Mississippi has not yet been approved to issue P-EBT benefits for School Year 2021-22 or Summer 2022. MDE and MDHS are working together to prepare for the possible issuance of additional P-EBT benefits if the state receives federal approval.  

Over the next few weeks, MDE and MDHS will issue public messaging encouraging families to take the following steps to ensure that eligible children receive P-EBT benefits without delay if the state is authorized to issue additional benefits:

1. Submit an NSLP application for the 2021-22 school year if they have not already done so. (Applications are not required for students in schools participating in the Community Eligibility Program)
2. Update their mailing address with their school if their address has changed.

Public messaging will begin on Wednesday, March 23.  We are including some sample messages below. Please feel free to share these messages with the families in your district.

Model Message about Future P-EBT Benefits

Mississippi is in the planning process for another possible round of P-EBT benefits for School Year 2021-22 and Summer 2022 if authorized by the federal government.

To be eligible to receive these benefits if they are issued, children must qualify for free or reduced-price lunch under the National School Lunch Program.

To prevent delays in receiving any possible new P-EBT benefits, please make sure that you have submitted an application for Free or Reduced Priced Lunch for each of your children by:

April 29, 2022.

If you have already completed a meal application form for SY 2021-22 or received a letter stating your students are eligible for Free or Reduced meals for this school year, there is no need to submit another one.

You should also make sure that your mailing address is up to date with your school.

Model Messages about Address Updates:

Message 1

Is your mailing address up to date with your child’s school? If MS is approved to issue more PEBT benefits to eligible kids, any new P-EBT cards that are mailed will be mailed to the address on file at your child’s school. Make sure it’s up to date!

Message 2

Did you move this school year? If Mississippi is authorized to issue more PEBT benefits, any new PEBT cards that are mailed to eligible children will be sent to the most recent address on file at your child’s school.  Please update your mailing address before the end of the year.

Message 3

Important for families!  Please make sure that your mailing address is up to date with your child’s school before the end of the year. If MS is approved to issue more PEBT benefits in the future, PEBT cards for newly eligible children will be mailed to the most recent mailing address on file at their school.

Model Messages about NSLP Forms:

Message 1 

Make sure to complete the free and reduced price lunch application at your child’s school before the end of the school year. If Mississippi is approved for more PEBT benefits, having this form on file is key!

Message 2 

We don’t know yet if Mississippi will be approved to issue more PEBT benefits in the future. But, you should go ahead and make sure that your child has a school lunch application on file just in case. This information will be used to determine who is eligible for PEBT benefits if more benefits are issued.

Message 3 

Even if your child ate free school lunches this year, make sure that you have submitted a school lunch application form for the 2021-22 school year. If Mississippi is approved to issue more PEBT benefits, this information will be used to determine eligibility.  Contact your child’s school today to submit a school lunch form if you have not done so this school year.