Will homeschooled kids still qualify for P-EBT with CalWORKs? Summer benefits question

i homeschool my kids and they dont get pebt anymore. something about how the program is tied to the national school lunch program. if ur kids dont go to a school thats part of that program then they dont qualify

This is actually a complicated question. P-EBT eligibility is primarily tied to the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or School Breakfast Program (SBP). Most homeschooled children don't qualify for P-EBT because they're not enrolled in schools that participate in these programs. However, there are some exceptions. If your homeschool is part of a charter school program that participates in NSLP, your children might still qualify. Some virtual charter schools that support homeschooling do participate in these programs. You should contact your county CalWORKs office directly to ask about your specific situation, as policies can change. Also consider that your children might still qualify for other nutrition benefits through CalWORKs even without P-EBT.

just fyi getting thru to CalWORKs on the phone is TORTURE!!! I was trying to ask about something similar (adding my nephew to my case) and kept getting disconnected or waiting for hours. Found this service called Claimyr that got me connected to a real person in about 10 min. might save u some time if u need to call about this - claimyr.com - they have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE

SCHOOLS ARE A SCAM ANYWAY!! I homeschool all my kids and they learn WAY more than they would in those indoctrination centers!!! We don't need their food or their CONTROL!!!! You can feed your kids better food without the government anyway!!

I'm currently homeschooling my daughter who has special needs, and we're on CalWORKs too. From my experience, you have a couple options: 1. Enroll in a public charter school that offers a homeschool program - these often still qualify for P-EBT because they're technically public schools participating in NSLP 2. If you do independent homeschooling (filing a private school affidavit), you'll likely lose P-EBT but your CalWORKs cash aid should include money for food Also, make sure you're getting the maximum CalFresh (food stamps) you qualify for - sometimes when kids get P-EBT your CalFresh is reduced, so when P-EBT stops, your CalFresh should increase to compensate. Don't forget to ask about the childcare portion of CalWORKs too. In some counties, your homeschooling can count toward your Welfare to Work hours, and you might qualify for supportive services.

I work with families navigating benefits, and here's what you need to know specifically about P-EBT and homeschooling: 1. Traditional homeschooling (filing a private school affidavit) = No P-EBT eligibility 2. Charter school homeschool programs MAY qualify IF that specific charter participates in NSLP/SBP 3. Some charter schools offer a hybrid model where students attend campus certain days - those usually qualify for P-EBT 4. Summer P-EBT eligibility is based on your status during the regular school year For the 2024-2025 school year, call your county's CalWORKs office and specifically ask about homeschooling options that maintain P-EBT eligibility. Ask them to note your case that you're considering this change and need guidance. Also request information about how this change might impact your overall CalFresh benefits and WTW requirements. Sometimes the increase in CalFresh can offset the loss of P-EBT.

just wanted to add my daughter goes to a charter school where she's home 3 days and at school 2 days each week and she DOES still get P-EBT so thats probably your best option if food money is important!!

Have you looked into co-op homeschooling groups in your area? I was in a similar situation last year, and I found a homeschool co-op that met twice a week. Some parents taught subjects they were good at, and we shared resources. Made homeschooling much more manageable with support from other parents. Regarding P-EBT specifically, I did lose that benefit when I withdrew my son from public school, but my CalFresh amount went up by about $120/month which helped offset it. Still was a net loss compared to having both, but something to consider in your planning.