Pandemic-EBT Benefits Information

DEAR PARENT OR GUARDIAN,

P-EBT benefits will be provided for the 2021–2022 school year. If your child is eligible, benefit amounts will vary because it is based on each student’s COVID-related absences, virtual attendance, and school closures. This is different from previous P-EBT benefit amounts that were the same for all students on campus.

There is no online application for P-EBT, but your child must be certified for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) to receive P-EBT. (See details below about NSLP eligibility.)

Your school or district will send information about eligible students to Texas Health and Human Services to issue benefits. This includes information on students’ free or reduced-price meal eligibility and information on COVID-related absences, virtual attendance, and school closures. Benefits are $7.10 for each eligible day.

If your child is eligible to receive P-EBT benefits, a notice will be mailed to you. If this is your first time receiving P-EBT benefits, the notice will have information on how to claim your benefits and get a P-EBT card mailed to you. If you have received P-EBT before, benefits will be issued on your Lone Star Card or P-EBT Card. If you no longer have that card, call the Lone Star Help Desk at 877-541-7905.

P-EBT benefits for the first semester (August 2021–December 2021) should be issued in late April 2022. The second semester (January 2022–June 2022) benefits will be issued in July 2022. You might receive benefits for both semesters in July.

To learn more about eligibility, applying, and getting your P-EBT benefits, visit hhs.texas.gov/pebt, or call the P-EBT Call Center at 833-442-1255, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–6 p.m. Central time.