Just chiming in as another newcomer to the CalFresh system! Reading through all these experiences has been so helpful. I'm in Orange County with a last name starting with S, and I received my Summer EBT benefits about 2 weeks ago (around May 20th). Like others mentioned, it just appeared on my existing EBT card as an extra $240 for my two kids - no separate notification or card needed. For anyone still waiting, I'd definitely recommend checking your balance regularly through the app rather than waiting for mail notifications. The county offices seem overwhelmed with calls about this, so the online tools are probably your best bet for checking status. Also wanted to say thanks to everyone who explained the difference between the old pilot programs and the new standardized system - that context really helps understand why there's still some confusion out there!

As someone who just went through this process for the first time, I wanted to share my experience to hopefully help others! I'm in Fresno County with a last name starting with P, and I received my Summer EBT benefits on May 25th. Like everyone else mentioned, it just appeared as extra funds on my existing EBT card ($240 for my two kids) with no separate notification. What really helped me was calling my kids' school directly - the office staff actually knew more about the Summer EBT timeline for our county than the CalFresh hotline did! They told me that since my kids were already enrolled in the free lunch program and we're current CalFresh recipients, everything would be automatic. For anyone still waiting, I'd suggest checking not just your EBT balance but also logging into your BenefitsCal account. There was actually a small notification there about Summer EBT processing that I didn't notice until after I'd already received the benefits. The whole experience has made me realize how much more organized this program is now compared to what I was expecting based on older online posts. Definitely keep checking your balances - it'll show up!

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now! Got duplicate P-EBT cards for my 7-year-old last week. Based on what everyone's saying here, it sounds like the key is to call and report it ASAP. I'm going to try that Claimyr service someone mentioned because I can't afford to sit on hold for hours either. One thing I'm wondering - for those who've been through this, did you get any kind of confirmation letter or email after they resolved it? I want to make sure I have proof that I reported it properly in case any questions come up later. Thanks for sharing your experience @Giovanni, it's really helpful to know we're not alone in dealing with this!

I'm going through something similar right now! My 9-year-old got duplicate P-EBT Summer cards too - one to our home address and another to my mom's house where she stays after school. I was panicking thinking I'd somehow accidentally applied twice, but reading all these responses is such a relief. It sounds like this is a widespread system glitch with the 2025 Summer P-EBT rollout. I'm definitely going to call the hotline tomorrow and report it proactively like everyone suggests. The advice about documenting everything and getting the rep's ID number is really helpful. It's scary how something that's completely their mistake could potentially mess with our regular benefits if not handled properly. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it really helps to know what to expect when I call!

As someone who just went through this process, I can confirm what others have said - they definitely use the primary account holder's last name (Johnson in your case) for the alphabetical distribution. I had the same confusion because my stepkids have different last names but are on my CalFresh case. One thing I'd add is that you should make sure your phone number is updated with the county office because they send text notifications about 24-48 hours before your group's window opens. Also, even though the windows are only 3-4 days each, the actual Sun Bucks benefits stay on your EBT card for 30 days once loaded, so you don't have to rush to spend them immediately. Hope this helps ease some of the stress!

I'm new to CalFresh and still figuring out all these programs. This Sun Bucks thing sounds helpful but I'm confused about something - do you have to do anything special to sign up for it or does it automatically get added to your EBT card if you're already getting CalFresh benefits? I don't want to miss out because I didn't know I was supposed to apply separately or something. Also, is this a one-time thing or does it happen regularly? Sorry for all the questions, but the paperwork they send is always so confusing!

good 4 u!!! put a freeze on ur card when ur not using it btw. u can do it in the app now

So glad you were able to get some emergency benefits! Just wanted to add that when you get your replacement card, consider using contactless payment (tap to pay) instead of inserting the card whenever possible - it's much harder for skimmers to intercept. Also, if you shop at stores with self-checkout, try to use the ones that are closest to the attendant station since skimmers are less likely to be placed on those machines. Stay strong - you're doing an amazing job advocating for your family!

Hey Liam! I went through something similar when I got back on CalFresh after a gap. The adjustment from those pandemic emergency allotments to regular benefits was definitely noticeable. One thing that helped me figure out if my amount was right was using the CalFresh benefit calculator on the GetCalFresh website. You can plug in your income, rent, and other expenses to get an estimate of what you should be receiving. It's not perfect but gives you a good ballpark to compare against your actual benefits. Also, if you do have any utilities you pay separately (like electricity, gas, water, or trash), make sure those are documented in your case. Even if it's just one utility bill, you might qualify for the Standard Utility Allowance which can increase your benefit amount. Good luck getting everything sorted out!

Just wanted to chime in as another San Bernardino County resident! I've been on CalFresh for about 3 years now and can confirm that the pandemic emergency allotments (EA) ended in March 2023. Those extra benefits were a lifesaver during COVID but they're definitely gone for good now. Your $198 benefit amount sounds about right for a single person with $1600 income. The calculation gets pretty complex with all the deductions, but the key things that can boost your benefits are: - Shelter costs over half your income (sounds like your $1850 rent qualifies!) - Any utilities you pay separately - Medical expenses if you're over 60 or disabled Since you mentioned paying electricity separately, that should definitely help. Make sure SB County has that documented - sometimes things get missed during phone interviews. You can always call and ask them to read back what utilities they have on file for you. Hope this helps clarify things! The system can be confusing especially after being out of it for a while.