This page provides information on temporary food benefits for children who usually get free or reduced price schools meals, additional benefits for FoodShare members, and ordering and paying for food online with QUEST or P-EBT cards.
Temporary food benefits for students for the 2019–2020 school year
Background
Due to school closures as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, families with a child or children eligible for free or reduced price school meals for the 2019-2020 school year through the National School Lunch Program were able to get temporary food benefits in place of the school meals for March, April, May, and/or June 2020. These benefits are called Pandemic EBT or P-EBT.
We automatically provided these benefits if we could using information we have for your child or children. If we were able to match the information we have with the information your school provided to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction about children eligible for free and reduced price school meals through the National School Lunch Program, then we automatically provided the benefits. If we didn’t have enough information for a child, then we weren’t able to automatically provide the benefits, and families instead had to apply for them.
Next steps
At this time, the application for Pandemic EBT benefits for the 2019-2020 school year has closed, and we are working to resolve questions about individual cases and to provide benefits as quickly and accurately as possible. If you have a question about your individual case, please contact us.
We are also waiting for more information from the federal government about Pandemic EBT benefits for the 2020-2021 school year and will provide updates on this page when they are available.
Have a question about your case?
Email us, and include your full name, your phone number, each child's full name and date of birth, the school each child goes to, the city where the school is located, and the issue you're experiencing.
FAQs
What are Pandemic EBT benefits?
They are temporary benefits that are funded by the federal government to help families of children eligible for free or reduced price school meals through the National School Lunch Program since schools were closed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The benefits were authorized under the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act. The federal government approved Wisconsin’s request to provide these benefits in April.
Who was eligible for these benefits?
Children who were getting free or reduced price school meals for the 2019-2020 school year through a school participating in the National School Lunch Program were eligible for these benefits.
The National School Lunch Program is a federal program that provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free meals to students.
What was the amount I got based on?
The amount you got was based on the value of school meals, the average number of days schools were closed each month, and the months your child or children were eligible for free or reduced price school meals through the National School Lunch Program.
The following were the monthly benefit amounts per eligible child:
- March: $51.30
- April: $125.40
- May: $119.70
- June: $28.50
How were benefits provided?
The benefits were put on a QUEST card for families who had an existing card or on a P-EBT card that was sent to families. These cards can be used like a debit card to buy food. You must use the benefits within one year of their being put on your card. They will be automatically removed from your card after one year.
You can check the balance on your card at any time by going to the ebtEDGE website or using the ebtEDGE mobile app.
I have more than one child who was eligible for free or reduced price school meals for the 2019-2020 school year through the National School Lunch Program. Why did I get benefits for only one child (or some of my children)?
We automatically provided these benefits if we could using information we have for your child or children. If we were able to match the information we have with the information your school provided to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction about children eligible for free or reduced price school meals through the National School Lunch Program, then we automatically provided the benefits. If we didn’t have enough information for a child, then we couldn’t automatically provide the benefits. You would have needed to apply for the benefits in that situation.
I successfully applied for the benefits. When will I get them?
We will mail you a P-EBT card with the benefits the next business day after you successfully apply. It may take up to 10 days for you to get the card.
I applied for the benefits and was told my information couldn’t be verified. What should I do?
If you think you should have gotten these benefits, please complete the following steps:
- Contact your school district or school to make sure:
- Your child or children were eligible for free or reduced price school meals for the 2019-2020 school year through the National School Lunch Program. Your child’s or children’s school needed to be participating in the National School Lunch Program for you to get these benefits.
- The name and date of birth you entered on the application for your child or children exactly matched the information your school district or school provided to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. If it didn’t match, then the application couldn’t be submitted, and you will need to email us.
- If you’ve confirmed that your child’s or children’s school participates in the National School Lunch Program, then email us, and include the following information:
- Your full name (You must be the child’s parent or guardian.)
- Your phone number
- Each child’s full name and date of birth
- The school each child goes to and the city where the school is located
- The issue you're experiencing
We are working to make sure these benefits are provided as quickly and as accurately as possible. However, please be aware that it may take some time to look into your individual case.
Will my immigration status be affected or will I become a public charge if I got these benefits?
No, your immigration status is not affected, and you will not become a public charge.
What if I don’t want the benefits?
You can cut up your P-EBT card and securely dispose of it. Make sure you cut through the magnetic stripe on the card.
Will my child or children get Pandemic EBT benefits for the 2020–2021 school year?
Pandemic EBT benefits are funded by the federal government. The Pandemic EBT benefits for the 2019-2020 school year (March through June 2020) were authorized through the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act since schools were closed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although some schools are planning to do distance or virtual learning for the first part of the 2020-2021 school year, we are waiting for more information from the federal government on whether Pandemic EBT benefits can be provided for the 2020-2021 school year. We will provide updates on this page when they are available.
Who can I contact to activate my card, reset my card PIN, replace my card, or get other help with my card?
You can call QUEST Card Service at 877-415-5164 to:
- Activate your card.
- Reset your card PIN.
- Get your card balance.
- Report a lost, stolen, or damaged card.
- Replace your card.
- Get general information about your card.
You can also check the balance on your card at any time by going to the ebtEDGE website or using the ebtEDGE mobile app.
Who can I contact for help?
QUEST or P-EBT card questions or issues
If you need help with your QUEST or P-EBT card, please call QUEST Card Service at 877-415-5164.
Case-specific questions
If you have a specific question about your Pandemic EBT benefits, please email us. Make sure you include the following in the email:
- Your full name (You must be the child’s parent or guardian.) Your case number if you have one
- Your phone number
- Each child’s full name and date of birth
- The school each child goes to and the city where the school is located
- The question you have or issue you are experiencing
We may not be able to respond to every email, but we will either update this webpage based on the questions we get or work to resolve your issue. Please be aware that it may take some time to look into your individual case.
Note: Income maintenance and tribal agencies do not have information about your Pandemic EBT benefits and will only be able to direct you to these contacts for more information. They can help you if you want to apply for other benefits, such as FoodShare or BadgerCare Plus, or if you are already getting other benefits.
Some FoodShare members may get additional FoodShare benefits for July and August
If you are enrolled in FoodShare, you may get additional FoodShare benefits for July and August to help during the COVID-19 pandemic. You will get these additional benefits if you do not already get the maximum monthly benefit amount for the number of people in your household.
You will get a letter letting you know if you got the additional FoodShare benefits and how much the benefits will be. The July benefits will be put on your QUEST card on August 9, and the August benefits will be put on your QUEST card on August 23. The amount will be based on the number of eligible people in your household for July and August and whether you are currently repaying any benefits.
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| People in household | Maximum monthly benefit amount |
|---|---|
| 1 | $194 |
| 2 | $355 |
| 3 | $509 |
| 4 | $646 |
| 5 | $768 |
| 6 | $921 |
| 7 | $1,018 |
| 8 | $1,164 |
| Each additional person | Add $146 |
Ordering and paying for food online using your QUEST or P-EBT card
If you get FoodShare or have gotten Pandemic EBT benefits, you can order and pay for your food on Amazon’s and Walmart Grocery’s websites using your QUEST or P-EBT card. There will be an EBT card payment option for you to enter your card details. You will need to enter your card PIN each time you check out.
You can only use your QUEST or P-EBT card to buy food. If you are buying other items at the same time, you need to use another form of payment to pay for those items.
Amazon delivers across the state and offers free shipping on eligible orders over a certain dollar amount. Walmart may deliver depending on where you live, or you may need to pick up your order at the store. In some cases, you may be charged a delivery fee. You will not be able to use your QUEST or P-EBT card to pay this fee. You will need to use another form of payment instead.
If you experience any issues when using your QUEST or P-EBT card to pay online, first make sure you have a balance on your card by going to the ebtEDGE website, using the ebtEDGE mobile app, or calling QUEST Card Service at 877-415-5164. If you have a balance and are still unable to complete your transaction, contact customer service at Amazon or Walmart for help.
Amazon and Walmart provide more information about paying with your QUEST or P-EBT card on their websites. (Their websites refer to these cards as “SNAP EBT” or “EBT” cards.)
Note: At this time, the federal government has only approved Amazon and Walmart to accept online QUEST or P-EBT card payments. Other stores may be approved to accept these online payments in the future.
Other options
Some grocery stores offer other options for you to buy your food safely and easily. For example, at some locations, you can order your food online or over the phone, choose an EBT card payment option, and swipe your QUEST or P-EBT card when you pick up your order, either curbside or in store. Please check with your local grocery stores to see what options they offer.
