P-EBT 3.0 distribution schedule by last name? When will N-C get benefits?
Hi everyone, I'm trying to figure out when the new P-EBT 3.0 benefits are going to be loaded onto our cards. My son's name starts with N and our last name starts with C. Has anybody seen any kind of schedule or heard anything from their county workers? I thought they were supposed to start in June 2025 but haven't seen anything come through yet. We really could use the extra food assistance with summer coming up and no school lunches. Checked the BenefitsCal portal but there's nothing showing up about P-EBT at all!
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Khalid Howes
Unfortunately P-EBT 3.0 isn't a CalFresh program - it's actually run separately by CDSS and CDE. CalFresh and P-EBT are completely different programs even though they both use EBT cards. You won't see P-EBT info in the BenefitsCal portal at all. For P-EBT 3.0, they're issuing benefits alphabetically but there's no official schedule published yet. Most counties are saying August-September 2025 for the first wave. They usually start with A-F last names, then G-M, then N-Z, but this varies by county.
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Rita Jacobs
•Omg really?? I thought it was all part of the same thing since it goes on the same card. So I can't even call my CalFresh worker to ask about it? That's so confusing.
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Ben Cooper
I'm in the same boat but my last name starts with S. Called my county office 6 times and got disconnected EVERY TIME. So frustrating!!! I have 3 kids and we're counting on that extra food money. The schools sent home flyers saying eligible kids would get it automatically but didn't give ANY dates. Why do they make everything so complicated??!!
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Naila Gordon
•P-EBT is managed at the state level, not county level. That's why county workers often can't help. The P-EBT helpline is 877-328-9677 but good luck getting through - I had to try for weeks. Last time they did P-EBT, it took over 6 months to distribute to everyone, so patience is unfortunately needed. You can check for updates at cdss.ca.gov/pebt.
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Cynthia Love
Just FYI - P-EBT is NOT CalFresh. They're completely separate programs. P-EBT is for kids who would've gotten free/reduced lunch at school. CalFresh is the regular food stamps program. P-EBT has its own customer service line (877-328-9677) but it's ALWAYS busy. I had luck using Claimyr.com to get through - it holds your place in line and calls you back when an agent is available. They have a video demo here: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 that shows how it works. Saved me hours of holding.
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Darren Brooks
•Does that service actually work? I'm desperate to get through to someone about my daughter's card. We never even received the first round of P-EBT!
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Rosie Harper
Im a teacher and we got an email last week saying PEBT 3.0 is going to be rolled out between Aug-Dec 2025 depending on last name. Can't remember the exact schedule but N should be in the later group probably October or November. They r doing it in batches because the system cant handle everyone at once.
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Rita Jacobs
•Thank you for the info! Do you know if they'll send any kind of notification when it's about to be loaded? Last time we just suddenly had extra money on the card and had no idea where it came from until later.
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Elliott luviBorBatman
GUYS LISTEN pls dont confuse CalFresh with PEBT!!!! They are TOTALLY DIFFERENT!!!! CalFresh is ongoing food stamps that u qualify for based on ur income. PEBT is a temporary program for kids who get free lunch at school. U can have both but they're not the same thing at all. If ur calling CalFresh office about PEBT they cant help u!!!!!
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Rita Jacobs
•OK I get it now! I think I was confused because both benefits get loaded onto the same EBT card. Thanks for clarifying.
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Khalid Howes
To answer your original question with the most accurate information I have: P-EBT 3.0 benefits for 2025 are scheduled to begin distribution in August, continuing through December. The exact schedule by last name isn't published yet, but based on previous distributions, last names starting with N-Z are typically in the third wave, which would likely be October-November 2025. You should receive a notice in the mail 1-2 weeks before your benefits are loaded. If you've moved since the school has your information, make sure your address is updated with your child's school immediately.
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Rita Jacobs
•This is so helpful, thank you! I'll make sure our address is up to date with the school. Really appreciate the clear information.
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Cynthia Love
Also worth noting that P-EBT customer service is actually improving this year. I called last week and only waited about 45 minutes (used to be impossible to get through). They told me N-C would likely be in the third batch, probably late October. If you don't need immediate help, I'd just wait for the official letter. If you do need to talk to someone, definitely try early morning calling (right when they open) for shortest wait times.
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Darren Brooks
my kids got pebt last year but we didnt reapply for free lunch this year cause i didnt know we had to do it every year. does anyone know if theyll still get it? im really worried now
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Khalid Howes
•Good question! If your school participates in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) where all students get free meals regardless of income, your children will still receive P-EBT automatically. If not, you should complete a free/reduced lunch application ASAP - some schools will accept them even after the deadline for P-EBT purposes. Contact your school's nutrition office right away to check.
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