If you are looking for information or need help with your Kentucky P-EBT benefits, we can help. This article will provide you with the most comprehensive guide on Kentucky P-EBT benefits. In addition, we will provide you with an update on Kentucky P-EBT benefits for 2023.
To find out more about P-EBT Kentucky, including if you can expect to receive a second round of P-EBT, then continue reading below.
We will cover:
- What is Kentucky P-EBT?
- Kentucky Pandemic EBT Eligibility
- P-EBT Kentucky – Update for 2023
- P-EBT Kentucky Increase
- How to get Kentucky P-EBT benefits
- Kentucky P-EBT Payment Schedule
- How to use Pandemic EBT
- Check your Kentucky P-EBT balance
- Where to use KY P-EBT
- Kentucky P-EBT FAQs
Pandemic EBT Program
The Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) program was authorized by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The program provides financial assistance to families with children that typically receive free or reduced-price school meals.
The goal of the program is to reduce the financial strain on low-income households caused by extended school closures during COVID-19.
Pandemic EBT is in line with USDA’s commitment to keeping Americans safe, secure, and healthy. In addition, the program helps feed children when schools are closed for a national emergency.
To learn more about the Pandemic EBT in Kentucky, continue reading below.
Kentucky P-EBT Benefits
On May 23rd, Governor Andy Beshear announced that Kentucky families with students who normally receive free or reduced-price meals at school can receive financial assistance through the Kentucky Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) program. The P-EBT program will provide relief to households experiencing financial stress during extended school closures.
All public and a majority of private Kentucky schools have been closed or participating in at-home virtual learning since March 13th due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
To find out if your child/children qualifies for P-EBT benefits in Kentucky and how to get them, continue reading below.
What is Kentucky P-EBT?
Kentucky Pandemic EBT is a supplemental food purchasing benefit to offset the cost of meals that would have otherwise been consumed at school.
The Food and Nutrition Service is allowing Kentucky to provide benefits (similar to SNAP or “food stamps”) to children who normally receive free or reduced-price school meals.
Kentucky P-EBT Qualifications
Kentucky P-EBT benefits are provided to all public and private school students who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals. Benefits are also available to those students that attend a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school.
Find a complete list of Kentucky CEP eligible schools, here. The CEP school list is located at the end of the document.
Pandemic EBT benefits are intended to help Kentucky households buy food for their children during school closures.
Households that meet the following criteria qualify for Pandemic EBT in Kentucky:
- Families with one or more children in their household
- Attend a public, private, or school that provides free meals to all students
- Children who normally receive free and reduced price meals at school
- School has been closed due to the pandemic for at least five consecutive days
In addition, local school systems should have notified families eligible for P-EBT benefits. If you did not receive a notification from your school, please continue to file an application for P-EBT. To find out how to apply, continue reading below.
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Kentucky P-EBT Eligible Students
Students that attend public, private, religious, or other non-public schools are eligible for the P-EBT program. Community Eligibility Provision schools are also eligible for P-EBT benefits.
Students that are attending virtual schools or home-schooling are not eligible for P-EBT benefits in Kentucky.
If your child is still receiving “grab and go” meals from your school, you are still eligible for P-EBT enrollment.
If your child was not receiving free or reduced-price school meals before schools closed, but think you would qualify, you can still apply for Kentucky P-EBT benefits.
To be eligible for P-EBT, you must apply for benefits online. To find out how to apply for Kentucky P-EBT benefits, continue reading below.
P-EBT Kentucky Update for 2023
On January 22, 2021, President Biden passed an executive order to increase the P-EBT benefit amount by 15%. This increase in P-EBT benefits is an effort to provide more money to low-income households with children missing meals due to school closures.
Previously, Pandemic EBT benefits were capped at $5.86 per day for each student. With this new change, the new P-EBT payout for students will be increased to $6.74 per day.
Households currently receiving P-EBT Kentucky can expect to see this increase in their benefits.
How do I get Kentucky P-EBT?
