Pandemic-Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) Program

Federal law allows States to implement a temporary program called Pandemic-Electronic Benefit Transfer (P_EBT), which provides eligible children with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps) benefits. Preschool (Pre-K) through 12th grade students within eligible school buildings who are eligible for free or reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or School breakfast Program (SBP) may be eligible for P-EBT benefits. Additionally, children on SNAP, under the age of 6 who are not in school, are eligible for P-EBT benefits based on a monthly reduction of lunch meals provided to children at child care centers across the state.

The program is administered by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and the Department is partnering with the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) to ensure eligible children receive this important benefit.

2. What is Summer P-EBT?

The American Rescue Plan act of 2021 (Act) authorized P-0EBT to extend through the summer of 2022 for school children eligible for free or reduced-price meals through NLSP and for children on SNAP in June and July under the age of 6 not in school.

The Act deems all NSLP-participating schools to be closed during a covered summer period. This means P-EBT benefits will be issued for the summer period without reference to a student's virtual or remote learning schedule, or operating status of a childcare center.

3. How much will an eligible child receive and when will the benefit be issued?

Each child will receive $7.10 per day (the combined daily federal reimbursement rate for breakfast, lunch, and a snack for school year 2020/2021) for 55 days, totaling $390.50.

The summer benefit will be issued in two payments. The first payment will be issued by the end of June in the amount of $191.70 (27 days of benefits). The second payment will be issued by the end of July in the amount of $198.80 (28 days of benefits).

4. How are P-EBT benefits issued?

ODJFS obtains a list from the schools or school districts of all children eligible for the free and reduced-price meals. Based on this data, P-EBT benefits are provided on an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card.

If the child is a current SNAP recipient:

The P-EBT benefits may be added to the SNAP account on which the child is currently active on.
If the child was unable to be matched to his or her active SNAP account, you will be sent a P-EBT card in the child's name.

If the child is not a current SNAP recipient:

If you do not have a P-EBT card that was issued in or after February 2021, you will receive a preloaded P-EBT card in the mail in early to mid-July.
The card will be in the child's name, not the parent or legal guardian's name.
Instructions on how to activate the card will be included (also see instructions below).
You must keep this new card as it will be used for any future P-EBT benefits your child is eligible for.

5. Can a family apply for P-EBT benefits?

P-EBT does not have an application. However, families may apply for free or reduced-price meals for the child through their school/school district who will be collecting applications throughout the summer until July 31, 2022. Eligibility will be determined by September 8, 2022. Benefits for newly eligible children (who applied over the summer) will be issued the summer P-EBT benefit by the end of September 2022. They will receive $7.102 per day for 55 days totaling $390.50.

6. How long will a family have access to the P-EBT benefits?

The P-EBT benefits will be available for 12 months. If after 12 months the P-EBT benefits have not been spent, they will be removed (expunged) from the account. Current SNAP households will still have access to their remaining benefits.

7. Who should a family contact if they have questions regarding P-EBT?

For general program questions, questions about your child's benefits, please call the P-EBT customer service line at 1-866-466-0071 Option 1.

Important information about P-EBT for children on SNAP, under the age of 6 and not in school

1. What is Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) and how is a child on SNAP and under age 6 eligible?

Federal law allows States to implement a temporary program called Pandemic-Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT), which provides eligible children with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps) benefits. Preschool (Pre-K) through 12th grade students within eligible school buildings who are eligible for free or reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or School Breakfast Program (SBP) may be eligible for P-EBY benefits. Children on SNAP, under the age of 6 who are not in school are eligible for P-EBT benefits based on monthly reduction of meals provided to children at childcare centers across the state in a month. P-EBT is a separate benefit in addition to a family's normal monthly SNAP benefit. The program is administered by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and the Department is partnering with the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) to ensure eligible children receive this important benefit.

2. How much will an eligible child receive?

Each child will receive $7.10 per day (the combined daily federal reimbursement rate for breakfast, lunch and a snack for school year 2021-2022) for the number of eligible P-EBT days in the month. The number of eligible P-EBT days is based on the statewide average number of days representing the reduction in meals at childcare centers. This number could vary each month for August 2021 though May 2022.
For August 2021 the amount is $28.40 (4 days).
For September 2021 the amount is $35.50 (5 days).
For October 2021 the amount is $42.60 (6 days).
For November 2021 the amount is $28.40 (4 days).
For December 2021 the amount is $35.50 (5 days).
For January 2022 the amount is $49.70 (7 days).
For February 2022 the amount is $35.50 (5 days).

3. How are P-EBT benefits issued?

For each month a child is eligible for P-EBT, ODJFS will issue the P-EBT benefits to the SNAP account the child is currently receiving SNAP benefits on. The benefits are used just like SNAP benefits.

4. How often will this benefit be issued?

If your child meets the P-EBT eligibility criteria in a month, benefits will be provided as follows:

The amounts for March through May 2022 are still to be determined based on data to be received.

The August, September, October, November, December, January and February benefits will be issued by the end of June 2022.
March benefits will be issued by the end of July 2022.
April benefits will be issued by the end of August 2022.
May benefits will be issued by the end of September 2022

5. Can a family apply for P-EBT benefits?

No. P-EBT does not have an application.

6. How long will a family have access to the P-EBT benefits?

7. Who should a family contact if they have questions regarding P-EBT?

For general program questions, question about your child's benefits, please call the P-EBT customer service line at 1-866-466-0071 Option 1.

Resources:

P-EBT for Children on SNAP Under 6 and Not in School
P-EBT Flier 2.3.21
P-EBT Flier (Arabic)
P-EBT Flier (Chinese)
P-EBT Flier (French)
P-EBT Flier (Russian)
P-EBT Flier (Somali)
P-EBT Flier (Spanish)
P-EBT Questions and Answers for Families 2.2.21
P-EBT Questions and Answers for Families 2.8.21 (Arabic)
P-EBT Questions and Answers for Families 2.8.21 (Chinese)
P-EBT Questions and Answers for Families 2.8.21 (French)
P-EBT Questions and Answers for Families 2.8.21 (Russian)
P-EBT Questions and Answers for Families 2.8.21 (Somali)
P-EBT Questions and Answers for Families 2.8.21 (Spanish)

EBT Card Buck Slip
EBT Card Buck Slip (Arabic)
EBT Card Buck Slip (Chinese)
EBT Card Buck Slip (French)
EBT Card Buck Slip (Russian)
EBT Card Buck Slip (Somali)
EBT Card Buck Slip (Spanish)
Approval Notice for Translation (Arabic)
Approval Notice for Translation (Chinese)
Approval Notice for Translation (French)
Approval Notice for Translation (Russian)
Approval Notice for Translation (Somali)
Approval Notice for Translation (Spanish)