Pandemic EBT Information

Under the P-EBT program, children who enrolled in and were eligible for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or attend a school where every child in the school automatically receives the NSLP, may receive assistance to replace school meals during the school year 2020-2021 due to COVID-19 school closures or schools with reduced attendance (hybrid classes) for a minimum of 5 consecutive days. The program will provide a benefit amount based on either the full-time Distance Learning model or Hybrid Learning model where the child(ren) attended school.

  • NSLP children who already receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, or Food Stamps) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits currently, automatically qualify. The funds will begin arriving on their household's existing EBT card, if attending an eligible school, beginning approximately September 2021.
  • Parents who do not receive SNAP or TANF benefits, but whose children do qualify for free or reduced school meals and attending an eligible school, will receive a new P-EBT card beginning approximately September 2021.

If you are eligible for a P-EBT card, the local school district that your child attends will be providing information to the Nevada Department of Agriculture for your issuance of the P-EBT benefit. No application is required by individual households.

Individuals who have general questions about the program are encouraged to read the information on this website. 

Qualifying families will receive P-EBT support for students attending qualifying schools during the 2020–2021.

General Information

When will I receive my P-EBT card?

Benefits for school year 2020-2021 are scheduled to be dispersed the week of September 10, 2021.

How much will be on my P-EBT card?

There are two different benefit levels.

 

The first benefit level is the hybrid learning model (where children were on campus on average 2.5 days per week), these children will receive $6.82 for half of the operating school days for the month.

For example: If there are 20 operating school days in a month, the hybrid benefit for that month will be 10 days x $6.82, for a monthly issuance of $68.20 per child.

 

The second benefit level is full distance learning (where children were not on campus at all in that month), these children will receive $6.82 for each operating school day for that month.

For example: If there are 20 operating school days in a month, the benefit for that month will be 20 days x $6.82, for a monthly issuance of $136.40 per child.

 

Children who attended schools that offered full in-person learning will not be eligible for P-EBT, regardless of the leaning model selected by the child's parent or guardian.

 

This eligibility criteria will be determined on a month-by-month basis and could change between months.

For example: If a school's predominate learning model for the month of December 2020 is full-time distance education, the NSLP eligible child will receive the full-time distance P-EBT benefit for that month.  If the same school changes it's predominate model of learning to full in-person education for January 2021, no benefit will be issued for that month.



What is P-EBT, or Pandemic EBT Emergency School Meals Program?

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA); Continuing Appropriations Act, 2020 and Other Extensions Act allows children who are eligible for free or reduced-price meals at school to receive extra food benefits. These food benefits are called Pandemic EBT or P-EBT benefits. P-EBT benefits help families in Nevada purchase additional food due to school closures.

Who runs the program?

The program is overseen by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and administered in Nevada by the Nevada Division of Welfare and Supportive Services (DWSS).

Can P-EBT affect my or my family's immigration status?

You will not be asked about the immigration status or citizenship for you or your child for P-EBT. P-EBT is not considered under a public charge.

P-EBT Eligibility

Who is eligible for P-EBT benefits?

P-EBT is for all NSLP students and childcare aged children who received SNAP benefits in the months (October 2020 - June 2021), regardless of citizenship or immigration status.

Children are eligible for P-EBT benefits if:

  • Their school closed or has a reduced schedule (Hybrid) for five consecutive days due to coronavirus (COVID 19); and 
  • the child is eligible for free or reduced-price school meals in the 2020-2021 school year.
  • Any childcare aged child who received SNAP benefits in the months (October 2020 - June 2021). The benefit level for a childcare child will be based on the predominant learning model of the closest school district.


Will benefits be loaded on my old card? I threw away my old P-EBT card because I thought it was a one-time thing. How do I get a new one?

Those eligible for P-EBT and not on SNAP or TANF, will receive a new P-EBT card in the mail. Please do not throw this card away as you might be eligible for Summer P-EBT too. More information will be sent out about Summer P-EBT soon.

I didn't apply for Free or Reduced School meals because we were distance learning, how can I apply for P-EBT?

You do not apply for P-EBT benefits.  To receive P-EBT benefits your child(ren) must be enrolled in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), or enrolled in a school with a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP School). Childcare aged children whose family is enrolled in SNAP or TANF will also receive P-EBT.

