P-EBT is a federal program that gives eligible households food benefits to replace in person school meals that children missed due to the pandemic. P-EBT benefit levels are based on the amount of time a student missed school meals because they attended school through independent study (IS), or attended school in-person but were absent presumed due to COVID-19. Therefore, the number of students that qualify for P-EBT in SY 2021-22 and corresponding benefit levels may be significantly lower than in prior P-EBT issuances.
SY 2021–22 P-EBT benefits will be provided to school age children that meet all the following requirements:
- Attended a school that participated in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), or Seamless Summer Option (SSO), in SY 2021–22
- Student eligibility:
- Determined eligible in SY 2021–22 or SY 2020–21 for free or reduced-price meals through meal application, alternative income form, direct certification, or designation as homeless, migrant, or foster;
- Missed in-person instruction through excused absences for five school days or more in a month, or attended school virtually through an IS program
Summer 2022 P-EBT will be provided to school age children that meet all the following requirements:
- Enrolled for at least one day in May 2022 in a school that participated in the NSLP, SBP, or SSO in SY 2021-22
- Student eligibility:
- Determined eligible in SY 2021–22 for free or reduced-price meals through meal application, alternative income form, direct certification, or designation as homeless, migrant, or foster;
In addition, students not enrolled as of May 2022 (such as new transfer students) may be eligible for Summer 2022 P-EBT. Students newly eligible with a CALPADS eligibility start date on or before August 15, 2022, will receive Summer 2022 P-EBT.
The CDSS will send communications about the upcoming availability of SY 2021–22 P-EBT benefits to eligible households prior to card distribution and the second issuance of SY 2021–22 P-EBT benefits. In addition, the CDSS has resources for eligible households and partners available in multiple languages on a new P-EBT web page at Capandemic-EBT.
The CDSS created the P-EBT Helpline to assist eligible households with questions about P-EBT. The P-EBT Helpline can assist with PIN set-up, address changes, request for replacement cards, or general questions about eligibility and benefits.
In addition, the P-EBT Helpline is more equipped to assist with inquiries and address individual cases. A new live chat feature will be available on the P-EBT website to provide general support. The contact information for the P-EBT Helpline is below.
Contact Information
Households that require assistance with P-EBT cards can call the P-EBT Helpline at 877-328-9677 (Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
For more information about P-EBT, please visit the CDSS P-EBT web page at Capandemic-EBT
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