Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we know that programs such as Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) have been successful in providing students and their families with needed grocery money while students were learning from home throughout the 2020-2021 school year.

We are excited to announce that the Cabinet for Health and Family Services has received approval to issue P-EBT benefits to eligible children ages 0-5 and summer EBT benefits for eligible children ages 0-5 and those in school.

Summer EBT:

  • Available to eligible children for the summer of 2021 while children are not in school.
  • All children who received P-EBT during the 2020-2021 school year are eligible.
  • Benefits will be loaded onto P-EBT cards or SNAP EBT cards if the family receives SNAP benefits.
  • Benefits will be one lump sum of $375– schedule of benefits will be issued the week of August 23rd.

Child Care P-EBT for children ages 0-5:

  • Available to eligible children for the months of October 2020-May 2021.
  • Children are eligible for each month that they were age 0-5 (up until their 6th birthday) and a part of a household with an active SNAP recipient.
  • Benefit amounts will vary and are based on the predominant learning style of the local school districts in their area (entirely virtual or hybrid).
  • Benefits will be credited to the SNAP EBT card for the family.
  • Benefits will be spread out over several weeks – expected to be issued after July 31st, every other week.

The Cabinet for Health and Family Services developed a FAQ for Child Care P-EBT.

If you need any assistance, call the Department for Community Based Services call center at 855-306-8959. You will need to have the student’s full name, date of birth, and State Student ID (SSID) number when you call.

This post will be updated as new resources becomes available. Visit the Cabinet for Health and Family Services P-EBT webpage for more information.

UPDATE: FeedingKY and KyPolicy have put together an updated Outreach Toolkit, including new social media graphics, printable FAQ documents, and additional materials from CHFS. Please share these resources with advocacy partners, schools, child care centers, and other stakeholders who may want these additional tools to promote the program and inform parents of this incoming grocery money.