Just received P-EBT card notice for my child but we don't have CalFresh - Imperial County confusion

P-EBT is completely different from CalFresh/food stamps! It's a federal program specifically for children who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals. If your son is in preschool or Head Start and qualifies for free/reduced meals, that's likely why you're receiving it. The 2025 P-EBT program was expanded to include qualifying children under 6 even if they're not in school yet. It's legitimate and you should definitely use it if you received the notice. The amount varies based on school attendance and other factors, but typically ranges from $125-$200 per month per eligible child. The card works just like an EBT card at grocery stores, but it's specifically tied to the P-EBT program.

Is it definitely from the Department of Social Services? There are some scams going around where they say you're getting benefits but then ask for personal information. The legitimate P-EBT notice should have the California logo, your child's name, and information about how to activate it - but it won't ask for your SSN or other sensitive info by mail.

I work with benefit programs in Imperial County. This P-EBT distribution is legitimate and separate from CalFresh. The new phase of P-EBT (2024-2025) includes children under 6 who live in households that meet certain income requirements, even without CalFresh. The P-EBT card will come with activation instructions. The benefit amount isn't listed in advance letters because it can vary based on several factors. Once you get the card, you'll need to call the number on the back to activate it and check the balance. Unlike CalFresh, you don't need to do any reporting or recertification for P-EBT - it's a one-time or periodic benefit depending on the program phase.

TOTALLY LEGIT! Got one for my kids last year. The state is terrible at explaining these programs so everyone gets confused. P-EBT has nothing to do with regular food stamps, and it won't affect your eligibility for any other programs. It doesn't count as income either. Just free money for food for your kid!! 👍

When you get the card, make sure you activate it right away! The first batch of P-EBT cards in Imperial County back in 2023 had some issues with activation delays, and some people thought they were empty when actually the benefits just hadn't been loaded yet. Call the number on the back of the card to check the balance before trying to use it. If you have any issues reaching someone about your P-EBT card, try using Claimyr.com - it helped me get through to an actual person when I had questions about my son's card. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 showing how it works. Saved me hours of waiting on hold!

To answer your question about how long the benefits last - P-EBT benefits stay on your card for 274 days (about 9 months) from the date they're issued. After that, they expire if not used. This is different from regular CalFresh, which expires after 365 days. Since you mentioned you could use the help, you might want to consider applying for regular CalFresh too. Imperial County has one of the highest approval rates in California, and the income limits are higher than most people realize. For a household with a child, you could earn up to $3,875 monthly (gross) and still qualify in 2025.

The CalFresh application process is much easier now than it used to be. You can apply online through BenefitsCal.com anytime 24/7. Most interviews are done by phone now, and you can upload verification documents through the website or mobile app. For a basic application with standard employment, you'll typically need: 1. ID for adults in the household 2. Proof of income (last 4 pay stubs) 3. Proof of address (utility bill, lease) 4. Birth certificate for your son Imperial County is currently processing most applications within 7-10 days, which is faster than the required 30-day timeframe. If approved, benefits are prorated from your application date.

my cousins kid got a pebt card to she doesnt get calfresh either its for kids who get free lunch at school i think? or maybe head start idk but its legit for sure just make sure u save the pin number they send with it cuz u cant reset it easy if u lose it

Since we're talking about P-EBT in Imperial County, I want to mention that there's a second phase of benefits coming in summer 2025 for eligible children. If your child receives this first card, they'll likely get the summer benefit too. Also, to answer your original question more directly - receiving P-EBT will NOT create any problems for you. It won't affect your taxes, won't be counted as income for any other benefits, and doesn't create any reporting requirements. It's essentially a no-strings-attached food benefit for eligible children. Like others mentioned, applying for regular CalFresh is a separate process that you might want to consider. The online application takes about 30 minutes to complete.

Just wanted to add that you should keep that original notice letter in a safe place! If there are ever any questions about your P-EBT benefits or if you need to reference the program details later, having the original documentation is helpful. Also, once you get your card and start using it, you can check your balance online at ebtEDGE.com or by calling the number on the back of the card. The website also shows your transaction history, which is useful for budgeting and keeping track of what you've purchased. Sounds like you're all set and this is definitely legitimate - enjoy the extra help with groceries for your son!