To receive Kentucky P-EBT benefits, you must submit an application online. However, select households will automatically be submitted for participation in the P-EBT program. These households do not have to submit an application to receive Kentucky P-EBT benefits.
You do not have to submit an application for Kentucky P-EBT benefits if your student is:
- under foster care, or
- receiving SNAP benefits or TANF cash assistance, or is
- receiving Medicaid or Kentucky Transitional Assistance Program (KTAP).
The parent and/or guardian does not need to do anything to receive P-EBT benefits. You will automatically be enrolled to receive Kentucky P-EBT benefits.
If you have an active Kentucky EBT Card, your P-EBT benefits will automatically be added to your EBT Card.
If you do not have an EBT Card, one will be sent to you in the mail with instructions on activation.
Students that do not qualify for automatic participation, must complete the Kentucky P-EBT online application to receive benefits. If you are unsure or think your child is eligible to receive free or reduced-price lunch, please complete the Kentucky P-EBT application.
For help on how to apply for Pandemic EBT benefits in Kentucky, follow the instructions below.
How to Apply for P-EBT Kentucky
To apply for P-EBT benefits in Kentucky, you must provide some information about your student(s).
For your each eligible child in your household, you must provide:
- First Name
- Last Name
- Address
- Date of Birth
- Statewide Student Identification (SSID)
If you do not have your student’s SSID number, please contact your school district. They can provide you with this information.
You will also be asked to provide some information about yourself, including:
- First Name
- Last Name
- Date of Birth
- Social Security Number (optional)
- Mailing Address
- Email Address
- Phone Number
Once you have gathered all of the required information, you can now begin your application for P-EBT benefits.
Kentucky P-EBT Application Instructions
Follow these steps to apply for Kentucky P-EBT benefits:
Step 1 – Visit the Kentucky P-EBT Application Website
Visit the Kentucky P-EBT Online Application on the Benefind website at benefind.ky.gov.
Note that your SNAP eligibility, including income limits, qualifies you for P-EBT benefits.
Step 2 – Start the P-EBT Application
Once on the website, click the “Start Pandemic EBT Application” button located at the bottom right-side of the page. After that, you will be taken to a new page.
For help, see the screenshot below:
Step 3 – Complete P-EBT Pre-Screening
First, you will be asked read the information on Kentucky P-EBT benefits and rules. Once you have read them, please agree by checking the two boxes and typing your electronic signature.
After that, complete the captcha and click the “State Pandemic EBT Application” button at the bottom of the page.
Step 4 – Provide your Information
You can now begin the application for Kentucky P-EBT benefits. Provide your first name, last name, date of birth, and Social Security Number. Please note, that you are not required to provide your SSN – however, we highly recommend that you do for faster application processing.
Step 5 – Provide your Student’s Information
Next, provide your student’s information including first name, last name, date of birth, Student ID number and Social Security Number. Again, you are not required to provide your student’s SSN – however, we highly recommend that you.
Once complete, click the “Add Student” button in green. You must complete this for each eligible student in your household.
Step 6 – Complete Mailing Information
Now you will be asked to provide your mailing address information for your Kentucky EBT Card. This is what your P-EBT benefits will be loaded onto. Complete your address, city, state, zip code, and county.
Step 7 – Provide your Contact Information
Next, complete the application by providing your contact information including email address and phone number. Once complete, click the green “Next” button.
Step 8 – Sign and Submit P-EBT Application
On the next page, you will be asked to sign and submit your complete Kentucky P-EBT Application. Complete your electronic signature and submit your P-EBT Application for processing.
Congratulations – you have now successfully applied for Kentucky P-EBT.
Is the P-EBT Application process different for private schools?
Yes, Kentucky P-EBT benefits are different for student’s attending a private school. If your student is attending a private school, you do not need to submit an application for Kentucky P-EBT benefits.
Private school directors are directly providing the list of their eligible students to Kentucky Department of Education. Your P-EBT benefits will be automatically processed and mailed.
