When are CalFresh school age P-EBT 4.0 benefits being released in 2025?
Does anyone know when the CalFresh P-EBT 4.0 benefits for school age kids are supposed to be issued this year? My kids' school is participating in the program, but I haven't heard anything about when the benefits will actually show up on our card. Last year they came in March but I'm hearing different things from other parents. Some are saying April now? My family really depends on this extra food assistance with groceries being so expensive lately. Called the county twice but got stuck in the automated system both times.
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Alexander Evans
The P-EBT 4.0 distribution for school age children is scheduled to begin in late April 2025, but will be rolling out in phases by county and school district through June. Unlike previous years, they're issuing them alphabetically by school district name rather than county. They should send you a notice about 7-10 days before loading the benefits to your existing P-EBT card. If you've moved since last issuance, make sure your address is updated on BenefitsCal. You can check your specific school district's timeline at cdss.ca.gov/pebt-status.
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Ruby Garcia
•Thank you so much! I didn't realize they changed to alphabetical by district. That might be why my neighbor got hers already (Anderson Unified) and we haven't (Westlake Elementary). Really appreciate the info!
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Evelyn Martinez
my kids got there's last week already. check ur card maybe its already there. they dont always send the notice first like they say there gonna.
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Benjamin Carter
•That's not possible. P-EBT 4.0 hasn't started distribution yet - the California DSS website clearly states April 2025 as the earliest start date. You might be confusing it with your regular CalFresh benefits or maybe the final batch of 3.0 from last year that went out to some schools in January. P-EBT is separate from regular CalFresh though they both go on an EBT card. Check which program actually provided the benefits in your EBT account.
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Maya Lewis
I've been calling the P-EBT hotline every day for THREE WEEKS and can't get through!!! Anyone else having this problem?? I need to update my address but the website won't let me do it there for some reason. So frustrated with this system!!!!
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Isaac Wright
•I was having the same issue but found a service called Claimyr that got me through to a live person at the county office in less than 20 minutes. They basically hold your place in line and call you back when they reach a representative. Saved me hours of frustration! I was able to update my address for P-EBT right away. Check out their demo at https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 or go to claimyr.com. Worked way better than repeatedly calling myself.
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Lucy Taylor
Is P-EBT the same as CalFresh for school kids? I get so confused with all these different programs and acronyms. My daughter's school sent home some paper about free lunch program but didn't mention anything about EBT cards or extra benefits.
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Alexander Evans
•P-EBT (Pandemic EBT) and CalFresh are separate programs, though both provide food assistance benefits on an EBT card. P-EBT specifically provides food benefits to students who would receive free or reduced-price meals at school. The form your daughter's school sent home is likely the National School Lunch Program application which determines eligibility for both free/reduced lunch AND P-EBT. You should definitely fill it out and return it - even if you don't currently receive CalFresh, you might qualify for P-EBT which is additional food assistance.
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Connor Murphy
My kids attend a private school but we're low income on scholarship. Does anyone know if private school students can get the P-EBT 4.0 benefits too? We qualified for CalFresh last month but I don't know if the school benefits are automatic or if I need to apply separately.
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Evelyn Martinez
•dont think private schools get it my cousins kids go to one and they never got the p-ebt even tho they get calfresh
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Benjamin Carter
Just to clarify for everyone, P-EBT 4.0 is being issued on a rolling basis starting April 12, 2025, through June 30, 2025. Benefits will be retroactive, covering eligible school days from September 2024 through May 2025. The benefit amount is $8.28 per eligible school day. Students must be enrolled in a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program and be eligible for free or reduced-price meals. If you need to check your status or update your mailing address, visit BenefitsCal.com or call the P-EBT Helpline at 877-328-9677 (though as others have mentioned, getting through can be challenging during high-volume periods).
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Ruby Garcia
•This is so helpful, thank you! $8.28 per day is actually more than last year, which is great news with how expensive food has gotten. Do you happen to know if they'll automatically load the benefits to our existing P-EBT cards or send new ones?
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Benjamin Carter
•They'll load the benefits onto your existing P-EBT card if you received one for previous issuances. New cards will only be sent to first-time recipients or if you reported a card lost/stolen. If you've moved, it's crucial to update your address on BenefitsCal because if they need to send a new card and your address is incorrect, you might miss out on benefits.
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Maya Lewis
i dont understand why they cant just put all the benifits on the same card!! i have a calfresh ebt card and a p-ebt card and now i got another card for the summer ebt program! its so confusing keepin track of all these different balances and cards!
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Ruby Garcia
•I feel this so much! I literally have a sticky note on my fridge with which card is for what program and how much is supposed to be on each one. Would be SO much easier if they just consolidated everything.
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Isaac Wright
For anyone wondering about eligibility: Your child must attend a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program AND must either: 1. Be approved for free/reduced meals through an application, OR 2. Attend a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school where all students get free meals, OR 3. Attend a Provision 2/3 school during the designated years Also, a quick note about the cards - if you got a P-EBT card for previous issuances (1.0-3.0), keep it! They'll reload the same card for 4.0. If you've lost your card, request a replacement NOW before the benefits are issued by calling the EBT Customer Service line at 877-328-9677.
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Lucy Taylor
•Wait, if my child's school provides free lunch to ALL students (they said it's some special program), does that mean we automatically get the P-EBT without filling out any forms?
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