P-EBT Update

P-EBT Update November 2022
Posted on 11/28/2022
Know
  1. Wait times at the P-EBT call center average 7-10 minutes.
  2. Mondays are the busiest day at the call center with much longer hold times. If possible, parents should try calling on other days of the week.
  3. We also see a jump in P-EBT call center hold times later in the day each day.
  4. Parent review requests are being reviewed on a daily basis, and parents will receive update emails about their requests.


MDE and MDHS have begun issuing new P-EBT cards to children eligible for 2022 P-EBT. If you have questions about whether your child is eligible for benefits or if you need to request an address update for your P-EBT card, please call the P-EBT call center at 1-833-316-2423, Monday-Friday, 8:30-5:30.

How can parents get P-EBT info?

 

Parents can get more information

about P-EBT by:

 

Important Card Information

  • Once new P-EBT cards are issued, remaining benefits will be transferred to the child's new P-EBT card for most children.

  • For most children, when the new P-EBT cards are issued, any balance that was still on the child’s P-EBT card from the 2020-21 issuance will be available on their new P-EBT card. The old P-EBT card will be de-activated when the new P-EBT card is issued.

  • Please note that if someone else registered the child for school during the 2021-22 school year, the P-EBT card will be mailed to the most up-to-date mailing address available at the child’s 2021-22 school.

  • There is a new process for updating mailing addresses. Families that need to update their mailing address will be able to submit an address update request form by calling the call center (1-833-316-2423). Families will receive email updates at every step of the address review process.

Parent FAQs about P-EBT Cards

How do I know if my child is eligible for P-EBT?

 

For K-12 Students 

Children who were enrolled in grades Pre-K through 12 and were eligible for the Free or Reduced Lunch Program in their school during the 2021-22 school year are eligible for 2022 P-EBT. Only students who were enrolled as of the last day of the 2021-22 school year are eligible. 2 While students in all MS public schools received meals for no charge during the 2021-2022 school year due to USDA waivers, eligibility for P-EBT is limited to those students who would have been eligible for free or reduced-price meals under normal school meals operations as part of the National School Lunch Program. There are three ways that children were approved:

1. In some schools, every child is eligible for free or reduced-priced lunch every year under the National School Lunch Program. These are called CEP schools. a) Click this link for a list of 2021-22 school year CEP schools.

2. Children who receive SNAP benefits are automatically approved for free or reduced-price lunches.

3. Families were able to submit an application form for free or reduced-price lunch for the 2021 – 2022 school year through July 31, 2022. Families who submitted an application received a letter stating whether their application was approved or not.

 

Completing an application for free or reduced-priced lunch for the current 2022-23 school year after July 31 does NOT make a child eligible for 2022 P-EBT benefits.

How do I know if my child is eligible for P-EBT?

 

SNAP Kids under 6

 Children who were under the age of 6 as of September 1, 2022 and received SNAP benefits for any month between August 2021 and July 2022.

 

 

Children who qualify under both groups (e.g. children under 6 who received SNAP benefits and attended K-4 during the 2021-22 school year) will receive benefits under Group 2 – SNAP Kids Under 6. They will not receive benefits under both groups.

I share custody of my child. Which parent/guardian will receive funds?

 

For K-12 Students 

The parent or guardian listed in the Mississippi Department of Education records provided to MDHS will receive the funds. This is typically the individual who registered your child for school during the 2020-21 school year.

 

If I have more than one child, will I get different cards for each child?

 

 

Yes, each eligible child in your household will receive a new P-EBT card with the child’s name on it. 

We recently moved to a new address. Will my P-EBT card be sent to my new address?



For K-12 Students 

Your child’s card will be mailed to the address provided to MDHS by your child’s 2021-22 school district. 

 

You will be able to request an address update through the call center if needed. Once all of the initial cards have been delivered, an online form will be made available as well. More information about the process for requesting an updated address will be available soon.

Do my child’s P-EBT funds expire? How long do I have to use them?

 

P-EBT benefits do not have to be spent immediately. P-EBT benefits will expire after a minimum of 9 months of inactivity on the card. Using your P-EBT card at least once every 274 days will prevent your P-EBT benefits from being taken back.  

 

This means that if you receive a P-EBT payment on October 15, 2022 you have until at least July 15, 2023 to spend those funds.