Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) Program
Pandemic-EBT (P-EBT) Program
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The Maryland Department of Human Services in conjunction with the Maryland State Department of Education has secured approval from the USDA on its joint submission to operate a Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) Program.
Approximately 467,000 children in Maryland will benefit from the P-EBT program for a combined value of over $173 million in estimated benefits. Families will receive up to $370.50 per child in extra food benefits.
What is P-EBT?
Due to COVID-19 related school closures, children who are eligible for free or reduced-price meals will get up to $370.50 in extra food benefits. These benefits, called Pandemic-EBT, or P-EBT, are intended to help families in Maryland purchase food while schools are closed.
How will Families get P-EBT?
Maryland Families who Do Not Receive SNAP Benefits
If your children receive free and reduced priced meals at school, they are eligible for the Pandemic-EBT Program. Children attending a
Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school are also automatically eligible for P-EBT.
There’s no need to apply – Eligible families will receive a confirmation letter, and they’ll receive one P-EBT card for each eligible child. P-EBT cards will be mailed to families by the end of June.
Eligible families will receive up to $370.50 per child.
Maryland Families who Currently Receive SNAP Benefits
If your children receive free and reduced priced meals at school, they are eligible for the Pandemic-EBT Program.
There’s no need to apply – If you currently receive SNAP benefits, additional P-EBT benefits for each eligible child will be added to your existing EBT card.
Eligible families will receive up to $370.50 per child.
Youth in Foster Care
Youth in foster care who either receive free and reduced priced meals at school or attend a CEP school are eligible for the Pandemic-EBT Program.
They do not need to apply for the P-EBT Program. Youth in foster care will receive up to $370.50 in P-EBT benefits.
For those foster youth who receive SNAP benefits, their P-EBT benefits will be added to their existing EBT card.
Foster youth who do not receive SNAP benefits will receive a confirmation letter and a P-EBT card will be issued in their name and mailed before the end of June.
Families Experiencing Homelessness
If your children are eligible for P-EBT benefits but you are currently homeless, please contact your child’s school’s Homeless Coordinator to learn how to access your P-EBT card.
Click here for a list of Maryland School Homeless Coordinators.
How To Activate Your P-EBT Card
How do I activate the card?
Call the phone number 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 in the point of sale device, just like a debit card, or can be handed to the cashier.
When will Families get their Benefits?
P-EBT benefits are calculated based on when schools closed to students – March 16, 2020 – and the cost of school meals.
If you are currently receiving SNAP benefits and qualify for the P-EBT program, your P-EBT benefits will be added to your EBT card before the end of June.
If your household does not receive SNAP benefits and your children are eligible for the P-EBT program, a P-EBT card in the name of each eligible child will be mailed before the end of June. Families should expect to receive the P-EBT card within 7-10 business days of the card being mailed.
At a Glance
Download a Copy of the
Pandemic EBT Flyer
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Pandemic EBT?
Due to coronavirus (COVID 19), children who are eligible for free or reduced-price meals at school can get extra food benefits, called Pandemic-Electronic Benefit Transfer, or P-EBT benefits. The purpose of P-EBT benefits is to help families in Maryland buy food while schools are closed. P-EBT benefits are additional benefits that do not replace other child nutrition program meals being offered, like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, SNAP Emergency Allotment supplements, and other summer meals programs.
Who is eligible for P-EBT benefits?
Children are eligible for P-EBT benefits if:
- Their school is closed due to coronavirus (COVID-19); and
- They would normally receive free or reduced-price school meals. (This includes all students enrolled in a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school or district who are also eligible to receive free or reduced-price school meals.)
If I receive P-EBT benefits, will it impact my immigration status or make me a public charge?
No. Using P-EBT benefits does not impact you or your child(ren) immigration status. The public charge rule does not apply to P-EBT benefits.
My family needs food now, what can we do?
Many schools and community locations are distributing meals to school-aged children now. To find locations in your area,
click here or visit your local school system website. You may also apply for SNAP benefits (also known as food stamps) if you are not already enrolled in the SNAP program and your family needs help with purchasing food by
clicking here.
If eligible, how much in P-EBT benefits will I get?
P-EBT benefits are calculated based on when schools closed and the cost of school meals. The total amount you will get depends on how many eligible children are living in your home.
Most families with children who are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals will get $370.50 for each child. Families with children who applied for and became eligible for Free and Reduced-Price School Meals after their schools closed may get less than $370.50 for each child.
When will I get P-EBT benefits?
If your family is currently receiving SNAP benefits and you are eligible for P-EBT, your P-EBT benefits will be added to your EBT card before the end of June. If your family is not receiving SNAP, your P-EBT card will be mailed by the end of June.
What can I buy with P-EBT benefits?
Your P-EBT card can be used to buy SNAP-eligible food at most grocery stores and farmer’s markets, and to purchase groceries online with
Amazon,
Walmart, and
ShopRite. You can use the
SNAP Retailer Locator to find grocery stores near you that accept P-EBT cards. Most food is SNAP-eligible, except prepared food and food sold hot. Unfortunately, your P-EBT card cannot be used for restaurant meals or fast food.
How do I use a P-EBT card?
You may use your P-EBT card like a debit card. For more information on how to use your P-EBT card, please call 1-800-997-2222, or go to
www.connectebt.com.
How long do I have to use my P-EBT benefits?
You may use your P-EBT benefits for one year, starting the day you receive your card. You must spend at least $1 per month for your card to remain active. If there is no activity on your card for one year, the benefits will be removed.
What will happen to my P-EBT card if my family has moved?
DHS will send your P-EBT card to the address listed on your child’s school record. If you moved recently or think your child’s school might not have your current address, please
click here to update your address. It may take up to 3-4 weeks to receive a new P-EBT card at the updated address.
IMPORTANT: Families must still contact their school directly to update their address on their child’s school record.
What should I do if I do not want the P-EBT benefits?
P-EBT benefits are not transferable; therefore, you can’t give your benefits to someone else. Households that do not want to participate in the P-EBT program may destroy the P-EBT card when they receive it. The card can be destroyed by cutting through the magnetic stripe and disposing of it securely.
What do I do if my P-EBT card is lost?
If you lose your card, you may call 1-800-997-2222, or go to
connectebt.com to ask for a replacement. A replacement card may take up to 7 mailing days to reach you.
How do I activate my card?
To activate your P-EBT card and manage your benefits, call 1-800-997-2222 or log on to
connectebt.com to manage your EBT account. When you call to activate your card, you’ll need to select a 4-digit PIN to use when you make purchases with the card. When the card is mailed to you, you will also receive information on how to activate it.
I’ve received multiple P-EBT cards. Which one do I use?
If you live with a parent or guardian of multiple children who are eligible for P-EBT and you do not currently receive SNAP benefits, you will receive a separate card for each child. If you receive multiple cards, you should activate and use all P-EBT cards received in no particular order.
Who receives the P-EBT benefit for eligible children?
If your family does not receive SNAP, you will receive one P-EBT card for each eligible child living in the home. Adults in your household can use the P-EBT card to buy food. If your family currently receives SNAP, P-EBT benefits for each eligible child will be added to your existing EBT card.
Are Head Start children eligible for P-EBT benefits?
Head Start children are eligible for P-EBT only if they attend a Head Start program in a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). Some Head Start programs receive meals through other funding sources and children attending those may not be eligible for P-EBT. Head Start students who are not claimed under the NSLP are not eligible for P-EBT.
Are home-schooled children eligible for P-EBT?
No. The program is for eligible students enrolled in the free and reduced school lunch program.
Are Non US. Citizen children eligible for P-EBT?
Non-citizen children are eligible if they are eligible for free and reduced-price school meals.
Do young adults (ages 19 to 21) who are still in school and who receive free and/or reduced-price meals qualify for P-EBT food benefits?
Yes, young adults aged 19 through 21 who are still in school and are eligible to receive free and reduced-price meals are also eligible to receive P-EBT food benefits.
Does my foster child qualify for P-EBT food benefits if the child received free or reduced-price meals?
Yes. All children eligible to receive free or reduced-price school meals are eligible to receive P-EBT food benefits for the days their school was closed due to COVID-19.
Will the P-EBT food benefits program continue through the summer?
P-EBT benefits will be issued for only for the months of March, April, May, and June. The monthly benefit amount was calculated based on the number of days that schools were closed as a result of COVID-19.
Will I need to pay back my child/children’s P-EBT food benefits?
No. Families who receive P-EBT benefits will not have to pay back those benefits.
Additional Resources
Families who believe their child may be eligible should contact their school. The school will guide families through the application process.
For more information please call
the Maryland Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) Hotline at
1-833-330-PEBT (1-833-330-7328).
