P-EBT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 

June 13, 2022 

Summer P-EBT Benefits Coming to Families with Eligible School Children 

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) has received federal approval  to distribute Summer Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) benefits to an estimated 485,000 children who participate in the  National School Lunch Program.  

The benefits will help feed children enrolled in the program, which provides free and reduced-price meals at  school. Eligible families will receive $391 for each child in the program. The benefits are expected to start  rolling out later this summer. 

“Hunger doesn’t take a summer break,” said Alabama DHR Commissioner Nancy Buckner. “These Summer  P-EBT benefits will provide financial flexibility and promote continued food security for students as they  transition between school years. We are grateful to our federal and state partners for their ongoing support of  our efforts to meet the nutritional needs of young Alabamians.” 

Although all public school children could access free meals during the 2021-22 school year, Summer P-EBT  benefits are limited to those who participate in the National School Lunch Program by application or through  either the Community Eligibility Provision or a Provision 2 school. Families with questions about eligibility  should contact the schools their children attend.  

Summer P-EBT benefits can be used to purchase SNAP-eligible food items at stores that accept Electronic  Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards. Households with eligible students who received P-EBT benefits previously will  access Summer P-EBT benefits on their existing EBT cards. Those who are new to the National School Lunch  Program will receive EBT cards in the mail. All recipients should keep their EBT cards in case additional  benefits are added in the future. 

To become eligible for Summer P-EBT, families may apply for the National School Lunch Program by  contacting their local schools no later than Aug. 31. 

Eligible families are encouraged to monitor dhr.alabama.gov for additional updates, including information  about a timeframe for the arrival of benefits.  

DHR oversees the distribution of Summer P-EBT with assistance from ALSDE. The U.S. Department of  Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service administers the program at the federal level. 

Support specialists are available to answer questions about P-EBT by phone at 1-800-410-5827 and online  at dhr.alabama.gov/food-assistance/ from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. 

Media Contact: 

Dominic Binkley

dominic.binkley@dhr.alabama.gov