Received duplicate P-EBT card with wrong name - anyone else getting extra Sun Bucks cards?

omg yes!!! i got one for my daughter with our last name spelled wrong (Martinez instead of Martínez). but we didnt get a previous correct one so i just activated it anyway. the benefits loaded fine on the 1st

Did you call to verify it was legitimate first? I'm worried about activating it if it's meant for someone else. Did you need to provide any verification when activating?

This is likely part of the 2025 Summer Sun Bucks P-EBT program rollout issues. The system occasionally generates duplicate cards when there are data entry errors. Here's what you should do:\n\n1. Call the P-EBT helpline at 877-328-9677 to report the duplicate card\n2. Explain you already received a correctly named card for this child\n3. They'll check if it's actually a duplicate or possibly a second issuance for a different benefit period\n\nDon't activate it until you verify. The wrong name plus duplicate issue could indicate a system error. Some families are getting multiple cards because the program covers different school years and summer periods separately.

Thank you for the detailed info! I tried calling that number this morning but got stuck in the automated system for 40 minutes before getting disconnected. Is there a better time to call or a way to speak to a real person faster?

I've had nothing but problems with these Sun Bucks cards!!! First they sent my kids' cards to our OLD address even though we updated our info with the school AND CalFresh. Then when I finally got the replacement cards, one had my daughter's name COMPLETELY WRONG (like, not even close). Called that useless helpline six times and got disconnected EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. The whole system is a JOKE! And don't even get me started on how they can issue benefits for the wrong kids but can't fix simple address problems!!! 😡😡😡

same here they spelled my son's name as 'Micheal' instead of 'Michael' but the birthday was right so i just activated it anyway. these cards r so confusing

I work with families applying for benefits, and this issue has come up several times with the Sun Bucks P-EBT program this year. The duplicate cards with misspelled names are usually system errors during the mass issuance. \n\nIf you already received a correct card for your child that's working properly, I would NOT activate this second card with the error. The system flags accounts with multiple active cards for the same child (based on DOB), which can lead to a benefits hold on ALL your cards while they investigate.\n\nThe P-EBT helpline is overwhelmed right now due to the summer issuance. Try calling right when they open at 8am or in the last hour before they close at 5pm for shorter wait times.

This is really helpful information. I definitely don't want all our cards frozen while they investigate! I'll try calling right at 8am tomorrow. Would destroying the incorrect card be a problem if they need it back?

hey so I had this EXACT problem last month! got a card for my kid with our last name totally wrong (said

That's exactly what I need! I'll check out that service because I really don't have hours to wait on hold with two little ones at home. Thanks for the recommendation. Did they need any specific information from you to confirm it was a duplicate?

Um, I think you're confusing P-EBT Sun Bucks with regular CalFresh EBT? They're different programs. P-EBT is for kids who qualify for free/reduced lunch at school, and they give benefits during summer. Regular CalFresh is ongoing food benefits for the whole family. Are you sure you didn't get the Summer P-EBT card and then maybe a regular school year P-EBT card? They do separate mailings.

I'm definitely talking about the Sun Bucks P-EBT cards, not regular CalFresh. We already received one Sun Bucks card for each of my kids a few weeks ago. This new card with the wrong name has the same P-EBT design and Sun Bucks logo. It's definitely a duplicate for my oldest, not a different issuance period.

Responding to your question about destroying the card - yes, you can destroy the incorrect duplicate card after you've spoken with P-EBT customer service and they've confirmed it's an error. They don't need the physical card returned. Just make sure you get a confirmation number or reference number from your call so you have documentation that you reported the issue.\n\nAnd to clarify about the Sun Bucks program since there seems to be some confusion: Sun Bucks is California's branding for the 2025 Summer P-EBT program. It's separate from school-year P-EBT and from regular CalFresh. If you received cards a few weeks ago and now are receiving more, it could indicate the system erroneously processed your child twice.

THANK YOU for explaining this clearly! The county workers I've spoken to don't even understand the difference between regular P-EBT and Sun Bucks. And then they wonder why everyone's confused! 🙄

i think its fine just use it? more money for groceries right lol

Please don't do this. Using benefits that aren't legitimately issued to you can result in an overpayment that you'll have to repay, and potentially could lead to fraud investigations that affect all your benefits. Always verify with the issuing agency when you receive unexpected or duplicate benefits.

update on mine: called today and found out the wrong-name card was actually for summer 2025 and the first card was for spring 2025 benefits! so check if yours are actually for different time periods, they might both be valid!

Thanks for the update! I finally got through to someone this morning after using that Claimyr service (which worked great btw). Turns out mine WAS a duplicate caused by a data entry error. They flagged it in their system and told me to destroy it. They said the funds will never load onto it since it's been marked as an error. Glad I checked before activating it!

Great to hear you got it resolved! This whole thread has been super helpful for understanding the Sun Bucks issues. I'm dealing with something similar - got what looks like a duplicate card for my youngest with a slightly different spelling of our last name. Based on everyone's advice here, I'm definitely going to call first before activating anything. The Claimyr service recommendation is gold - I had no idea that existed! Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences, it really helps navigate this confusing system.

This has been such a helpful thread! I'm new to the community and dealing with a similar issue - got two P-EBT cards for my daughter, one with the right name and one with a misspelled version. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been invaluable. It's clear that calling to verify before activating is the way to go, even though the wait times are brutal. The Claimyr service recommendation is something I never would have known about otherwise. Thanks to everyone for sharing your stories and advice - it really shows how supportive this community is when navigating these confusing benefit programs!

Just wanted to add my experience to this thread - I received three different P-EBT cards over the past month for my son, all with slightly different name variations (one correct, one missing his middle initial, and one with our last name hyphenated when it shouldn't be). After reading through everyone's advice here, I called the P-EBT line and discovered that two were legitimate cards for different benefit periods (spring and summer Sun Bucks) and one was indeed a system error duplicate. The representative was able to clarify which ones were valid and deactivated the erroneous card. It's so confusing when they don't clearly label what time period each card covers! This community has been incredibly helpful in understanding these issues - I never would have known to call and verify without reading everyone's experiences here.