P-EBT benefits will be issued for the 21-22 school year under the same eligibility requirements as last year. To be eligible for benefits, a child must be 5 years old or younger (as of September 1, 2021) AND be included in an active Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) case. Young children who are part of the Student P-EBT population cannot receive Child Care P-EBT benefits.

Eligible children can expect to receive Child Care P-EBT benefits on their existing FNS EBT card.
A statewide benefit amount will be issued each month based on guidance from USDA. All eligible children across the state will receive the same amount. However, the amount will likely change with each issuance.

For more information, please visit www.ncdhhs.gov/PEBT.

Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) is a food assistance program that helps families with children who are unable to access free or reduced-price meals at school when they are not physically present because of COVID-19.

For more information, visit: www.ncdhhs.gov/PEBT

• Food and Nutrition Services benefits are issued monthly through Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) which automatically deposits the monthly balance into the household's EBT account.
• Households are issued a card and can pay for their groceries at food stores by using the card in the same way they would use a debit card at the checkout counter.
• The cost of the purchased groceries is deducted electronically from the EBT account.

To receive Food and Nutrition Services, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be a US Citizen or qualified legal immigrant;
• Have, or have applied for, a Social Security number; and
• Meet income and reserve requirements.

Due to the Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA), this change may affect your SNAP benefits effective October 1, 2021.

Notice to SNAP Recipients

Updated Retailers for FNS Online purchasing using Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT)