P-EBT for K-12 Students 2022-23

A note about Virtual Students:

Students enrolled in virtual learning schedules with their brick-and-mortar school campuses do NOT need to apply for P-EBT. Their eligibility will be determined by their school and reported to DCFS for issuance of benefits. See K-12 information on this page.

Eligible students enrolled in an approved fully virtual school system (e.g., University View Academy or Louisiana Virtual Charter Academy) MUST apply for P-EBT benefits through their virtual school by May 11, 2023, following the guidelines for Homeschool/Virtual School Students found here.

What is P-EBT for K-12 students?

The Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) Program was created in Spring 2020 to provide funds for families to buy food while schools were closed due to COVID-19. More P-EBT funds are being issued for the 2022-23 school year and will be available this summer.

Eligible students in APPROVED QUARANTINE DUE TO COVID-19 for:
- 1-5 school days in a month: $24.54 per month
- 6-15 school days in a month: $81.80 per month
- More than 15 days in a month: $147.24 per month
Before a school is eligible to issue P-EBT, the school must have at least one student with five (5) consecutive absences due to COVID-19.
Using P-EBT does NOT impact your or your student’s immigration status. The public charge rule does not apply to P-EBT funds.

Will my child receive P-EBT?

A child is eligible for SY 2022-23 P-EBT benefits if two conditions are met:

He or she has an approved application for free- or reduced-price meals under the NSLP. This includes any student in a school that provides free meals to all students (under a special rule called “Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)”), AND
The child does not receive free or reduced-price meals at the school because the school is closed or has been operating with reduced attendance or hours for at least 5 consecutive days in the current school year. Once the minimum 5 consecutive day threshold is met for a school, children at that school are eligible to receive P-EBT benefits for closures, reductions in hours or quarantines/absences due to COVID-19.

Before a school is eligible to issue P-EBT, the school must have at least one student with five (5) consecutive absences due to COVID-19.

How & when will I get P-EBT?

You do NOT need to apply for P-EBT. Your child’s school will confirm their eligibility and learning situation.
P-EBT benefits will be issued on Louisiana Purchase EBT cards. Each eligible child will have a separate P-EBT card issued in their name, mailed to the address provided by their school.
- If your child received P-EBT for the 2021-22 school year: The benefits for this school year will be issued on the same card.
- If your child is eligible but did not receive P-EBT for the 2021-22 school year: A new card will be issued in the student's name.
- If you receive SNAP: P-EBT benefits will be issued on a separate card in each eligible child’s name, not on your regular SNAP EBT card.
- Local STUDENT ID or Activation Number Needed: The child’s Local Student ID or activation number will be needed in place of their Social Security Number to activate the P-EBT card. Tips for where the Local Student ID might be located can be found here. Parents who do not have their child’s Local Student ID or activation number should contact their child’s school.
- KEEP YOUR CARD: All P-EBT benefits for each eligible child for the 2022-23 school year, and any potential future benefits, will be issued on the same card.
P-EBT benefits will be issued in installments beginning in MAY.
- A school will be eligible to have P-EBT benefits issued to its students once one child has missed 5 consecutive days due to COVID-19.
- Eligibility is determined on a month-by-month basis based on the information the child's school reports to DCFS. If a child's learning style changes, their eligibility and benefit level also will change. As benefits are issued, parents can see their child's eligibility status by month in the P-EBT Parent Portal. For each month that a child is listed as "eligible" in the Parent Portal, they will receive benefits for that month.
- Benefits will be issued as DCFS receives information from each school. Therefore, families with more than one child may receive their children’s benefits at different times, according to when each child’s school submitted their information.