Pandemic EBT Benefits Guide (P-EBT)

(Last updated on 5/23/23)

The Food Nutrition Service has launched a new program that provides help to households with children during extended school closures. The Pandemic EBT benefits program was launched in response to the Coronavirus outbreak. The outbreak has impacted millions of families nationwide.

In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about the Pandemic EBT program including how it works and if you qualify for benefits.

We will also cover:

• P-EBT Program Information
• Qualifications for P-EBT Benefits
• Child Nutrition Program changes due to COVID-19
• P-EBT Frequently Asked Questions

To learn more about P-EBT benefits including how much you will receive, continue reading below.

ALERT: Summer P-EBT Program for 2023 just announced – find out if your state was approved!

About Pandemic EBT (P-EBT)

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 keeps kids fed when schools are closed during a national emergency.

To learn more about Pandemic EBT benefits and to find out if you qualify, continue reading below.

What is Pandemic EBT?

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 states to provide benefits (similar to SNAP or “food stamps”) to children who normally receive free or reduced-price school meals.

What states are approved for Pandemic EBT?

Currently, Pandemic EBT benefits are approved for households in these states:

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• District of Columbia
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Virgin Islands
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

Will my state be approved for Pandemic EBT?

Whether or not your state is approved for Pandemic EBT solely depends on your local state officials. States can be approved for Pandemic EBT by submitting a plan to the Secretary of Agriculture.

When are Pandemic EBT benefits issued?

Approved states may operate Pandemic EBT when a school is closed for at least five consecutive days during a public health emergency.

Qualifications for P-EBT Benefits

If you are wondering if your household qualifies to receive P-EBT benefits, we can help. Find a complete list of qualifications for P-EBT below.

Your household may be eligible for P-EBT benefits if your child or children are:

• Currently enrolled and receiving free or reduced-price school meals, or
• Attending a school that participates in CEP (Provision 2 or 3), and
• Schools have been closed for 5 consecutive days for a public health emergency.

How much will I receive in P-EBT benefits?

Delaware P-EBT Benefits

Delaware households with eligible students will receive P-EBT benefits for school closures extending from March 16, 2020 through June 12, 2020 – a total of 65 days.

District of Columbia P-EBT Benefits

Washington, DC households with eligible students will receive P-EBT benefits for school closures extending from March 18, 2020 through June 19, 2020 – a total of 68 days.

Florida will issue P-EBT benefits to eligible households with students for school closures extending from March 16, 2020 through May 29, 2020 – a total of 55 days.

For more information on Florida P-EBT, check out our FL P-EBT Benefits Guide.

Hawaii will issue P-EBT benefits to eligible households with students for school closures extending from March 16, 2020 through May 28, 2020 – a total of 54 days.

Rhode Island will issue P-EBT benefits to eligible households for school closures extending from March 16, 2020 through April 30, 2020 – a total of 34 days.

Child Nutrition Program changes due to COVID-19

The Coronavirus pandemic has caused numerous changes to the Child Nutrition Assistance programs. This is an effort to better serve low-income households facing increased financial stress due to COVID-19.

Those changes include:

• Allowing parents and guardians to pick-up meals to bring home to their kids
• Waiving meal times requirements so multiple days of meals can be picked-up
• Allowing meals to be delivered or served in non-congregate settings
• Waiving the requirement for after school snacks to include educational activities
• Allowing states to serve free meals to children in all areas, versus only the areas where at least half of the students receive free or reduced-price meals
• Launching a new Coronavirus webpage that informs the public about new changes to keep children and families fed during the crisis
• Providing more than one million meals a week through Meals to You
• Increasing access to online grocery purchasing pilot for EBT cardholders
• Launching the “Meals for Kids” website to help families while schools are closed
• Allowing states to issue Emergency Supplemental SNAP benefits
• Collecting solutions to feeding children impacted through [email protected]
• Providing administrative flexibility in SNAP and WIC related to applications, renewals, and requirements

Pandemic EBT FAQs

For answers to some of your most frequently asked questions about P-EBT, continue reading below.

Who qualifies for Pandemic EBT?

Current SNAP participants and new EBT eligible households with children that qualify for free or reduced-price school lunches through the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act can receive Pandemic EBT benefits.

Do households need to submit an application for P-EBT?

No, households do not need to submit an application to receive P-EBT benefits. States will provide P-EBT benefits to SNAP and non-SNAP households with children that were enrolled in free or reduced-price school meals.

What is the minimum amount I will receive in P-EBT benefits?

The minimum household allotment amount will be no less than the value of the school meals ($5.70) for each eligible child in your household over the 5-day period.

For example, this means if you have two eligible children and 5 consecutive days of closed school, you will receive a total of $57 in P-EBT benefits ($5.70 x 5 x 2)

How do non-SNAP households get P-EBT benefits?

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