What is Summer 2022 P-EBT?
Summer 2022 P-EBT is a temporary food benefit program operating during the COVID-19 pandemic and is an extension of the School P-EBT and Child Care P-EBT benefit programs.
Who is eligible for Summer 2022 P-EBT benefits?
- To be eligible for Summer 2022 School P-EBT, the child, and the school in which they are enrolled, must meet certain eligibility criteria:
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- The child must be enrolled in an eligible Illinois school at the end of the school year (May and/or June 2022);
- The child must attend a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program; and
- The child must be eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals through their eligible school in May and/or June 2022. This eligibility is based on either:
- To be eligible for Summer 2022 Child Care P-EBT, the child must meet certain eligibility criteria:
- The child must be under the age of 6-years old as of 10/01/2021;
- The child must have received SNAP benefits for at least one month - May, June, or July 2022; and
- The child must not have received Summer 2022 School P-EBT benefits through the Summer 2022 School P-EBT benefits issuance process.
How do I get Summer 2022 P-EBT benefits? Do I need to apply?
You do not apply for Summer 2022 School or Child Care P-EBT benefits.
- For Summer 2022 School P-EBT, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) will identify eligible schools and children for the months of May and June 2022. For Summer 2022 School P-EBT benefits, eligibility is based on the school's enrollment in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), and the child's eligibility to receive free or reduced-price meals in May and/or June 2022, or if the school identifies as a Community Eligibility Provisions (CEP) school.
- Participating Schools will also accept free or reduced-price meal applications through July 15, 2022. If determined eligible, the child will also qualify for Summer 2022 P-EBT benefits. New applications for summer will receive benefits at a later date.
- For Summer 2022 Child Care P-EBT, applying is not necessary, as the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) will systematically identify children who qualify for Summer 2022 Child Care P-EBT benefits based on the child meeting the eligibility criteria listed above. (see eligibility criteria listed under "Who is eligible for Summer 2022 P-EBT benefits?")
When will Summer 2022 P-EBT benefits be issued?
- Summer 2022 Child Care P-EBT benefits were issued between August 11th and 20th, 2022.
- Summer 2022 School P-EBT benefits for students enrolled in public school will be issued between October 11th and 21st, 2022. *Note: New P-EBT cards for first time students, and to replace any inactive cards are not expected to be completely distributed until the end of November. Please allow time to receive the new card.
- Summer 2022 School P-EBT benefits for students enrolled in private school are to be determined.
- Later issuance dates (to be determined) will follow for any potentially unidentified children who are eligible for benefits.
How much will my child receive in Summer 2022 P-EBT benefits?
Each child eligible to receive School or Child Care Summer 2022 P-EBT benefits (see eligibility criteria listed above) will receive a one-time fixed amount of $391.00 (three hundred and ninety-one dollars) to cover summer benefits.
How was the Summer 2022 P-EBT benefit amount calculated/decided?
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) set a U.S. standard amount which is equal to the median number of weekdays in select sampled school districts, multiplied by the daily P-EBT rate. That equals a fixed summer benefit of $391 per eligible child (55 days at $7.10 per day). Approximately 1.04 million children in Illinois are expected to receive Summer 2022 P-EBT benefits.
How will Summer 2022 P-EBT benefits be issued?
- For Summer 2022 School P-EBT:
- If your child is already receiving School P-EBT Benefits, the Summer 2022 P-EBT Benefit will be added to your existing P-EBT Card/account.
- While IDHS did issue benefits to the same account students had from last year, many students will have inactive cards due to the time lapse from the last issuance. You do not have to order a new card. IDHS will review, and if your card is not active, IDHS will send you a new card automatically.
- If your child has not received School P-EBT Benefits, a new P-EBT account will be established, and a P-EBT Card will be mailed to the address provided by the school in your child's name.
- For Summer 2022 Child Care P-EBT:
How do I use my P-EBT benefits?
- If you received Summer Child Care P-EBT benefits, they are loaded onto your regular SNAP account and Link card. They will be added to your existing SNAP balance.
- Summer School P-EBT benefits are loaded onto a P-EBT only account for the student. Each student will have their own account/card.
- The first time you receive a card, you must set up a PIN by calling 1-800-678-LINK(5465). Use the automated menu to enter the card number, then select the option to select a PIN:
- When prompted for Social Security Number (SSN), enter 999-99-9999.
- When prompted for Date of Birth, enter your student's date of birth.
- Follow the same instruction whenever you need to change your PIN.
- P-EBT benefits are loaded onto a Link card just like SNAP benefits and can be used at any store that accepts Link or SNAP benefits. Stores will have a sign posted if they are authorized to accept Link/SNAP at their location. Additionally, any authorized online retailer can be used. A list of participating online retailers can be found here: Retailers in Illinois Accepting SNAP Payments Online.
What can I buy with my P-EBT Benefits?
- P-EBT Benefits are subject to the same rules as regular SNAP benefits. Benefits can be used to buy food for your household only.
- It is not legal to sell your P-EBT Link card or allow others to use your card in return for cash. Doing so can result in loss of your benefits and/or criminal charges.
- For more information on the use of your P-EBT benefits through your Link account, please see the Illinois Link Brochure here: IDHS: Illinois Link Program - 9203.
I am worried about receiving Summer 2022 P-EBT because of my immigration status. Will getting this benefit count in a public charge test?
No. It is important to know that Summer 2022 P-EBT will not count in a public charge test. All students are eligible regardless of immigration status. Read Protecting Immigrant Families: Public Charge - Know Your Rights (pdf) for information about what public benefits impact the public charge test.
My child previously received P-EBT benefits, but I threw away or lost my child's existing P-EBT card. Can I still get benefits?
- Yes. If you have lost your card, no longer have your card, need to report a lost or stolen card, or to request a replacement card, visit Manage My Illinois Link Card or contact the LINK hotline at 1-800-678-5465.
- Due to the high demand of replacement P-EBT cards, please allow up to 6 weeks for new card delivery.
- Additional questions about P-EBT can be communicated to the toll-free P-EBT Helpline number at 1-833-621-0737 from 8:30 am to 5:00 PM, Monday thru Friday, excluding State holidays. You can also submit an inquiry via our P-EBT Website.
How do I know if my school is eligible (participates in the National School Lunch Program)?
- A listing of NSLP schools can be found on the ISBE website.
- Additionally, on the IDHS P-EBT General Inquiry Request form, only P-EBT eligible schools are listed. If your school is not listed here, that school does not qualify for P-EBT.
I think my child is eligible for free or reduced-price meals, but we haven't enrolled. Can I still get Summer 2022 School P-EBT?
The deadline has now passed. You can still get Summer 2022 School P-EBT, but you must have applied for free or reduced-price meals with your child's school by July 15, 2022.
How do I know if my child is eligible for free or reduced-price lunch?
Read the ISBE income eligibility guidelines for free or reduced-price school meals (pdf).
My child received free or reduced-price school meals in May and/or June 2022, but I did not receive a P-EBT card in the mail. Who do I contact?
- It may take until the end of November 2022 to receive your card. You should not be concerned that you have not received a card until then.
- Make sure your school is eligible for P-EBT, check the listing with ISBE.
- Individuals may request a new Link card by calling 1-800-678-5465(LINK) or going to the website for Illinois Link Cardholder (www.link.illinois.gov)
For additional information, please see Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on School P-EBT.
