Ohio is one of the first three states to be approved to issue P-EBT funds to school students affected by COVID-19 in school year 2021-22. For more information about the availability of P-EBT in limited situations, such as during quarantine periods or when hybrid or remote models are used, in the 2021-22 school year, visit our FAQs or view FAQs from ODJFS.
P-EBT for School Year 2021-22
The Pandemic – Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) Program is additional money for families to buy food when traditional school-based meals are not accessible due to circumstances related to COVID-19, such as quarantine periods or school closures.
- For school year 2021-22, Ohio school children eligible for free or reduced-price meals will receive P-EBT funds in certain circumstances, such as:
- Their school building is providing instruction remotely or on a hybrid schedule, so school-based meals are not available or were not available for a period of time
- They were in quarantine due to COVID-19 infection or exposure
- Or a combination of the above.
- To learn more, visit our FAQs.
Will I get P-EBT?
To be eligible for P-EBT funds for the 2021-2022 school year, preschool/pre-K through 12th grade students must have:
- Received free or reduced-price meals under the National School Lunch Program OR
- Attended a school where every student gets free meals AND
- Missed days of school due to building closures related to COVID-19 OR
- Attended a school with reduced attendance or hours (such as a hybrid schedule) OR
- Has been quarantined due to COVID-19.
The federal government has yet to approve P-EBT plans for children under 6 in SNAP households who do not qualify under school student eligibility. More information will be available soon.
Benefits will be issued on a staggered basis, based on the child's last name. The first round of benefits for qualifying days in August, September, and October will be issued onto existing EBT/P-EBT cards November 20. All children should receive benefits for qualifying days during those three months by the end of November.
If you're not sure whether your child's school participates in the National School Lunch Program, you can search this database to check.
If you think your family qualifies for P-EBT for the 2021-2022 school year, but you have not received your P-EBT funds, call ODJFS at 1-866-244-0071 or email Family_Assistance_Inquiries@jfs.ohio.gov.
How do I get P-EBT?
I have a K-12 student and I am NOT enrolled in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or food stamps)
- Benefits will be issued to your existing P-EBT card. If you have never received P-EBT before, you will be issued a new card.
- You do NOT need to apply for P-EBT.
- You MUST keep your card(s). Funds will be added to the same card(s).
I have a K-12 student and I am enrolled in SNAP (food stamps)
- Most of the time, funds will be added to the card you already have. In some cases, you may instead get benefits issued to a P-EBT card you have already received for one or more children in your household.
- You do NOT need to apply for P-EBT.
- Use your funds the same way you use your SNAP benefits.
I have a child that was not previously receiving P-EBT through school-based eligibility and I am enrolled in SNAP (food stamps)
- Funds will be added to the card you already have.
- You do NOT need to apply for P-EBT.
- Use your funds the same way you use your SNAP benefits.
- Watch the mail for a P-EBT card that will be mailed to you.
- You do NOT need to apply for P-EBT.
- You MUST keep your card(s); funds may be added at a later date.