When is the deadline to apply for Kentucky P-EBT benefits?
The deadline to apply for Kentucky P-EBT benefits online has been closed since June 30, 2020.
After you Apply for KY P-EBT
Once you complete your online Kentucky P-EBT application, you will receive a notification stating that you successfully submitted your application. Once approved for P-EBT, you will receive a Kentucky EBT Card in the mail via USPS.
Your EBT Card will include activation instructions. For assistance with your P-EBT benefits or EBT Card, call the toll-free customer service phone number at (888) 979-9949.
When will my Kentucky P-EBT Card arrive?
Your Kentucky P-EBT benefits will arrive in the mail on an EBT Card within 10-business days of being approved for P-EBT benefits.
Kentucky P-EBT Payment Schedule
Your Kentucky P-EBT benefits are sent to you as a one-time payment for the days schools were closed due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Your one-time P-EBT benefits payment per child will be loaded onto your card when you receive it in mail.
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How to use Kentucky P-EBT Benefits
To use your Kentucky P-EBT benefits, visit an eligible SNAP EBT store location. When shopping with your benefits, checkout as usual and use your EBT Card like a debit card.
When you are ready to pay for food at the store/market:
- Select “EBT”
- Swipe the card
- Enter your 4-digit PIN number
After that, your payment is processed and benefits removed from your card.
Check Kentucky P-EBT Balance
To check the balance of your Kentucky P-EBT benefits, follow the EBT Card balance instructions.
There are three ways to check your Kentucky EBT balance – online, in-person, or by phone. To find out how to check your Kentucky P-EBT balance, follow the instructions below.
Kentucky P-EBT Balance Check Online
To check your P-EBT benefits balance on the Kentucky EBT Card online, visit the Kentucky EBT Edge website. Once you are there, click the Cardholder Login section.
After that, you will be taken to a new page where you can enter your User ID and Password, then click the “Login” button. You must log in to your account to check your Kentucky EBT balance.
If you do not have an EBT Edge account, you must first create one. For help on how to create your Kentucky EBT Onlin Account, click here.
Kentucky P-EBT Balance Check by Phone
The second option to check your P-EBT balance is by calling the Kentucky EBT Card Customer Service toll-free phone number at 1-888-979-9949. Representatives are available to help you retrieve your current card balance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Before you call, be sure to have your Card Number, 4-digit PIN, and Social Security Number (SSN) ready. You must provide this information to receive your P-EBT balance.
Kentucky P-EBT Balance Check in Store
The last option to check your KY P-EBT balance is in-person at the store. You can find your current EBT Card balance located at the bottom of your most-recent purchase receipt. Be sure to save all of your recent Kentucky EBT Card receipts!
Where to use Kentucky P-EBT
P-EBT benefits can be used at any store that accepts SNAP EBT benefits. Pandemic EBT benefits can be used at grocery stores, warehouse stores, mini-marts, convenience stores, markets, gas stations, specialty food stores, bakeries, farmer’s markets and more.
Some popular Kentucky P-EBT locations include:
- Aldi
- Amazon
- Kroger
- Save-a-Lot
- Food Lion
- Meijer
- Piggly Wiggly
- Neighborhood Market
- Stop & Shop
- Target
- Walmart
For a complete list of approved P-EBT retailers and to find a location near you, use the interactive store locator.
Use Kentucky P-EBT Benefits Online
Did you know that you can use your Kentucky P-EBT benefits to shop online at Walmart and Amazon? Well, it’s true! You can now use your Kentucky EBT Card online to shop for grocery delivery or pick-up. Find out how to use your Kentucky EBT Card to shop online here.
Kentucky P-EBT Discounts
P-EBT recipients may be eligible for discounts with their Kentucky EBT Card. You can save over 50% OFF an Amazon Prime membership, get discounts on phone and internet service, free museum admission, and much more!
Find out what discounts you qualify for in Kentucky here.
