Due to Coronavirus (COVID-19), Florida children who are eligible for free or reduced-price meals at school will get extra food benefits called Pandemic EBT (P-EBT). In this post, we will explain in detail what the Florida P-EBT is about.
First, we will walk you through who is eligible and how the program works.
Furthermore, we will explain the application process and how to get Florida P-EBT if your child is eligible.
Also, we will answer the most frequently asked questions about the P-EBT program, including benefits for the 2020-2021 school year.
Finally, we will address the Florida P-EBT extension – including if and when benefits will be reloaded.
What is Pandemic EBT (P-EBT)?
The Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer program was created in March 2020 as part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.
The goal was to help with the disruption of the free or reduced-price meal program created by COVID-19 related school closures.
The P-EBT program provides families with benefits they can use to buy
groceries to replace the free or reduced-price meals their children missed while schools were closed for in-person instruction.
Initially, the program was approved for the 2019-2020 school year.
However, as you will see below, the P-EBT program has been approved for the 2020-2021 school year as COVID-19 related school closures continue.
Florida P-EBT Program
The Florida P-EBT program provides food assistance to Floridians with children who are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) but whose school is closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Who is eligible for Florida P-EBT?
Families who are eligible for the free and reduced-price school meals program under
the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) are eligible to receive Florida P-EBT.
However, to eligible for the free and reduced-price school meals program, one of the following situations must apply to a household:
- If your household is receiving SNAP (food assistance), TANF (cash assistance), or Medicaid, and a
- Your child is enrolled in a school participating in the National School Lunch Program;
- Your child attends a Community Eligibility Provision school or are enrolled in Provision 2 school; and
- You the parent have applied and was approved with the school district for the child to receive free and reduced-price school meals.
How much will my Child get in Florida P-EBT benefits?
If your child is eligible for Florida P-EBT benefits, you will receive a one-time benefit of $5.70 per day for 55 days, or about $313.50 per child.
However, to get the full amount, your child must have been getting free or reduced-price meals before school closures on March 16, 2020.
A pro-rated amount will be issued if your child became eligible for free or reduced-price meals after March 16.
How do I Apply for Florida P-EBT benefit?
P-EBT does not have an application.
Any child eligible for free and reduced-price meals should receive the P-EBT benefits.
However, how you will receive your P-EBT benefits depends on your current situation.
P-EBT benefits will be issued automatically during the month of June 2020.
For existing Florida SNAP customers with a child receiving free and reduced-price school
meals, the P-EBT benefit will be added to your current EBT card automatically.
Also, for Medicaid and/or TANF recipients with a child receiving free and reduced-price school meals, here’s what you should know:
The P-EBT benefit will be automatically mailed to the address on your Medicaid and/or TANF file.
No further action is required on your part to receive your P-EBT benefits.
For all others who are eligible for P-EBT benefits, a new P-EBT card will be mailed to the address on file with your child’s school district.
No further action is required on your part to receive your P-EBT benefit.
To find out if your child’s school is eligible for P-EBT, click here for the list of schools.
Florida P-EBT FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the Florida P-EBT program:
How do I request a replacement Florida P-EBT card?
If you have received a P-EBT card and need to replace it, you can call 1-888-356- 3281.
When you call the number, press “Option 2” to report your P-EBT card as lost, stolen, damaged.
Furthermore, if you did not receive your P-EBT card in the first place, call the number above and press “Option 2”.
However, if you have already scanned the QR code on the card carrier and downloaded the EBT APP, your P-EBT card can be reported as lost, stolen, or damaged through the app.
How Do I Activate Florida P-EBT Card or Check the Balance?
There are three different ways to activate your Florida P-EBT card and check the balance:
Option 1 – Online
Go to www.ebtedge.com. Click “More Information” under EBT Cardholder.
Login and/or register your card to activate your new card.
Option 2 – Via Mobile App
2. Download the ebtEBDE mobile app. The app is available for both Andriod and Apple devices.
Click here to download the ebtEBDE mobile app from the Google Play store for Andriod devices.
Similarly, click here to download the ebtEBDE mobile app from the Apple Store store for Apple devices.
Option 3 – Via Phone
Lastly, you can activate your P-EBT Card via phone by calling the Florida EBT customer service number at 1-888-356-3281.
Follow the prompts to activate your card.
How Do I Login to Florida P-EBT Account?
To login to your Florida Pandemic EBT account, follow the steps below.
First, go to www.ebtedge.com. Click “More Information” under EBT Cardholder.
Next, enter your User ID and Password as shown below.
Once logged in, you’ll be able to view your P-EBT card balance and transaction history.
However, if you do not have an ebtEDGE account, click on the “First time logging in? Register Here” link as shown below.
What if I did not receive my Florida P-EBT Benefit?
If your child meets the eligibility criteria above and you did not receive your P-EBT benefit, here’s what you can do:
Call the P-EBT customer service line at 1-833-311-0321.
However, If calling that number does not result in a fix or provide a satisfactory explanation, you can appeal to the DCF.
The Florida DCF has an appeal process that is also available to P-EBT claimants.
For more information about DCF’s appeal process, click here.
How often will I receive Florida P-EBT?
Florida P-EBT benefits were issued in a single payment in June or July for students who were eligible to receive free and reduced-price school meals during the time period of March 16 – May 29, 2020.
We recently moved. Where do we update our address to receive P-EBT?
To update the mailing address on file to receive your P-EBT benefit for your child, please call 1- 888-356-3281.
How do I know I received the right amount?
Please refer to the chart below for benefits amounts for each eligible child:
| Free and Reduced-Price School Meal Program Eligibility Date | P-EBT Benefit Amount |
| Prior to April 1st | $313.50 |
| April 1 – April 30 | $245.10 |
| May 1 – May 29 | $119.70 |
Please call 1-833-311-0321 if you have questions about your benefit amount.
Why did I receive a Florida P-EBT card?
If your household does not participate in Food Stamps, TANF, or Medicaid but your child has been approved for free or reduced-price school meals through the NSLP; or
Your child attends Community Eligibility Provision or Provision 2 schools,
Then you would have received a P-EBT card for each eligible child at the address on file with the school district.
Do Florida P EBT cards expire?
Florida P-EBT benefits will expire 365 days after issuance.
If benefits are added to your current EBT card, the P-EBT benefits will be expended first.
What if I received a P-EBT card and do not need this benefit?
Your participation in the program is voluntary. If you choose not to participate, please dispose of your card by cutting through the magnetic stripe on the card and discard the card in a secure manner.
You cannot transfer the card to someone else.
Alternatively, you can use the card to purchase food and donate to a food bank or homeless shelter.
Is Florida P-EBT a one-time payment?
The Florida P-EBT benefits will be paid for the dates schools were closed during the pandemic.
Check with your school district for specific dates.
Additionally, P-EBT is not a monthly benefit, like food stamps or WIC. Once the school closures from the pandemic are over, the P-EBT benefits will stop.
What can I buy with P-EBT benefits?
P-EBT benefits can be used to buy food in any SNAP-eligible food at approved SNAP retailers.
Most grocery stores and farmer’s markets accept P-EBT benefits.
In addition, you can buy groceries online at Amazon and Walmart (depending on your state).
However, P-EBT cannot be used for non-food items like cleaning supplies, diapers, tampons.
Furthermore, you cannot use P-EBT to purchase hot or prepared foods like deli food, rotisserie chicken.
Lastly, the purchase of vitamins, supplements, and alcohol is also prohibited.
Is P-EBT available to immigrant children?
Yes. Like the National School Lunch Program, P-EBT is available to all school children regardless of immigration status.
P-EBT is a replacement for free and reduced-price school meals which is not considered in a “public charge” determination.
Will Florida P-EBT Benefits be Reloaded? Will there be P-EBT 2.0?
How often P-EBT benefits are issued depends on school closures in the state of Florida due to the pandemic.
If your child meets the P-EBT eligibility criteria in a month, benefits will be provided automatically.
Florida P-EBT Summary
Here’s the bottom line:
Florida Families who are eligible for the free and reduced-price school meals program are eligible to receive Florida P-EBT.
If your child is eligible for Florida P-EBT benefits, you will receive a one-time benefit of $5.70 per day for 55 days, or about $313.50 per child.
P-EBT does not have an application.
Any child eligible for free and reduced-price meals should receive the P-EBT benefits.
However, if you did not receive your child’s P-EBT benefits by June 30, 2020 call 1-833-311-0321 for help.
Finally, the P-EBT program is a one-time payment and not a monthly payment. If there are more school closings during the pandemic, more benefits may be available.
Questions?
In conclusion, we hope this article on the Florida P-EBT program was helpful.
If so, we encourage you to share this article with anyone who may also find it helpful by using the “Share this” button below.
Also, if you have additional questions about the Florida P-EBT or food stamps, please leave those in the comments section below. We are here to help you!
Lastly, be sure to check out our other articles about EBT and Food Stamps, including:
Free Admission with Florida EBT
Flordia EBT Card Questions and Answers
Florida EBT Card Login