Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides a monthly benefit to help low-income households purchase nutritious food.

If you receive SNAP you may also be eligible to participate in Maine SNAP-Ed or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training (SNAP E&T)

What do I need to do to apply?

Eligibility for SNAP is based on income, assets, expenses and household size. You will need to fill out an application, complete an interview and provide verification of your household’s income, identity, citizenship status, assets and other items depending on your household circumstances.

Pandemic EBT (P-EBT)

If you received a P-EBT card and have questions on how to use this benefit, please see P-EBT Frequently Asked Questions below

Maine has been authorized to issue P-EBT benefits to children under age 6 for the 2022-2023 school year.

• Benefits were issued August 7, and available August 11, 2023,
• September 5, and available September 8, 2023,or
• October 2, and available October 6, 2023.

To be eligible for this program, individuals must meet all of the following criteria:

1. They must have been under age 6 on October 15, 2022.
2. They must have been receiving SNAP benefits in Maine in a given month between August 2022 through May 2023 to be eligible for P-EBT for that month.
3. They cannot be eligible for Free/Reduced-price Meal as a student.

Notes:

• The average monthly benefit for children under 6 is about $39 but varies greatly from month to month.
• The benefit amount is based on the average reduction in Child Care Food Program claims for the same month pre-pandemic.
• August and May each only count as a partial school year month.
• Children in this group are not eligible for P-EBT benefits after the end of the Public Health Emergency Declaration (May 11, 2023). 

Maine has, also, been authorized to issue P-EBT benefits to eligible school aged children for the 2022-2023 school year.

• Benefits were issued September 5-7, and available September 8, 2023.

To be eligible for this program individuals must meet the following criteria for either a traditional student, or a home-schooled/virtual student:

Traditional Students must meet all of the following criteria:

1. They must attend a school that was closed or had reduced attendance due to COVID-19 for 5 consecutive days.
2. They must have been absent from school or attended remotely for five or more days in a row due to COVID-19. P-EBT benefits (of $8.18 per day) are only issued for the days school meals were missed due to COVID-19, for students.
3. They must be eligible for Free/Reduced-price Meal (FaRM) benefits on the USDA National School Lunch Program meal benefit application.

          Notes on FaRM eligibility:

          Students who met the Free/Reduced-price Meal benefits criteria for P-EBT eligibility are those who:

• attended a Community Eligibility Provision or Special Provision II school,
• received SNAP or TANF benefits of at least $1 any month during the school,
• were documented as being part of a family engaged in migrant agricultural work,
• were documented as experiencing homelessness,
• were in foster care through Maine’s DHHS, or
• were found eligible for FaRM through an application through their school prior to June 30, 2023

          Notes:

• School breakfast and lunch were available at no cost for all Maine students this past year, Universal free lunches in Maine schools do not mean a child is eligible for P-EBT.
• Students must be eligible for Free/Reduced-price Meal benefits under the USDA National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program’s meal benefit by meeting the requirements listed above.

Home-Schooled Students and those attending fully virtual schools must meet all of the following criteria:

1. They must have been attending a National School Lunch Program participating school on January 27, 2020 or started school after January 27, 2020.
2. They must be home-schooled or attending a fully virtual school due to concerns about COVID.
3. They must have submitted an application prior to September 30, 2023 and been determined otherwise Free/Reduced-price Meal benefit.
4. Completed applications must be received by the Department no later than September 30, 2023.

Maine has, also, been authorized to issue P-EBT benefits for students for the summer of 2023.

• Benefits were issued September 5-7, and available September 8, 2023.

To be eligible for this program, students must meet all of the following criteria:

1. They must have met the criteria for school aged children for the 2022-2023 school year.  
2. They must have been enrolled in school in June 2023.

Notes:

• Children not in school are not eligible for summer P-EBT benefits.
• The summer 2023 benefit is $120 per child.
• If no benefits are used from a P-EBT Card/Account for 9 months or more the benefits will be expunged or removed.
• Once benefits are expunged, they cannot be reissued.
• Any purchases made with the card will restart the 9-month period.
• Call the number on the back of the card to check the P-EBT balance regularly to be sure you are aware of all benefits. 

P-EBT Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is P-EBT?

The federally funded P-EBT benefit provided additional nutrition support for families of infants and children eligible for free or reduced school lunch, but who did not have access to school-based food programs because they were learning remotely, or absent due to illness caused by COVID-19. The benefit was also available to eligible children who were homeschooled or attended fully virtual school due to concerns related to COVID-19.

The average benefit per month ranged from $40 to $120 per child, per month, depending on whether the child’s school was partially or fully remote.

Why did my child receive a P-EBT card?

The benefit was available to families with: 

• School-aged children eligible for free or reduced school lunch. This includes children who attend a school that uses the federal Community Eligibility Provision or Special Provision II, which support schools in offering free school meals to all students through the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. Most Maine schools participate in these provisions to support Maine’s universal school meals program. Students at these schools are eligible for P-EBT regardless of their financial circumstances. A list of these schools is available here.  
• Children who were homeschooled or attended fully virtual school due to concerns related to COVID-19.  

The Department issued P-EBT cards to eligible families consistent with federal guidelines using federal funding.

 

Where can I use my P-EBT card?

You can use it at any retailer that participates in the SNAP program. See “How to Use SNAP EBT” below for more information.

Will I receive more funding on this P-EBT card or receive another P-EBT card in the future?

With the end of the federal Public Health Emergency, there is no plan to issue more P-EBT benefits.

My family doesn’t use SNAP. Why am I receiving P-EBT benefits?

Some families who are not enrolled in SNAP or individually eligible for Free and Reduced-price school Meals received P-EBT benefits because their child attends a school that has met the Federal designation for the Community Eligible Provision or Provision II of the National School Lunch Act.

If this is a pandemic benefit, why am I receiving a P-EBT payment now?

The P-EBT payment distributed in September was the last payment made to retroactively cover the 2022-2023 school year.

The P-EBT benefit was tied to the federal Public Health Emergency established in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the program ended with the end of the federal Public Health Emergency on May 11, 2023.  Following time to gather and process eligibility data, recently issued benefits reimbursed families for meal expenses for past months.

How do I set up my pin for my P-EBT card?

Call the number on the back of the P-EBT card, (800) 477-7428. You will need to enter the child’s date of birth and the last four digits of their Social Security Number (SS#). If the child does not have a SS# or it was not provided to OFI you will need to enter 9999.

How do I check my balance?

You can check the balance by calling the back of the card, (800) 477-7428. You will need to provide the card number and the card holder's name and date of birth.

If you no longer have the card, you can call (855) 797-4357 to order a replacement card.

Why did I receive multiple cards?

P-EBT cards are issued for each eligible child not on SNAP. If your children were not on SNAP you will receive a P-EBT card for each eligible child.

I didn’t ask for P-EBT and I do not want it. What do I do with the P-EBT card?

If you do not wish to use the card, you can simply cut up and discard it.  Unused benefits will be returned to the U.S. Department of Agriculture in nine months. The benefits may not be used to purchase food for anyone outside of your child’s household. 

Will P-EBT benefits be issued to the P-EBT card I received last year?

Yes. If your child is eligible for P-EBT for the 2022-2023 school year, or the summer of 2023 they will be issued on the same card. If you need a replacement card you can request one using the Maine EBT Online Portal or by calling (800) 477-7428.

Do home-schooled children qualify for P-EBT?

Home-schooled children and those attending fully virtual schools may qualify for P-EBT for the 2022-2023 school year. They must meet all of the following criteria:

1. They must have been attending a National School Lunch Program participating school on January 27, 2020 or started school after January 27, 2020.
2. They must be home schooled or attending a fully virtual school due to concerns about COVID. 
3. They must have submitted an application prior to September 30, 2023 and been determined otherwise Free/Reduced-price Meal benefit eligible.

If I got P-EBT last year is it automatic this year?

No. To be eligible for the 2022-2023 school year—

• your school aged child would need to be eligible for Free/Reduced-price Meal benefits through the USDA National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program during the 2021-2022 school year and have missed five day's worth of school meals in a row due to COVID-19; or
• your child under age 6 would need to have been receiving SNAP in Maine.

When will my child get P-EBT?

Children under 6 who are not students were issued P-EBT benefits on their household cards August 7, September 5, and October 2, 2023. These benefits are available the following Friday.

Students were issued P-EBT benefits September 5-7, 2023. These benefits are available September 8, 2023.

Please remember it may take 7 days or longer to receive an EBT or P-EBT card.

Why did my child get a different P-EBT benefit amount than their classmate?

