Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) for the 2020-2021 School Year

Illinois Department of Human Services Logo

03/04/2021

Policy Memo

Summary

  • The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (P.L. 116-127; the Act) as amended by the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act (P.L 116-159) authorized the continuation of a temporary assistance program for families with children affected by school closures during the public health emergency that was declared on January 27, 2020.
  • The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) in collaboration with the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) will issue Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) benefits to families with eligible children for the 2020-2021 school year. Families receiving regular SNAP and non-SNAP households can qualify for P-EBT benefits.
  • P-EBT provides benefits to certain children who receive free or reduced-price school lunches under the National School Lunch Act. P-EBT benefits are only provided for days that students are not in school to receive a free or reduced-price lunch at school.
  • P-EBT provides $6.82 for the 2020-2021 school year per each eligible P-EBT school day.
  • The child and school must meet certain criteria to be eligible for P-EBT. All eligible children for 2020-2021 will get their own individual white  P-EBT card with the child's name on it.
  • P-EBT benefits are found in the DSNAP module under 2020-2021 P-EBT.
  • IDHS Central Office will provide ISBE with an electronic version of  Notice of Eligibility for Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) SNAP Benefits (CN 20.42 (pdf)/CN 20.42S (pdf)). ISBE will distribute to eligible families in the school districts. No notice will be mailed to households by IDHS.
  • Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) is available on dhs.illinois.gov/PEBT.

Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer Benefits (P-EBT)

  • The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (P.L. 116-127; the Act) as amended by the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act (P.L 116-159) authorized the continuation of a temporary assistance program for families with children affected by school closures during the public health emergency that was declared on January 27, 2020.
  • P-EBT provides benefits to certain children who receive free or reduced-price school lunches under the National School Lunch Act.  P-EBT is a temporary food benefit program operating during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) in collaboration with the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) will issue Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT)benefits to families with eligible children for the 2020-2021 school year. Families receiving regular SNAP and non-SNAP households can qualify for P-EBT benefits.

Who is Eligible for P-EBT Benefits?

To qualify for P-EBT benefits, the child and school must meet certain criteria:

The child:

  • Must be enrolled in free or reduced-price school meals at a school operating the National School Lunch Program; or
  • Must be enrolled in a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which offers breakfast and lunch free to all students; and
  • Must be without access to an in-school provided meal.

The school:

  • Must operate the National School Lunch Program; and
  • Must have been closed or operating remote learning for at least 5 consecutive days at some point during the 2020-2021 school year.

Is there an Application for P-EBT Benefits?

  • No application is required for the 2020-2021 school year for P-EBT benefits. ISBE will provide a file containing all eligible students' information to IDHS monthly. This will require that the eligible student's correct address be on file with the school. An address change can be processed by Central Office staff or by FCRC staff who have access to EPPIC.

FCRC Action for Inquires:

The Family Community Resource Center (FCRC) should refer inquiries to:

  •  1-833-621-0737 (on or after 03/01/2021); or
  •  DHS.illinois.gov/PEBT for FAQs.

What is the P-EBT Benefit Amount?

P-EBT benefits are issued for any month in the school year the student has eligible days. P-EBT provides $6.82 for the 2020-2021 school year per each eligible P-EBT school day. Any correction in the number of days benefits are issued for will be corrected through the schools and submitted by them with the next monthly cycle.

How are Benefits Issued?

  • In March 2021, an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card in the eligible student's name will be mailed to the address on file with the school and provided to IDHS. If there is more than one eligible child in the family that qualifies for P-EBT benefits, then each child will get their own card with benefits.
  • A P-EBT card that was issued in the 2019/2020 year will not be reused to issue the 2020-2021 benefits. A new EBT card in the student's name will be mailed, specifically for P-EBT. Benefits will automatically be loaded each month onto that card for as long as P-EBT operates. If by the end of March the card has not been received, the customer may call the P-EBT hotline number at 1-833-621-0737.
  • An eligible child in an active SNAP case will receive a P-EBT Link Card specifically for P-EBT benefits issuances. 
  • If the P-EBT card was received but has been lost, the client can get a white card replacement with the child's name by ordering through the hotline/website. The FCRC can service P-EBT link accounts like any other link account  If the FCRC deems that the household is experiencing a situation that warrants a replacement card be provided right away, a regular Link Card may be issued as a replacement. 

When will P-EBT Benefits be Issued?

  • Benefits will be issued for August 2020 through June 2021 for the days that schools have been closed during the 2020-2021 school year.
    • In March, P-EBT families will receive a distribution for the months of August 2020 through December 2020 for all schools that submitted the required information. Some families received August and September benefits in September. A determination will be made if additional benefits may be provided and all eligible days will be received by eligible students.
    • In April, families will receive a distribution for January 2021 through March 2021.
    • Beginning in May, families will receive a monthly benefit for the remainder of the school year.
  • Benefits will be issued between the 11th and 22nd of each month based on the first letter of the student's last name. Benefits will be issued on the same day on subsequent months so your family can plan their food budget. See the P-EBT Availability Date Chart at the end of this memo.

How can P-EBT be Used?

P-EBT benefits can be used to buy food at any authorized retailer location that accepts SNAP benefits. An online EBT transaction for food purchases with Aldi, Amazon and Walmart can be completed. Like regular SNAP benefits, only eligible food or food products for human consumption can be bought with P-EBT benefits. P-EBT benefits cannot be used to buy hot foods ready to eat, or foods intended to be heated in the store and lunch counter foods.  P-EBT benefits can be used to buy seeds and plants to produce food in a home garden.

What if P-EBT Benefit are Issued but not Wanted?

  • A family who receives P-EBT benefits may choose to:
    • not use the benefits and destroy the card. The P-EBT benefits will remain available for 1 year. After 1 year, benefits will be removed from the account. The family can use the benefits if their circumstances change and the benefits are needed. No action is required by the FCRC; or
    • request that the P-EBT benefits be removed from their account right away. If identity is verified, the family can authorize this verbally on the phone (1-833-621-0737) or through email DHS.FCS.PEBT@illinois.gov.  However, once benefits are removed, they will not be reissued if circumstances change. Form 3660, Return of the Illinois Link SNAP and/or Cash Benefits should be completed and sent to the EBT Unit to process a voluntary return. Note on Form 3660 that it is a voluntarily return and a verbal request if no signature.
  • Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) is available on dhs.illinois.gov/PEBT.

Client Notice

IDHS Central Office will provide ISBE with an electronic version of  Notice of Eligibility for Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) SNAP Benefits (CN 20.42 (pdf)/CN 20.42S (pdf)). ISBE will distribute the notice to eligible families in the school districts. No notice will be mailed to households by IDHS.

P-EBT Availability Date Chart

First Letter

of Child's

Last Name

Benefit Availability

Date Each Month
A 11th
B 12th
C 13th
D, E, F 14th 
G 15th
H, I 16th
J, K, L 17th
M 18th
N, O, P 19th
Q, R 20th
S, T 21st
U, V, W, X, Y, Z 22nd

[signed copy on file]

Grace B. Hou

Secretary, Illinois Department of Human Services

Forms Reference:

CN 20.42

CN 20.42S