This post will provide a detailed guide to Summer 2023 P-EBT for Pennsylvania. 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 Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) administers the P-EBT benefits in the state for Summer 2023.
In this blog post, we will provide information about the 2023 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved Pennsylvania’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 Pennsylvania Summer P-EBT Benefits?
To be eligible for the 2023 Pennsylvania Summer P-EBT benefits, school-age children must meet the following requirements:
- Enrolled for at least one day in May 2023 in a school that participated in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or School Breakfast Program (SBP) during the 2022-2023 school year.
- Students must have been determined eligible for free or reduced-price meals through a meal application, alternative income form, direct certification, or designated as homeless, migrant, or foster during the 2022-2023 school year.
- Students who attended a school participating in Provision 2 or the Community Eligibility Provision (regardless of individual student eligibility) are also eligible.
Who is not eligible
Children are ineligible to receive P-EBT through Pennsylvania if any of the following is true:
- Attend a cyber (virtual) school that was not established as a result of the pandemic
- Attend school in another state
- Are home schooled
- Attend a school that does not participate in NSLP
When will 2023 Pennsylvania P-EBT Benefits be Distributed?
the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services has received approval to issue Summer P-EBT 2023 to school aged children.
The benefits will be issued between July 31, 2023 – August 11, 2023.
How Much will my Child Receive in Summer 2023 P-EBT Benefits?
Each eligible child will receive a single payment of $120 to cover the entire summer.
It is important to note that this payment is lower than in previous years due to changes in federal legislation.
2023 Pennsylvania Summer P-EBT Benefits FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions about Summer 2023 P-EBT for Pennsylvania:
Do I need to apply for Summer P-EBT for 2023?
No, eligible families do not need to apply for the 2023 Pennsylvania 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.
How do I use the P-EBT benefits?
To use the P-EBT benefits, you can follow these steps:
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- Activate your P-EBT card by calling the Pennsylvania EBT hotline.
- Enter the required information, including the card number and the child’s date of birth.
- Set a four-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN) for the card.
- Once activated, you can use the P-EBT card at authorized stores displaying the EBT sticker. It can be used to purchase most food products, excluding non-food items, alcoholic beverages, pet foods, and hot prepared foods.
What if I need a new P-EBT card?
If you need a replacement card for P-EBT benefits, you have two options:
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- Request a replacement card through the P-EBT Parent Portal. Follow the instructions and provide your current address to receive the new card by mail within 6-8 weeks.
- Contact the P-EBT Hotline at 1-877-343-0179 for assistance if you are unable to request a replacement card through the Parent Portal.
What if I don’t receive a P-EBT benefit?
If you believe you are eligible for P-EBT benefits but have not received them, follow these steps:
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- Check the P-EBT Parent Portal to see if your child was determined eligible for a benefit during the 2021-2022 School Year.
- If your child was eligible but you are not actively receiving SNAP benefits, you may need to request a replacement card through the automated process in the Parent Portal.
- If you cannot find your child in the portal or encounter any other issues, contact the P-EBT Hotline at 1-877-343-0179. Provide the necessary information, such as your child’s name, date of birth, school, contact details, and a brief description of the issue.
My household moved recently or did not report a change in address to the school. What should I do?
If you recently moved and set up mail forwarding with the post office, you should still receive the P-EBT card.
The envelopes can be forwarded to your new address.
However, if mail forwarding is not an option, you can use the automated process available through the P-EBT Parent Portal to request a replacement card with your new address.
This applies if your child is eligible for P-EBT benefits for the 2021-2022 school year or for 2022 or 2023 Summer P-EBT.
What if I do not get any results in the P-EBT Parent Portal, but I think my child was eligible for P-EBT?
If you cannot find your child in the P-EBT Parent Portal, but you believe they were eligible for P-EBT benefits, consider the following:
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- Ensure the information you enter for your child’s name, date of birth, and guardian’s name matches exactly what was submitted by the child’s school.
- Try different variations of spelling for names or check previous communications from the school for accurate spellings.
- If you still cannot find your child, contact the P-EBT Hotline at 1-877-343-0179. Provide the required information and explain the issue, including the specific days your child was absent from school due to COVID-19.
How do I check my Pennsylvania P-EBT Card Balance?
- Call the Pennsylvania EBT Hotline using the number provided on the back of the card
- Use the ConnectEBT website or the ConnectEBT mobile app.
- If you receive the benefit on your regular EBT card, you can check the SNAP balance through the DHS’ myCOMPASS PA mobile app.
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.
| Pennsylvania SNAP Income Eligibility Standards for Fiscal Year 2023 | ||
| Effective October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023 | ||
| Household Size | Monthly Gross Income (200% of FPL) | Monthly Net Income (100% of FPL) |
| 1 | $2,266 | $1,133 |
| 2 | $3,052 | $1,526 |
| 3 | $3,839 | $1,920 |
| 4 | $4,625 | $2,313 |
| 5 | $5,412 | $2,706 |
| 6 | $6,199 | $3,100 |
| 7 | $6,985 | $3,493 |
| 8 | $7,772 | $3,886 |
| Each Additional Household Member: Add | $787 | $394 |
Summary – Summer 2023 P-EBT for Pennsylvania
Here’s the bottom line about the 2023 Pennsylvania Summer P-EBT Benefits:
The 2023 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania was helpful.
If you have further questions about Pennsylvania 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: