Will there be another round of p ebt

Pandemic EBT 2021-2022 School Year

What is Pandemic EBT Benefits and who is eligible?

Pandemic EBT was authorized by the Families First Corona Virus Response Act. The purpose of P-EBT is to provide food assistance to families with students who would have received free or reduced lunch while attending school but are not in school due to COVID-19 restrictions. This benefit is available only to families with students enrolled in an Indiana school and were eligible for free or reduced lunch or the school is a Community Eligibility Provision participant. To participate in the P-EBT program schools must be eligible and students must be eligible. The eligibility criteria is below.

• Schools must be closed or had a delayed start OR have a hybrid model in place.
• Schools must be a provider of the National School Lunch Program and/or School Breakfast Program.
• Students must be enrolled in an Indiana School.

Students are participating in a virtual or hybrid school schedule. A hybrid schedule allows students to participate in school via a virtual learning option including:

• Students are attending school virtually due to quarantine,
• Students attend school both virtual and in person.
• Students must be eligible to receive free/reduced lunch or breakfast for the 2020-2021 school year under normal National School Lunch Program standards.

SUMMER P-EBT: The P-EBT benefit labeled “Summer P-EBT” is for all students who are eligible for free/reduced lunch and does not require COVID related absences.

P-EBT virtual program eligibility:

i. If a virtual program is accredited as a virtual school by the Department of Education, it is not considered a NSLP participating school, students enrolled in that school are NOT eligible for PEBT.

ii. Students who are in a virtual school program that is not accredited by the Department of Education and participate in the program separately from their enrolled school are NOT eligible for PEBT.

P-EBT will continue to be available as long as the Federal Public Health Emergency exists. When the Federal PHE ends, P-EBT will also end. The Family and Social Services Administration/Division of Family Resources will continue to help Hoosiers feed their families during the PHE as the issuer of the P-EBT benefits. Schools determine eligibility and provide this eligibility information to DFR.

Indiana Division of Family Resources does not text parents with information about P-EBT. If you receive a text about P-EBT do NOT reply.

• P-EBT FAQ for parents

Do we have to apply?

No. Data is collected from schools based on the eligibility criteria above.

P-EBT issuance timeline

Eligible students will receive all future issuances on the card received in 2021. Newly eligible students identified at a quarterly issuance will receive a card if they have not yet received one in 2021. Do not dispose of cards, keep them for possible future issuances.

P-EBT benefits expire after 274 days from the issuance date.

DFR will work in partnership with all Indiana schools to obtain the required student demographic information.

ALL DATES FOR FUTURE ISSUANCES ARE ESTIMATED.

Reminder: All questions about an issuance or benefit amount for your child must be directed to your child’s school. The Division of Family Resources does not determine P-EBT eligibility and is unable to answer child specific P-EBT questions.

• P-EBT benefits issuance presentation

P-EBT information for parents

Did my child’s school participate in the P-EBT issuance?

• Each school is responsible for determining program eligibility and sharing the student eligibility information with DFR.
• Any duplicate schools listed do not reflect a duplication of funding.
• The list is mostly comprised of schools but may include school corporations as well since data was accepted at multiple levels.

The list below is the listing of schools:

• The list of participating schools for August and September 2020 issuance can be found here.
• The list of participating schools for the February 2021 issuance can be found here.
• The list of participating schools for the May 2021 issuance can be found here.
• The list of participating schools for the summer 2021 issuance can be found here.
• The list of participating schools for the July 2021 issuance can be found here.
• The list participating schools for the December 2021 issuance can be found here.
• The list participating schools for the February 2022 issuance can be found here.

Who can tell me if my child will receive P-EBT Benefits?

Your student’s school determines eligibility by recording eligible P-EBT absence days when doing attendance. These days will be submitted to DFR at the end of each quarter for disbursement. Please contact your student’s school for eligibility questions.

As a reminder, the eligibility criteria are listed below.

