s post will provide a detailed guide to Summer 2023 P-EBT for North Carolina. 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 North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) will administer P-EBT benefits in the state for Summer 2023.
In this blog post, we will provide information about the 2023 North Carolina 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 North Carolina
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved North Carolina’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 North Carolina Summer P-EBT Benefits?
To be eligible for the Summer 2023 P-EBT benefits, students must attend a traditional in-person school in May 2023 and receive approval for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) free or reduced-price meals by May 31, 2023.
There are several ways to meet this eligibility:
- Students must apply for NSLP free or reduced-price meals through their school and receive approval by May 31.
- Students attending a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school as of May 2023, where all students are eligible for free meals, are automatically eligible.
- Students who were automatically enrolled in free or reduced-price school meals during the 2022-2023 school year due to their participation in the Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) program are also eligible.
When will 2023 North Carolina P-EBT Benefits be Distributed?
The one-time payment of $120 for Summer 2023 P-EBT benefits will be issued at the end of July.
It may take up to 10 days for the benefits to appear on the card and be available for spending.
How Much will my Child Receive in Summer 2023 P-EBT Benefits?
Eligible students will receive a one-time payment of $120 to cover the summer period.
2023 North Carolina Summer P-EBT Benefits FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions about Summer 2023 P-EBT for North Carolina:
Do I need to apply for Summer P-EBT for 2023?
No, eligible families do not need to apply for the 2023 North Carolina 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.
Does immigration status matter for P-EBT eligibility?
No, immigration status does not affect P-EBT eligibility.
Any child, regardless of their legal or immigration status, who meets the eligibility requirements, will be eligible for P-EBT.
Receiving P-EBT food assistance does not impact a person’s immigration status and will not affect any future immigration applications they may file.
What happens to P-EBT after the federal public health emergency ends?
P-EBT benefits will end on May 11, 2023, when the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) ends.
This means that May’s benefits will be calculated based on school attendance during the first nine school days of the month for students.
After Summer 2023, the P-EBT program will end permanently.
Can virtual or homeschooled students get P-EBT?
This year only, children in fully virtual or homeschool settings who have been impacted by COVID-19 may be eligible to participate in P-EBT.
The state will assess their eligibility based on certain criteria set by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Families in these circumstances will receive an invitation to apply for P-EBT through mail in May.
Please note that this application is not available to households that don’t meet the federal criteria.
In the meantime, if families need food assistance, they can apply for Food and Nutritional Services (FNS) or seek food resources by visiting nc211.org or calling 2-1-1 or 1-888-892-1162.
How long do I have to use the benefits?
Once you receive your P-EBT benefits, you have 274 days from the date of receipt to spend them.
You do not have to spend the benefits all at once.
It’s important to note that benefits remaining after the 274-day period will expire and will no longer be available for use.
How do I activate my P-EBT card?
To activate your P-EBT card, you can follow these steps:
First Option:
- Visit www.ebtEdge.com and log into your account.
- If it’s your first time, you will be prompted to register.
- Select a card from the Welcome page, click on “Pin Select,” and enter the requested information to confirm your identity.
- Confirm your PIN, click on the “Save” button, and a confirmation message will appear.
Option 2:
- Download the ebtEDGE mobile app from the App Store or Google Play Store.
- Log into your account or register if it’s your first time.
- Select a card from the Welcome page, click on “Pin Select,” and enter the requested information to confirm your identity.
- Confirm your PIN, click on the “Save” button, and a confirmation message will appear.
Option 3:
Call the EBT Call Center at 1-888-622-7328 and follow the prompts to activate your card.
Make sure you have your 16-digit card number readily available.
How do I check my P-EBT card balance?
You have several options to check your P-EBT card balance:
First Option:
Visit www.ebtEdge.com and log into your account.
The system will display your current balance and a list of previous transactions.
Option 2:
Download the ebtEDGE mobile app from the App Store or Google Play Store.
Log into your account, and your current balance and transaction history will be available.
Option 3:
Check your balance via SMS text messages.
First, link your cell phone number to your account by logging into your ebtEdge account and selecting “Messaging Registration.”
Once linked, you can check your balance by texting BAL to 42265 or check your last five transactions by texting MINI to 42265.
To stop receiving text messages, text STOP to 42265.
Option 4:
Call the EBT Call Center at 1-888-622-7328 and follow the automated instructions.
Have your card number ready as you’ll be prompted to enter it.
What happens if a child changes caregivers?
When a child changes households or caregivers, it is crucial to ensure that the P-EBT benefits go with the child.
The caregiver is the person with whom the child resides and who provides their meals. The process differs based on the child’s age:
For children aged 5 and under:
If the child is in foster care, the household must receive Food and Nutritional Services (FNS), and they must include the foster child in their FNS case.
To add the foster child to the FNS case, contact your local county Division of Social Services (DSS) office.
If the child is not in foster care but is 5 years old or younger, report the change in caregiver to your FNS caseworker.
They will ensure that the benefits are provided to the new caregiver on their FNS card.
For children aged 6 and above:
If the child is on an FNS case, alert the FNS caseworker about the change in caregiver.
The student’s benefits will begin issuing to the new caregiver’s FNS card.
If the child is not on an FNS case, the P-EBT card must go with the child to their new caregiver.
It’s essential to update the student’s caregiver and address with their school to ensure proper benefit distribution.
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.
| Tennessee 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 (130% of FPL) | Monthly Gross Income (165% of FPL) for households with an Elderly or Disabled Member |
| 1 | $1,133 | $1,473 | $1,869 |
| 2 | $1,526 | $1,984 | $2,518 |
| 3 | $1,920 | $2,495 | $3,167 |
| 4 | $2,313 | $3,007 | $3,816 |
| 5 | $2,706 | $3,518 | $4,465 |
| 6 | $3,100 | $4,029 | $5,114 |
| 7 | $3,493 | $4,541 | $5,763 |
| 8 | $3,886 | $5,052 | $6,412 |
| Each Additional Household Member: Add | $394 | $512 | $649 |
Summary – Summer 2023 P-EBT for North Carolina
Here’s the bottom line about the 2023 North Carolina Summer P-EBT Benefits:
The 2023 North Carolina Summer P-EBT benefits aim to provide additional support to families with school-age children during the summer months.
These benefits will be automatically distributed to eligible students, and there is no need for eligible households to apply for them.
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 North Carolina was helpful.
If you have further questions about North Carolina 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: