When will CalFresh P-EBT deposit hit cards for school-enrolled kids in California?

Sounds like you're talking about P-EBT (Pandemic EBT), which actually continues in 2025 as a summer feeding program even though the pandemic emergency ended. The deposit schedule is different from regular CalFresh. For the 2024-2025 school year, California typically makes P-EBT deposits once per semester - usually mid-semester and then again during summer break. The exact dates aren't announced much in advance, but based on previous years, you'd likely see the first deposit around February-March 2025, and the summer deposit around June-July 2025.

its probly p-ebt. my neice got this last yr and the $ came like 3 months after she got the card. they dont tell you when it comes jus shows up one day. check the balance every few days

This is definitely P-EBT (Pandemic EBT). The program structure changed for 2025. It's no longer a pandemic benefit but was made permanent as a summer feeding program with some school-year benefits for eligible students. The amounts and timing are different from regular CalFresh. For 2025, California is issuing: - School Year Benefits: $40 per eligible month for students who qualify for free/reduced lunch (typically issued in 1-2 bulk payments) - Summer Benefits: $120 per child for summer 2025 (typically issued in June/July) The exact deposit dates aren't announced until about 2-3 weeks before they happen, which is why the school couldn't give you specific dates. Just keep that card safe and check the balance periodically through the EBT website or phone number on the back of the card.

I got one for my daughter last year and money didn't show up for like 4 months after i got the card. SO ANNOYING! And you can't call anyone to ask about it cuz nobody knows anything. Just wait i guess.

Just a quick heads up - P-EBT is totally different from regular CalFresh. Don't mix them up when you're talking to county workers because they're handled by different departments (trust me I learned this the hard way). P-EBT is state-level and managed through CDE (California Dept of Education) while regular CalFresh is county-level. That's why school staff often don't know much about it - they just help identify eligible kids but don't handle the benefit part.

To answer your follow-up question - yes, there is a dedicated P-EBT customer service line: 877-328-9677. However, it's notoriously difficult to get through to a real person. The automated system can tell you your balance, but for specific questions about deposit dates or eligibility issues, you often need to speak with a representative. California's P-EBT portal (ca.p-ebt.org) sometimes posts updates about issuance dates, so check there periodically as well.

I have 3 kids who get this. Dont spend it all at once when it comes!!! Its supposed to last a long time lol. Last year it hit in April and then again in July.

@ObiRainKenobiJr it was one big deposit for my neice. like $350 something. just appeared.

Just to clarify something important: P-EBT money doesn't expire as quickly as regular CalFresh. Regular CalFresh benefits expire after 9 months of non-use, but P-EBT funds remain available for 274 days (about 9 months) from the date of issue. This gives families more flexibility to use the benefits when needed most.

@FedUpMom22 - Regular CalFresh benefits actually stay on your card for 9 months before expiring (not 3 months). P-EBT benefits stay on the card for about 9 months from the issue date too. Neither expires after just 3 months. The confusion might be because they used to send notices about using your oldest benefits first within 3 months, but that was just a recommendation, not an expiration notice.