Summer P-EBT Announcement
June 10, 2021
Launch the media gallery 1 player - media #1Summer P-EBT Update
Dear Parents and Guardians:
I would like to share information from the Illinois State Board of Education concerning Summer P-EBT Benefits for our students. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has released guidance specific to Summer P-EBT benefits for eligible students. The Illinois State Board of Education is working in partnership with the Illinois Department of Human Services to review this guidance and plans to submit an application for USDA consideration of Summer P-EBT for eligible children in Illinois. While there is no requirement that an eligible school provides meal services for families to obtain Summer P-EBT, ISBE wants to remind schools of the summer meal service mandate (School Nutrition Programs Administrative Handbook, Page J-4) as well as encourage all schools that are operating a summer school program to offer meals services to children. With USDA waivers available for summertime meals, all schools are eligible to provide meal services at no charge to the children.
What is Summer P-EBT?
Summer P-EBT is a continuation of the P-EBT currently being issued to eligible students to provide financial support to eligible students and families to purchase food for children for the summertime. Schools do not need to participate in a summer school program to receive Summer P-EBT, however our school community is encouraged to continue to participate in summer meal distribution.
Who is eligible for Summer P-EBT?
Summer P-EBT is for all students enrolled at the end of the School Year 2020-21 regardless if they were eligible for any SY 20-21 P-EBT benefits that also meet the following criteria:
- Enrolled in a P-EBT eligible school
- Qualify to receive free or reduced-price meals (meeting socioeconomic requirements) or is enrolled in a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school
Schools are required to process any submitted Household Eligibility Applications submitted over the summer months prior to the Aug. 15, 2021, deadline for Summer P-EBT.
How much is Summer P-EBT and how will benefits be provided to families?
Summer P-EBT is a standard amount per student equal to approximately 55 summer days, thus the summer P-EBT benefit will be $375 per eligible student. The Summer P-EBT benefits, should a student qualify, will be loaded on to the existing student specific P-EBT cards issued by DHS this school year.
What actions do PUBLIC schools need to take for Summer P-EBT?
Public schools are asked to ensure that all data in SIS is accurate. Please make sure that any student meeting the socioeconomic requirements for free or reduced-price meals are marked as low income in SIS, and that all eligible students include an accurate mailing address.
What is the data submission schedule for Summer P-EBT?
ISBE will pull data from SIS (for eligible public schools) and WINS (for eligible nonpublic schools) twice for this benefit. The first will occur on June 25 with P-EBT benefits issued by DHS to eligible students planned for late July 2021. The second will occur on Aug. 15 with P-EBT benefits issued by DHS to eligible students planned for late September 2021. Once this data collection period is over, data upda
Should parents have questions regarding the P-EBT benefits and issuances that we are unable to assist with, please review the information at https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=131776, including the frequently asked questions. You may also contact the DHS toll-free P-EBT Helpline number at (833) 621-0737.
Thank you for your continued support!
Rayya Ghani,
School Board President
