Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) Program
Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) Program
Revised date: June 6, 2023
P-EBT Scam Alert
Be aware of a scam using texting to obtain your personal information.
The official Maryland EBT/P-EBT customer service phone line is 1-800-997-2222. This is the only number that should be used for inquiries related to your card. The customer service call center can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days to order a new card, inquire about your balance or change your Personal Identification Number (PIN). Your EBT information can also be accessed via a secure website at https://www.connectebt.com/mdebtclient/
NEW: P-EBT Card Lock Feature
P-EBT cardholders now have a quick and easy way to protect their Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards. Use the new Card Lock/Unlock feature to secure your food and cash benefits today. Click here to learn how to use Card Lock/Unlock and protect your benefits.
What is P-EBT?
These benefits, called Pandemic-EBT, or P-EBT, are intended to help families in Maryland purchase food while schools are closed or operating at limited capacity due to COVID-19.
Who is Eligible for P-EBT?
The Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS) in conjunction with the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) has secured approval from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to operate the Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) program for the School Year (SY) 2022-2023. There are two programs:
Summer P-EBT
Summer P-EBT benefits will be issued automatically to all school children who are eligible to receive Free and Reduced Price Meals (FARMS) in the last month of SY 2022-2023 (June). Children who were not eligible to participate in FARMS during the school may receive P-EBT benefits if they submit a school meal application and are determined eligible before July 15, 2023.
Childcare P-EBT
Childcare P-EBT benefits will be issued automatically to non-school children (generally children under six years of age) whose families receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
Important note: Child(ren) will only receive benefits for the month in which they were on an active SNAP case.
- If your child was on an active SNAP case in September, October, or November of 2022, then the child was eligible to receive Child Care P-EBT issued June 2023.
- If your child was on an active SNAP case from December 2022 to January 2023, then the child was eligible to receive Child Care P-EBT benefits issued July 2023.
- If your child was on an active SNAP case in any month between February 2023 and May 2023, then the child is eligible to receive Child Care P-EBT in August 2023.
School Year (SY) 2022-2023 |
|---|
Standard for P-EBT Eligibility for StudentsStandard for P-EBT Eligibility for Students for the period of September 2022 and June 2023. In general, school children are eligible for P-EBT benefits if they are eligible for free or reduced-price meals, but are unable to receive those meals due to reasons listed below:
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Children in fully virtual institutions or homeschoolingA homeschooled child or a child attending a virtual school is eligible for P-EBT benefits if the child meets all three of the requirements listed below:
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P-EBT Benefit Amount
| Childcare Benefits | Summer Benefits | |
|---|---|---|
| The amount will vary each month. | $120 – to be issued in two equal installments of $60 | |
| Number of Days | Absent Standard Benefits |
|---|---|
| 1 to 5 days | $24.54 |
| 6 to 15 days | $81.80 |
| 16 or more days | $147.24 |
*Tentative issuance prior to the end of November 2023:
NO P-EBT BENEFITS WILL BE ISSUED FOR THE 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR. THE PROGRAM HAS ENDED.
How will families get P-EBT?
- All children will receive P-EBT benefits on a P-EBT card.
- If your child received a P-EBT card before, benefits will be issued on that card.
- We will mail you a new P-EBT card if your child is being issued P-EBT benefits for the first time.
- If you previously received a card but you have lost or misplaced it, you may request a new card by calling 1-800-997-2222
When Will Families Get Their Benefits?
Child Care P-EBT Issuance Schedule |
||
|---|---|---|
| Eligible Months | P-EBT Issuance Month | Issuance Amount Up To |
| Sept. 2022 – Nov. 2022 | June | $139.59 |
| Dec. 2022 – Jan. 2023 | July | $93.06 |
| Feb. 2023 – May 2023 | August | $163.87 |
A child will only receive benefits for the months in which she or he was on active SNAP case.
Summer P-EBT Benefits
| Issuance Month | School Children | SNAP Households (child under age 6) |
|---|---|---|
| July 2023 | $60.00 | Not Eligible for Summer P-EBT |
| August 2023 | $60.00 | Not Eligible for Summer P-EBT |
School-Aged Summer P-EBT Is Back!
For more information, click to download a flyer.
Expungement of P-EBT Benefits
- Expungement is the removal of unused benefits from the EBT card due to inactivity.
- Benefits will be expunged after 274 days of inactivity. If there are remaining benefits on your P-EBT card, it is important that you use your card at least once every 9 months to prevent the benefits from being expunged.
- The State is not able to restore expunged benefits.
How To Inquire About P-EBT Eligibility and/or Issuance?
If you have any questions or concerns regarding issuance, please click the below link and provide all required information
Customer Inquiry Form
How To Activate Your P-EBT Card
How do I activate the card?
Call the phone number 1800-997-2222 on the back of the card. You will need the 16-digit EBT card number on the front of the card, your zip code, and the date of birth of the eligible child listed on the card. When prompted to enter the last four digits of your Social Security Number, enter 0000. You will then need to set a four-digit pin number.
How do I use the card?
Once activated, the card can be used to purchase eligible food items anywhere SNAP/EBT cards are accepted. When making food purchases, you will need to use the PIN number you created when you first activated your P-EBT card. The card can be used on any point-of-sale device, just like a debit card, or can be handed to the cashier.
- If your child remains eligible for P-EBT benefits during the 2022-2023 school year, the student will receive their P-EBT benefits on the card already issued.
- We will mail you a new P-EBT card if your child is being issued P-EBT benefits for the first time this year.
How do I activate my P-EBT card?
Step #1 – Call the number on the back of your P-EBT Card 1-(800)-997-2222.
Step #2 – Enter your 16-digit P-EBT card number found on the front of your card.
Step #3 – Enter 0000 in lieu of the last four digits of your child’s Social Security Number
Step #4 – Enter your child’s 8-digit date of birth. Example: August 8, 1998, is entered as 08+08+1998
Step #5 – Create a 4-digit PIN.
Lock/Unlock
Marylanders now have a quick and easy way to protect their Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards from thieves. Download ConnectEBT to your mobile phone and use the new Card Lock/Unlock feature to stop thieves from stealing your food and cash assistance benefits. Click here to learn more
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Additional Resources
Families who believe their child may be eligible should contact their school. The school will guide families through the application process.
