P-EBT benefits missing - never received card after first round in 2020?

The P-EBT and CalFresh are actually two different programs, though they both put food benefits on EBT cards. P-EBT was originally for the pandemic when schools were closed, but they did several rounds of it. If you never got the card after the first round, you probably have benefits sitting unclaimed somewhere! Call the P-EBT helpline at 877-328-9677 to check if you have pending benefits. They can tell you how much you have and can issue a replacement card if needed. Don't wait too long though - some older benefits might have already expired.

do you still have the old pebt card? sometimes they just reload the same card, my neibor didnt know and had benefits on her old card for months

I work with families navigating these benefits, and I can tell you that P-EBT has been confusing for everyone. Here's what you need to know: 1. P-EBT started as pandemic assistance but has had multiple phases through 2024 2. If your children receive free/reduced meals through school, you likely qualified for multiple rounds 3. Some rounds sent new cards, others reloaded existing cards 4. You should contact both the P-EBT hotline (877-328-9677) AND check with your school district's nutrition services The benefits typically don't expire for 9 months after issuance, so there's a good chance you can still access some of them. Keep in mind that P-EBT is separate from regular CalFresh/SNAP benefits, though both use EBT cards.

I had the EXACT same problem!!! The P-EBT system is so messed up I swear. I never got the round 2 or 3 cards for my kids even though they definitely qualified. Called that hotline number and it was ALWAYS busy. Just disconnected me every time. So frustrating!

Remember that P-EBT is totally separate from your regular CalFresh benefits. The school district submits eligible student info directly to the state, which then issues P-EBT cards. If you moved at any point, they might have sent cards to your old address. When you call the P-EBT hotline, make sure to verify all addresses they have on file for you. Also ask specifically about each issuance period (Summer 2022, 2022-2023 school year, Summer 2023, etc.) as they were all handled separately.

Update: I FINALLY got through to the P-EBT hotline after trying for two days straight. Turns out I have benefits from both the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 school years that were sent to my old address! They're reissuing the cards to my current address, but said it could take 4-6 weeks to arrive. At least I know they're coming now. Thanks everyone for your help!

The whole P-EBT system is RIDICULOUS! My friend's kids go to the same school as mine, same free lunch program, and she got like 5 different cards over the years while I only got 1!!! Makes NO SENSE how they decide who gets what and when.

Make sure you keep your address updated with your kids' school too. Most P-EBT problems happen because of wrong addresses in the school system. Also check if you have any undelivered mail at the post office from your old address - sometimes they hold the cards there if they can't deliver them.

Once you receive your new P-EBT cards, here's how to maximize your benefits: 1. Check the exact expiration date of each set of benefits (typically 9 months from issuance) 2. Create a spending plan to use the oldest benefits first 3. Remember that P-EBT can be used for any SNAP-eligible foods at grocery stores, farmers markets, and many online retailers 4. If you have a large amount of benefits, consider stocking up on non-perishable items Also, be sure to ask the P-EBT hotline if there will be any additional issuances for 2025. The program has been extended several times, so it's worth checking if more benefits might be coming.

For checking your P-EBT balance, you can either call the number on the back of the card or visit the EBT cardholder website (connectebt.com). You'll need the card number and PIN to check online. It's actually the same system as regular CalFresh EBT cards, but the benefits are kept separate on the different cards.

Just wanted to share my experience - I was in a similar situation and found out that sometimes the P-EBT cards get delivered but stolen from mailboxes! After calling the hotline, they told me three cards had been issued to my address over the years. I filed a police report for mail theft and they were able to reissue all the cards with the benefits still intact. If you live in an apartment complex or area where mail theft is common, this might be worth looking into. Also, once you get your new cards, consider having them sent to a P.O. Box or asking a trusted neighbor to watch for the delivery. The cards look just like regular mail so thieves don't always know what they're taking, but it's still a huge hassle to deal with.

This thread has been so helpful! I'm dealing with a similar situation but for my elderly mom who doesn't speak much English. She received one P-EBT card back in 2020 for my younger brother who was still in high school, but nothing since then even though he continued getting free meals through graduation in 2023. I'm worried there might be language barriers when I call the hotline on her behalf - does anyone know if they have Spanish-speaking representatives available? Also, would I need any special documentation to inquire about her benefits, or can I just explain that I'm helping my mom who doesn't speak English well? Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences here - it's given me hope that we might be able to recover some of those missing benefits!

I'm going through something similar right now! My kids have been getting free school meals since 2020, but I only received that very first P-EBT card. I had no idea there were multiple rounds - this thread is eye-opening. Reading everyone's experiences, it sounds like there's a good chance I have benefits sitting somewhere too. I'm definitely going to try calling the P-EBT hotline tomorrow morning early like Julian suggested. Has anyone had luck getting through on certain days of the week? I'm wondering if there are better times to call to avoid those busy signals that Lauren mentioned. Also, should I call my school district first to make sure they have my current address, or is it better to start with the P-EBT hotline directly? Thanks for all the detailed info everyone - this community is amazing!

I'm in almost the exact same boat as you Vanessa! Got that first P-EBT card in 2020 for my daughter but haven't seen anything since, even though she's been on free lunch this whole time. Reading through all these comments has been super enlightening - I had no idea there were so many different rounds of P-EBT benefits over the years. It's crazy how inconsistent the system seems to be with who gets cards and when. I'm definitely going to try calling that hotline number tomorrow and checking with my daughter's school to make sure they have our current address. Thanks for posting this question and thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and tips! It's given me hope that we might have some unclaimed benefits waiting out there too.