This post will provide a detailed guide to Summer 2023 P-EBT for Georgia. 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 the 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 Georgia Department of Human Services’ Division of Family & Children Services administers P-EBT benefits in the state for Summer 2023.
In this blog post, we will provide information about the 2023 Georgia 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 Georgia
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved Georgia’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 Georgia Summer P-EBT Benefits?
To be eligible for the 2023 Georgia Summer P-EBT benefits, school-age children must meet the following requirements:
- Students must have been eligible for free or reduced-price meals under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or School Breakfast Program (SBP).
- Students must have attended a school participating in the NSLP or SBP, or a school that implemented Provision 2, Provision 3, or the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP).
- High school seniors who graduated in May 2023 are also eligible for summer P-EBT benefits.
- Students can be eligible for free and reduced-price meals if they receive SNAP/TANF benefits, have categorical eligibility based on homelessness, migrant or runaway status, or if their free and reduced-price meal application was approved by the School Food Authority.
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 Georgia P-EBT Benefits be Distributed?
The P-EBT benefits will be issued on the household’s current EBT card if the child is currently receiving SNAP.
Those who no longer receive SNAP will have the benefits loaded onto their household’s previous EBT card.
If a new EBT card is needed, please visit connectebt.com/gaebtclient or call 888-421-3281. Benefits will be issued using the schedule below.
| Head of household client ID ending in: | Availability Date: |
|---|---|
|
00-19
|
6/26/2023
|
|
20-39
|
6/27/2023
|
|
40-59
|
6/28/2023
|
|
60-79
|
6/29/2023
|
|
80-99
|
6/30/2023
|
Due to federal changes, children under age 6 in SNAP households are not eligible for summer P-EBT benefits.
How Much will my Child Receive in Summer 2023 P-EBT Benefits?
Each eligible student will receive a one-time lump sum benefit issuance of $120 for the summer of 2023.
This amount aims to provide support for families to purchase nutritious food items during the summer months.
2023 Georgia Summer P-EBT Benefits FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions about Summer 2023 P-EBT for Georgia:
Do I need to apply for Summer P-EBT for 2023?
No, eligible families do not need to apply for the 2023 Georgia 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.
Who is eligible to receive 2023 Georgia summer P-EBT benefits?
Children must be eligible for free or reduced-price meals under the eligibility criteria for the NSLP and SBP, or attend a school participating in Provision 2, Provision 3, or the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) to be eligible for P-EBT benefits.
High school students who graduated in May 2023 are also eligible.
How will I receive P-EBT benefits?
Families that are not currently receiving SNAP benefits will receive a P-EBT card by mail, sent to the address on file at the student’s school during the 2022-23 school year.
Families currently receiving SNAP benefits will have the P-EBT benefits loaded onto their head of household’s EBT card.
What if I have moved since the last school year? How do I update my mailing address to receive my P-EBT card?
If you have moved and a card was sent to the wrong address, you should call the P-EBT service provider at 888-421-3281 to request a replacement card.
You will need to validate the previous address before the case can be updated with the new address.
How do I activate a P-EBT card?
You will receive information with your P-EBT card in the mail explaining how to activate and use it.
To activate the card, you will need to create a Personal Identification Number (PIN), which can be done online at connectebt.com/gaebtclient or by phone at 888-421-3281.
Enter 0000 when prompted for the last 4 digits of the Social Security Number. You will need to select a four-digit PIN.
Are children who attend private schools eligible for P-EBT?
Only students attending a Georgia public school that participated in the NSLP and reported to the Georgia Department of Education during the 2022-23 school year are eligible to receive P-EBT benefits.
These are just a few of the frequently asked questions regarding the 2023 Georgia Summer P-EBT benefits.
For more information and a comprehensive list of FAQs, please visit the Georgia Division of Family & Children Services website.
How do I check my Georgia P-EBT Card Balance?
Call the P-EBT Helpline at 1-888-421-3281 (M-F from 6 am to 8 pm) to check your balance.
Summary – Summer 2023 P-EBT for Georgia
Here’s the bottom line about the 2023 Georgia Summer P-EBT Benefits:
The 2023 Georgia 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 Georgia was helpful.
If you have further questions about Georgia 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: