2023 California P-EBT 4.0 FAQs - California Food Stamps Help (2024)

In the state of California, programs like Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) have played a crucial role in alleviating some of the burdens placed on household budgets by the COVID-19 pandemic. P-EBT has provided essential assistance to families whose children were impacted by school closures and virtual learning due to the pandemic. This blog post about 2023 California P-EBT 4.0 FAQs will answer the most frequently asked questions about P-EBT 4.0 benefits to help you better understand this program and how it can support your family.

California P-EBT 4.0 FAQs

Here are the most frequently asked questions about California P-EBT 4.0 Benefits:

What is P-EBT?

Pandemic EBT, commonly referred to as P-EBT, is a federal program that aims to provide food benefits to eligible families who experienced disruption in their children’s access to free or reduced-price meals due to school closures or virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

P-EBT benefits are automatically loaded onto EBT cards and can be used to purchase food at grocery stores, farmers markets, and online retailers.

Who is eligible for P-EBT 4.0 benefits?

P-EBT 4.0 provides benefits to eligible children for the 2022–2023 school year and summer 2023.

Young children are eligible if they were under age 6 as of August 1, 2022, and were part of a household receiving CalFresh food benefits from August 2022 to May 2023.

School-age children who were enrolled in free or reduced-price meals from the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) / School Breakfast Program (SBP) or a Provision school during the 2022-23 school year are eligible.

Make sure to review the official fact sheet for comprehensive eligibility criteria, as specific conditions are in place.

How can I apply for P-EBT 4.0 benefits?

Many families don’t need to apply for P-EBT benefits; eligible children will automatically receive benefits using data from other enrolled programs like CalFresh and school meal assistance.

However, if your child did not attend a school that participated in the National School Lunch Program during the 2022–2023 school year, you can apply for P-EBT benefits directly through the official application portal between July 21, 2023, and August 15, 2023.

What is the P-EBT 4.0 benefit amount per child?

The benefit amounts for P-EBT 4.0 vary based on the age of the child and the circ*mstances.

Young children under the age of 6 will receive up to $36 per month for each month they received CalFresh food benefits during the 2022–2023 school year.

School-aged children will receive $8.18 for each day they didn’t attend school in person due to COVID-19 during the same school year.

Additionally, eligible school-aged children will receive $120 if they are eligible for Summer 2023 P-EBT benefits.

Are homeschooled and private virtual school children eligible?

Yes, homeschooled and private virtual school children can be eligible for P-EBT 4.0 benefits under certain conditions.

Children who were under age 6 as of August 1, 2022, and were part of a household receiving CalFresh food benefits are eligible.

For school-age children to be eligible, they must be enrolled in a school participating in the NSLP/SBP or a Provision school during the 2022–2023 school year.

You must also meet specific requirements related to attendance and COVID-19-related absences.

Eligibility documentation requirements and application details vary, so make sure to visit the official P-EBT website for accurate information.

What can I buy with the P-EBT card? Where and how?

P-EBT benefits can be used to purchase food items at most grocery stores, farmers markets, and participating online retailers.

The card functions like a debit card, and you’ll need to create a private Personal Identification Number (PIN) to use it.

Although P-EBT benefits encompass a broad variety of food items, you cannot use them at restaurants or buy foods that are served hot or pre-prepared, like takeout or items from hot food bars.

Where can I get a replacement P-EBT card?

If you lose your P-EBT card, you can obtain a replacement by contacting the P-EBT Helpline at 1-877-328-9677 (Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.) or by using the P-EBT Live Chat feature.

Replacement cards are available indefinitely, ensuring that you can continue to access your benefits.

Do P-EBT 4.0 cards have an expiration date?

Yes, P-EBT 4.0 cards have an expiration date.

To keep the card active, it’s important to use the benefits at least once every 365 days.

Failure to use the card within 365 days of receiving it will result in the card expiring.

How do I get help with P-EBT?

If you have any questions or need assistance with P-EBT, you can refer to the official fact sheet or timing flyer available in English and Spanish.

For further support, you can call the P-EBT Helpline at 1-877-328-9677 (Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.) or use the Live Chat feature at ca.p-ebt.org.

Will getting P-EBT affect my family’s immigration status?

No, receiving and using P-EBT benefits will not affect your family’s immigration status, nor will it make you a public charge.

The program does not report your information to immigration services, and using P-EBT benefits does not count as income or impact your eligibility for school meals or other benefit programs.

Is California Issuing Summer 2023 P-EBT?

Yes, on April 10, 2023, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved California’s Summer 2023 P-EBT State plan for school-age children.

This plan aims to provide additional assistance to eligible households during the summer months.

Who is Eligible for 2023 California Summer P-EBT Benefits?

To be eligible for the 2023 California Summer P-EBT benefits, you must meet the following requirements:

1. Enrolled for at least one day in May 2023 in a school that participated in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or School Breakfast Program (SBP) during the 2022–23 school year.
2. Student eligibility:

• Determined eligible at any time during the 2022–23 school year for free or reduced-price meals through meal application, alternative income form, direct certification, or designation as homeless, migrant, or foster.
• Attended a school that participates in Provision 2 or the Community Eligibility Provision, regardless of individual student eligibility.

When are they going to distribute the 2023 California Summer P-EBT Benefits?

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS)will begin mailingSummer P-EBT cards between July 16, 2023, and August 30, 2023.

The CDSS will mail these cards to the address listed in the California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Database (CALPADS).

It is important for school districts to ensure that address data is up-to-date, and for students without an address, to populate either the school or district address.

How Much will my Child Receive in Summer 2023 P-EBT Benefits?

For the Summer 2023 P-EBT period from June through August 2023, each eligible child will receive a set benefit amount of $120.

For more on 2023 Summer P-EBT, see our post – 2023 California Summer P-EBT Benefits.

Summary – California P-EBT 4.0 FAQs

Here’s the bottom line about California P-EBT 4.0 FAQs:

1. P-EBT 4.0 provides food benefits to eligible families affected by school closures during COVID-19.
2. Eligibility includes young children under 6 with CalFresh benefits and school-age children from eligible schools.
3. Benefit amounts: Up to $36/month for young children and $8.18/day for virtual learning days for school-age children.
4. Cards mailed automatically; no need to apply if eligible. Application available for certain cases.
5. You can use P-EBT benefits like a debit card to make food purchases at stores and online retailers.

For more information and updates, visit the official P-EBT website at https://ca.p-ebt.org/.

Keep in mind that you must distribute P-EBT 4.0 benefits by September 30, 2023, following the expiration of the federal Public Health Emergency.

If you anticipate needing food benefits beyond the P-EBT program, consider applying for CalFresh Food benefits at GetCalfresh.org,

Questions?

We hope this post on the California P-EBT 4.0 Benefits was helpful.

Want to know when you will receive your Summer 2023 P-EBT Benefits? Check it out here.

If you have further questions about California SNAP or EBT Card, please let us know in the comments section below.

Also, be sure to check out our other articles about California SNAP and EBT, including:

• • 2024 California Food Stamps Increase
  • $3,000 Child Tax Credit
  • California Inflation Relief Checks – Who is Eligible?
  • California P-EBT Extension
  • How much will I get in CalFresh?
  • CalFresh for SSI/SSP Beneficiaries
  • How long will Extra SNAP for California Last?