P-EBT card sent to unknown P.O. Box - CalWORKs family can't access child's benefits

This actually happened to my niece too! It's a system error that's been happening since they started the new P-EBT rollout for 2025. The database is pulling old address information sometimes, or even mixing up addresses between different families. You need to call the P-EBT hotline (not the regular EBT customer service) and specifically request an "address verification override." They might give you pushback, but explain that you've never had this P.O. Box and ask them to check if there's a case note about the system errors. They should be able to verify your identity another way and reissue to your correct address.

omg same thing happened to us but it was my ex's old address from like 3 years ago!! got it fixed but took forever

I work for a community organization that helps families with benefit issues, and we've seen a spike in this exact problem with P-EBT cards going to wrong addresses. It's definitely a system error, not anything you did wrong. Here's what you need to do: 1) File a formal address dispute with the P-EBT processing center by submitting form P-EBT 47 (available on the CDSS website) 2) Include copies of your ID and a current piece of mail showing your correct address 3) Also include a copy of your child's school enrollment verification showing your current address 4) In the comments section of the form, specifically state "I have never maintained a P.O. Box at the address in question and request identity verification through alternate means" The form has to be processed within 10 business days by law. If you need help with this process, many school family resource centers are providing assistance with P-EBT issues.

This P-EBT program is such a JOKE. They've screwed up so many things and then they make it OUR problem to fix it!! I had a similar issue but with my son's card being sent to my mom's address from 5 YEARS AGO that I haven't used since before he was even BORN!! And they had the nerve to tell me I needed to provide proof I didn't live there anymore. How do you prove you DON'T live somewhere?!? The whole system is designed to make it as difficult as possible to actually get benefits. They WANT us to give up so they don't have to pay out. Stand your ground!!!

If you're struggling to get through on the P-EBT hotline, you might want to try using Claimyr. It's a service that holds your place in the phone queue and calls you back when a representative is available. I used it last month when I had a similar issue with my CalWORKs benefits, and it saved me from being on hold for hours. You can check out how it works at claimyr.com or watch their demo video at https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE - it really helped me get through to a real person who could actually fix my issue instead of getting disconnected multiple times.

so wait is p-ebt different from regular ebt ??? my kids get money on their cards every month is that the same thing or no

my friend had this happen and turns out someone at her kids school put in the wrong address by accident when they were updating the free lunch roster

Have you tried going to your local CalWORKs office in person? Sometimes they can help with P-EBT issues even though it's technically a different program. I always have better luck dealing with things face-to-face than over the phone.

UPDATE: I talked to a supervisor at the P-EBT hotline today about a similar issue for another family I'm helping, and they told me there's a new expedited process for these address errors. If you can provide: 1. Your child's student ID number 2. The last 4 digits of their Social Security Number 3. A copy of their school registration showing your current address They can now process an emergency address correction within 3-5 business days instead of the usual 10-15 days. The supervisor mentioned they're aware of the P.O. Box issue specifically and have created a special code for it in their system. Be sure to mention "system error code P-EBT 2206" when you call - this flags it as one of the known database errors.