Summer P-EBT benefits approved for 2023 in MO

MISSOURI (KBSI) – Summer Pandemic food program benefits or P-EBT are being sent out to Missourians now.

Congress authorized the United State Department of Agriculture to approve a state agency plan for the summer period. States can now provide P-EBT benefits in the summer months regardless of whether they provide P-EBT benefits during the school year.

Congress prohibited states from providing P-EBT benefits in summer 2023 to children who did not attend a school at the end of school year 2022-23 that participated in the National School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program.

Some are already receiving their child’s summer benefits in the mail.

These benefits will show up on a P-EBT card with the child’s name on it, unless the parent already has a P-EBT card then the benefits will be uploaded to that card. The card will be mailed to the address the child’s school has on file.

There will be a one-time summer benefit payment already uploaded to the card recipients receive in the mail to cover their child’s summer meals.

The summer benefit amount is $391 per child if they meet all eligible requirements.

These are the requirements for a child to receive benefits through the Pandemic Food Program. Not every child qualifies.

• Be certified in CEP or Provision 2 through their school district.
  • Meaning your child’s school had to be certified in one of these programs for school lunches. Most public schools utilize these programs.
• Must have been enrolled in grades K-12 during the 2021-22 school year.
• Have been approved for free or reduced-price meals; or applied for free or reduced-price meals from July 1, 2022 through the end of the summer based on school year 2022-23 income guidelines.
• Have a documented COVID-related absence on-file with their school so the school can verify the child’s absence or virtual learning day was COVID-related. If your child’s absence or virtual learning was not reported to the school as COVID-related, your child may not be eligible for these benefits.

Missouri Department of Social Services hope to have all benefits sent out by the end of July 2023.

Call 855-373-4636 with questions related to children enrolled in Pre-K during school year 2021-22 or for any other questions about P-EBT program guidelines.