This post will provide a detailed guide to Summer 2023 P-EBT for Florida. 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.
In Florida, there has been a total of $264 million in P-EBT benefits going to help over 2 million school children.
The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) will administer P-EBT benefits in the state for Summer 2023.
In this blog post, we will provide information about the 2023 Florida 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 Florida
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved Florida’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 Florida Summer P-EBT Benefits?
To be eligible for the 2023 Florida Summer P-EBT benefits, school-age children must meet the following requirements:
- Enrolled for at least one day in May 2023 in a school that participated in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or School Breakfast Program (SBP) during the 2022-2023 school year.
- Students must have been determined eligible for free or reduced-price meals through a meal application, alternative income form, direct certification, or designated as homeless, migrant, or foster during the 2022-2023 school year.
- Students who attended a school participating in Provision 2 or the Community Eligibility Provision (regardless of individual student eligibility) are also eligible.
It’s important to note that there are certain situations in which students may not qualify for Summer 2023 P-EBT.
This includes if they exited school or graduated prior to May 1, 2023, transferred out of state, or transferred to a school not participating in NSLP or SBP before May 1, 2023.
Additionally, young children under the age of 6 who are not enrolled in a K-12 public school are not eligible.
When will 2023 Florida P-EBT Benefits be Distributed?
All funds must be distributed by the end of fiscal year 2023, which is Sept. 30.
Here’s the full timeline:
- June 1 – FDACS provides direct certified files of eligible NSLP schools with public, private, and charter school students to the Department.
- June 1 – DOE provides lists of eligible NSLP public, private, and charter school students to the Department.
- July 10 – The department submits a file of all students identified as eligible to the EBT vendor for payments.
Benefits are issued to SNAP households, non-SNAP households, and newly identified households by September 30, 2023, if possible.
Also, any additional issuances for resolving parent/guardian requests will be staggered biweekly through September 22, 2023.
All benefit issuances will be completed no later than December 31.
How Much will my Child Receive in Summer 2023 P-EBT Benefits?
Congress required that the P-EBT benefit for the entire 2023 covered summer period shall not exceed $120 per eligible child.
2023 Florida Summer P-EBT Benefits FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions about Summer 2023 P-EBT for Florida:
Do I need to apply for Summer P-EBT for 2023?
No. If your child is already enrolled in the National School Lunch Program and receiving free or reduced-price meals here’s what to expect:
You do not need to apply separately for the 2023 Florida Summer P-EBT benefits.
The benefits will be automatically provided based on the information available from the Department of Children and Families.
How do I know when my P-EBT benefit has been added to my EBT card?
You can check the balance of your P-EBT benefits by logging on to the EBT Cardholder Portal or using the ebtEDGE mobile app.
Alternatively, you can call the EBT Customer Service number (1-888-356-3281) listed on the back of your EBT card.
After entering your 16-digit EBT/P-EBT card number, you will hear your current food assistance balance, including any P-EBT benefits.
What can I purchase with P-EBT benefits?
P-EBT benefits can be used to purchase a variety of food items.
Eligible purchases include breads, cereals, fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, poultry, dairy products, and plants and seeds to grow food for your household.
However, P-EBT benefits cannot be used to buy non-food items.
Non-food items include pet foods, soaps, paper products, household supplies, grooming items, alcoholic beverages, tobacco, vitamins, medicines, food to eat in the store, or hot foods.
What retailers accept P-EBT?
P-EBT benefits can be used at retailers that display a Quest or SNAP logo/signage.
To find the closest retailer where you can use your benefits, you can download the free ebtEDGE mobile app from https://www.fisglobal.com/ebtedgemobile.
Additionally, SNAP recipients may also purchase groceries online from participating retailers such as Walmart and Amazon.
Also, ALDI, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Publix, Target, Hitchcocks Market, Freshfields Farm, Mt. Plymouth IGA, and Whole Foods all accept P-EBT.
When will my P-EBT benefits expire?
P-EBT benefits will expire after 274 days (9 months) of inactivity. If you have existing benefits on your EBT card, the SNAP P-EBT benefits will be used first.
What if a student resides in multiple residences?
If you currently receive SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid and have a student receiving free and reduced-price school meals, the P-EBT benefit will be issued to the household on file with the Department of Children and Families.
If you are not receiving SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid, here’s what you need to know:
The P-EBT benefit will be issued to the parent or guardian based on the information provided on the application and verified by the student’s school district.
What if I received a P-EBT card and do not need this benefit?
P-EBT benefit cards should be destroyed if not needed.
P-EBT benefits cannot be donated or transferred to anyone else.
The benefit is intended for the eligible student only and can only be used for the student and their household.
What will the new P-EBT card look like?
The new P-EBT card will arrive in a plain, white envelope.
The front of the card will have the P-EBT logo and relevant information.
Also, the back of the card will contain instructions and important details about the card.
How can I activate the P-EBT card?
To activate your P-EBT card, you have multiple options:
a. Online: Visit ebtedge.com and follow the instructions provided.
b. Mobile App: Download the ebtEDGE mobile app from the App Store or Google Play and follow the activation process.
c. Phone: Call EBT Customer Service at 1-888-356-3281 and provide the required information, including the 16-digit card number, the zip code for your mailing address,
How do I check my Florida P-EBT Card Balance?
You can check the balance of your P-EBT benefits by logging on to the EBT Cardholder Portal or using the ebtEDGE mobile app.
Alternatively, you can call the EBT Customer Service number (1-888-356-3281) listed on the back of your EBT card
Summary – Summer 2023 P-EBT for Florida
Here’s the bottom line about the 2023 Florida Summer P-EBT Benefits:
The 2023 Florida 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.
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 Florida was helpful.
If you have further questions about Florida 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: