Anticipation of Summer 2022 Pandemic-EBT

Posted Date: 07/07/2022

EXCITING NEWS   Anticipation of Summer P-EBT Approval   To our School Leaders who operate the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), Many of you are aware of Pandemic-Electronic Benefit Transfer, or P-EBT, which is a program that issues federal meal assistance funds to families whose children are eligible for Free and Reduced-Price lunch and met COVID-19 qualifications over the past few years. While P-EBT was not available in Arizona during the school year, it is anticipated that a Summer P-EBT benefit will be available to eligible households as soon as October 2022. The Arizona Summer P-EBT State Plan has been submitted to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) by the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) in partnership with the Arizona Department of Education (ADE). If approved as written, a standard benefit of $391 will be administered to families by the DES, but LEAs that participate in NSLP must report student-level data to the ADE before DES can confirm eligibility for this benefit. It is critically important for schools to collect missing income eligibility (FRPL) data for the purposes of federal and state policy implementation. Data used to qualify students must be collected no later than July 30, 2022. The below information outlines the data needed from LEAs pending the approval of the proposed plan, as well as what guidance can be provided to families should they contact your school or district for information about Summer P-EBT. Communications are being sent to alert food service directors of the Summer P-EBT criteria and income eligibility deadlines. ADE anticipates approval of the plan by July 1, 2022, and formal guidance is to be issued from ADE Health and Nutrition Services (HNS). Reporting Summer P-EBT Eligibility LEAs will be responsible for reporting student meal eligibility and enrollment status to ADE this fall. Only an eligibility status determined from the school year 2021-2022 or any new certification through July 30, 2022, may be used to qualify a student for Summer P-EBT. Individual student eligibility collected from an alternate income eligibility form (e.g. provided by ESEA consolidated programs such as Title 1) will not qualify a student for Summer P-EBT. LEAs must also confirm the student was enrolled in the NSLP participating school in May 2022. Students enrolled in May 2022 at sites that participated in Special Provision Option (SPO) Provision 2, Provision 3, or Community Eligibility Provision in SY 2021-22 automatically qualify for Summer P-EBT.   Speaking with Families About Summer P-EBT Many families will understandably be very interested to know whether or when they may receive Summer P-EBT funds. Schools should instruct households to complete the 2022-2023 school year Household Application for Free and Reduced-Price Meals to their local school no later than July 30, 2022. The determination will be used for upcoming school meal benefits as well as qualify the student for Summer P-EBT.   CONNECT WITH US   The Arizona Department of Education advances equity and excellence for all students by serving school leaders, educators and staff, collaborating with communities, and leading with data-driven best practices. LEARN MORE ›