Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) Program

Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) Program

Food benefit payments available to qualifying families

The information and links below will take you to MDE website and information.

Eligibility | Benefits | Using the card | Texts and emails | Other

Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) is a temporary food benefit available to Minnesota families with children who are approved for free or reduced-price school meals. It provides extra support when the COVID-19 pandemic impacts school operations. P-EBT also provides benefits to families with children age 5 and younger who are enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) or Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF). The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) authorizes the P-EBT program. 

Please continue to watch this webpage for updates to the P-EBT program.

Eligibility

•  How does my family apply for P-EBT benefits?
•  Are students who are homeschooled or attend a virtual school eligible for P-EBT?
•  Can my child get P-EBT benefits if my family receives SNAP, MFIP or Tribal TANF?
•  I was notified my child was approved for P-EBT but I do not want or need these benefits.

Benefits

•  How will my child receive P-EBT benefits? Will it be on their existing EBT or P-EBT card?
•  How much will my child receive in P-EBT benefits?
•  What is a COVID impact?
•  When can I expect benefits?
•  How long will I have to use my P-EBT benefits?
•  I have more than one child. Why did I only get P-EBT benefits for one of my children?
•  My children were eligible for P-EBT but did not get benefits for the last school year. What should I do?

Using the card

•  How do I activate the card?
•  I am having trouble setting a PIN on my card.
•  I forgot my EBT or P-EBT card PIN number.
•  I lost my P-EBT or EBT card.
•  What can I purchase with my P-EBT benefits?
•  Can I use my P-EBT to buy food online?
•  How can I check my EBT or P-EBT card balance?
•  Do I need to have ID to use my child’s P-EBT card? Does my child?
•  Can I use multiple P-EBT cards to pay for the same grocery transaction?
•  Who should be using the P-EBT card?
•  I am having an issue using or receiving my P-EBT card. Where can I get help?

Text messages and emails

•  I received a text message or email about P-EBT. Was it legitimate?
•  I didn’t get a text message or email. Does that mean I’m not eligible?
•  I have more than one child. Will I receive a notification for each child?
•  How do I opt out of future text messages or emails?

Other questions

•  Where else can I get help with food?
•  My address changed since the beginning of the school year. How do I update my address?
•  What happens if custody of children changes?
•  If I get P-EBT benefits, will it affect my immigration status or make me a public charge?
•  My child receives Social Security. Will P-EBT benefits be counted as income by Social Security?
•  Who can I contact with questions?
•  Is there support to assist those who are deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing or who have a speech disability to call the P-EBT Call Center?
•  Is help available in languages other than English?

Who SPPS Parents should Contact Regarding P-EBT

• EBT Edge Customer Service  - 888-997-2227 or visit www.ebtedge.com. 
  • Activate P-EBT Card
  • Replace a lost or stolen card
  • Check P-EBT card balance
  • Access transactions such as benefits issuance.

• P-EBT Call Center 651-431-4608 or 833-454-0153 or Online P-EBT Help Form.
  • General questions relating to P-EBT.
  • Sign up for or opt out of P-EBT texting.
  • Understand notifications you received from the P-EBT program.
  • Answer questions about the amount and timing of benefits issues to a P-EBT card.
  • Change the address where our P-EBT card will be sent - Online form only.  

• SPPS School Clerks/School Office
  • Changes to parent/guardian contact information in Campus. You will then need to contact the Business Office to have parent/guardian contact name updated in P-EBT portal.
  • Changes to absence reasons in Campus.

• SPPS Business Office - 651-744-6312 or marss@spps.org
  • Confirmation of information uploaded into the P-EBT portal.
  • Updating contact name only in P-EBT portal.  Note:  This change must FIRST be changed with the school clerk in Campus before contact name changes can be made in the P-EBT portal.

• SPPS Nutrition Services - 651-603-4950 or ns@spps.org
  • Questions or information regarding
    • Applications for Educational Benefits/Free or Reduced Price Meals
    • Current free or reduced eligibility status.