This post will provide a detailed guide to Summer 2023 P-EBT for West 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 West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) will issue a final summer Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) for eligible students in West Virginia.
In this blog post, we will provide information about the 2023 West 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 West Virginia
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved West 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 West Virginia Summer P-EBT Benefits?
To be eligible for the Summer 2023 P-EBT benefits, the student must:
- have attended a West Virginia school that participates in the National School Lunch Program.
- have been actively enrolled in the 2022-2023 school year as of May 15, 2023.
- qualify for free or reduced-price school meals through one of the following:
- Direct certification through an eligible public benefit (such as SNAP)
- Approved household income application
- Attends a school that participates in the Community Eligibility Provision
When will 2023 West Virginia P-EBT Benefits be Distributed?
Letters from DHHR will start reaching households ahead of the benefits being made available on P-EBT cards.
These letters are expected to begin reaching households the week of June 5, 2023.
Benefits will be available to use on Monday, June 12, 2023.
How Much will my Child Receive in Summer 2023 P-EBT Benefits?
The Summer P-EBT benefit amount for 2023 is $120 per eligible child.
It is important to note that this amount is a reduction from previous summer benefits and is outlined in revised federal law.
2023 West Virginia Summer P-EBT Benefits FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions about Summer 2023 P-EBT for West Virginia:
Do I need to apply for Summer P-EBT for 2023?
No, eligible families do not need to apply for the 2023 West Virginia 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 long do I have to spend my P-EBT benefits?
Any unused P-EBT benefits will be removed from the cards 274 days after issuance, in accordance with federal rules.
For the Summer 2023 benefits, they will expire on March 12, 2024.
What can I spend P-EBT on?
You can use your P-EBT benefits to purchase the same items allowable by SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program).
These include items such as bread, cereals, fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, poultry, dairy products, and seeds and plants that produce food for the household to eat.
Can I donate the P-EBT card or transfer it to another child if I don’t want to use it?
No, P-EBT benefits are non-transferable and are meant to purchase food for the student listed on the card only.
If you do not wish to utilize P-EBT benefits, you should destroy the card in an appropriate manner.
My child is in a private school. Are they eligible for P-EBT?
Only a limited number of private schools participate in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP).
If your child’s private school is a participating school and they qualify for free or reduced-price meals, they are eligible for P-EBT.
You can check if your child’s private school is participating in the NSLP for the 2022-2023 school year by visiting the West Virginia Department of Education’s website.
What do I do if I need additional assistance with food?
If you need additional food assistance, there are various community resources available.
You can contact WV211, local DHHR offices, County Board of Education, Facing Hunger Food Bank, Rapid Response WV, or WV Food ER 2020 for support.
How do I check my West Virginia P-EBT Card Balance?
Here’s how to check your P-EBT Card balance:
- Look at your last store receipt.
- Call the EBT Helpline at 1-866-545-6502.
- Set up an account at the FIS Cardholder Portal.
- Download the FIS ebtEDGE Mobile App.
Summary – Summer 2023 P-EBT for West Virginia
Here’s the bottom line about the 2023 West Virginia Summer P-EBT Benefits:
The 2023 West 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 or visit the CDSS P-EBT website.
Questions?
We hope this post on the Summer 2023 P-EBT for West Virginia was helpful.
If you have further questions about West 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: