Summer S - EBT

Pandemic benefits for students who receive free/reduced lunch ceased after the summer of 2023. Starting in the summer of 2024, Summer Electronic Benefits will be available for students who receive free/reduced lunch, including foster care and homeless students.
Here is what primary caregivers need to do to ensure they receive any benefits for children who are eligible to receive them: 

Families receiving SNAP benefits will have funds loaded on the existing card. Families who do not receive SNAP benefits will have a card mailed to the address on file in Student Information.

Click here to view/print the Frequently Asked Questions Sheet

Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer FAQ for Princeton City Schools

What is S-EBT? 

  • S-EBT is a new, permanent program which provides eligible children with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits during summer to help close the hunger gap when children are on summer break and not receiving school meals. S-EBT replaces the P-EBT program. S-EBT benefits are placed on a card that can be used at authorized grocery stores to buy food items. 

Who is eligible for S-EBT?

  • Free or reduced-price meal certified students enrolled in an Ohio K-12 school at any time during the year, including students who graduated (both early and on time) during the school year that is ending. Princeton reports these students for benefits in mid-May.

  • JFS will report benefit eligibility for children ages 6-18 who have participated in SNAP And Ohio Works First (OWF) from July 1, 2023 - August 16, 2024.

  • The Ohio Department of Medicaid will report children ages 6-18 participating in Medicaid who meet the income criteria for free or reduced meals for the same timeframe. 

How does my family receive the benefits?

  • Households currently receiving SNAP benefits will have funds issued on the existing Ohio Direction card.

  • Households not currently receiving SNAP benefits will be mailed an S-EBT card, after Princeton submits the data, for each child eligible to receive S-EBT benefits.  

What are the benefits?

  • One issuance for the summer in the amount of $120 per eligible child, which is $40 for each month of summer.  

When will we get the benefits?

  • Benefits will be distributed in June to families who meet eligibility requirements by May 15, 2024. Families who meet eligibility requirements after May 15th may be eligible to receive benefits later in the summer.  

How do I apply for benefits?

  • The first step to receiving benefits is to ensure your students’ address and parent/guardian information is up to date in Princeton. The process to update addresses in the system can be found here. Updating any information in Final Forms without going through the process to verify residency will NOT result in an address change for S-EBT reporting. If an incorrect address is reported by Princeton, there is nothing we will be able to do to resolve that issue for you. 

  • If you have not yet submitted a free/reduced lunch application for the school year ending, please do that immediately through Princeton’s Food Services. Paper applications in English and Spanish can be found here. 

  • If you already receive free/reduced meals or receive SNAP benefits, you don’t need to fill out any additional applications. 

What if I do not receive my benefits as expected?

  • Princeton only submits the data for students who receive free and reduced lunch, so you can start by verifying whether or not your child’s name and correct address were submitted for benefits. Princeton City Schools will not be able to assist you with lost cards.

  • Princeton City Schools does not issue the cards or benefits. They are issued by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service through state channels. More information will be available here, including a phone number for missing benefits or lost cards.