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This whole P-EBT thing is so frustrating. My friend in Elk Grove got cards for her kids who AREN'T even on free lunch while my kids who DEFINITELY qualify haven't gotten anything. The entire system is broken and they just don't care about getting food to kids who need it!!! I spent HOURS trying to talk to someone just to be told to "wait" - like my kids can wait to eat??????
That's concerning about your friend in Elk Grove. P-EBT 4.0 should only go to students who qualify for free/reduced meals through the National School Lunch Program. If your friend's children aren't eligible, that could be an error. Regarding your situation, if you've confirmed your children are approved for free/reduced lunch and your school district's distribution period has passed, you should definitely request a replacement card through the hotline.
UPDATE: Our P-EBT card finally arrived yesterday! You were right about the alphabetical distribution - our last name starts with W so we got it toward the end. The card had combined benefits for both kids ($2,856 total). Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions!
That's great news! And thanks for coming back to update us - it's helpful for others who might be in the same situation. Make sure to activate it right away and set a PIN.
Quick question - did you report any changes between January and February? Sometimes if you have a pending report or verification that hasn't been processed yet, they'll hold the supplemental payment until it's cleared. Just another possibility to consider.
No, I haven't reported any changes. I just got approved in January, so everything is still the same. But after seeing the schedule someone posted above, I think I just need to wait until the 23rd since my case number ends in 9. Thanks for the suggestion though!
Just to follow up on this thread - for anyone new to CalFresh in 2025, here's a quick explanation of the different benefit components: 1. Regular CalFresh benefits: Issued once a month on a schedule based on the last digit of your case number (1st through 10th of month) 2. Nutrition Assistance Plus-Up (NAP): Additional supplement based on your household size and circumstances, issued between the 15th-24th depending on case number 3. Special Supplements: Occasional additional benefits for certain qualifying events (disaster relief, back-to-school nutrition boost in August, etc.) Keep in mind that your total benefit amount (regular + NAP) is still subject to the maximum allotment for your household size. The system just splits it into two payments now instead of one. Hope this helps clarify things!
This is super helpful information! I wish they explained all this clearly when you get approved. Thank you so much for breaking it down - I understand the system much better now. I'll report back when I hopefully get my NAP benefits on the 23rd!
I hate how confusing all this is!!!! Why can't they just explain things clearly?? One month you get one amount, next month something different, and the app NEVER has current info!!! So frustrating!
Agreed. The communication from county offices is often unclear. If you want a definitive answer about your benefits, always check your EBT account transaction history or call your county office directly. The app updates can lag behind by several days.
UPDATE: I called using that Claimyr service and got through to LA County DPSS in 30 mins! The worker confirmed I AM getting the housing supplement since my zip code is in the pilot program. Mine is scheduled to deposit on the 23rd based on my case number. Mystery solved! Thanks everyone for your help - would have been stressing all month without you!
Glad you got it sorted out! That housing supplement program is really helping families deal with the crazy rent increases in LA County. Make sure to complete your SAR7 on time so you don't lose eligibility for the supplement.
Just to provide some additional context: CalFresh benefits in California are distributed over the first 10 days of each month based on the last digit of your case number. If your case number ends in 4, you'll get benefits on the 4th. Benefits are uploaded overnight, usually starting around midnight, but the exact timing varies by county and processing systems. One thing to note - if the 4th falls on a weekend or holiday, your benefits should still be deposited on that day (unlike some other government benefits that shift to the previous business day).
Hey, just wanted to check if your benefits came through this morning? I've been hearing about some counties having system delays this month and was curious if you got yours as expected.
Paolo Moretti
Be careful listening to random people about where EBT works! My neighbor swore up and down that she used her CalFresh EBT at Burger King, but turns out she was actually using her cash aid portion of her benefits (CalWORKs), not the food portion. This confuses so many people! CalFresh and cash aid are different programs that can be on the same card.
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Ava Martinez
•Ohhh that might explain my neighbor's situation! I didn't even think about the cash aid part. That makes a lot more sense now.
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Zainab Abdulrahman
side note but im still mad that calfresh benefits cant be used for rotisserie chickens at the grocery store... like how is that different from raw chicken??? its literally one of the cheapest healthy options for someone who cant cook! makes no sense 😤
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Yara Elias
•Technically its because of the "hot prepared food" rule, but I agree its silly. Some stores sell cold rotisserie chickens in the refrigerated section that WILL work with EBT though! Just not the hot ones from the deli counter.
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