09/21/2022
Policy Memo
Obsolete policy memo titled, Summer 2022 Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) Benefits, dated 08/25/2022.
Summary
- This policy memo is to clarify the issuance dates for Summer 2022 Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) benefits that was published in a previous memo, Summer 2022 Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) Benefits, dated 08/25/2022. This memo also provides the eligibility criteria for Summer 2022 P-EBT benefits, the benefit amount, and P-EBT Link account information. The previously published policy memo titled, Summer 2022 Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) Benefits, dated 08/25/2022 is obsolete.
- Summer 2022 Child Care P-EBT benefits were issued August 11th, 2022 through August 20th, 2022.
- Summer 2022 School P-EBT benefits for school-aged children will not be available during the September 11th through September 20th time-frame that was previously published in the policy memo titled, Summer 2022 Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) Benefits, dated 08/25/2022. The issuance dates for these benefits are still being determined and will be published once the dates become known.
- A client notice will not be sent to households regarding Summer 2022 P-EBT benefits. Information will be published as it becomes known. Summer 2022 P-EBT Benefits Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) are on the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) website for more information.
Summer 2022 P-EBT Program
The Summer 2022 P-EBT Program is an extension of the School P-EBT and Child Care P-EBT benefits programs for school year 2021-2022. School-aged children and children in child care must continue to meet eligibility criteria for Summer 2022 P-EBT benefits.
The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) is working with the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) to identify May 2022 and June 2022 enrollment for school-aged children. Information was given to schools indicating that Free/Reduced Price Meal applications must be accepted over the summer until 7/15/2022. Student enrollment will be reviewed by ISBE to determine which children were enrolled in an eligible school and are eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals in May and/or June 2022, or if they submitted a new free or reduced-price meal application by 7/15/2022.
Summer 2022 Child Care P-EBT Benefits
Summer 2022 Child Care P-EBT benefits are issued for a child:
- who was under 6 years of age as of 10/01/2021; and
- was eligible for SNAP benefits for at least one month: May, June, or July 2022; and
- did not receive School P-EBT benefits through the Summer 2022 School P-EBT benefits issuance process.
Summer 2022 School P-EBT Benefits
Summer 2022 School P-EBT benefits are issued for a child:
- who is enrolled in an eligible Illinois school at the end of the school year (May and/or June 2022); and
- is attending a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program; and
- is eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals through their eligible school in May and/or June 2022; and
- did not receive Child Care P-EBT benefits through the Summer 2022 Child Care P-EBT issuance process.
Eligibility for free or reduced-price meals is based on the following:
- Enrollment in a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school; or
- Income eligibility guidelines.
Benefit Amount
The Summer 2022 P-EBT benefit amount is $391 for eligible children based on 55 days at a $7.10 daily rate. To determine the benefit amount, IDHS used the U.S. standard benefit amount set by Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) which is equal to the median number of weekdays in the sampled school districts multiplied by the daily P-EBT rate. This equals a fixed summer benefit of $391 per eligible child (55 days at $7.10 per day) for school children and per eligible child in child care.
Benefit Issuance Dates
Summer 2022 Child Care P-EBT Benefits
- Summer 2022 Child Care P-EBT benefits were issued August 11th, 2022 through August 20th, 2022.
- Summer 2022 Child Care P-EBT benefits were issued to the household's existing SNAP Link card. Individuals may request a new Link Card by calling 1-800-678-5465(LINK) or by going to https://ebt-link.illinois.gov to manage their Illinois Link EBT account.
Summer 2022 School P-EBT Benefits
- Summer 2022 School P-EBT benefits for school-aged children will not be available during the September 11th through September 20th time-frame that was previously published in the memo, Summer 2022 Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) Benefits, dated 08/25/2022. The issuance dates for these benefits are still being determined and will be published once the dates become known.
- Summer 2022 School P-EBT benefits are systematically issued to the eligible child's existing P-EBT Link card and will be viewable on the Benefits Summary Screen in IES. If the child has never received School P-EBT benefits prior to summer, a new P-EBT account will be established for the child and a new card will be mailed to the child in their name.
Later Issuance Dates to be Determined
- Later issuance dates (to be determined) will follow for any potentially unidentified children who are eligible for benefits.
FCRC Action
- No action is required by FCRC staff to issue Summer 2022 P-EBT benefits. FCRCs can service P-EBT Link accounts like any other Link account. If the customer contacts the FCRC and 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.
- The Family Community Resource Centers (FCRCs) should not refer inquires to the Illinois State Board of Education. Individuals should be directed to Summer 2022 P-EBT Benefits Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on the IDHS website for more information.
Client Notice
A client notice will not be sent to households regarding Summer 2022 P-EBT. However, workers should direct individuals to the IDHS website and Summer 2022 P-EBT FAQ for more information, or they can contact the P-EBT Call Center at 1-833-621-0737 or email P-EBT at: dhs.fcs.pebt@illinois.gov.
[signed copy on file]
Grace B. Hou
Secretary, Illinois Department of Human Services
Forms referenced:
