Unexpected $252 extra on my CalFresh EBT card - mistake or emergency allotment?
I checked my EBT balance yesterday and noticed I got an additional $252 deposited that I wasn't expecting. My regular CalFresh benefits ($341) came through on the 10th like normal, but then yesterday this extra amount showed up. I haven't reported any income changes or had my semi-annual review yet (not due until August). I'm worried this might be a mistake and they'll ask for it back if I spend it. Has anyone else received unexpected extra money on their EBT recently? Could this be some kind of emergency supplement or cost of living adjustment for 2025 that I didn't hear about?
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CosmicCaptain
The same exact thing happened to me last week! I got my regular benefits and then 4 days later another $252 showed up. I called my county worker and they said it's actually a one-time adjustment for inflation they're doing for all households this quarter. It's legit and you don't have to pay it back. They're supposed to be sending notices about it but the system is sending the money before the notices go out (typical CalFresh efficiency lol).
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Amara Oluwaseyi
•Oh wow, that's a huge relief! I was scared to spend it. Did your worker say if this is going to be a regular thing or just this one time? I hadn't received any notice so I was really confused.
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Giovanni Rossi
its prolly cuz of the new inflation thing they doing i got extra too but mine was $178 i think it depends on how many ppl r in ur household
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Fatima Al-Maktoum
•This is correct. The California Department of Social Services implemented a one-time inflation adjustment for 2025 that varies based on household size. Single-person households receive $178, two-person households receive $252, three-person households receive $341, and four-person households receive $412. This should be detailed in a notice being mailed out, but as often happens, the benefits are being deposited before all the notices have been sent. This is separate from your regular monthly CalFresh allotment and won't affect your normal benefit amount.
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Dylan Mitchell
You should CALL IMMEDIATELY to check!! My cousin got extra money last year and spent it and then they TOOK IT BACK from her next three months of benefits and she could barely feed her kids!! The system makes these mistakes ALL THE TIME and they NEVER take responsibility!!
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Sofia Gutierrez
•I had the opposite experience. Got extra $ last year, called to report it, and they told me it was mine to keep - was some adjustment for rising food costs. Best to verify but don't panic.
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Dmitry Petrov
This is actually the 2025 California Food Assistance Program (CFAP) supplemental payment that was approved in the state budget. It's a one-time inflation adjustment payment for all CalFresh households based on household size. The amounts are: - 1 person: $178 - 2 people: $252 - 3 people: $341 - 4 people: $412 - 5+ people: $492 It's completely legitimate and you're entitled to use it. The state is behind on sending out the notices, which is why many people are surprised when they see it on their EBT cards. This doesn't affect your regular monthly benefit amount or your semi-annual reporting requirements.
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Amara Oluwaseyi
•Thank you SO MUCH for this detailed breakdown! This makes total sense now - I have a 2-person household (me and my daughter) which matches that $252 amount. Really appreciate you sharing the full chart with all the amounts!
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StarSurfer
I got something similar but I thought it was because I submitted some medical expenses with my last SAR7? I'm still confused if this is that reimbursement or something else entirely. The CalFresh system is so frustrating sometimes - they never explain anything clearly! Has anyone actually received the official notice about this?
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Dmitry Petrov
•The medical expense deductions would actually increase your regular monthly benefit amount, not come as a separate payment. This $252 is definitely the CFAP inflation supplement. The notices are being mailed over a 3-week period, so some people won't receive them until after the money is already on their cards. You can always call your county office to confirm, but this is a legitimate payment that everyone on CalFresh is receiving.
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Sofia Gutierrez
If you need to confirm what this payment is, I'd recommend using Claimyr to get through to a CalFresh worker quickly. I was trying to figure out something similar last month and spent literally 2 hours on hold before giving up. Then I tried this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that calls the county office for you and then calls you back when they reach a real person. Saved me hours of waiting and frustration. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 - definitely worth it when you need answers about unexpected changes to your benefits.
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Amara Oluwaseyi
•Thanks for the suggestion! I've been on hold for ages before too. It sounds like from what others are saying this is a legitimate payment, but I might use this service next time I have questions. The hold times are absolutely ridiculous.
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Giovanni Rossi
•does that thing cost money tho? im always suspicious of those services
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CosmicCaptain
Just a heads up - make sure the extra amount matches your household size according to what others posted. If the amount doesn't match, it could actually be something else like back-benefits from a previous adjustment. The inflation payments are very specific amounts based on household size.
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Amara Oluwaseyi
•Yes, it matches exactly! I'm a 2-person household and got $252. Such a relief to know this is legitimate and not a mistake they'll try to recoup later.
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Dylan Mitchell
My friend who works for the county said they're SWAMPED with calls about this because they decided to send out the money BEFORE sending notices!!! How does that make ANY sense??? Typical government inefficiency wasting our tax dollars on extra call center hours when a simple notice would have prevented confusion!!!
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StarSurfer
•Ugh that's so frustrating but also sounds exactly like how they operate. I swear half the time they don't even know what they're doing themselves. Did your friend mention how long until everyone gets the notices?
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Fatima Al-Maktoum
To clarify some of the information shared here: This is indeed the California Food Assistance Program Inflation Relief payment for 2025. It's a one-time supplemental payment and was authorized in the state budget specifically to help CalFresh recipients manage rising food costs. The amount is based on household size as others have correctly noted. You don't need to report this payment on your SAR7 or recertification, as it's not counted as income. If you haven't received an official notice yet, you should get one within the next two weeks. The payments were processed centrally, which is why they're appearing on EBT cards before the notices reach everyone.
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Amara Oluwaseyi
•Thank you for confirming! I was worried about whether I'd need to report this on my next SAR7, so it's good to know I don't have to. I appreciate everyone's help in clarifying this!
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