The California Department of Social Services (CDSS), in partnership with the California Department of Education (CDE), will issue P-EBT benefits for summer 2022. In this post, we will provide a detailed update on California Summer P-EBT for 2022.
We will explain who is eligible, benefit amounts, and when benefits will be reloaded onto P-EBT cards.
Also, we will answer the most frequently asked questions about Summer 2022 P-EBT benefits.
For P-EBT benefits for School Year 2021/2022, see our post on
California P-EBT Reload Update for 2021/2022.
Summer P-EBT Requirements
Like last summer, P-EBT is available to all school children who were eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals during the current school year.
Additionally, Summer 2022 P-EBT benefits are available to school children who are newly determined eligible for meal benefits during the summer months in states that have an approved SY 2021-22 plan for school children and/or children in child care.
In such states, P-EBT is also available to all children under 6 who are enrolled in SNAP during the summer.
All states need approval from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for their P-EBT plan for summer 2022.
The USDA recently issued guidance on summer P-EBT plans, so states now can develop and submit their summer P-EBT plans to the USDA for approval.
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) and California Department of Education (CDE) have submitted a plan to the USDA for summer 2022.
California Summer P-EBT for 2022
The P-EBT benefit for school children is available for the entire summer of 2022.
However, the benefit for SNAP-enrolled children under 6 is only available through the end of the federal government’s COVID-19 public health emergency declaration.
Should the public health emergency (PHE) declaration end prior to the end of the summer, P-EBT benefits for this group will be prorated.
The PHE is currently set to expire July 9.
If it is extended, USDA will release guidance on providing children 0-6 on SNAP the remainder of the full benefit for the summer, which would be an additional $200.
Who is Eligible for Summer P-EBT for 2022?
Children in schools participating in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program are eligible for P-EBT benefits in Summer 2022.
Here’s the category of children eligible for Summer P-EBT benefits in 2022:
School Children
All school children who would have received free or reduced-price school meals at school are eligible for P-EBT benefits in the summer of 2022.
Eligibility will be determined based on student circumstances as of May 2022 (last full month of the 2021-22 school year).
Students may also become eligible during the summer period if they apply and are approved for the National School Lunch Program free or reduced-price meals.
School districts will identify children who were eligible to receive free or reduced price meals as of May 2022 using data collected at the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year.
Households who become newly income-eligible for free or reduced price meals during the summer can apply for the program with their school districts by August 31.
Children in childcare
Children in childcare are eligible for summer P-EBT for 2022.
Young children under age 6 must meet the following criteria to receive summer P-EBT in 2022:
- The child must be 5 years old or younger as of September 1, 2021 (considered the start of the 2021-2022 school year) AND
- The child must receive SNAP or other Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) benefits. This criterion can be met through one of two ways:
- The child was included in an active SNAP or other FNS case during the month of May 2022 OR
- The child becomes eligible for SNAP or other FNS benefit at any time between June 1st and August 15th
How Long will Summer P-EBT Benefits Last?
The covered summer period shall not be more than the 90 calendar days that follow a school year during which there was a public health emergency declaration.
How Much will Children Recieve in P-EBT for Summer 2022?
Here are the summer 2022 P-EBT rates as announced by the USDA:
| 2022 Covered Summer Period | U.S. Standard P-EBT Benefit | |||
| Median Length of Covered Summer Period (weekdays) | Daily P-EBT Rate | Standard Benefit | ||
| Contiguous U.S. | 55 | $7.10 | $391 | |
| Alaska | 55 | 11.44 | 629 | |
| Hawaii, Guam, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico | 55 | 8.28 | 455 | |
When will California Issue Summer P-EBT Benefits?
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) and the California Department of Education (CDE) have not yet announced when Summer P-EBT benefits for 2022 will be issued.
We will update this post as soon as the reload dates are announced.
FAQs about California Summer P-EBT for 2022
Here are the most frequently asked questions about California Summer P-EBT for 2022:
How do I Activate my P-EBT Card?
After the P-EBT debit card arrives in the mail, you will need to activate the card before using it.
Follow the instructions to create a personal PIN number. Call the P-EBT Helpline at (877) 328-9677.
Tip! When setting your PIN, you must listen to the ENTIRE menu!
Don’t throw your card away! New benefits get added to your card at scheduled intervals.
The amount may change over time based on when schools reopened in your area.
These benefits do expire, so make sure you use them at least once every year
Where do you use your P-EBT card?
The same places that take CalFresh will take P-EBT.
This includes most grocery stores, farmers markets, and online retailers such as Amazon or Walmart, though delivery fees may apply.
Just like with CalFresh, foods that are served hot or already prepared are NOT covered under P-EBT.
What can you purchase with P-EBT?
Any food for the household, such as:
- Fruits and vegetables;
- Meat, poultry, and fish;
- Dairy products;
- Breads and cereals;
- Other foods such as snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages; and.
- Seeds and plants, which produce food for the household to eat.
Does Walmart accept P-EBT?
Yes. Walmart accepts EBT card purchases at all locations that sell food and grocery items.
Your P-EBT card can be used the same way you would use your debit card, and P-EBT cardholders in 48 states, including California can also pay for Walmart delivery and pickup orders online.
Does Trader Joe’s take P-EBT?
Yes. Trader Joe’s accepts P-EBT cards, including at stores in California.
To see a list of Trader Joe’s locations in California that take P-EBT, see our post on California Trader Joe’s Locations that take SNAP.
California Summer P-EBT for 2022 Summary
We hope this post on California Summer P-EBT for 2022 was helpful.
Questions?
If you have further questions about the P-EBT Benefits, California SNAP or EBT Card, please let us know in the comments section below.
Also, be sure to check out our other articles about California SNAP and EBT, including:
