What is P-EBT
P-EBT provides temporary assistance for households with children affected by school closures during the public health emergency.
P-EBT benefits are a food benefit that can be used to purchase any food product that is not hot and prepared. P-EBT benefits equal the amount of the national daily reimbursement for free breakfast and lunch ($5.70), multiplied by the average number of days that school was canceled in the months of March, April, and May 2020.
The benefit can be used at stores nationwide that accept Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Cards. P-EBT benefits are issued on the same card that Wyoming Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are issued on.
Click here to watch the Facebook live post answering many questions pertaining to the P-EBT one time disbursement.
P-EBT applications are no longer being accepted. The last day to turn in an application was June 3, 2020.
Who is eligible for P-EBT?
Children in Wyoming whose schools were closed for at least five (5) consecutive days during the COVID-19 emergency designation and who would have received free or reduced price meals under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (NSLP) if not for the school closure. Both public and non-public schools participating in the NSLP are eligible for P-EBT.
All children attending a school that is considered a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) are eligible for P-EBT regardless of their SNAP eligibility or their income-eligibility for free or reduced-price lunch. The following are CEP schools:
- Albany County School District #1 Whiting High School and Centennial Elementary School;
- Carbon County School District #2 Medicine Bow Elementary School;
- Fremont County School District #1 Pathfinder High School;
- Fremont County School District #14 entire district;
- Fremont County School District #21 entire district;
- Fremont County School District #25 Frontier Academy;
- Fremont County School District #38 entire district; and
- St. Stephens Indian School entire school.
There are three (3) school districts in Wyoming that do not participate in NSLP and children attending these schools are not eligible for P-EBT.
- Niobrara School District #1;
- Sheridan School District #3; and
- Park School District #16.
How is eligibility for P-EBT Determined?
Once DFS receives your application, they will email your school district or NSLP-participating non-public school to verify that the children on the application were eligible for free or reduced lunch as of March 16, 2020. (March 16, 2020 was the average day that schools in Wyoming were closed due to COVID-19)
DFS will approve or deny your application based on the verification of the information received back from the school district or NSLP-participating non-public school. A notice of approval or denial will be mailed to your mailing address listed on the application.
How do I receive my P-EBT benefits?
P-EBT benefits are issued on the same EBT card that SNAP benefits are issued on.
For households currently on SNAP or have an active Wyoming EBT card, P-EBT benefits will be loaded on to your current SNAP card.
If you have received SNAP in Wyoming previously but no longer have your EBT card, please check the box on the application and a new card will be mailed. When an EBT card is mailed, it takes about seven (7) business days to arrive at your mailing address.
If your household has never received a SNAP card in Wyoming, an EBT card will be mailed upon approval of P-EBT benefits. When an EBT card is mailed, it takes about seven (7 )business days to arrive at your mailing address.
What is the amount of P-EBT benefits?
P-EBT benefits are based on the average school closure date in Wyoming and the average last day of school in Wyoming for the regularly scheduled school year.
In March 2020, there was an average 12 days of school closed due to COVID-19.
In April 2020there was an average of 22 days of school closed due to COVID-19.
In May 2020, there was an average of 16 days of school closed due to COVID-19.
There was an average of 50 days missed due to COVID-19. Using the daily P-EBT rate of $5.70/per child equals a total of $285.00/per child.
P-EBT benefits can not be prorated and children must be eligible for NSLP free or reduced lunch at the time of school closure due to COVID-19 to be eligible for P-EBT benefits.
When should I receive my P-EBT benefits?
P-EBT benefits will start to be processed on Monday June 8th, 2020. P-EBT benefits will be issued in the order the applications were received.
For More Information contact:
Valerie Blair, Program Analyst, Wyoming Department of Family ServicesSNAP/TANF Training Manager, Economic Security Division201 N 4th ST, Lander, WY 82520
Phone:(307)332-4038, ext 24
valerie.blair@wyo.gov
