How to apply for P-EBT 4.0 for infant - just got CalFresh approval email but confused about next steps

Congrats on finally getting your CalFresh approval! For P-EBT 4.0, if your baby was under age 6 and your household was receiving CalFresh anytime between October 1, 2024 and May 30, 2025, your child should automatically receive the P-EBT benefits. You don't need to apply separately for children under 6 in CalFresh households. The email probably mentions the application process for school-aged children, which is different. The P-EBT 4.0 card would come in your baby's name in the mail. If you had P-EBT before, they might load the benefits onto your existing P-EBT card. Just make sure your mailing address is current with the county.

my kid didnt get his card for like 2 months after we got calfresh so dont panic if it takes awhile. the weird thing is they send the card separate from the pin number so watch your mail careful

YOU BETTER CALL AND CHECK!!!! I was told my kids would get it automatically too but then found out 6 months later they had "no record" of my youngest in their system even though she was on my CalFresh case!!! Had to file an appeal and STILL waiting for her benefits while my older kids got theirs no problem. The system is BROKEN!!!

Just wanted to add that P-EBT 4.0 benefits for young children are being issued in phases depending on when you were approved for CalFresh. Since you just got approved, your baby's benefits might come in the next issuance cycle. They don't all go out at once. The total benefit amount for kids under 6 should be about $455 for the full period, assuming your approval covers most of the eligibility period. Also, just to be clear, P-EBT is separate from your regular CalFresh EBT card. It's a completely different card and program, even though eligibility is connected.

If you're having trouble reaching someone at the P-EBT hotline (which is notorious for long waits), I'd recommend using Claimyr. It saved me hours when I had a similar issue with my daughter's P-EBT benefits not showing up. The service calls and waits on hold for you, then connects you when a real person answers. You can see how it works at https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 and sign up at claimyr.com. Much better than trying to call repeatedly and getting disconnected or waiting for hours.

I'm going through this same exact thing right now! My 9-month-old qualifies for P-EBT since we get CalFresh, but I called the P-EBT hotline just to make sure and they told me that babies are processed in batches by county. Which county are you in? I'm in San Bernardino and they said our county's batch for babies under 1 year is scheduled for processing next month. Might be worth calling to check your county's schedule.

dont 4get to activate the card when it comes. my sister thought it just worked but u have to call the number on the sticker and set it up first

One more thing - make sure you keep the P-EBT card even after you use up the benefits. If they issue additional pandemic-related food benefits in the future (which seems likely given the new assistance programs being discussed), they'll reload the same card rather than sending a new one.

Anyone know if the P-EBT 4.0 benefits expire? The P-EBT 3.0 benefits had some kind of expiration date and I lost like $200 because I didn't know about it until too late 😡