When is the next P-EBT distribution date for 2025? Confused about CalFresh vs P-EBT timelines

There's no officially confirmed date for the next P-EBT issuance yet. The California Department of Social Services hasn't announced the 2025 schedule. P-EBT is completely separate from regular CalFresh - you're right that they operate differently. P-EBT is specifically for school-aged children who qualify for free/reduced meals, while CalFresh is your regular food assistance. \n\nP-EBT has always been issued in batches and their schedule isn't as predictable as regular CalFresh. The best way to stay updated is to check cdss.ca.gov/home/pandemic-ebt or call the P-EBT hotline at 877-328-9677, though I know that can be frustrating. Keep your P-EBT card even if it's empty - they'll reload the same card when new benefits are approved.

Thanks for explaining! I've been checking that website weekly but there's nothing new. Is there any way to talk to an actual person about this? The P-EBT hotline just keeps me going in circles with automated messages and then hangs up on me after 20 minutes 😡

I was able to get through to someone at the P-EBT hotline last month by calling at exactly 8:01 AM when they open. Took about 45 minutes on hold but finally got a person. They told me the next issuance would

pebt is different then calfresh. my kids got pebt but we dont get calfresh. last year the dates were all over the place sometimes 3 months apart sometimes longer. I think it depends on when the feds approve the money

Thanks, that's what I thought too. Just wish they'd be more clear about when to expect it since it helps so much with our grocery budget.

Have you tried reaching out to your county CalFresh office instead of the P-EBT hotline? Sometimes they have more information about upcoming P-EBT distribution dates, even though it's technically a separate program. I was in the same situation back in January and was getting nowhere with the P-EBT hotline, but when I finally got through to my county worker, they had info that wasn't on the website yet.\n\nI'd recommend using Claimyr to get through to an actual person at your county office. It's a service that waits on hold for you and calls you back when a real person answers. I used their video demo (https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8) to figure out how it works. You can check it out at claimyr.com. Saved me hours of frustration.

I didn't realize the county office might have P-EBT info! I'll definitely check out that service - honestly I'd try anything at this point to get some real answers. Been on hold so many times I've memorized their entire message system 😩

the county offices DON'T have p-ebt info!! i tried this last month and wasted an hour on the phone just to be told they can't help with p-ebt questions at all and to call the p-ebt hotline. total runaround!!

Nobody knows the exact date because the state hasn't officially announced it. But based on what happened last year, there are usually 3-4 P-EBT distributions per school year. Last year they came in October, January, and April. \n\nOne thing to remember: P-EBT is retroactive, meaning when you do get it, it covers past months when your kids were in school and eligible for free/reduced meals. So even though the payments seem random, you're not losing benefits - they're just coming in larger lump sums instead of monthly like CalFresh.\n\nAlso make sure your school has your current address, since that's how they determine where to send P-EBT cards. If you moved since the last issuance, that could cause delays in receiving your card.

Oh that's really good to know about it being retroactive! That makes me feel better. And thanks for the reminder about the address - we did move in November so I should double-check the school has our updated info.

i got a letter last week saying the p-ebt benefits were ending completely because the pandemic emergency is over?? has anyone else heard this? now im confused if theres even going to be another payment at all

That's incorrect information. While the original pandemic emergency P-EBT has ended, Congress has authorized a modified version of P-EBT through the 2024-2025 school year. California is approved to provide these benefits, they just haven't announced the distribution schedule yet. So yes, there will be more payments, just no confirmed dates.

oh thank goodness!! maybe i misunderstood the letter or it was talking about something else. thanks for clarifying!

this is EXACTLY why I hate dealing with benefits!!! why can't they just tell us when the money is coming instead of making us guess and check our cards every day?? some of us have to plan our whole food budget around these dates and they treat it like it's no big deal to just randomly drop money whenever they feel like it with zero communication! the whole system is designed to frustrate people i swear

for real!! its like they dont understand people need to plan

As a quick update, I just checked the CDSS website this morning, and they've posted a notice that they'll be announcing the next P-EBT issuance schedule \

Thank you so much for checking and letting us know! I'll keep an eye on the website. At least knowing they're planning to announce something soon helps with the uncertainty.

I'm in the same boat as everyone here - been checking my P-EBT card weekly and nothing yet. My kids qualify for free lunch and we got our last payment back in October. It's really frustrating not knowing when to expect the next one, especially when you're trying to stretch your grocery budget. I've been following this thread and it sounds like we just have to wait for the state to make an official announcement. At least it's reassuring to know that the benefits are retroactive, so we're not actually losing money - just getting it in bigger chunks instead of monthly like CalFresh. Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences and keeping each other updated. This community has been more helpful than any of the official hotlines!