P-EBT Coming Soon
Students who are eligible for free or reduced-priced meals in our schools will get Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) funds through the 2020-2021 school year. P-EBT funds can be used to help you buy healthy food for your student and family. It’s important to stay healthy, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
For the latest information, check the DHS P-EBT webpage or check back here for updated information.
The P-EBT Hotline is now open. The hotline can be reached Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
You can submit questions to the hotline through the P-EBT Help Form or call 651-431-4608 or 1-833-454-0153.
Update (5-26-2021): The Department of Human Services just announced P-EBT benefits for families on SNAP with kids 5 and younger. To learn more about this update, click here.
Update (7-16-2021): Summer EBT benefits are coming soon! $430 per child will be issued to P-EBT cards in late July. Expect a text or email letting you know benefits are on your card.
Update (7-27-2022): Summer P-EBT is being issued for summer 2022 as well. $435 per child will be issued to P-EBT cards in late July/early August 2022.
Who can get P-EBT?
There are two ways to qualify for P-EBT:
- If you are already receiving SNAP, MFIP, or TANF you will automatically receive P-EBT.
- If you are not on those programs, you will need to be signed up for free and reduced-price meals to qualify.
If you have already been denied for SNAP, MFIP or free and reduced-price meals and your financial circumstances have changed since then, you are welcome to reapply.
How will I get P-EBT funds in 2021?
A new P-EBT card will be mailed for each child who qualifies for the program. Cards started going out in the mail late in the week of March 22.
I had a P-EBT card for last school year. Do I need to do something to get P-EBT this year?
Yes! Be sure you are either on SNAP or MFIP or TANF or have completed an application for free and reduced-price school meals for this school year. The sooner you get approved for one of those programs, the sooner you will get a P-EBT card mailed to you.
Should I keep my P-EBT card from last year?
No, once all of the funds on your 2019-2020 card have been spent, you can destroy the card. A new card will be mailed to you for the 2020-2021 school year.
What do I need to do to get the P-EBT card?
If you are on SNAP, MFIP, or Tribal TANF, you should be good to go.
If you aren’t on SNAP, MFIP, or tribal TANF, be sure you are enrolled in free and reduced-price meals. Contact your child’s school to see if you are signed up, or for more information on how to apply. If you have moved since the beginning of the school year, contact your school to make sure your address is current.
How much will I get?
The amount of P-EBT will depend on whether your child’s school was in a hybrid or distance learning model for the month or if your child had elected to do distance learning. Kids in hybrid learning will receive $75 for those months. Kids in distance learning will receive $130 for those months. DHS P-EBT webpage has more information on how to estimate the amount of P-EBT you will receive.
What do I do if I don’t get a card?
If you received an email or text from the Department of Human Services letting you know that you would be getting P-EBT, your P-EBT card should be issued soon. Due to postal service delays, please allow four weeks for cards to be delivered before contacting the P-EBT Hotline.
If you did not receive an email or text from the Department of Human Services, fill out the state’s webform or call the state P-EBT Hotline at 651-431-4608 or 1-833-454-0153.
IMPORTANT: Using P-EBT does not impact you or your child’s immigration status. The public charge rule does not apply to this program.
Need more food help?
- If you are eligible for P-EBT you might also be eligible for SNAP. Contact the Minnesota Food HelpLine to see if you are eligible at 888-711-1151, or click here to find out if you are eligible.