Is California issuing pre-EBT 3.0 benefits for CalFresh? Confused about rollout timing

There's a lot of confusion about this. To be clear, there's no such thing as "pre-EBT 3.0 benefits" in California's CalFresh program. What's happening is California is upgrading to the EBT 3.0 system gradually throughout 2025, county by county. This is just a technology upgrade to the card system - it doesn't mean extra benefits. The new cards have better security features and an updated app, but your actual benefit amount stays the same. Some people might be confusing this with the temporary benefits increases that happened during COVID, but those ended back in 2023.

my neighbor said somethin about this too but i think its just rumors going around cuz i get calfresh and aint got no extra money and my worker didnt say nothing about no pre ebt

There's ALWAYS rumors about extra benefits!!! I swear every few months someone in my apartment complex is saying we're getting some special payment or bonus and it NEVER happens. I've been on CalFresh for 3 years and the only time we ever got extra was during COVID. The county workers never tell us ANYTHING in advance anyway and then act surprised when we don't know about changes. My EBT card is so worn out it barely scans anymore, so I actually HOPE this EBT 3.0 thing is real so I can get a new card without paying the $5 replacement fee!!!

I've been trying to get accurate info about EBT 3.0 for weeks and it's incredibly frustrating. I spent 4 hours on hold with my county office (Los Angeles) yesterday before getting disconnected. Then tried again today and gave up after 2 hours. The website just has vague information saying "coming in 2025" but nothing county-specific. Does anyone know how to actually reach a human being who can answer questions about this?

im in alameda county and we alredy got letters about ebt 3.0 coming in october. they said were getting new cards mailed out and theres gonna be a new app but nothing about extra money or benefits. the letter said our regular benefits stay the same amount just different cards

To clarify the EBT 3.0 rollout for California counties in 2025: 1. This is a technology upgrade to the EBT system, not a benefits increase 2. The rollout is phased by county from May through December 2025 3. Recipients will receive a letter approximately 30 days before their county's transition 4. New cards will be automatically mailed to current recipients 5. Benefits amounts remain the same unless there's a separate case change 6. The upgrade includes better security features, a more stable EBT app, and improved customer service options If you're hearing about "pre-EBT 3.0 benefits," this is misinformation. The only changes to benefit amounts would come from regular program updates like the annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) or changes to your household's specific situation.

The exact transition dates for each county should be posted on the California Department of Social Services website under "EBT System Modernization" by the end of February. San Bernardino is currently scheduled for Phase 3, which would be around August-September 2025. If you're moving between counties, make sure to update your address immediately when you move so your new card goes to the right place. Also, if you're moving to a county in a different phase of the rollout, you might experience a slight delay or get your card earlier than expected.

my sister said we gotta activate the new cards when they come or we cant get our benefits. does anybody know if that's true?