This post will provide a detailed guide to Summer 2023 P-EBT for Oklahoma. 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 Oklahoma Human Services (OKDHS) and the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE), 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 Oklahoma 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 Summer 2023 P-EBT for Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved Oklahoma’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 Oklahoma Summer P-EBT Benefits?
Children are eligible to receive the 2023 Summer P-EBT benefit of $120 per child if they meet the following criteria as of May 2023:
- Enrolled in a school district that participates in the federal free and reduced-price meal program.
- Deemed eligible through one of the following ways:
- Applied and approved for free or reduced-price meals for the 2022-2023 school year.
- Directly certified for free meals through participation in programs like SNAP.
- Attending a school that provides free meals to all students during the 2022-2023 school year.
- Established eligibility through a state application.
When will 2023 Oklahoma P-EBT Benefits be Distributed?
The state plans to issue the Summer P-EBT benefits beginning in July 2023.
Families can expect to receive their benefits on the P-EBT cards provided for previous distributions.
The timeline may vary, but the distribution process aims to ensure that families receive the much-needed assistance in a timely manner.
How Much will my Child Receive in Summer 2023 P-EBT Benefits?
Each eligible child will receive a benefit of $120 for the summer of 2023.
This amount is designed to help families cover the costs of groceries and ensure that children continue to have access to nutritious meals during the break from school.
2023 Oklahoma Summer P-EBT Benefits FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions about Summer 2023 P-EBT for Oklahoma:
Do I need to apply for Summer P-EBT for 2023?
No separate application is required for the Summer P-EBT benefits.
Families with qualifying children will automatically receive the benefits, eliminating the need for additional paperwork.
P-EBT benefits are issued based on eligibility data provided by schools and other programs.
What is P-EBT?
The Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) program aims to assist families with children who would have qualified for free or reduced-price meals if schools had not closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The program loads benefits onto a card, which families can use to buy groceries.
How are benefits determined?
Benefits are determined based on school data, including attendance records, school participation, and the student’s free/reduced-price meal status.
Families will automatically receive benefits if their school has identified them as eligible through data reporting.
What can I buy with my student’s P-EBT card?
The benefits loaded on the P-EBT card can be used to purchase groceries at authorized retail food stores and farmers’ markets that participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
This includes eligible items like fruits, vegetables, dairy, meat, and more.
What if my student qualifies for free and reduced lunch but attends an online virtual charter school?
Students attending online virtual charter schools may not qualify for P-EBT benefits unless their school meets specific criteria.
The P-EBT program aims to offset the meal costs that children would incur if they attended their school in person.
How do I activate (PIN) the card?
To activate the P-EBT card, call (888) 328-6551 and follow the prompts.
When prompted, enter ‘0000’ for the last four digits of the Social Security Number, as P-EBT cases are not assigned SSNs.
If you encounter issues, call (405) 522-5050 for assistance.
How long will benefits remain on my student’s card?
Unused benefits will expire 274 days after the date of the last purchase or return.
Furthermore, once we remove benefits, we cannot reinstate them.
The Department of Human Services (DHS) manages the expungement process, and you should direct any inquiries to (405) 522-5050.
What if I lose my student’s card?
If you lose your child’s P-EBT card, you can request a new card by calling (888) 328-6551 or visiting the connectEBT website.
What can I do to ensure my student receives benefits for Summer 2023?
To ensure your student receives benefits for Summer 2023, make sure to fill out a free and reduced-price meal form with your school if you haven’t already done so.
Where can I go for additional assistance?
If your student qualifies for free and reduced-price school meals, you might also qualify for SNAP or other benefits.
The federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides a monthly benefit to buy food.
For more information about SNAP, visit the SNAP web page or contact DHS at (405) 522-5050.
How do I check my Oklahoma P-EBT Card Balance?
Call the P-EBT Helpline at (888) 328-6551 (M-F from 6am to 8pm) to check your balance.
Summary – Summer 2023 P-EBT for Oklahoma
Here’s the bottom line about the 2023 Oklahoma Summer P-EBT Benefits:
The 2023 Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma was helpful.
If you have further questions about Oklahoma 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: