State Approves Extension for Pandemic Food Benefits Reissuance 

Families have until August 18 to request reissuance of expired 2021 P-EBT 2.0 benefits 

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. — Residents whose children qualified for, but didn’t use extra pandemic food benefits in 2021 now have more time to request a reissuance.   
 
Pandemic EBT (or P-EBT) is a federal program that provides food assistance to eligible young or school-aged children in addition to free or reduced-price meals at childcare or school. 
 
P-EBT benefits that remain unused after a year expire. California officials say if your child received a P-EBT 2.0 card in 2021 and didn’t use any of the benefits for a year, you may be eligible for a reissuance of expired benefits. The State extended the reporting timeframe, allowing families until August 18 to request reissuance of expired benefits.   
 
To qualify for the reissuance, customers must have received a P-EBT 2.0 card in 2021 and have not used any of the benefits on the card, causing them to expire.  
 
“Riverside County DPSS encourages families who may be eligible for replacement benefits to contact the P-EBT helpline by the deadline,” said Assistant Director Allison Gonzalez of the department’s Self Sufficiency Division. “These food benefits help children and families reach and sustain nutritional well-being.” 
 
To request a reissuance, families can contact the State’s P-EBT 2.0 Expungement Helpline at 1-800-887-8230 (Monday – Friday 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.) 
 
When calling or chatting, state officials urge customers to have the first and last name of the child(ren) believed to be eligible, the child(ren)’s date of birth, and the address on file during the 2021 P-EBT 2.0 issuance. 

If you’re interested in receiving additional food benefits, apply for CalFresh food assistance a www.benefitscal.com, by phone at 1-877-410-8827, or in-person at any DPSS office.