When will P-EBT benefits end in 2025? Need to plan my grocery budget
Hi everyone! I just got my third P-EBT deposit this month and was wondering if anyone knows how long these benefits are supposed to continue? Our family really depends on them for our grocery budget, and I need to plan ahead. My caseworker was out when I called the county office, and the automated system just kept transferring me between departments... I've heard rumors that they might end soon but also that they could be extended through the summer? Any official info would be really helpful. I have 3 kids in elementary school if that matters for eligibility. Thanks in advance!
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Giovanni Moretti
I think they extended it until like August? not sure tho
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AstroExplorer
•Thanks, but I need something more definite. My budget is really tight and I need to know exactly when to expect changes. Has anyone gotten an official notice?
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Fatima Al-Farsi
I work for a community resource center, so I can give you the current information. P-EBT benefits for the 2024-2025 school year are scheduled to end in June 2025, coinciding with the end of the school year. However, there's typically a summer P-EBT program that continues through August for eligible children. The important thing to note is that P-EBT is separate from regular CalFresh benefits. Are you also receiving regular CalFresh? If not, and your income qualifies you, you should definitely apply for that as well since it's a year-round program regardless of P-EBT status. You can do this through BenefitsCal.com or at your county office.
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AstroExplorer
•Thank you! That's exactly what I needed to know. Yes, we get regular CalFresh too, but it's not enough for all 5 of us, especially with how food prices keep going up. I'll watch for information about the summer program. Do they automatically enroll you if your kids already get free school lunch, or do I need to apply separately?
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Dylan Cooper
They ALWAYS say its ending and then extend it at the last minute lol. Ive been on P-EBT since 2022 and every time they say its the last round then BAM another deposit shows up!!! the government cant make up there mind 🤷♀️
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Fatima Al-Farsi
•That's not entirely accurate. P-EBT has had several phases since it was created during the pandemic. Each phase has had specific start and end dates that were announced in advance. What likely happened is that new phases were approved after previous ones ended, which might have seemed like extensions. For the 2024-2025 program, the current authorization runs through the school year with a separate summer program. If there will be any P-EBT benefits beyond August 2025, that would require new federal legislation or authorization.
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Sofia Perez
Just wanted to add that if you're having trouble reaching someone at the county office about this or your regular CalFresh benefits, I had a similar experience last month. I was on hold for HOURS and kept getting disconnected. I finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that held my place in line and called me back when a real person was available. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 It saved me so much time and frustration! Might be worth trying if you need specific information about your case.
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Dylan Cooper
•does that actually work??? i always get hung up on after like an hour on hold
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Sofia Perez
•Yes! I was skeptical too but it really did work. I got a call back in about 40 minutes when a real worker was available. Way better than being stuck on hold all day.
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Dmitry Smirnov
my neighbor works for the school district and she said P-EBT was just a covid thing and they're phasing it out completely by 2026. they're already cutting back on who gets it. my kids school sends home these income verification forms now that they never used to do.
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Giovanni Moretti
•thats not right about the income forms, my kids school always had those for free lunch even before covid
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Dmitry Smirnov
•maybe at your school but ours didn't until last year
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ElectricDreamer
I'm so confused about all these different benefits!!! Is P-EBT the same as EBT? I get CalFresh on my EBT card but then sometimes there's extra money on there and I don't know where it comes from. I have 2 kids in school and 1 in daycare. And what's the difference between CalFresh and CalWORKs? I get both I think. SOMEONE PLEASE EXPLAIN THIS SYSTEM IT'S SO COMPLICATED!!!!
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Ava Johnson
•They're definitely confusing! Let me break it down: 1. Regular CalFresh: Food benefits based on your household income and size. These come monthly on your EBT card. 2. P-EBT (Pandemic EBT): Extra food benefits specifically for families with school-age children who would normally receive free/reduced lunch at school. These also get loaded onto your EBT card, but are separate from regular CalFresh. This program started during COVID but has been extended several times. 3. CalWORKs: Cash assistance program for families with children, separate from food benefits. All these can be loaded onto the same EBT card, which is probably why it seems like "extra money" sometimes. Each program has different eligibility requirements and benefit periods.
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Miguel Diaz
Just go to DPSS and ask them! Why is everyone asking random people online when you can go straight to the source???
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ElectricDreamer
•Have you TRIED calling the county lately??? I spent 2.5 hours on hold last week and then got disconnected. Their website doesn't have clear information either. Sometimes it's faster to ask people who might know than to deal with the bureaucracy.
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Ava Johnson
To directly answer your question: P-EBT for the 2024-2025 school year runs through June, and then there's typically a Summer P-EBT program through August 2025. For children to qualify, they must attend a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program and be eligible for free or reduced-price meals. If you need longer-term food assistance, make sure your regular CalFresh benefits are maximized by reporting all qualifying deductions during your recertification or on your SAR7 form: - Housing costs (rent/mortgage) - Utility costs (even if included in rent, there's a standard deduction) - Child care expenses - Medical expenses for elderly or disabled household members - Child support payments Reporting these correctly can significantly increase your monthly benefit amount.
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AstroExplorer
•Thank you so much for this detailed info! I didn't know all those things could increase our benefits. We just submitted our SAR7 last month but I don't think I included my childcare costs. Is it too late to add that? Our next recertification is in October.
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Ava Johnson
•It's not too late. You can submit verification of your childcare expenses anytime, and the county should adjust your benefits accordingly. Just make sure you have documentation - receipts or a letter from your provider stating the monthly amount. Submit this with a cover note explaining you're reporting an expense deduction that wasn't included on your recent SAR7.
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Fatima Al-Farsi
Just to clarify some confusing information in this thread, P-EBT has specific eligibility criteria and timeframes. For the current 2024-2025 school year program: 1. Children must qualify for free or reduced-price meals at a school participating in the National School Lunch Program 2. Regular benefits run through the end of the school year (typically June 2025) 3. Summer P-EBT typically covers June-August 2025 4. Benefit amounts are currently $120 per eligible child per month during the school year 5. Summer benefits are typically a one-time payment of $395 per eligible child The state should send you a notice before the program ends. If your situation changes, you should contact your county office.
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AstroExplorer
•This is really helpful, thank you! So I should budget for it to end after August. I appreciate everyone's help with this - it's making our financial planning much easier.
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