P-EBT and Hot Food Updates
- natalie04760
- Sep 8, 2020
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 29, 2020
P-EBT
o As P-EBT operations come to an end, the P-EBT Helpline and online inquiry form have closed and CDSS is transitioning limited P-EBT cardholder support responsibilities to the CWDs
o As of August 31, 2020, these responsibilities include supporting existing P-EBT cardholders with requests for PIN set-up support and replacement P-EBT cards. The CWDs will not assume any P-EBT eligibility responsibilities and will not be able to issue P-EBT benefits to children not already issued P-EBT benefits by CDSS and CDE
Issues May Arise with the Following P-EBT Instances
o Requests for Pin Set-Up Support
Some P-EBT cardholders, after attempting to use the automated system to set-up their PIN, may require additional assistance. This may require P-EBT cardholder information to be updated in the system for cardholders to successfully PIN their card. P-EBT cardholders may contact their local social service office for PIN set-up support.
o Requests for a Replacement P-EBT Card
P-EBT cardholders may request a replacement P-EBT card. A request for a replacement card may be accepted in two scenarios: (1) a P-EBT cardholder reports a previously activated P-EBT card as lost or stolen or (2) the P-EBT card, though anticipated to be received via mail, was not received.
o Other Requests
If a child is not found in the system, the CWD cannot assist with the request, as the deadlines for application and appeal have already passed. The CWD cannot determine P-EBT eligibility or issue P-EBT benefits.
Clients may inquire about the status of their pending P-EBT appeal. The CDSS is currently processing all appeals and anticipates that all appeals will be processed by September 17. Clients who submitted an appeal and are P-EBT eligible will receive a confirmation email when their P-EBT card is mailed. Clients who submitted an appeal and are not P-EBT eligible will also receive a confirmation email with information about the outcome of the appeal.
Hot Foods in Allocated Counties
o As you all may be aware, late last month, a Hot Foods Waiver was approved in the following counties:
Alameda
Colusa
Contra Costa
Glenn
Lake
Marin
Mendocino
Monterey
Napa
Sacramento
San Mateo
Santa Clara
Santa Cruz
Solano
Sonoma
Sutter
Yolo
o This means that, effective immediately, CalFresh Food benefit recipients can buy hot, prepared foods at grocery and food stores that accept EBT in one of these 17 counties, through September 23, 2020. Please find attached the Hot Food flyer for use in your outreach and application assistance work.
Timely Reporting Waiver
o Timely Reporting Waiver was approved in the following counties:
Lake
Mariposa
Monterey
Napa
San Mateo
Santa Cruz
Solano
Sonoma
Tuolumne
Yolo
o If a client loses food purchased with CalFresh Food benefits due to the wildfires or power outages, they may request replacement CalFresh Food benefits. The timely reporting waiver means that clients can submit a request for replacement benefits through September 14th for all counties, aside from Mariposa and Tuolumne, where clients can submit a request through September 21st. Please find attached the Replacement Benefits flyer for use in your outreach and application assistance work.
o Beyond this, as the reverse side to these flyers, CDSS had included a list of active food banks in the affected counties, where clients who need food now will be able to reach out to find food (this is also attached on its own).
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