COVID-19 Food Stamp (SNAP) Benefits Information

Buying Groceries Online with Your EBT Card

Pandemic Food Stamp/Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (P-SNAP)

What was P-SNAP?

Pandemic Food Stamp/Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (P-SNAP) allowed all SNAP households to receive a minimum P-SNAP benefit amount of $95. 

How much should my SNAP (Food Stamp) benefit have been with P-SNAP?

It depends. Every SNAP household got at least $95 in P-SNAP benefits. If your household did not get the maximum SNAP benefit for your household size, your P-SNAP benefit should have been the amount it takes to get you to the maximum benefit. If your household already got the maximum SNAP benefit (or close to it), then you got a $95 P-SNAP benefit. 

For example: 

  • If you are a family of 4 with a normal SNAP benefit of $600 each month, your P-SNAP benefit was $182 to make your total SNAP benefit the maximum monthly amount ($782).
  • If you are a family of 4 who normally gets the maximum monthly SNAP benefit of $782, your P-SNAP benefit was $95 to make your total SNAP benefit $877. 
  • If you are a family of 4 with a normal SNAP benefit of $750 each month, your P-SNAP benefit was $95 to make your total SNAP benefit $845.

When will P-SNAP benefits end?

August 2021 was the last month DSS requested P-SNAP.

Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT)

What is P-EBT?

Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) was a temporary benefit for children who are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch but did not receive meals at school or day care due to closure, hybrid, or virtual learning. This benefit was to help cover food costs from September 2020 through May 2021.

Who is eligible for P-EBT?

Children in school: Your child may have been eligible if they normally got free or reduced-price meals at school but they were not able to because their school was not doing in-person classes or had reduced hours at least 5 days in a row due to COVID-19. NOTE: Closures do not include weekends, holidays, or regularly scheduled breaks.

Children in day care: Your child may have been eligible if they are under age 6 and your household was approved for SNAP any time after October 1, 2020.

How much is the P-EBT benefit?

Your child's monthly benefit depended on the mode of learning each month as reported by your school building, not based on the individual attendance for your child:

  • If your child’s school reported remote learning or was closed for 12 days or less or the school reported operating with reduced hours or attendance for 13 days or more, you will get the maximum monthly benefit of $77.75.
  • If your child’s school did remote learning or was closed for 13 school days or more, you will get the maximum monthly benefit of $129.
  • If your child’s school reported students were in seat for any given month then students at that school are not eligible for any P-EBT benefits for that month

    Below are the definitions of the different modes straight from the school survey:
  • Virtual or Closed due to COVID-19: The school building is closed for 13 days or more
  • Hybrid: The school is operating with reduced attendance or hours for 13 days or more OR the school building is closed for 1-12 days
  • School Open: Children in seat all month

Below are the definitions of the different modes straight from the school survey:

  • Virtual or Closed due to COVID-19: The school building is closed for 13 days or more
  • Hybrid: The school is operating with reduced attendance or hours for 13 days or more OR the school building is closed for 1-12 days
  • School Open: Children in seat all month

How do I apply for P-EBT?

The deadline to apply for P-EBT benefits was August 20, 2021. 

How will my child get P-EBT benefits?

If your child is school-aged, once your application is approved you will get a P-EBT card in your child’s name with the benefit on it. The P-EBT benefit will be one lump sum. If your child’s P-EBT application is not approved, you will get a letter about the decision and information about hearing rights.

If your child is under age 6 and your household was approved for SNAP any time after October 1, 2020 your child’s P-EBT benefit will automatically be loaded as one lump sum onto your household’s EBT card.

What time period did P-EBT benefits cover?

This P-EBT benefit covered September 2020 through May 2021. If approved, your child’s P-EBT benefit will be loaded as one lump sum onto a new or existing P-EBT card.
 

How long will P-EBT benefits stay on my EBT card?

P-EBT benefits are good for 9 months from the date the benefits are placed on your EBT card.

Where can I use my P-EBT benefits?

You can use your P-EBT card in any grocery store or retail location anywhere in the United States that displays the QUEST Mark®.

What can I buy with P-EBT benefits?

P-EBT benefits can be used to buy food and food products, such as plants and seeds to grow food, just like SNAP benefits.

Are there any restrictions when using a P-EBT card?

Yes, the same restrictions that apply for regular EBT cards will also apply to P-EBT cards. P-EBT benefits cannot buy any of the following:

  • Tobacco
  • Hot prepared foods
  • Foods prepared to be immediately eaten
  • Vitamins, medicine, supplements
  • Non-food items such as paper products, soap, or pet food
  • Alcohol

Can my child receive meals provided by the school if they get P-EBT benefits?

Yes, students can get P-EBT and also get meals provided by the school district.

I applied for P-EBT, how long will it take to get approved?

DSS is still processing applications for the 2020-2021 school year. Households will receive a letter if their application for P-EBT benefits was rejected with a rejection reason.

I made an error on my P-EBT application. Can I fix it?

No, you cannot change your P-EBT application after we receive it. We may contact you if we need additional information. If we do not approve your P-EBT application, you will have an opportunity to appeal the decision.

If my household income has changed during the pandemic, how can I apply to have my children participate in free and reduced-price meals?

You will need to reach out to your school district to apply for free and reduced-price meals.

General information about Food Stamp (SNAP) benefits

Who can get Food Stamp (SNAP) benefits?

To be eligible for Food Stamp benefits, you must meet certain eligibility requirements.

I just lost my job so my family is now down to just one income. Will we qualify for Food Stamp benefits?

Food Stamp benefits are for low-income households. If your household income is now low enough, you may qualify. However, for some households a job loss may not reduce the income enough to qualify for Food Stamp benefits.

How can I apply for Food Stamp benefits?

You can apply for food stamp benefits online or you can call 855-FSD-INFO (855-373-4636) and ask one of our team members for an application. Completed applications should then be sent to us by email at FSD.Documents@dss.mo.gov or fax to 573-526-9400.

How long does it take to get Food Stamp application?

It can take up to 30 days for a Food Stamp application to be processed. You can check the status of your application by calling 800-392-1261. Help is available through this automated phone line 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Where can I get help for my family while I am waiting on approval for Food Stamp benefits?

It can take up to 30 days for a Food Stamp application to be processed. You can check the status of your application by calling 800-392-1261. Help is available through this automated phone line 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

How long will I be eligible for Food Stamp benefits?

As long as you meet the eligibility requirements, you can receive food stamp benefits. When you are approved for food stamp benefits you will receive a letter that tells you when you must reapply.

How will I get my Food Stamp benefits?

A household’s monthly Food Stamp benefits are loaded to a Missouri Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card.

If I am approved, when will I get my Food Stamp benefits?

Your monthly benefit is loaded onto your EBT card based on your date of birth and the first letter of your last name. To see when your monthly benefits will be available, view the monthly EBT benefit schedule.

What should I do if I do not get my Food Stamp benefits when expected?

You can call 800-392-1261 at any time or contact the Family Support Division (FSD) at 855-FSD-INFO (855-373-4636) and ask for the date your Food Stamp benefits are available.

What state can I use Food Stamp benefits in?

You can use Food Stamp benefits you received from another state in Missouri. In addition, you can use Missouri Food Stamp benefits in any other state. You must notify FSD if you move out of Missouri.

I got my EBT card. How do I set up my pin number?

Call 1-800-997-7777 and follow the instructions.

How can I get a replacement EBT card?

You can call EBT Edge at 800-997-7777.

Food Stamp (SNAP) Interviews

I just applied for Food Stamp (SNAP) benefits. How do I complete my interview?

Our team will call the number you put on your application within 3 days of getting it. The caller ID on your phone should show a call from the “Family Support Division.” Please try to answer this call to complete your interview.

If you miss the call, you can call us back at 855-823-4908 to complete your interview, however depending on call volume you may have to wait on hold before you can speak with an agent.

Can I visit an office to do my interview?

Yes. Interviews can be completed over the phone, but if you would prefer to do an interview in-person you can visit your local resource center. You can schedule an appointment at your local resource center for the quickest service.

Do I need to complete an interview for recertification?

Yes. If you received a recertification form, you need to complete an interview in order to continue to receive benefits. 

I thought I was due for recertification, but I never got a letter. Should I try to call and do an interview to be safe?

You will get a letter in a mail when you are due for recertification. If you believe you are due for recertification and you did not get a letter, please call 855-FSD-INFO (855-373-4636) to speak with a team member about your case.

Summer Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT)

What is Summer P-EBT?

In 2021 Congress extended P-EBT to any “covered summer period” that followed a school year when a public health emergency due to COVID-19 was declared. This benefit, called Summer Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT), helps fill the meal gap left by a child’s lack of access to meals during the summer months. If eligible, Summer P-EBT benefits are loaded to a household’s new or existing P-EBT card.

Do I need to apply for Summer P-EBT?

You will only need to apply for Summer P-EBT if you did not already apply for P-EBT benefits. If you applied for P-EBT (not to be confused with Summer P-EBT) by August 20, 2021, those applications (including all denied applications) will be automatically reviewed for eligibility for a Summer P-EBT benefit.

Applications for Summer P-EBT will be accepted until October 10, 2021.

NOTE: Summer P-EBT is not the same as P-EBT, and a Summer P-EBT application will not be used to determine eligibility for 2020-2021 P-EBT benefits. The deadline to apply for P-EBT benefits was August 20, 2021.

Who is eligible?

Children who were already approved for the free and reduced lunch program at their school the last month of the 2020-2021 school year may be eligible for Summer P-EBT.

When will I get my benefit?

The one-time Summer P-EBT benefit of $375 will be loaded automatically to P-EBT cards as P-EBT applications and Summer P-EBT applications are reviewed and approved. Summer P-EBT benefits will be loaded on the Saturday following your child’s approval.