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Food Assistance

Summer P-EBT is a temporary United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) food benefit that provides extra support to Iowa families with children who were approved for free or reduced-price school meals. Significant changes have been made to the Summer P-EBT program. More information is below.

Who is eligible for P-EBT?

2023 Summer P-EBT

A student may be eligible if they were enrolled in Kindergarten through 12th grade in Iowa and, before or on May 31, 2023:

  • Were eligible for free or reduced-price school meals through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and enrolled in a school that participated in the NSLP during the 22-23 school year, or

  • Attended a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school during the 22-23 school year

The following are not eligible for 2023 Summer P-EBT benefits: Non-school aged children in childcare; virtual school students (during 2022-23 school year); homeschooled school-aged children (during the 2022-23 school year); and virtual students who were dual-enrolled (during the 2022-23 school year).

How Will Eligible Children Get P-EBT Benefits?

P-EBT cards for eligible children will be mailed to the address provided by their school. The card should be received by October 4, 2023. If the child has a different last name than the adults who receive mail at the address, it may be helpful to notify the post office that the child will receive mail.

How Do I Update the Mailing Address?

Contact the child’s school to report an address change. The post office may not forward the P-EBT card to the new address. If the card is not received at the new address, contact the P-EBT Customer Service Center at 515-420-6048 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday to update the address and request a new card. If you don’t receive the card, the earliest you can request a replacement is October 4, 2023.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

To find more information, read the P-EBT FAQs in English or Spanish.

P-EBT Customer Service Center

The P-EBT Customer Service Center can answer general P-EBT questions and change the address where the P-EBT card will be sent. If you don’t receive the card, the earliest you can request a replacement is October 4, 2023.

P- EBT Customer Service Center contact information:

  • Call 515-420-6048

  • Monday - Friday

  • 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

  • Note: Direct all questions about eligibility for free or reduced-price school meals to the child’s school.

Help with the Actual Benefit Card

Iowas p-ebt card

The EBT Customer Service can:

  • Activate a P-EBT card

  • Replace a lost or stolen card

  • Check your balance

  • Access benefit purchases and issuance

EBT Customer Service contact information: 

  • 800-359-5802

  • Available 24/7

Online EBT card help:

  • Visit www.connectebt.com. 

  • You can access a child’s P-EBT card information on the Connect EBT app or on the web at connectebt.com. Download the Connect EBT app to your mobile phone. Available for IOS and Android.