Confused about P-EBT card vs. regular CalFresh EBT - should my child's P-EBT still be active?

Hey everyone, I'm super confused about these different EBT cards. My daughter received a P-EBT 2.0 card (the black and white one) back during the pandemic around 2020-2021. It only received funds once and then nothing ever again. I also have our regular California Golden State Advantage EBT card where we get our monthly CalFresh benefits. Was the P-EBT supposed to keep getting reloaded or was it just a one-time pandemic benefit? Should I be checking both cards regularly? The P-EBT has been sitting in my drawer for years now and I'm wondering if I've been missing out on benefits for my child. They're still in school - does that matter? Also, if the P-EBT is supposed to be getting funds, who do I even call about that? My regular CalFresh worker doesn't seem to handle P-EBT questions when I've asked before.

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18 comments

Ella Lewis

•8M

The P-EBT 2.0 cards were part of a temporary pandemic benefit program and were not meant to be permanently reloaded. There were several phases of P-EBT: - P-EBT 1.0: Initial pandemic response (Spring 2020) - P-EBT 2.0: Follow-up benefits (2020-2021 school year) - P-EBT Summer 2021: One-time summer benefit - P-EBT 3.0: Extended program for 2021-2022 school year Depending on when you received your card, you might have been eligible for additional payments during these phases. But the P-EBT program has ended now, so you won't receive any new benefits on that card in 2025. Your regular Golden State Advantage EBT card is where your ongoing CalFresh benefits will continue to be deposited monthly, assuming you stay eligible and complete your recertifications and SAR7 reports on time.

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Brianna Schmidt

•8M

The P-EBT program was COMPLETELY separate from regular CalFresh!!! County workers had NOTHING to do with it - it was run by the state directly. That's why your CalFresh worker couldn't help with P-EBT questions. They did have multiple rounds of pandemic funding but the program has been DISCONTINUED. Your regular EBT card for CalFresh is the only one that will continue to get benefits as long as you qualify and do your recertification and SAR7s on time. Keep up with your income reporting requirements to avoid any overpayments!!!

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Alexis Renard

•8M

This is mostly correct, but I want to clarify one thing - while the P-EBT program has ended for now, it's always possible that in future emergency situations, they could reactivate it or create a similar program. That's why it's good practice to keep the card even if it's empty now. If you have specific questions about your regular CalFresh benefits, you should contact your county office. I know getting through can be frustrating - I recently discovered a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to a live person without waiting on hold for hours. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8. Saved me so much time when I needed to sort out an income verification issue.

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Madeline Blaze

•8M

The different programs are administered by completely different agencies and funding sources, so that's why they use separate cards. Regular CalFresh is an ongoing nutrition assistance program, while P-EBT was specifically created as a temporary response to school closures during COVID-19. The funds come from different places and have different eligibility requirements. Regarding the original question, you should continue to use your regular CalFresh EBT card for ongoing benefits. The P-EBT program has ended, though you should keep the card in case there are any retroactive payments or the program is activated again during another emergency.

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Ella Lewis

•8M

For 2025, the gross monthly income limit for a household of 3 is approximately $3,288 (130% of the Federal Poverty Level). The net income limit would be around $2,529 (100% of FPL). Make sure when you do your recertification that you report all allowable deductions like: - Housing costs (rent/mortgage, utilities) - Childcare expenses - Medical expenses for elderly or disabled household members - Child support payments These deductions can help you qualify even if your gross income is close to the limit, as they're subtracted to calculate your net income for eligibility.

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Madeline Blaze

•8M

Just to add to the above advice - when you do your recertification, make sure you submit all required verification documents promptly. The most common reason people lose benefits during recertification is not providing requested documents in time. Documents typically needed include: - Income verification (pay stubs, benefit award letters) - Identity verification - Residency verification (lease, utility bills) - Updated household composition information If you have trouble gathering any of these, contact your caseworker BEFORE the deadline to request an extension.

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Emma Wilson

•5M

Just want to echo what others have said - the P-EBT program was definitely a temporary pandemic benefit that's now ended. I work at a community center and helped a lot of families navigate this confusion back in 2021-2022. For your recertification next month, here's a helpful tip: start gathering your documents NOW rather than waiting until the last minute. Create a checklist of what you need and check items off as you collect them. Most counties will send you a notice about 45 days before your recertification is due, so you should have plenty of time if you start early. Also, if you're having trouble with your case or need to speak to someone quickly, some counties now offer online chat options or callback services so you don't have to wait on hold for hours. Check your county's website to see what options are available. Good luck with your recertification! It sounds like you're being proactive about it which is great.

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