What are the eligible dates determining P-EBT?

Currently, qualifying families will receive P-EBT support for students attending qualifying schools during the 2020–2021 school year.

Will I receive a new P-EBT card for each child?

Children who already receive SNAP and/or TANF benefits as members of a household will have their P-EBT placed on their household's current EBT card.  

Children who do not currently receive SNAP and/or TANF benefits will receive a new P-EBT card.



I didn't receive P-EBT benefits last year, will I receive them this year?

This depends on if the child(ren) meet the eligibility criteria. Receiving the benefit previously does not guarantee or prevent subsequent benefits.

Will my graduated senior receive P-EBT?

Yes, if your child graduated in the class of 2021 and is either enrolled in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP for free and reduced meals), enrolled in a Community Eligible School (CEP), or the family is enrolled in SNAP or TANF. Their school must have been on full-time distance learning or a hybrid schedule.

Do my charter school child/children qualify for P-EBT benefits if they were receiving free and/or reduced-price meals?

The program is available for any child who participated in the NSLP, and the school closed or was on hybrid schedule due to COVID-19.

What if I have shared custody of my children?

Children who are eligible for P-EBT will have their card sent to the parent listed as the first parent/Primary Guardian in the school district's registration system. Please ensure this system is up-to-date. P-EBT benefits cannot be split into two households.

My child's non-custodial parent got last year's benefit sent to them, will they get it this year?

It depends on who is listed as the first parent/primary guardian in your school district’s registration system (for example, Infinite Campus). The first listed parent will receive the child's card.

How can I change my address?

Change/update your address in your school district’s registration system (for example, Infinite Campus) as soon as possible. If you receive SNAP or TANF, please contact your local DWSS office.

My family receives SNAP benefits and received SNAP Emergency Allotment supplements. Will this have any effect on if or when my qualified child/children will receive the P-EBT food benefits?

P-EBT benefits are NOT SNAP benefits. Therefore, eligibility for or receipt of P-EBT food benefits is not affected by your receipt of SNAP or the SNAP Emergency Allotment supplements.

Can kids still get meals from schools or other organizations if we get P-EBT?

Yes. Children can get grab-and-go meals from schools and get P-EBT. They are separate programs.

Receiving and Using P-EBT Benefits

When will my benefit arrive?

Benefits for the first (3) months of the 2020-2021 school year are scheduled to be dispersed the week of September 10, 2021.

Will I get all of my benefits at once or in separate payments?

Children who qualify for P-EBT for the 2020-2021 school year will get those benefits in three (3) monthly payments starting in September 2021. Any additional payment, such as Summer P-EBT, will be loaded on the same P-EBT card, so please keep the card for future use.

What should I do when I receive my P-EBT card in the mail? How do I activate it?

Follow the instructions that come in the mail with the P-EBT card. Use the student's date of birth when activating the card to create or setup the private four-digit PIN number.  A PIN number is required to use the P-EBT card.

Children receiving SNAP or TANF will receive their P-EBT benefit on their household's existing EBT card. Nothing further needs to be done.

Children not receiving SNAP or TANF will receive their P-EBT cards in the mail.



Do the benefits expire?

Yes, P-EBT benefits do expire. The benefits must be used within nine (9) months from the date the P-EBT is mailed to you.

What food can I buy with my P-EBT benefits?

Covered by P-EBT:

Breads and cereals
Fruits and vegetables
Meats, fish, and poultry
Dairy products
Seeds and plants that produce food

Not covered by P-EBT:

Beer, wine or liquor
Cigarettes or tobacco
Vitamins and medicines
Food that can be eaten in-store
Prepared foods
Non-food items
Pet food, soaps, paper products and household supplies

How do I use the P-EBT benefits?

A P-EBT card is used like a bank debit card to buy food in any SNAP-certified store: most grocery stores, farmer’s markets, some corner stores, or to buy groceries online at Amazon and Walmart (depending on your area). To find authorized retail food stores near you, use the SNAP Retailer Locator.

At checkout:
Select "EBT"
Swipe the card
Enter your private four-digit PIN

What should I do if I am having issues activating my new P-EBT card?

Contact the FIS customer service number on the back of the card at (866) 281-2443 or the FIS Website at https://www.fisglobal.com/en/ebtedgemobile if you are experiencing problems with your P-EBT card.