Kentucky P-EBT Customer Service
For help with your Kentucky P-EBT benefits, please contact their information hub by emailing [email protected]. Please do not contact your local Kentucky DCBS office or school about your P-EBT benefits. They will not be able to assist you.
Currently, there is no customer service phone number for help with your Kentucky P-EBT benefits.
Kentucky P-EBT FAQs
Get answers to the most frequently asked questions about the Kentucky P-EBT benefits program.
Where is my P-EBT Card?
If you do not receive your Kentucky P-EBT benefits, please contact the Kentucky P-EBT Customer Service help hub. To contact them, please send an email to [email protected].
How much Kentucky P-EBT will I get?
P-EBT benefits are provided for each eligible child in your household. The amount is equal to the daily reimbursement cost for free breakfast and lunch at $5.70 multiplied by the number of days schools have been closed.
How are P-EBT benefits calculated?
To find out how much P-EBT you will get for each child, you multiply the daily reimbursement cost for free breakfast and lunch of $5.70 by the number of school days canceled in the month.
For example,
If your child’s school was canceled for a total of 55 days, you multiply 55 by $5.70. This means you will get a total of $313.50 in P-EBT benefits.
You will complete this calculation for EACH eligible child to get your total monthly P-EBT benefits for your household.
Do Kentucky P-EBT benefits expire?
Your Kentucky P-EBT benefits will be available on your P-EBT debit card for a total of 365 days. After the 365-day period, the benefits will be removed.
What should I do when I get my P-EBT card in the mail?
When you receive your P-EBT card in the mail, follow the instructions that came with your card to activate and create your Personal Identification Number (PIN). Once activated, your card can be used to buy food in most grocery stores and farmer’s markets in Kentucky.
Where can I use P-EBT?
P-EBT funds can be used to purchase food wherever EBT benefits are accepted. Look for signs that say, “We accept EBT” or “We accept SNAP”.
To find a list of approved P-EBT stores near you, click here. You can also use the interactive retail finder here.
Can I use Kentucky P-EBT benefits online?
Yes, you can use your Kentucky P-EBT benefits to shop for food online at Walmart and Amazon. To find out how to use your Kentucky EBT Card online, check out our article here.
What can you buy with P-EBT?
P-EBT recipients can use their benefits to purchase the following items:
- Breads and cereals
- Fruits and vegetables
- Meat and poultry
- Fish and seafood
- Deli meats and steak
- Dairy products – milk, yogurt, cheese, etc.
- Snacks, crackers and chips
- Bakery items and birthday cakes
- Juice and soda
- Ice cream and popsicles
- Cookies and desserts
For a complete list of P-EBT eligible items, click here.
Is P-EBT retroactive?
Yes, P-EBT benefits are issued retroactive to the date when schools initially closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For Kentucky, P-EBT benefits will date back to March 13th.
All eligible students will receive the full benefit amount unless they became eligible after March. Households that have lost employment due to COVID-19 are encouraged to apply for free lunch status to become eligible for P-EBT.
Does it matter if my household already receives SNAP?
No, it does not affect P-EBT benefits if you are already receiving SNAP benefits or any other government assistance benefits. P-EBT benefits are in addition to SNAP benefits.
Is P-EBT only for food?
Yes, P-EBT benefits can only be used to purchase food items for at-home consumption. You cannot use your P-EBT benefits to purchase hot, prepared food items or any of the following:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Tobacco products
- Pet food
- Soap and cleaning products
- Medicine and prescription drugs
- Paper products
- Household supplies
- Grooming items
- Cosmetics and beauty products
For more answers to your questions about Kentucky Pandemic EBT, including Summer P-EBT, check out the Kentucky P-EBT FAQs document.
KY P-EBT Benefits Summary
We hope this article about the Kentucky Pandemic EBT Program was helpful to you! If you have any additional questions about Kentucky P-EBT benefits, you are having trouble applying for the program, please let us know in the comments section below.
We are here to help! Stay safe and healthy.
For more information on Pandemic EBT, check out our guide here.
