Try checking the P-EBT portal online - it might show if cards have been issued for your daughters yet. The distribution schedule is confusing because they're sending them out based on different categories and counties. Also, the CalWORKs office often doesn't have direct access to P-EBT status info since it's technically run by a different department. BUT, the worker should NEVER have hung up on you! That's completely unprofessional. I'd honestly file a complaint if you got their name. You can ask to speak to a supervisor next time you call - just say "I need to speak with a supervisor regarding unprofessional conduct during my last call." They usually transfer you right away when you use those magic words.

i had same problem but with WTW worker last month. they kept giving me wrong information about my participation hours and when i tried to explain they couldn't hear me cause my baby was crying and they hung up! i had to go in person to get it fixed which is so hard with 3 kids. some of these workers just don't care at all how stressful it is for us

if u do go to ur county office bring all ur bank statements and any evidence u have. my friend had this happen and she took pictures of her card to prove she had it the whole time plus her work schedule showing she was at work when the withdrawals happened in another city. the more proof u have the better

I want to update everyone - I just got back from the county office. Filed the EBT Benefit Theft Report and they said I should hear back within 10 business days. The worker was actually really understanding and said they've seen a lot of this lately. She recommended I use the BenefitsCal app to track my benefits and turn on notifications for any transactions. I set up a new PIN for my replacement card that's totally different from anything I've used before. Fingers crossed I get the money back soon. Thanks everyone for your help!

did u try the atm inside the bank or the one outside?? sometimes the outside ones dont work with ebt but the ones inside do. also they have limits like u cant take out more then like $500 at once

Quick update: I just checked the official California EBT website, and there's a system-wide notification about some ATMs experiencing technical issues this week. They're working on fixing it. In the meantime, definitely try the cash back option at stores. You can usually get up to $200 cash back at most places with a small purchase.

UPDATE: My money just hit my card this morning! Thanks everyone for explaining this to me. Wish the county would just tell us this stuff upfront instead of making us figure it out ourselves!

Glad you got your money! For future reference, you can also check your benefit status on the BenefitsCal website or app - sometimes it shows as

To directly answer your original question: If you only received CalFresh (SNAP) and December was your last month of eligibility, there is no "emergency payment" you would qualify for. The regular COVID emergency allotments ended in early 2023. If your county has some local disaster declaration with special payments, that would be very specific to your area, but this is not a statewide program currently in effect. As others mentioned, Emergency Assistance is typically part of CalWORKs (TANF), which is cash aid, not food benefits. If you weren't enrolled in CalWORKs, you wouldn't be eligible for those emergency programs. Since you mentioned starting a new job, be aware that for your final month on CalFresh, you were required to report within 10 days if your income exceeded the Income Reporting Threshold (IRT) listed on your last approval notice. If you didn't report properly, there could potentially be an overpayment that would need to be repaid.

Yes, if your income in December went over your IRT (Income Reporting Threshold) and you didn't report it within 10 days, they could potentially establish an overpayment claim for your December benefits. When you receive CalFresh, you're required to report certain changes even during your certification period - going over the IRT is one of those mandatory reporting requirements. The county might identify this during their regular income verification processes and send you a notice about it. If they determine there was an overpayment, you'll receive a notice explaining the amount and your repayment options. If you're concerned, you can proactively contact the county and explain the situation. Sometimes being proactive can help resolve the situation more favorably.