This post will provide a detailed guide to Summer 2023 P-EBT for Illinois. 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 Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) will administer the P-EBT benefits in the state for Summer 2023.
In this blog post, we will provide information about the 2023 Illinois 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 child care 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 Illinois
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved Illinois’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 Illinois Summer P-EBT Benefits?
To qualify for the Summer 2023 P-EBT benefits, students must meet the following requirements:
- Enrolled in an eligible school in May/June 2023
- To qualify, students can also meet the socioeconomic criteria for free or reduced-price meals at non-Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) schools or must be enrolled in a CEP-approved school.
The Student Information System (SIS) will extract data for public schools, while non-public eligible schools will need to submit their data via the Web-Based Information System (WINS), as in previous years.
When will 2023 Illinois P-EBT Benefits be Distributed?
During the first week of June 2023, we will extract data from SIS and WINS, and we will pull the final data on July 15, 2023.
After July 15, 2023, please directly submit any data corrections to the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS).
How Much will my Child Receive in Summer 2023 P-EBT Benefits?
The issuance amount for the Summer 2023 P-EBT benefits is $120 per eligible student.
This is a reduced amount compared to previous years due to changes in the USDA program.
2023 Illinois Summer P-EBT Benefits FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions about Summer 2023 P-EBT for Illinois:
Do I need to apply for Summer P-EBT for 2023?
No, eligible families do not need to apply for the 2023 Illinois Summer P-EBT benefits.
The Summer P-EBT benefits will automatically go to students who were eligible for free or reduced-price meals during the 2022-2023 school year and were enrolled in the last calendar month of the school year.
These benefits will be provided without the need for any additional application.
How do I use my P-EBT benefits?
If you have received Summer Child Care P-EBT benefits, they will load them onto your regular SNAP account and Link card.
They will load Summer School P-EBT benefits onto a P-EBT only account specifically for the student.
You will need to set up a PIN for the card by calling 1-800-678-LINK(5465) and following the prompts.
What can I buy with my P-EBT Benefits?
P-EBT benefits can be used to buy food for your household.
They can be used at any store that accepts Link or SNAP benefits.
Participating stores will have a sign indicating they accept Link/SNAP.
You can also use them with authorized online retailers.
You can find a list of participating online retailers on the Retailers in Illinois Accepting SNAP Payments Online page.
Will receiving P-EBT affect my immigration status?
No, receiving P-EBT benefits will not count in a public charge test.
All students, regardless of immigration status, are eligible for P-EBT benefits.
Receiving P-EBT will not impact your immigration status.
What if I lost my child’s existing P-EBT card?
If you have lost your P-EBT card or need to request a replacement, you can contact the Illinois Link hotline at 1-800-678-5465.
Additionally, you can visit the Manage My Illinois Link Card website.
They will assist you in reporting a lost or stolen card and getting a replacement.
How do I know if my child’s school is eligible for P-EBT?
You can find a listing of National School Lunch Program (NSLP) schools on the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) website.
Only NSLP-participating schools are eligible for P-EBT benefits.
If your child’s school is not listed, it means he/she is not eligible for P-EBT.
How do I check my Illinois P-EBT Card Balance?
Call the P-EBT Helpline at 1-800-678-5465 (M-F from 6am to 8pm) to check your balance.
What is the contact information for Illinois Link Card?
Call Customer Service at 1-800-678-LINK:
- To change your PIN.
- To find out your balance.
- If you have forgotten or lost your PIN.
- To hear your last 10 transactions.
- If your card is lost, stolen or damaged.
- To hear the benefit distribution schedule.
- To request a two-month history of transactions.
- If you have questions or need help with your card.
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.
| Illinois SNAP Income Eligibility Standards for Fiscal Year 2023 | |||
| Effective October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023 | |||
| Household Size | Monthly Net Income (100% of FPL) | Monthly Gross Income (165% of FPL) for households without Disabled or Elderly Persons | Monthly Gross Income (200% of FPL) for households with an Elderly or Disabled Member |
| 1 | $1,133 | $1,869 | $2,265 |
| 2 | $1,526 | $2,518 | $3,052 |
| 3 | $1,920 | $3,167 | $3,839 |
| 4 | $2,313 | $3,816 | $4,625 |
| 5 | $2,706 | $4,465 | $5,412 |
| 6 | $3,100 | $5,114 | $6,199 |
| 7 | $3,493 | $5,763 | $6,985 |
| 8 | $3,886 | $6,412 | $7,772 |
| Each Additional Household Member: Add | $394 | $649 | |
Summary – Summer 2023 P-EBT for Illinois
Here’s the bottom line about the 2023 Illinois Summer P-EBT Benefits:
The 2023 Illinois Summer P-EBT benefits aim to provide additional support to families with school-age children during the summer months.
Eligible students who meet the criteria will receive these benefits automatically, eliminating the need for eligible households to apply.
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.
Questions?
We hope this post on the Summer 2023 P-EBT for Illinois was helpful.
If you have further questions about Illinois 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: