This post will provide a detailed guide to Summer 2023 P-EBT for Virginia. 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 Virginia Department of Social Services (DSS) will administer P-EBT benefits in the state for Summer 2023.
In this blog post, we will provide information about the 2023 Virginia 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 Virginia
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved Virginia’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 Virginia Summer P-EBT Benefits?
To qualify for the 2023 Virginia Summer P-EBT benefits, households must meet the following criteria:
- Eligible students must have attended a school that participated in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) or the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) during the 2022-2023 academic year.
- Children who were approved for free or reduced-price meals during the 2022-2023 school year are also eligible for the Summer P-EBT benefits.
- Newly eligible students for free or reduced-price meals are also considered eligible for the P-EBT benefits.
Please note that children under the age of 6 in SNAP households are not eligible for the Summer 2023 P-EBT benefits.
When will 2023 Virginia P-EBT Benefits be Distributed?
The Summer 2023 P-EBT benefits for eligible school-aged children will be distributed starting from July 22, 2023.
Families of eligible children will receive a one-time benefit payment of $120 for each qualified student.
How Much will my Child Receive in Summer 2023 P-EBT Benefits?
The USDA Food and Nutrition Service approved a single benefit payment of $120 for each eligible school-aged child.
This payment will be distributed beginning July 22, 2023.
If your child meets the eligibility criteria mentioned earlier, you can expect to receive this amount in their P-EBT account.
2023 Virginia Summer P-EBT Benefits FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions about Summer 2023 P-EBT for Virginia:
Do I need to apply for Summer P-EBT for 2023?
For eligible students in households that have an active SNAP EBT card or were previously issued a P-EBT card for any prior issuance, here’s what to expect:
The Summer 2023 P-EBT benefits were automatically issued on July 22.
If you meet these criteria and have not received the benefit, here’s what you can do:
Contact the P-EBT Call Center at 866-513-1414 or 804-294-1633 from Monday to Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Also, for eligible P-EBT only, non-SNAP households that have lost or discarded their P-EBT card or had any address changes, here’s what to do:
Contact the P-EBT Call Center at 866-513-1414 or 804-294-1633 to correct your address and request a replacement card.
It may take up to four weeks to receive the new card by U.S. mail.
However, if your household is new to the P-EBT program and does not have an existing P-EBT or SNAP EBT card, you do not need to take any action at this time.
A P-EBT card will automatically be mailed to the address provided by the school division.
The card will arrive by U.S. mail within four weeks of the July 22 benefit issuance.
What is P-EBT?
The Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program is a federal program.
It was created in the spring of 2020 to supplement school meals that students missed while schools were closed or placed on part-time attendance schedules due to COVID-19.
To be eligible for P-EBT benefits, students must qualify for free or reduced-price school meals under the National School Lunch Program.
Furthermore, students must meet certain conditions as defined by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
How do I PIN my P-EBT card?
To PIN your P-EBT card and manage your benefits account, you have three options:
- Call 1-866-281-2448
- Visit connectebt.com/ and log on
- Download the ConnectEBT app on your mobile phone via the App Store or Play Store
When prompted, you will need to enter the 12-digit EBT card number located on the front of the card.
Additionally, you will have to enter the date of birth of the oldest child receiving free or reduced meals, and a four-digit PIN number you will remember.
When will the P-EBT program end?
For SNAP households with children under 6, eligibility for the P-EBT program ends on May 11, 2023, due to the ending of the Public Health Emergency.
The last payment for the eligibility months of April and May will go out in June 2023 as a backdated payment from the school year.
For K-12 school-aged children, the P-EBT program will end with the summer 2023 issuance.
If I have a question about my eligibility for P-EBT, who do I contact?
For any questions related to your eligibility for P-EBT, please direct your inquiries to the P-EBT Call Center at 866-513-1414 or 804-294-1633.
The Call Center operates from Monday to Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Where can I find more information about Summer 2023 P-EBT for K-12 Students?
Detailed information about the Summer 2023 P-EBT benefits for K-12 students can be found on the DSS website.
Also, you can check the Virginia P-EBT FAQ page for details. Click here to be taken there.
How do I check my Virginia P-EBT Card Balance?
Here are the various ways to check your Virginia P-EBT card balance:
- Call 1-866-281-2448
- Visit connectebt.com/ and log on
- Download the ConnectEBT app on your mobile phone via the App Store or Play Store
Additionally, many stores have a Point-of-Sale device available where the cardholder can swipe the card, enter his or her PIN, and do a balance inquiry.
Also, every time a purchase is made with the P-EBT card, the receipt prints out the amount of the transaction and the remaining balance.
By saving receipts, the cardholder can know the account balance.
Summary – Summer 2023 P-EBT for Virginia
Here’s the bottom line about the 2023 Virginia Summer P-EBT Benefits:
The 2023 Virginia 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.
Questions?
We hope this post on the Summer 2023 P-EBT for Virginia was helpful.
If you have further questions about Virginia 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: