these benefits!