Summer EBT vs P-EBT confusion - are these different CalFresh benefits for kids?

i got that txt too!!! i was like wat?? i thought summer was covered with the P-ebt already?? hoping someone here knows whats going on

Summer EBT is actually a new permanent program that's different from P-EBT. P-EBT was a temporary pandemic benefit that's been phased out (last benefits were issued for 2022-2023 school year in most places). Summer EBT is a new ongoing program that provides about $120 per eligible child for summer food benefits. It's for kids who get free or reduced-price school meals during the academic year. If you're already on CalFresh, your kids should automatically qualify, but the implementations can vary by state/county. In California, you'll likely need to confirm their school enrollment for Summer 2025.

I work with a school district and can share some info on this. Summer EBT is a federal program that was made permanent starting in 2025. Here's how it differs from P-EBT: - P-EBT was temporary emergency aid during pandemic school closures - Summer EBT is permanent and specifically for summer months - Summer EBT provides $120 per eligible child for the summer - It helps replace the free/reduced meals kids would get during school year If you're on CalFresh already, your kids will likely be automatically enrolled, but checking with your county office is best. And yes, they'll issue separate cards - they don't load them onto regular CalFresh EBT cards (at least that's how it's planned for 2025).

i got confused about this too!!! so tired of all these different benefit cards and programs!! my kids qualified for the p-ebt before but then we never got it again after 2022 and nobody explained why. maybe this is why? but now we gotta apply AGAIN for a whole new program?? its like they make it confusing on purpose i swear!!!

Just to add some details - Summer EBT was actually piloted in some states for years before becoming permanent nationwide in 2025. The benefit amount is $120 per eligible child for the entire summer (not per month). The exact application process varies by state, but in California, they're leveraging the existing school meal eligibility data. If your children receive free or reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch Program, they should be eligible. Most CalFresh households automatically qualify for free school meals through direct certification, so you're likely already in the system. The county should send you information about how to confirm eligibility. Keep an eye on your mail and your BenefitsCal account for notifications.

Does anyone know the income limit for this summer ebt??? We make just over the limit for regular calfresh but my kids still get free lunch at school. Would they qualify for this summer thing too???

I tried calling the county office to ask about this yesterday and was on hold for 45 minutes before I had to hang up because my break at work ended. So frustrating! I wish they would just send clear information about all these programs instead of making us hunt everything down ourselves.

Just updating in case anyone else is confused like I was - I found a flyer in my kid's backpack yesterday that explained more about Summer EBT. It IS different from P-EBT, which was just a COVID thing. This new Summer EBT is $120 per kid for the whole summer to help with food when school meals aren't available. The flyer said if you already get CalFresh, you don't need to apply separately - they'll automatically check eligibility through the school meal data. But they still recommended making sure your contact info is updated in the school system so you get the card. Hope this helps someone else!