Pandemic EBT (PEBT)

What Is PEBT?

The Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (PEBT) program was launched by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to replace meals that students would have received at school when those meals were unavailable because of COVID19related closures or reduced inperson attendance.

Instead of delivering physical food, the program loads a cashequivalent value onto a prepaid card or into an existing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) account. Families can then use the balance at participating grocery stores and retailers to buy food for their children.

Why PEBT Was Needed

When schools shut down in spring 2020, millions of children lost access to free or reducedprice meals that many families relied on for daily nutrition. The loss threatened food security, especially in lowincome households. PEBT was designed to:

• Provide a rapid, flexible source of nutrition assistance.
• Ensure that children continue to receive meals even when schools are closed.
• Reduce the administrative burden on school districts by delivering aid electronically.

How the Program Works

The process can be broken down into four steps:

1. Eligibility determination Schools report which students qualified for free or reducedprice meals during the closure period.
2. Benefit calculation USDA assigns a perday value (usually $5.70 for K5, $5.90 for grades 68, and $6.10 for grades 912) for each eligible day.
3. Distribution Funds are loaded onto a staterun debit card or added to an existing SNAP card. Families receive a mailed notice with card details and instructions.
4. Spending Cardholders can use the balance at approved retailers for grocery items such as fruits, vegetables, dairy, meat, and grains.

Key Features & Benefits

Who Is Eligible?

Eligibility is tied directly to a childs status in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or School Breakfast Program (SBP). A child qualifies if, during the period of school closure, they would have received:

• Free meals typically because the households income is at or below 130% of the federal poverty level.
• Reducedprice meals for families whose income is between 130% and 185% of the federal poverty level.

All children who received free meals are automatically eligible for the full PEBT amount. Those who received reducedprice meals receive a lower benefit (often half of the freemeal rate).

What Can Be Purchased?

The card works like any other SNAP card. Purchases must be eligible food items, which include:

• Fruits and vegetables (fresh, frozen, or canned)
• Dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt
• Meat, poultry, fish, and eggs
• Breads, cereals, grains, and pasta
• Snack foods that are not candy, soda, or alcoholic beverages

Prepared foods, hot meals, and items like chips or cookies are generally excluded unless they meet specific criteria.

Challenges & Lessons Learned

While PEBT filled a critical gap, the rollout highlighted several areas for improvement:

• Timing gaps Some families waited weeks or months for their cards, creating shortterm food insecurity.
• Awareness Not all eligible families knew the program existed or how to use the cards.
• State variations Benefit amounts and distribution methods differed by state, leading to confusion.
• Technical issues Card activation problems and retailer acceptance errors required additional support.

Feedback from these issues helped shape the 2022 and 2023 extensions, which aimed for faster delivery and better communication.

Future of PEBT

Even as schools return to full inperson instruction, PEBT may continue as a supplemental safety net during:

• Localized closures due to weather, health emergencies, or other disruptions.
• Summer months when school meals are not available.
• Longterm policy discussions about expanding nutrition assistance to all children, not just those in school.

Policymakers are debating whether to make PEBT a permanent option, integrate it more closely with SNAP, or replace it with a broader child nutrition benefit.

How to Get Help

If you believe you qualify for PEBT but have not received a card, take the following steps:

1. Contact your local school districts nutrition services office.
2. Visit your states Department of Agriculture or Education website for PEBT FAQs.
3. Call the USDAs national hotline at 18002215689 for assistance.
4. Check your mail for a PEBT notice; the card number is usually printed on the notice.

Additional Resources

• USDA Food and Nutrition Service PEBT Overview
• SNAP What Is SNAP?
• CDC Pandemic EBT Guidance