This post will provide a detailed guide to Summer 2023 P-EBT for Arizona. The Summer Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) has been a crucial federal food program that has provided support to families during the summer period of COVID-19 pandemic.
Even though the official COVID-19 health has ended, the federal government is still approving state Summer P-EBT benefits to eligible students.
The Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) and The Arizona Department of Education (AZED) have been working together to administer P-EBT benefits in the state for Summer 2023.
In this blog post, we will provide information about the 2023 Arizona Summer P-EBT benefits, including eligibility criteria, application process, distribution timeline, and the amount of benefits. Let’s dive in!
What is P-EBT?
The Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program was established by Congress in 2020 to assist families in purchasing food while schools and childcare facilities were closed due to the pandemic.
P-EBT provides funds to households with children who qualify for free or reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP).
Summer 2023 P-EBT for Arizona
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved Arizona’s Summer 2023 P-EBT State plan for school-age children.
This means that eligible families will continue to receive P-EBT benefits during the summer months.
Who is Eligible for 2023 Arizona Summer P-EBT Benefits?
To be eligible for the 2023 Arizona Summer P-EBT benefits, school-aged children must have been certified as eligible for free or reduced-price school meals during the 2022-2023 school year.
This eligibility can be determined through an application process or direct certification with other benefits programs such as SNAP or TANF.
Additionally, children attending schools that provide meals at no cost to all students through programs like Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) or Provision 1 or 2 are also eligible.
The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) and National School Lunch Program (NSLP) participating schools will identify Summer 2023 P-EBT eligible school-aged children.
When will 2023 Arizona P-EBT Benefits be Distributed?
The Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) will begin processing the Summer P-EBT benefits for school-aged children in early August 2023.
Eligible families can expect to receive these benefits starting from that time.
How Much will my Child Receive in Summer 2023 P-EBT Benefits?
Each eligible school-aged child will receive a one-time benefit of $120 for the 2023 Summer P-EBT program.
This amount is intended to assist families in providing nutritious meals to their children during the summer months.
2023 Arizona Summer P-EBT Benefits FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions about Summer 2023 P-EBT for Arizona:
Do I need to apply for Summer P-EBT for 2023?
No, eligible families do not need to apply for the 2023 Arizona Summer P-EBT benefits.
Students who were eligible for free or reduced-price meals during the 2022-2023 school year and were enrolled during the last calendar month of the school year will automatically receive the Summer P-EBT benefits.
How can I use my P-EBT benefits?
The P-EBT benefits are provided through an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, which functions like a debit card.
You can use the card to purchase eligible food items at authorized retailers, including grocery stores and convenience stores.
The card can be used where Quest and SNAP EBT are accepted.
What should I do if I lost or damaged my P-EBT card?
If you lost or damaged your P-EBT card, you should contact FIS Customer Service at 1-888-997-9333 (TTY: 1-800-367-8939).
Additionally, you can visit a DES office to request a replacement card.
The first replacement card in a calendar year is free, but subsequent replacements may incur a $5 fee.
How long do I have to use my benefits?
You can use your P-EBT benefits for nine months from the last time they were used or issued, whichever is later.
DES will send you a letter as a reminder to utilize the benefits before any remaining balance is removed from your EBT card.
What should I do if I need to change my address?
It’s important to ensure that your child’s school has your current mailing address on file.
To update your address, you may need to complete a National School Lunch Program (NSLP) form provided by your child’s school.
Can I dispute the P-EBT benefit amount I received or not receiving benefits for my child?
If you disagree with the P-EBT benefit amount you received or believe that your child should have received benefits but did not know this:
You have the right to dispute these actions.
You can request an Administrative Review by sending a letter, including your telephone number, to the Department of Economic Security at the following address:
Department of Economic Security
P-EBT Guardianship Dispute
PO Box 19009
Phoenix, AZ 85005-9009
Can I give my P-EBT card and PIN to someone else?
No, it is illegal to sell, trade, or give your P-EBT benefits to another person.
The PIN associated with your card should be kept private and changed regularly for security purposes. Lost or stolen benefits will not be replaced.
Where can I find information about using the P-EBT card?
For detailed instructions on how to use your Arizona EBT card and set your PIN, here’s what do to:
Refer to the “How to Use Your Arizona EBT Card” guide provided by DES.
You can access your account information, review transactions, check balances, and contact customer service through the free and secure ebtEDGE mobile app or by calling FIS Customer Service.
What should I do if I received multiple P-EBT cards?
If you received multiple P-EBT cards for different eligible children in your household, you should follow these steps to set the PIN for each card:
Also, if you have received one card, use the corresponding letter to set the PIN.
If you have additional cards, follow the same process using the appropriate letter and card until you have set the PIN for each card.
What should I do if my P-EBT card is lost or stolen?
In case your P-EBT card is lost or stolen here what to do:
First, promptly report it to FIS Customer Service at 1-888-997-9333 (TTY: 1-800-367-8939) or contact a DES office.
Second, note that the first replacement card in a calendar year is free.
However, additional replacements may be subject to a $5 fee.
How can I check my P-EBT balance?
To check your P-EBT balance, you can call FIS Customer Service at 1-888-997-9333 (TTY: 1-800-367-8939).
Furthermore, you can also log in to your EBT account on the FIS website.
The account allows you to review transactions, check balances, reset your PIN, and access customer service.
Can I get Food Stamps if my children are getting P-EBT?
Yes. If you received P-EBT, you may be eligible for SNAP!
Below is the income limit and amount of food stamps benefits you may receive based on your household size.
| Arizona SNAP Income Eligibility Standards for Fiscal Year 2023 | ||
| Effective October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023 | ||
| Household Size | Monthly Gross Income (130% of FPL) | Monthly Net Income (100% of FPL) |
| 1 | $1,473 | $1,133 |
| 2 | $1,984 | $1,526 |
| 3 | $2,495 | $1,920 |
| 4 | $3,007 | $2,313 |
| 5 | $3,518 | $2,706 |
| 6 | $4,029 | $3,100 |
| 7 | $4,541 | $3,493 |
| 8 | $5,052 | $3,886 |
| Each Additional Household Member: Add | $512 | $394 |
Summary – Summer 2023 P-EBT for Arizona
Here’s the bottom line about the 2023 Arizona Summer P-EBT Benefits:
The 2023 Arizona Summer P-EBT benefits aim to provide additional support to families with school-age children during the summer months.
Eligible households do not need to apply for these benefits as they will be automatically distributed to students who meet the eligibility criteria.
The set benefit amount of $120 per eligible child will help alleviate some of the financial burdens associated with providing food during the summer.
Lastly, for more information or assistance, households can contact the P-EBT Helpline or visit the CDSS P-EBT website.
Questions?
We hope this post on the Summer 2023 P-EBT for Arizona was helpful.
If you have further questions about Arizona P-EBT benefits, please let us know in the comments section below.
In the meantime, be sure to check out our other articles on SNAP EBT and Food Stamps:
