Do P-EBT cards use the same PIN as regular CalFresh EBT cards?

No, the P-EBT card needs a separate PIN. It doesn't automatically use your CalFresh PIN. When you first got the P-EBT card, there should have been instructions on how to set up a PIN by calling the number on the back of the card. You'll need to have your child's date of birth and the P-EBT card number ready when you call. It's a pretty simple process but completely separate from your regular CalFresh EBT.

got mine last month. u need 2 call & set up new pin. took me like 5 tries cuz the system kept hanging up on me lol

The P-EBT program is completely separate from regular CalFresh even though it's also administered through CDSS. You definitely need a different PIN. Call the number on the back of the card (it should be the EBT customer service line) and you'll need to create a new 4-digit PIN. Make sure you have your child's information ready because they may ask for verification like date of birth. I actually wrote down my PIN somewhere safe because it's different from my regular CalFresh PIN and I was worried I'd forget it since we don't use the P-EBT as often.

I had the exact same question when my kids' P-EBT cards arrived! They are completely separate systems. You need to call the number on the back of the P-EBT card to set up a new PIN. Make sure you have your child's date of birth ready and the full card number. The call might take a while - the customer service line has been swamped with the new round of P-EBT benefits rolling out for 2025. If you're having trouble getting through on the phone line, I'd recommend trying early morning (right when they open) or late evening before they close. Those were the times I had the best luck getting through.

I had so much trouble calling that number when I got my kids P-EBT cards!!! After getting hung up on like 5 times I found this service called Claimyr that got me through to a person. You can check it out at claimyr.com - they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 Basically they wait on hold for you then call you when they get a real person. Saved me hours of frustration with the P-EBT line. Once I finally got through, setting up the PIN was super easy.

The P-EBT is actually for school meals that your kid missed during COVID, its NOT the same as CalFresh at all!!!! Different program entirely even though they look similar. Dont use your CalFresh pin it wont work!!

I was so confused by this too! I actually tried my CalFresh PIN on my daughter's P-EBT card and it didn't work (obviously based on what everyone is saying). Make sure you call when you have at least 30 minutes free because you'll be on hold forever. The person I finally talked to said they're extra busy because they just sent out a huge batch of cards for the new school year. Once you do get through, the PIN setup only takes like 1 minute.

As a follow-up - make sure you activate and use your P-EBT benefits before they expire! Most P-EBT benefits stay on the card for about 274 days (9 months) from the date they were issued. Unlike regular CalFresh which expires after a year of non-use, P-EBT has a shorter timeframe. You can check the exact expiration dates by calling the number on the back of the card once you've set up your PIN.