This post will provide a detailed guide to Summer 2023 P-EBT for Maine. 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 Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will administer the P-EBT benefits in the state for Summer 2023.
In this blog post, we will provide information about the 2023 Maine 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 Maine
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved Maine’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 Maine Summer P-EBT Benefits?
To be eligible for the 2023 Maine Summer P-EBT benefits, students must meet the following criteria:
- They must have met the criteria for school-aged children for the 2022-2023 school year.
- They must have been enrolled in school or home-schooling in June 2023.
- Children not yet in school are not eligible for summer P-EBT benefits.
When will 2023 Maine P-EBT Benefits be Distributed?
Maine is committed to issuing P-EBT benefits for the summer of 2023 as quickly as possible.
The distribution dates will be updated as soon as they become available.
How Much will my Child Receive in Summer 2023 P-EBT Benefits?
Eligible students will receive a benefit of $8.18 for each day they missed school meals due to COVID-19 during the 2022-2023 school year.
For the summer of 2023, the benefit amount is set at $120.
2023 Maine Summer P-EBT Benefits FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions about Summer 2023 P-EBT for Maine:
Do I need to apply for Summer P-EBT for 2023?
If your child is eligible for Free/Reduced-price Meal benefits through the USDA National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program and has missed school meals due to COVID-19, they are automatically qualified for P-EBT benefits.
However, if your child is home-schooled or attending a fully virtual school, you may need to apply and be determined eligible for Free/Reduced-price Meal benefits via the provided application.
How do I set up my pin for my P-EBT card?
To set up your Personal Identification Number (PIN) for the P-EBT card, call the number on the back of the card at (800) 477-7428.
You will need to provide the child’s date of birth and the last four digits of their Social Security Number (SS#).
If the child does not have an SS# or it was not provided to the Office for Family Independence (OFI), you will need to enter 9999 as the SS#.
How do I check my balance?
To check the balance on your P-EBT card, call (800) 477-7428.
You will need to provide the card number and the cardholder’s name and date of birth.
Why did I receive multiple cards?
If your children were not receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), you will receive a separate P-EBT card for each eligible child.
This means that if multiple children in your household are eligible for P-EBT and not on SNAP, they will each receive their own individual card.
I didn’t ask for P-EBT and I do not want it. What do I do with the P-EBT card?
If you received a P-EBT card but do not want to use the benefits, please destroy or simply throw away the card.
P-EBT cards are intended for individual children, and it is a prosecutable offense to give the card and/or benefits away.
Will P-EBT benefits be issued to the P-EBT card I received last year?
Yes, if your child is eligible for P-EBT for the 2022-2023 school year or the summer of 2023, they will be issued benefits on the same card they received last year.
If you need a replacement card, you can request one at pinetreecard.com/meebtclient/# or by calling (800) 477-7428.
Do home-schooled children qualify for P-EBT?
Home-schooled children and those attending fully virtual schools may qualify for P-EBT for the 2022-2023 school year and the summer of 2023 if they meet specific criteria:
- They must have been attending a National School Lunch Program participating school on January 27, 2020, or started school after that date.
- They must be home-schooled or attending a fully virtual school due to concerns about COVID-19.
- Also, they must be determined otherwise Free/Reduced-price Meal benefit eligible via the provided application (fillable PDF).
If I got P-EBT last year, is it automatic this year?
No, eligibility for the 2022-2023 school year requires your school-aged child to have been:
- Eligible for Free/Reduced-price Meal benefits through the USDA National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program during the 2021-2022 school year, and
- To have missed five days’ worth of school meals in a row due to COVID-19.
Alternatively, children under age 6 would need to have been receiving SNAP in Maine.
How do I apply for Maine Food Stamps if I Qualify?
There are several options available to you when applying for SNAP benefits in Maine:
Option 1: Apply online through My Maine Connection.
Option 2: Download and mail an application.
Office for Family Independence
114 Corn Shop Lane
Farmington, ME 04938
Option 3: E-mail an application to [email protected]
Option 4: Fax an application to (207) 778-8429.
Summary – Summer 2023 P-EBT for Maine
Here’s the bottom line about the 2023 Maine Summer P-EBT Benefits:
The 2023 Maine 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.
Questions?
We hope this post on the Summer 2023 P-EBT for Maine was helpful.
If you have further questions about Maine 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: