DHS Approved to Issue 2022 Summer P-EBT Benefits to Eligible RI Children

Published on Friday, August 12, 2022

The USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has approved the Summer P-EBT plan submitted by the RI Department of Human Services (DHS), allowing the state to issue additional food benefits for children during the summer months. Eligible children will receive $391 in total benefits to help households pay for their nutritional expenses for the months of July 2022 and August 2022.

“The RI Department of Human Services is proud to offer this program again to one of the State’s most vulnerable populations who continue to be impacted by the effects of COVID-19,” said Kimberly Merolla-Brito, Acting Director of the RI Department of Human Services. “Summer P-EBT benefits will help provide nutritious meals for children, regardless of the time of year. Recipients of the Summer P-EBT support are encouraged to learn more about Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides food assistance to eligible families year-round.”

Summer P-EBT will be available for two groups of children: school-age and children under 6 receiving SNAP benefits are both eligible for $391 in total benefits. Importantly, for school-age children, this year’s Summer P-EBT benefit should be considered an extension of the P-EBT issued during the 2021- 2022 school year.

School-age children who received free or reduced priced meals through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) during the 2021-2022 academic year will receive a lump sum payment of $391 sometime between the middle of August and the end of September 2022.

Children under age 6 who are in a household receiving SNAP benefits will receive P-EBT benefits in two lump sum payments of $196 and $195 per eligible child; also expected to be disbursed between September and October 2022. If a child’s SNAP enrollment is set to begin or expire at any time during the summer of 2022, they will remain eligible to receive Summer P-EBT for 2022.

Families who previously received a P-EBT card will have benefits issued to that card. For children eligible for Summer P-EBT through their participation in SNAP, Summer P-EBT benefits will be issued to the household’s EBT card. Families who have lost or damaged their P-EBT card can call 1-888-979-9939 for a replacement.

Since NSLP schools are considered closed for the summer, the learning model of NSLP participating schools does not affect eligibility of Summer P-EBT benefits for school-age children. Families may have more than one eligible child for Summer P-EBT in their household, and benefits will be issued appropriately for each eligible child.

Students who have not been eligible for free or reduced priced meals through the NSLP, but think they might be now, should complete a Meal Benefit application by August 26, 2022, to determine eligibility to receive Summer P-EBT. For questions not answered in the FAQ, households can call United Way’s 2-1-1 hotline.