• Schools must be closed or had a delayed start OR have a hybrid model in place.
• Schools must be a provider of the National School Lunch Program and/or School Breakfast Program.
• Students must be enrolled in an Indiana School.
• Students are participating in a virtual or hybrid school schedule. A hybrid schedule allows students to participate in school via a virtual learning option including:
  • Students are attending school virtually due to quarantine,
  • Students attend school both virtual and in person.
  • Students must be eligible to receive free/reduced lunch or breakfast for the 2020-2021 school year under normal National School Lunch Program standards.

The eligibility criteria for P-EBT virtual programs is also listed below:

i. If a virtual program is accredited as a virtual school by the Department of Education, it is not considered a NSLP participating school, and students enrolled in that school are NOT eligible for PEBT.

ii. Students who are in a virtual school program that is not accredited by the Department of Education and participate in the program separately from their enrolled school are NOT eligible for PEBT.

When will I receive the benefits?

Please refer to issuance schedule above and be sure to check back often for updates.

How much will a student receive for P-EBT Benefits?

The benefit amount is determined by the school based upon the number of days the student participated in virtual learning, was in quarantine, or was out of school due to COVID-19 illness or the school had a delayed start or closure. Individual eligibility is calculated by determining number of days eligible (based on above conditions) x $7.10 (USDA approved daily amount for free breakfast, lunch and snack)

A reminder of the P-EBT virtual program eligibility requirements is listed below:

i. If a virtual program is accredited as a virtual school by the Department of Education, it is not considered a National School Lunch Program participating school, students enrolled in that school are NOT eligible for P-EBT.

ii. Students who are in a virtual school program that is not accredited by the Department of Education and participate in the program separately from their enrolled school are NOT eligible for PEBT.

Will each student receive the same P-EBT Benefit amount?

No. Student eligibility is calculated based on the number of educational days missed by each student. Each eligible student received a P-EBT card, issued in 2021, mailed to the address reported by the school. The parents of each student will be informed to retain this card in case they are eligible for future P-EBT benefits. Newly identified students at each quarterly issuance would receive a new P-EBT card at the end of the quarter.

Do you have the correct mailing address?

The mailing address for the P-EBT card is provided by the school. This is the information used to issue the P-EBT benefits. If you need to update your address and you have never received a card, or your card was lost or stolen please, click the link below and choose the appropriate selection.

All cards issued since February, 2021 and after are still active for the 2021/2022 school year and will be reloaded if your child is eligible for benefits in the 2021/2022 school year. There is no need to request a new card for current or future benefits. Keep your card safe for future use. All disbursement dates are estimates.

What do I do if my card is lost or stolen after it has been received and activated and I need a replacement card?

If you have multiple cards, please check each one to ensure that the benefit was not issued to one that you have prior to requesting a replacement.  You can check the balance by calling the number on the back of the card. 

If your card is lost or stolen after you have activated it please click the address change and card replacement form link above and chose, “Card is lost/ stolen, and I need a replacement card sent to the address on file”. Please allow up to SIX  weeks to receive a replacement card.

Click here to complete the "Address Change and Card Replacement Form"

Are P-EBT Benefits going to be deposited on the SNAP/TANF EBT card?

No. All future benefits will go on the cards issued in 2021. If your child was never eligible in the past, but is eligible in the 21/22 school year, a new card will be issued and all future benefits will be issued to that card.

DO NOT discard, lose, or give away your P-EBT card. Please keep it safe so that you can receive future benefits in a timely fashion.

Can I verify the address on file to ensure the card is being sent to the correct location?

The mailing address for the P-EBT card is the address provided by the student’s school.

Does this program apply to children in Head start, preschool or homeschooled children?

No, only those students enrolled in Kindergarten-grade 12 are eligible.

Please click here for information regarding supplemental benefits for children under 6.

• P-EBT FAQ for parents

P-EBT resources for school

• FAQ for schools

P-EBT resources archive

• P-EBT communication sent to superintendents and principals on 12/10/2020
• P-EBT communication sent to superintendents and principals on 12/29/2020
• P-EBT portal access communication 12/31/2020
• P-EBT communication sent to superintendents and principals on 3/5/2021
• P-EBT communication sent to superintendents and principals on 3/12/2021
• P-EBT communication sent to schools 4/30/2021
• P-EBT communication sent to schools 5/7/2021
• Submission Window for P-EBT Benefits and Summer P-EBT 5/21/2021