Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) benefits have been extended for the 2022-23 school year until the Covid 19 public health emergency ends on May 11, 2023.  Summer P-EBT benefits will also be available for Summer 2023.  This means that your family could qualify to receive money to help cover food costs for absences related to Covid-19 during the school year and over the Summer.

A child is eligible for P-EBT this school year until May 11th if:

  • Their school participates in the National School Lunch Program 
  • The student is eligible for free or reduced-price meals, and
  • Your school meets the 5 consecutive days COVID absences threshold, and
  • You keep your student home from school because of COVID (tests positive or is exposed and in quarantine)
  • Students must have qualified for free or reduced-price meals at the time of absence
  • Their school closes or shifts to remote learning for at least five consecutive days because of COVID (Note: This has not happened in 2022-23)

A child is eligible for P-EBT Summer of 2023 if:

    • Their school participated in the National School Lunch Program during School Year 2022-23
  • The student qualified for free or reduced-priced meals during the 2022-23 school year.

Families do not need to apply for school year or summer P-EBT benefits. District 287 will report the appropriate information to the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) for students who qualify.

Questions and Answers

How do I know if my student is approved?
Students that have completed their meal application and are eligible for free or reduced price meals will have their information forwarded automatically and the Minnesota Department of Human Services will text or email families when P-EBT benefits are approved. Make sure your student’s school has your correct contact information.

When will I receive the funds? 

In late May/June 2023, benefits will go to the less than 20 children who have qualified for school year benefits so far this year.

In late July/August, benefits will go to families whose children had additional absences due to Covid illness through May 11th and children who qualified for summer benefits.

How much will I receive?
Qualifying families will receive $8.18 for each child for each missed day related to Covid 19 absence during the school year. Summer benefits will be $120 total.  

Do I need to apply to get the funds?
No. Families do not need to apply for P-EBT benefits, schools will be reporting qualification data to the state on their behalf.  

How are benefits issued?
DHS will issue the benefits on children’s P-EBT cards. Families who didn’t previously have a P-EBT card, will get a new one. To replace an existing card for $2, call EBT Edge at 888-997-2227.

How can I check if my student qualifies for free or reduced priced meals?
You can check to make sure that your student has qualified for free or reduced priced meals at their school. If so, make sure you are receiving P-EBT texts or emails, and that their school has their correct contact information.  To qualify for the P-EBT benefit, students must have qualified for free or reduced meals with their enrolled school prior to the Covid-related absence.

If you have not yet submitted an application for educational benefits for this school year to qualify your student for free or reduced price meals, you can apply online at https://paypams.com/onlineapp.aspx or submit a paper application to your school that can be found here.  Please note that an application for your student must be submitted to Intermediate District 287.  Applications submitted to your home district are not shared with district 287, unless specifically requested by the student’s parent/guardian.  

Other Questions

  • To replace a lost card or update your address call EBT Edge at 888-997-2227 or visit https://www.ebtedge.com/ 
  • General questions: P-EBT Call Center, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. For assistance in multiple languages, complete the P-EBT Help Form or call 651-431-4608 or 833-454-0153, or visit the P-EBT Frequently Asked Questions webpage for more information. 
  • Questions about particular dates or number of days your student qualified for, email your specific question, including student’s name and school they attend, to pebtsupport@district287.org or leave a voicemail at 763-550-2120. 
  • Questions about your student’s free or reduced priced meal eligibility: foodservice@district287.org or 763-550-7136.