How much P-EBT did everyone receive for school-age kids in Salinas? Different amounts than expected
Just checked my account and saw my son's P-EBT benefits got loaded yesterday! We're in Salinas and he's in 3rd grade at Lincoln Elementary. I'm a bit confused though because my neighbor said she got $635 for her daughter who's in the same school, but I only got $582 for my son. Is there some calculation I'm missing? Does the amount vary by how many days they actually went to school or something? What amount did everyone else get for their kids? Just trying to figure out if I should call about this or if different amounts are normal.
14 comments
Join the conversation
Diego Flores
I got $615 for my 5th grader and $598 for my 1st grader, both in Salinas City schools. I think it does vary based on how many days they qualifed for free lunch? Or maybe absences? The letter wasn't very clear tbh.
0 coins
Chloe Taylor
•So it really does vary! I lost the letter they sent about it. Did yours explain how they calculated it?
0 coins
Anastasia Ivanova
The P-EBT amounts actually do vary based on several factors including how many eligible school days, when the school participated in the National School Lunch Program, and whether your child was absent. For the 2024-2025 school year, the maximum benefit is around $650 for the full eligibility period, but most children receive less based on their individual circumstances. This isn't related to regular CalFresh benefits - it's a separate program specifically for school-age children who qualify for free/reduced meals.
0 coins
Chloe Taylor
•Thank you for explaining! So it sounds like the difference in amounts is normal then. I was worried something was wrong with our benefits.
0 coins
Sean Murphy
my kids got different amounts too. 1 got $612 and other got $589. same school!! makes NO sense but whatever its free $ so im not complainin lol
0 coins
StarStrider
•It's not "free money" though - it's to replace the school meals that kids would have gotten if attendance wasn't affected by various factors. Each child's benefit is calculated individually based on their actual attendance and eligibility. That's why siblings at the same school might get different amounts.
0 coins
Zara Malik
wait we're in salinas too and i havent gotten any p-ebt for my kids yet??? do i need to apply for this separately from calfresh?? we get regular calfresh already
0 coins
Anastasia Ivanova
•Yes, P-EBT is separate from regular CalFresh, though they both use EBT cards. If your children qualify for free/reduced lunch, you should receive benefits automatically. Check if they mailed you a separate P-EBT card (it looks different from the regular EBT card). If you believe your kids qualify but haven't received anything, you should definitely call the P-EBT helpline at 877-328-9677, but be prepared for very long wait times.
0 coins
Luca Marino
I had to call about my kids' P-EBT last month because one child received it but not the other. After trying for THREE DAYS to get through to someone, I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to help me skip the phone queue. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8. They got me connected to a real person at the P-EBT office in about 15 minutes instead of waiting for hours or getting disconnected. Found out my younger son's card was sent to our old address. They were able to fix it right away.
0 coins
Zara Malik
•omg thank u for this!! i just tried calling that number and it said 'estimated wait time 2+ hours' and hung up on me!!! gonna try that service
0 coins
Nia Davis
I thought P-EBT was only during the pandemic?????? Why are people still getting it in 2025???? My kids school says they all get free lunch anyway so what is this even for????
0 coins
Anastasia Ivanova
•The original P-EBT was pandemic-related, but California extended a modified version of the program. The current P-EBT benefits cover days when eligible students couldn't access school meals due to excused COVID-related absences, remote learning days, or school closures. Even though many schools offer universal free meals now, P-EBT helps replace those meals on days when students couldn't physically be at school to receive them.
0 coins
Chloe Taylor
Are these P-EBT benefits supposed to come on our regular CalFresh EBT card? Or is it separate? I just realized I should check if I'm looking in the right place.
0 coins
Diego Flores
•It comes on a completely different card! It's a special gold P-EBT card with your child's name on it (not yours). They should have mailed it to your house. If you never got one, definitely call that number someone posted above!
0 coins