P-EBT 3.0 California Payment Schedule 2023
Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) is a federal program that provides food benefits to eligible families in addition to free or reduced-price meals at schools or childcare centers. Emergency Allotments have been disbursed monthly to eligible CalFresh households since March 2020.
Eligibility
To be eligible for P-EBT 3.0, young children (under 6 years old) must have been part of a household receiving CalFresh Food benefits between August 2021 and August 2022. School-age children (TK-12) must have been enrolled in a school participating in the federal School Breakfast Program or National School Lunch Program, eligible for free or reduced-price meals in the 2021-2022 school year, and attended school via Independent Study or had at least five excused absences in a month.
P-EBT 3.0 Card Mailing
P-EBT 3.0 cards for young children eligible for benefits from August to December 2021 were mailed in October 2022, and for those eligible for benefits from January to August 2022 were mailed or reloaded in November 2022. P-EBT 3.0 cards for school-aged children were mailed or reloaded between December 2022 and January 2023. Eligible children receive their own P-EBT 3.0 card, and families who do not wish to accept P-EBT benefits can destroy the card before using it.
Applying for P-EBT Benefits
There is no need to apply for P-EBT benefits as they are automatically sent to eligible families based on information from CalFresh Food benefits and free or reduced-price school meals programs. You can apply for CalFresh Food benefits at GetCalfresh.org, and for free or reduced-price school meals through your school.
Arrival of P-EBT 3.0 Cards
P-EBT 3.0 cards for young children (under 6) will begin being mailed in October 2022 for benefit months August through December 2021 and reloaded in November 2022 for benefit months January through August 2022. P-EBT 3.0 cards for school-aged children will be mailed in November 2022 for benefit months August through December 2021 and reloaded in December 2022 for benefit months January through August 2022. P-EBT 3.0 cards are mailed in alphabetical order based on the first name of the eligible child.
Interview Waivers
Initial Certification and Recertification Interviews are not required if the application is complete, the applicant’s identity has been verified, and there is no mandatory verification missing. However, if the County determines that the information provided requires clarification, an interview will be required. Interview waivers are in effect until March 31, 2023.
Benefit Amount
For school-aged children (TK-12), the standard benefit amount is $7.10 for each day the student did not attend school in person in SY 2021-22, including days attended through Independent Study or with more than five excused absences in a month. The benefit amount for young children under 6 years old will be announced.
Contact Information
For questions regarding the P-EBT 3.0 card or eligibility, visit the P-EBT website or call the P-EBT Helpline at (877) 328-9677 (M-F, 6 AM to 8 PM).
P-EBT 3.0 California Payment Schedule 2023: FAQs
What is P-EBT 3.0?
P-EBT 3.0 is a federal program that provides eligible families with food benefits in addition to free or reduced price meals at child care or school. The program is aimed at helping families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Who is eligible for P-EBT 3.0?
- Young children (under 6 years old) who were part of a household getting CalFresh Food benefits between August 2021 and August 2022.
- School-aged children who were enrolled in a school that participated in the federal School Breakfast Program or National School Lunch Program during school year 2021-2022 and were eligible for free or reduced-price meals. The school-aged children also needed to attend school via Independent Study or had at least five excused absences in a month.
How do I receive P-EBT benefits?
P-EBT cards are automatically sent to eligible families based on information from other programs, including CalFresh Food benefits and free or reduced-price school meals. There is no need to apply for P-EBT benefits.
When will my P-EBT 3.0 card arrive?
- School-aged children: P-EBT 3.0 cards will be mailed in November 2022 for benefit months August through December 2021. Existing cardholders will have their cards reloaded in December 2022 for benefit months January through August 2022. New P-EBT 3.0 cards for school-aged children only eligible for benefit months January through August 2022 will be mailed in December 2022.
- Young children (under 6): P-EBT 3.0 cards will be mailed in October 2022 for benefit months August through December 2021. Existing cardholders will have their cards reloaded in November 2022 for benefit months January through August 2022. New P-EBT cards for young children only eligible for benefit months January through August 2022 will be mailed in November 2022.
What if I don’t need P-EBT benefits?
Families who feel they do not need P-EBT benefits can choose to not accept P-EBT benefits by destroying their card before using it. Each eligible child will receive their own P-EBT card.
How do I know if I am eligible for P-EBT 3.0 benefits?
P-EBT cards are automatically sent to eligible families based on information from other programs, including CalFresh Food benefits and free or reduced-price school meals. If you have any questions regarding your eligibility, you can visit the P-EBT website or call the P-EBT Helpline at (877) 328-9677.
What is the benefit amount for P-EBT?
School-aged children (TK-12) will receive a standard benefit amount of $7.10 for each day they did not attend school in person in school year 2021-2022. This includes days they attended school through Independent Study or all absence days in a month where they had greater than five excused absences.
