When will P-EBT add more money for 2025 school year? Still waiting

Really? $500 total or each? I have 3 kids and haven't seen anything. Do you know if there's a way to check if we're even scheduled for a payment?

Thank you for the detailed info! I'll try calling that number tomorrow. Do you know if the payment amounts changed from last year? We got about $390 per kid last time.

I tried calling that number last week and was on hold for TWO HOURS before getting disconnected. The system is completely broken - typical government incompetence. Then I called my county office and they said they "don't handle P-EBT questions" and to call the state. It's like they WANT us to give up!!!

You're right - the P-EBT benefit amounts vary based on the number of instructional days in each child's school schedule and if they had any extended absences. Schools report attendance data to CDSS which affects the final benefit amount. It's also worth noting that some schools have different schedules for different grade levels, which can result in varying benefit amounts even within the same family.

No, they're different programs. P-EBT (Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer) was originally created during COVID but has been extended through the 2024-2025 school year. It provides food benefits to families with children who would receive free or reduced-price meals at school. Regular CalFresh (SNAP) is ongoing food assistance based on household income. You can receive both simultaneously if you qualify.

Ohh ok thanks for explaining! My kids don't get free lunch at school so I guess that's why I don't get those extra benefits.

Thanks for the tip! Hold times are the worst, especially when you're trying to call during work hours. Did they give you an exact date for when your payment would arrive after you got through?

They couldn't give me an exact date, but they confirmed my kids were in the system for the next distribution batch in May. The benefits showed up about 10 days after I called. At least I had peace of mind knowing we were approved and just waiting for processing.

For the 2024-2025 school year, P-EBT is automatic for eligible children. If your children receive free or reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch Program, or attend a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school where all students receive free meals, you should be automatically eligible. No application is needed. However, make sure your school has your current mailing address, as new P-EBT cards are mailed to the address on file with the school.

I understand your frustration with the delays. The different amounts are actually based on the school's reported data about each student's attendance and school schedule. For example, if one child had multiple excused absences or a different number of instructional days than siblings, their benefit amount would be calculated differently. The system isn't perfect, but the varying amounts do follow a specific formula based on each child's individual data.

That might make sense if it was clearly explained ANYWHERE in their communications! But they just deposit random amounts with zero explanation. And why does it take them 6 months to process attendance data that schools submit weekly? Sorry but I'm not buying the excuses anymore.