CalWORKs worker hung up on me when asking about P-EBT 3.0 distribution dates - conflicting info

omg they did the SAME THING to me!! i called 3 times last week about my kids pebt and got told different things each time. 1st worker said all cards for school kids were mailed in april, 2nd one said june, 3rd one said system showing no records for my kids. its like nobody knows whats happening lol

There's a lot of confusion around P-EBT 3.0 because distribution is happening in waves. Your 2-year-old likely received it in the first wave (children under 6 in CalWORKs/CalFresh households), while school-aged children may be in later waves depending on their free/reduced lunch status and how their school reports data. The worker was incorrect to say it hasn't been approved - P-EBT 3.0 has definitely been approved for California for BOTH school-aged children and children under 6, but distribution is staggered through Summer 2025. I recommend checking the official P-EBT website (ca.p-ebt.org) for updates. They also have a P-EBT helpline at 877-328-9677, which might give you more accurate information than your regular CalWORKs worker. The program is actually administered through CDSS, not directly through your county CalWORKs office, which might explain some of the confusion.

Since your kids are definitely eligible (on free lunch program), I'd recommend directly contacting the P-EBT helpline instead of the regular CalWORKs office. County workers don't always have the most updated information on P-EBT because it's technically a separate program. My son's card was delayed by almost 2 months after his classmates started receiving theirs. One thing that helped me finally get through was using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to connect with an actual person instead of waiting on hold forever. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE. Basically helps you skip the phone queues, which is a lifesaver when you're calling these overwhelmed benefit offices.

The same worker probably told you California hadn't passed P-EBT 3.0 because she didn't want to admit she didn't know where your kids' cards were! Classic deflection tactic. I've had workers make up policies on the spot rather than say "I don't know" or "let me check." The system is DESIGNED to wear you down so you'll just give up asking. They know most people can't sit on hold for hours or keep calling back multiple times. And FYI - I'm a teacher, and our district definitely submitted all the required paperwork for P-EBT for this year, so that worker was 100% lying to you.

this happened 2 me 2 with my son who's in 2nd grade, they told me no school kids getting pebt and when i metioned my friend kid already got 1 they said its probly fake card?! wtf! then next week his card came in mail anyway!!!

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