P-EBT Announcements

January 10, 2024

Important Upcoming Dates for P-EBT

Important updates regarding the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program that require your attention.

As we approach the end of P-EBT, we want to inform you about significant changes in the issuance and replacement processes. Please take note of the following key dates and adjustments:

• January – March 31, 2024: Replacement Card Requests

• You can request a replacement card via CAFE until January 27, 2024.
• From January 28 through March 31, 2024, replacement cards can only be requested through the Inmar LifeInCheck EBT app or by calling 1-888-997-1117.
• April 1, 2024: End of Replacement Card Services
• Starting April 1, 2024, we will no longer replace P-EBT cards for any reason.
• Customers can continue using their existing cards, but it is crucial to avoid losing or damaging them. Lost or damaged cards will not be replaced.

As a reminder, under federal rules, federal food assistance benefits will be removed from a recipient’s EBT card nine months after benefits are issued, unless the card is used to make a purchase within this nine-month period. If the card is used, the benefits will remain on the card for nine months from the date of the last purchase.

Once benefits have been removed, they cannot be added back to the card.

If you have unspent P-EBT benefits, we encourage you use them as soon as possible. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation throughout the duration of the P-EBT program.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our customer support team at LAHelpU.dcfs@la.gov or 1-888-524-3578.

July 20, 2023

P-EBT Update: DCFS Distributes $45.5 M in Benefits to Louisiana Children, Additional $66.5 M Expected for Summer

In a major effort to support families across Louisiana, the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) has disbursed $45.5 million in benefits to approximately 186,000 children through the 2022-23 School Year and Child Care Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) programs. This week, we are anticipating the start of an additional distribution of approximately $66.5 million in Summer 2023 P-EBT benefits. These benefits will be issued to eligible students based on the submission of student eligibility information by schools.

Summer P-EBT Information

Summer P-EBT benefits started going out this week. DCFS distributes benefits as schools submit students’ information. If you have more than one child, your benefits will arrive based on when each child's school submits the information to DCFS. Issuance dates for each child will vary.

Benefit Amount: Each eligible child will receive a single payment of $120 to cover June and July. 

Check the Parent Portal at https://dcfs.louisiana.gov/page/pebt-summer for details about Summer P-EBT.

Child Care P-EBT 2023

All Child Care P-EBT benefits have been directly added to eligible children's household SNAP accounts as of July 18, 2023.

Benefit Issuance: Unlike P-EBT benefits for K-12 students, Child Care P-EBT benefits are directly added to your household's SNAP Louisiana Purchase EBT cards. This means your benefits will be loaded onto the card you already have, making it easier to access and use the benefits for your child.

More Information: Visit http://dcfs.louisiana.gov/page/Child-Care_P-EBT for details about Child Care P-EBT.

K-12 School Year 2022-23

K-12 benefits will continue to be issued through September as schools provide information to DCFS.

Benefit Amount: Benefit amounts vary based on the number of approved quarantine absences a child has in a given month. Eligible students in APPROVED QUARANTINE DUE TO COVID-19 for:

• 1-5 approved quarantine absences in a month: $24.54 per month
• 6-15 approved quarantine absences in a month: $81.80 per month
• More than 15 approved quarantine absences in a month: $147.24 per month

More Information: Visit http://dcfs.louisiana.gov/page/k-12 for details about School Year 2022-23 K-12 P-EBT.

Checking Status and Details

P-EBT Parent Portal: Access the Parent Portal for information on your child's P-EBT case, make requests, and receive updates. Visit dcfs.louisiana.gov/page/pebt-parent-portal for more information.

Check My Case: For parents of Child Care P-EBT recipients, access your case information through your CAFE account under “Check My Case.”

P-EBT Benefits Expiration

Federal food assistance benefits will be expunged or removed from your child’s P-EBT card if nine months have passed since the benefits were issued and no purchases have been made within that period. However, if you do make a purchase, the benefits will remain on the card for an additional nine months starting from the date of your last purchase. Be sure to stay mindful of these timelines to ensure you don't lose any benefits.

Benefits cannot be replaced once they have expired. For details on benefit expungement, visit https://www.dcfs.louisiana.gov/page/ebt-benefit-expungement.