Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) was a temporary program to help purchase food for school-age children who were eligible for free or reduced price school meals through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or School Breakfast Program (SBP) and temporarily lost access to school meals due to COVID-19 pandemic-related school closures or reduced attendance.  P-EBT was discontinued with the end of the Public Health Emergency effective May 11, 2023.

P-EBT was in effect for eligible students during school years 2020-2023, and Summer 2021, 2022, and 2023.  P-EBT was in effect for children under 6 in SNAP households during school years 2020-2023, and Summer 2021 and 2022 for the months they received SNAP.

To have received P-EBT benefits for summer 2021, 2022, and/or 2023 school-age children must have been:

• Eligible for free or reduced-price school meals under National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or School Breakfast Program (SBP) as a student in grades K-12 in the school year leading up to summer, or
• Determined newly eligible for free or reduced-price school meals during the covered summer period (not including incoming Kindergarten students) following the school year; or,
• Attending a school that participated in the Community Eligibility Provision.

P-EBT eligibility for school-age children varied depending on the school year.

Checking Your Balance

P-EBT benefits were issued on a P-EBT card or added to the Families First EBT card for children identified to a SNAP case.  To check the balance of your P-EBT/Families First Card:

• Go to NJFamiliesFirst.com or download the ConnectEBT app in the Apple App store or Google Play store to create an account to view your current card balance and transaction history; or,
• Call EBT Customer Service at 1-800-997-3333 to use the automated phone system to get your balance; or,
• Check your last store receipt.

Protection and Security of P-EBT Card and Benefits

• Don’t share your PIN with anyone.
• Do not write your PIN on your card or card holder. Also, do not carry the number with you in your purse or wallet.
• If you cannot find your card or if you think someone knows your PIN, immediately call 1-800-997-3333.
• Keep your card away from electronic equipment (TVs and microwaves), magnets, and out of the sun.

Replacement of P-EBT/Families First EBT Cards

If you need to replace your P-EBT card or did not receive your P-EBT card because your address was incorrect, contact your local County Social Service Agency. If your P-EBT card has been lost, stolen or damaged, it is important to immediately report it online at www.NJFamiliesFirst.com or by calling 1-800-997-3333. This will “freeze” your card so no one can use your benefits. After reporting it, contact your local County Social Service Agency for a replacement P-EBT card. You may be asked to verify your identity. There may be a fee for replacement P-EBT cards.

Stolen or Fraudulently Used Benefits

Federal regulations do not allow for the replacement of stolen P-EBT benefits.  If you suspect your PIN was stolen, you can call 1-800-997-3333, go to www.NJFamiliesFirst.com or download the Connect EBT app in the Apple App store or Google Play store to review your transactions and/or change your PIN to protect any remaining benefits.

Expunged Benefits

If you have not used any of your P-EBT benefits for nine months from the date your benefit was issued or the last transaction, your old benefits will be expunged, meaning removed from your card. For example, as long as you are using your card at least once every nine months, your benefits will remain active.  Federal regulations do not allow benefits to be replaced after they have been expunged.

The P-EBT Benefit Search page allows you to search for any student information that was submitted by schools for any P-EBT benefit period after June 17, 2021 and was issued a P-EBT benefit by the NJ Department of Human Services. This information can help you check if your school-age child was issued P-EBT benefits for a particular time period.

How do I get to the P-EBT Benefits Search page?

Click here to visit the P-EBT Benefits Search page.