Pandemic EBT (or P-EBT) food benefits are coming soon for eligible families! These no-risk, additional food benefits will be arriving in the mail soon.
Although the P-EBT card works much like the CalFresh EBT card, the P-EBT program is not administered by your County DSS office. It is administered by the California State Department of Social Services (CDSS) in collaboration with the Department of Education.
To learn more, see this flyer (English, Spanish) or read on.
What is P-EBT?
The pandemic and distance learning has made it harder to feed the family. P-EBT is a federal program that gives eligible families with children additional benefits to buy food. It is available in addition to any CalFresh food benefits or school meals that the family may already receive or qualify for.P-EBT is for:
- Children ages 0-6 who got CalFresh Food benefits between October 2020 and May 2021.
- Students in TK-12th grade who were enrolled in free or reduced price school meals at a school participating in the National School Lunch or Breakfast Programs for the 2020-21 school year (and are assumed to have attended school via distance learning, at least some of that time during the school year).
- Children eligible for free school meals based on their attendance at a school where all children can get free breakfast, lunch, or both, may also get P-EBT benefits. This is true even if the child did not individually apply for free or reduced price school meals.
P-EBT does not count as taxable income. Your family will still be eligible for free or reduced price school meals or CalFresh benefits.
Can P-EBT affect immigration?
No. P-EBT is safe for you and your family members. The program will NOT report anyone to immigration services for buying food with this card nor will anyone using this card be considered a public charge.
How do I sign up or apply for P-EBT?
You don’t need to sign up or apply. If your young child got CalFresh Food benefits or your school aged child was enrolled in free or reduced price school meals, either individually or based on their attendance at a school where all children were eligible for free meals, a card will automatically be mailed for each eligible child. Cards will start arriving in early July and through August for children age 0-6 who got CalFresh and early September through November for kids TK-12.
How do I use P-EBT?
- Every eligible child will get their own P-EBT card, which is automatically refilled at scheduled intervals. After the P-EBT debit card(s) arrives in the mail, you willl need to activate the card before using it. Follow the instructions to create a personal PIN number. Call the P-EBT Helpline at (877) 328-9677.
- Shop at the same places that take CalFresh food benefits. This includes most grocery stores, many farmers markets, and online at Amazon®, Walmart®, and other retailers. Just like with CalFresh Food Benefits, foods that are served hot or already prepared (like takeout or food bars) are NOT covered.
- Pay by selecting "EBT" at checkout. You can use multiple cards to cover one purchase.
What if I have questions?
Call the P-EBT Helpline at (877) 328-9677. The P-EBT Helpline can assist families with existing cards, address changes, PIN set, replacement cards, eligibility questions and more! (Select option 5 to speak with a P-EBT agent.) Various languages are available.
Or, visit the new P-EBT webpage at https://capandemic-ebt.org/. On the webpage, you can find the latest program updates, program information, and answers to FAQs for clients and partners.
When do the cards go out?