Each school aged child’s benefit is uniquely calculated based on the number of days they missed school meals due to COVID-19. Children who had a different number of remote days or excused absences received a different benefit amount.

What are the Monthly benefit amounts for children under age 6?     

August 2022	$15.99
September 2022	$35.10
October 2022	$52.95
November 2022	$35.88
December 2022	$39.18
January 2023	$47.68
February 2023	$40.36
March 2023	$43.17
April 2023	$43.87
May 2023	$15.57

Can I apply for P-EBT?

No.  The deadline for applications was September 30, 2023.

How to Use SNAP EBT

In Person Purchasing:

Most stores that accept EBT will display a SNAP or Quest logo. You can also find a store near you that accepts SNAP by entering your zip code in the USDA SNAP Retail Locator.

Online Purchasing:

Maine Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients are able to purchase eligible food items online at participating retailers using their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards.

How to use your EBT card for online purchases

• SNAP benefits can be used online at participating retailers for delivery or curbside pick-up purchases. A list of participating retailers in Maine is available from the USDA SNAP Online Purchasing Pilot. Some may, also, accept EBT cash.
• SNAP benefits cannot be used for delivery charges.
• Contact your local grocery store to see if they chose curbside pick-up as an option. Any grocer is allowed to purchase wireless EBT equipment which makes curbside pick-up possible. 

Protect your identity and benefits when shopping online

Only send your EBT information over a secure network.

• Do not use public computers or WiFi such as:
  • Libraries,
  • Complimentary WiFi at restaurants, or
  • Other shared WiFi such as at hotels
• Secure your home Wifi by updating your router's password/key
• If you are using your cellphone and are not connected to a secure network, use your data plan.

More tips are available from the US Federal Trade Commission Online Shopping Security Tips. 

Information for Retailers

Current SNAP-eligible retailers interested in participating in online EBT purchases should visit the USDA website for more information, including program requirements and instructions for enrollment.

Post-Secondary Student Eligibility

The Office for Family Independence (OFI) has created a Community College Verification Form (PDF) to simplify verifying SNAP eligibility for post-secondary students at community colleges. Community colleges can verify students are enrolled in an associate’s degree or certificate program that is considered a “career or technical education program”, as defined by the federal Carl D. Perkins Act (most certificate and associate degree programs fit the definition), OR a course the community college has determined will make the student more employable. This information has been conveyed to Navigators at community colleges so that they are better able to assist OFI in the fight to reduce hunger. Navigators are campus based staff who assist eligible students throughout their time in school.

Able-bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs)

Able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) can receive SNAP for only 3 months in a 3-year period if they do not meet certain work requirements. To learn more about ABAWD requirements and exemptions visit the USDA Food and Nutrition Service SNAP Work Requirements page.

SNAP Quality Control Review

The SNAP Quality Control Review team is a federally mandated group of OFI specialists that thoroughly reviews more than 1,100 randomly selected SNAP households every year.  SNAP has one of the most rigorous quality control systems in the federal government. The SNAP quality control system measures how accurately SNAP state agencies determine a household’s eligibility and benefit amount. It consists of both state agency reviews and federal reviews. Quality Control Reviews are used to determine if:

• The SNAP program is being run according to regulations.
• The local office handled the case correctly.
• The information in the case file is correct.
• The client is getting the benefits they are eligible for.

All written communication from OFI's SNAP Quality Control Review team is on OFI's letterhead. Phone number of the office and the worker are included as well as the workers full name and State of Maine email address.

Federal law states that selected clients must cooperate with the SNAP Quality Control Review. If a client does not give the detailed information requested and/or cooperate with the review, their SNAP case may be closed.

Additional information regarding SNAP Quality Control Review can be found on the USDA website, https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/quality-control

What to Do if Your Benefits are Stolen Electronically

1) Have your card disabled and new one issued by calling (800) 477-7428.

2) Change your PIN to one that is easy for you to remember but hard for others to guess.

3) Use the Electronically Stolen Benefits Application (Fillable PDF) to report the theft and request replacement benefits.

USDA Non Discrimination Statement

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English.  Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the agency (state or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (833) 620-1071, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to:

1. mail:
   Food and Nutrition Service, USDA
   1320 Braddock Place, Room 334
   Alexandria, VA 22314; or
2. fax:
   (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
3. email:
   FNSCIVILRIGHTSCOMPLAINTS@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.