P-EBT 2023: What do I need to know about benefits now that school has started?

Samantha Neely, Fort Myers News-Press
·4 min read

The 2023-2024 school year has officially started this August, with some Florida families ready to receive the disbursement from the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfers, or P-EBT, next month.

In Florida, there has been a total of $264 million in P-EBT benefits going to help over 2 million school children.

The program did have some changes this summer as the COVID-19 public health emergency declaration ended on May 11. As a result, children under 6 in households participating in SNAP have not been eligible for summer 2023 P-EBT benefits.

However, school children who attended a National School Lunch Program participating school at the end of last year's school year were eligible for summer 2023 P-EBT benefits.

With benefits set to be distributed on Sept. 30, here's what parents need to know ahead of time.

Past updates on P-EBT: P-EBT 2023: Everything parents need to know ahead of fund disbursement in September

What is P-EBT?

Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) is a supplemental benefit for households with students who have temporarily lost access to free or reduced-price school meals due to pandemic-related school closures or distance learning.

The Summer P-EBT program is an extension of the school year P-EBT program which supplements meals for the summer months by providing benefits that families can use to purchase groceries for their children.

Will the program continue past summer 2023?

According to the state's plan, P-EBT funds will not be available beyond the end of the fiscal year 2023 due to the COVID-19 public health emergency declaration ending on May 11.

Will Florida reduce children’s summer P-EBT benefits to account for the school-year overlap?

Per the USDA, they wrote that: "No, this is not required but would be permissible. States may, as an administrative simplification, issue the full summer benefit to eligible children without reducing that benefit for any overlap with the end of SY 22-23 or the start of SY 23-24. This applies to both traditional and year-round schools."

How much will kids receive in Summer 2023 P-EBT Benefits?

Congress required that the P-EBT benefit for the entire 2023 covered summer period shall not exceed $120 per eligible child.

When will 2023 Florida P-EBT benefits be distributed?

All funds must be distributed by the end of the fiscal year 2023, which is Sept. 30. In the state's official plan, they highlight that benefits will be issued from July through September if possible.

"All benefit issuances will be completed no later than December 31. As outlined in the P-EBT Deadline Issuance Letter, the Department will attempt to complete as many of the issuances by September 30, 2023, as possible, barring any unforeseen circumstances. The Department will notify USDA of any significant increase or decrease in the data points listed above for the summer period covered by this plan," documents read.Benefits are issued to SNAP households, non-SNAP households, and newly identified households by September 30, 2023, if possible. All benefit issuances will be completed no later than December 31.

According to their timeline, they shared that any additional issuances for resolving parent/guardian requests will be staggered biweekly through September 22. All remaining benefit issuances will be completed no later than December 31.

Due to Florida applying later than most other states, experts do share that families will receive the money for summer meals until after the summer break.

Can you still get a P-EBT card in Florida for this school year?

No, the deadline to apply for a P-EBT card closed on June 1.

For those who need to replace their card, they can call 888-356-3281 to report their P-EBT card as lost, stolen, or damaged, or if they did not receive their P-EBT card. Officials note that if you have already scanned the QR code on the card carrier and downloaded the EBT app, your P-EBT card can be reported as lost, stolen, or damaged through the app.

How do I check my P-EBT balance?

You can obtain your balance by logging on to the EBT Cardholder Portal or through the ebtEDGE app. You can also call the EBT Customer Service number (1-888-356-3281) on the back of your card. After you enter your 16-digit EBT/P-EBT card number, you will hear your current food assistance balance.

What can I purchase with P-EBT benefits?

Households can use P-EBT benefits to buy:

  • bread

  • cereals

  • fruits

  • vegetables

  • meat

  • fish

  • poultry

  • dairy

  • plants and seeds to grow food for your household to eat

Households cannot use P-EBT benefits to buy nonfood items such as pet foods, soaps, paper products, household supplies, grooming items, alcoholic beverages, tobacco, vitamins, medicines, food to eat in the store, or hot foods.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Florida P-EBT benefits disperse in September 2023. What to know