Will my 10yo get Summer EBT card after being kicked off CalFresh when SSDI increased?
Hey everyone, I'm trying to figure out if my daughter will qualify for that Summer EBT program I keep hearing about. We were receiving CalFresh benefits from November through January this year, but then got discontinued because my daughter's SSDI payment increased (she's 10). I'm seeing posts about some special summer food benefit for kids, but I'm not sure if we'd qualify since we're not currently on CalFresh. Does anyone know if having benefits for just those 3 months would make her eligible? Or is this only for families who are currently receiving CalFresh? Don't want to miss out if she qualifies!
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Paolo Moretti
My understanding is that the Summer EBT is for kids who are eligible for free or reduced school meals, not just CalFresh. So even if ur not on calfresh now she might still qualify. Does she get free lunch at school?
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Keisha Jackson
•Yeah, she does get free lunch at school through the special ed program. So maybe there's still a chance? I just don't want to assume we'll get it and then be disappointed.
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Amina Diop
The program you're referring to is called Summer EBT, which is new for 2025. It provides $120 per eligible child for food during summer months when school meals aren't available. There are multiple ways to qualify: 1. Children in households receiving CalFresh benefits 2. Children eligible for free or reduced-price school meals 3. Children in households receiving certain other benefits (TANF, some Medicaid programs) Since your daughter receives free school meals through her special education program, she likely qualifies even if you're no longer on CalFresh. The state should automatically determine eligibility and send cards to qualified households in late May/early June. You don't need to apply separately in most cases.
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Keisha Jackson
•Thank you so much for this detailed explanation! This makes me feel a lot better. Do you know if they'll just send the card to the address they have on file from when we were on CalFresh, or should I make sure my address is updated somewhere?
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Oliver Weber
my kid got one of those last year and we wernt even on calfresh! came in the mail randomly, was nice surprise
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Keisha Jackson
•Oh that's good to hear! I've been worried because money's been tight since losing the CalFresh benefits. Every little bit helps.
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Natasha Romanova
I'm in a similar situation but I'm confused because I thought the Summer EBT was replacing the P-EBT program from the pandemic years? Does anyone know if this is the same thing or different? And do we need to apply or does it just show up? The whole system is SO CONFUSING!!
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Amina Diop
•You're right that it's replacing P-EBT, but Summer EBT is now a permanent program rather than a pandemic response. The eligibility criteria are similar but not identical. In most cases, you don't need to apply - eligible households will receive cards automatically based on school meal eligibility or benefit program participation. If your child receives free or reduced-price meals, you should be in the system already.
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NebulaNinja
i got calfresh for my kids too and got kicked off recently 2. Trying to call the county office to see about this summer thing has been a NIGHTMARE. been on hold for like 4 hours total this week already!!!
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Javier Gomez
•I was in the same situation trying to reach someone about my CalFresh benefits. Spent days trying to get through until someone told me about Claimyr. It's this service that holds your place in the phone queue and calls you when a worker is available. Saved me literally hours of hold time. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8. Totally worth checking out if you're still trying to get through.
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Emma Wilson
For Summer EBT 2025, eligible children must meet at least ONE of these criteria: - Be part of a household receiving CalFresh at any point between May 1 and August 31, 2025 - Be directly certified for free or reduced-price school meals - Have an approved free/reduced meal application on file with their school Based on what you've shared, your daughter would qualify through her school meal eligibility, not the previous CalFresh participation. The benefits are typically loaded onto a separate card specifically for Summer EBT (not your regular EBT card). Make sure your address is current with your child's school district, as that's where most of the data will come from for distribution. You should receive the card by early June if she's eligible.
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Keisha Jackson
•This is exactly what I needed to know! I'll double check with her school tomorrow to make sure they have our current address. Really appreciate the clear information.
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Malik Thomas
my neighbors kid got one last year and he spent it all on soda and candy, wish they would restrict what u can buy with it like regular ebt does
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Paolo Moretti
•They do have the same restrictions as regular EBT. Can't buy hot foods, alcohol, cigarettes, etc. But yeah, soda and candy are allowed just like with regular CalFresh. That's on the parents to monitor tbh
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Keisha Jackson
Update: I called my daughter's school today and they confirmed that she's in their system for free meals! They said they submit this info to the state for Summer EBT, so we should be getting a card. Thanks everyone for your help! Now I just need to make sure the address is updated everywhere.
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Oliver Weber
•good news! glad it worked out 4 u!
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