This post will provide a detailed guide to Summer 2023 P-EBT for Minnesota. 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 Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) 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 Minnesota Summer P-EBT benefits.
Additionally, we will explain the eligibility criteria, application process, distribution timeline, and the amount of benefits.
Lastly, we will answer the most frequently asked questions about Minnesota Summer 2023 P-EBT 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 Minnesota
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved Minnesota’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 Minnesota Summer P-EBT Benefits?
Your child may be eligible for 2023 Summer P-EBT benefits in Minnesota if they:
- Attended in-person schooling the last month of the school year at a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program or the Seamless Summer Option; AND
- Submitted an Application for Educational Benefits to their school by the school deadline and are eligible for free or reduced-price meals.
However, children age 5 and younger and students who attended virtual school or who were homeschooled during the 2022-2023 school year are NOT eligible for Summer P-EBT benefits.
When will 2023 Minnesota P-EBT Benefits be Distributed?
The Summer P-EBT benefits for school-aged students will be distributed as follows:
- July 24-26, 2023: A one-time payment of $120 for each eligible child.
- August 2023: A payment in August for eligible children who did not receive benefits in July.
How Much will my Child Receive in Summer 2023 P-EBT Benefits?
The Summer P-EBT benefit is a one-time payment of $120 per eligible child.
This amount has been set by Congress in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023.
2023 Minnesota Summer P-EBT Benefits FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions about Summer 2023 P-EBT for Minnesota:
Do I need to apply for Summer P-EBT for 2023?
If your child is eligible and previously received school-based P-EBT benefits, benefits will be automatically loaded onto their existing P-EBT card.
If you no longer have their P-EBT card, you can request a replacement through EBT Edge by calling 888-997-2227.
Newly eligible students will receive a new P-EBT card in the mail.
What is Summer P-EBT, and who is eligible for it?
Summer P-EBT is a temporary food benefit program for eligible Minnesota families with school-aged children who received free or reduced-price school meals during the school year.
Eligible students must have attended in-person schooling at a participating school during the last month of the school year.
Children aged 5 and younger and students attending virtual or homeschooling are not eligible.
When will the Summer P-EBT benefits be distributed?
Summer P-EBT benefits will be distributed in two phases.
- Phase 1 (July 24-26, 2023): Eligible school-aged children will receive a one-time payment of $120, covering days from the start of summer until May 11, 2023.
- Phase 2 (August 2023): Eligible students missed in the July distribution will receive benefits covering instructional days from April 2023 until the end of the public health emergency.
How will my child receive Summer P-EBT benefits?
If your child is eligible for Summer P-EBT benefits and previously received school-based P-EBT benefits, the benefits will be loaded onto their existing P-EBT card.
If you no longer have the P-EBT card, you can request a replacement through EBT Edge by calling 888-997-2227, but there is a $2 fee for card replacement.
Newly eligible students will receive a new P-EBT card in the mail.
Please allow up to four weeks after the department notifies you of eligibility to receive the card.
The child’s name must be on the mailbox for the card to be delivered.
Can I use my child’s P-EBT card to buy food online?
Yes, P-EBT benefits can be used to buy food online from various retailers.
Families can check the list of Stores Accepting SNAP Online for an up-to-date list of participating retailers.
How long will I have to use the Summer P-EBT benefits?
Summer P-EBT benefits on the card will expire after nine months if they have not been used.
Families should use the benefits within this time frame to avoid losing them.
What if I lost my child’s P-EBT card?
If you lost your child’s P-EBT card, you can request a replacement card by contacting EBT Edge at 888-997-2227 or visiting ebtEDGE.com.
There is a $2 fee for replacing the card. EBT Edge customer service staff is available 24/7 to assist with card replacement and other inquiries.
Can I use multiple P-EBT cards to pay for the same grocery transaction?
Yes, multiple P-EBT cards can be used for the same grocery transaction.
Store staff can provide further instructions on how to use multiple cards for payment.
What should I do if I have issues with using or receiving my child’s P-EBT card?
If you encounter any issues with using or receiving your child’s P-EBT card, you can seek assistance in the following ways:
- Contact EBT Edge Customer Service at 888-997-2227 for help with activating the card, checking the balance, and reviewing past transactions.
- If EBT Edge cannot resolve your issue, complete the P-EBT Help Form to seek further assistance.
How do I check my Minnesota P-EBT Card Balance?
Call the P-EBT Helpline at 888-997-2227 (M-F from 6 am to 8 pm) to check your balance.
Summary – Summer 2023 P-EBT for Minnesota
Here’s the bottom line about the 2023 Minnesota Summer P-EBT Benefits:
The 2023 Minnesota 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 Minnesota was helpful.
If you have further questions about Minnesota 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: