Child Care Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) Benefits for January 2023 through May 11, 2023

Illinois Department of Human Services logo

08/17/2023

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 (PHE) that was declared on January 27, 2020. This policy memo provides information on Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) benefits for eligible children in child care for School Year 2022-2023.
  • The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) has begun to issue Child Care Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) benefits to eligible children for the months of January 2023 through May 11, 2023 for the 2022-2023 School Year.
  • Child care children eligible for P-EBT benefits are members of a household enrolled in SNAP in the benefit months of January 2023 through May 11, 2023, under the age of 6 years old, and deemed enrolled in a covered child care facility. Further clarification can be found in the policy memo Child Care Pandemic EBT (P-EBT), published on 07/08/2021.
  • For the months of January 2023 through April 2023, the benefit amount is $20.47 for each eligible month/eligible child and $10.23 for the month of May 2023 (prorated due to end of PHE May 11, 2023). Benefits will be systematically issued to the household's Illinois Link card on 08/11/2023 through 08/21/2023.
  • No action is required by FCRC staff. However, customers may be directed to the IDHS website and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Child Care P-EBT.
  • Client Notice CN 23.06 Notice of Child Care Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) Benefits will be sent to households with eligible children.

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) has begun issuing Child Care Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) benefits to eligible children for the months of January 2023 through May 11, 2023 for the School Year 2022-2023.

Child Care P-EBT School Year 2022-2023: Eligibility for January 2023 through May 11, 2023 

Children are eligible to receive Child Care P-EBT benefits if they meet certain eligibility requirements as follows:

  • The child was under 6 years of age as of 10/01/2022 and deemed enrolled in a covered child care facility; and
  • The child was eligible for SNAP benefits for the benefit months of January 2023 through May 11, 2023; and
  • The child must not have received School P-EBT benefits for the months in question for the 2022/2023 School Year.

Further clarification for Child Care P-EBT eligibility can be found in the policy memo Child Care Pandemic EBT (P-EBT), published on 07/08/2021.

Issuance Dates and Benefit Amount for January 2023 through May 11, 2023

Child Care P-EBT benefits will be issued for the months of January 2023 through May 11, 2023 on 08/11/2023 through 8/21/2023. For the months of January 2023 through May 11, 2023, the amount to be issued is $20.47 for each eligible month/eligible child January 2023 through April 2023 and $10.23 for the month of May 2023.

Regular Availability

Dates

Child Care PEBT

Availability Dates

1st 08/11/2023
2nd 08/12/2023
3rd 08/13/2023
4th 08/14/2023
5th 08/15/2023
6th 08/16/2023
7th 08/17/2023
8th 08/18/2023
9th 08/19/2023
10th 08/20/2023
13th, 17th, 20th 08/21/2023

IES System Changes

Systematic benefit issuances in IES will begin 08/11/2023. Benefits may be viewable on the Benefits Summary in the left navigation menu under Benefit Issuance.

FCRC Action

No action is required by FCRC staff. Customers with questions should be directed to the IDHS website and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Child Care P-EBT. They may also email dhs.fcs.pebt@illinois.gov or call the P-EBT Call Center at 1-833-621-0737.

Client Notices

Client notice CN 23.06 Notice of Child Care Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) Benefits was sent to households with eligible children for the months of January 2023 through May 11, 2023.


[signed copy on file]

Grace B. Hou

Secretary, Illinois Department of Human Services

Forms Referenced:

CN 23.06 Notice of Child Care Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) Benefits