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The Health Care Authority’s mission is: We ensure that New Mexicans attain their highest level of health by providing whole-person, cost-effective, accessible, and high-quality health care and safety-net services.
Help Feed Your Children with Pandemic EBT
Updates and Announcements School Aged P-EBT
Final Summer P-EBT for School Age Kids
There will be no other P-EBT issuances beyond 9/26/2023. P-EBT is now finalized.
The final Summer P-EBT issuance will begin on September 12. Households with eligible children will receive payments starting September 12 through the end of the month. The benefit amount is $120.00 for each eligible school aged student.
New P-EBT cards will be mailed starting on 9/12 through 9/26.
For your child to be eligible they must have attended school as of the last date of the 2022-2023 school year and be approved for Free or Reduced Priced meals for Breakfast/Lunch through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). Or, the child may have attended a school that received Free Meals through Community Eligibility Provision (CEP).
Parents, please hold onto your child’s EBT card as it may be used in the future for a new program called Summer EBT.
For additional questions and information regarding School Aged P-EBT, see the FAQ listed below:
Updates and Announcements Childcare P-EBT
The New Mexico Human Services Department (HSD) in collaboration with the Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) will issue Pandemic-EBT (P-EBT) benefits for children, under of the age of six, who were a member of a household that received food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) at any time since August 1, 2022 through May 11, 2023. New Mexico received federal approval to issue Childcare P-EBT benefits for the 2022-2023 school year. Each month that the child age 0 through 5 were on SNAP, will be looked at to determine eligibility. Benefits will be issued in multiple payments beginning April 19, 2023. The amount for January 2023 through April 2023 per eligible child will be $18.11 per month. The amount for May 2023 per eligible child will be $9.06. Issuance dates will be as followed:
- August and September 2022 will be deposited on April 19 through April 21, 2023.
- October and November 2022 will be deposited on May 18 through May 19, 2023.
- December 2022 will be deposited on June 16, 2023.
- January, February and March 2023 will be deposited on July 21, 2023.
- April and May 2023 will be deposited on August 17 and August 18, 2023.
There will be no issuances for the summer months for these children. In order for Childcare P-EBT to be authorized by FNS, a Public Health Emergency (PHE) due to COVID must be in place. The PHE is due to end on May 11, 2023.
Hold onto your child’s EBT card, it is important to keep in case they will be eligible for future issuances with the Summer EBT program coming 2024. More information to come on this program later this year.
For additional questions and information regarding Childcare P-EBT, see the FAQ listed below:
Questions and Answers Regarding P-EBT Cards
Where can I use the EBT card at?
Use it the same as SNAP benefits. This benefit is used to purchase SNAP-eligible foods. These are sold at hundreds of grocers across the country. They are at convenience stores. They are at farmer’s markets. They are at other businesses that take SNAP. You can also use your card where you see the Quest logo. You can search for retailers that take SNAP. Find them near you. Go to link to find locations.
Can I still pick-up meals from my kid’s school while I have P-EBT?
Yes.
How are P-EBT cards issued?
If you have a P-EBT card, the funds will go on the card. That means the card you got before. A new P-EBT card is issued for every distinct combination of address and guardian name. Kids in different families with the same guardian name will get benefits on a single card. This is because the address is the same.
Will I get a new P-EBT card if I got one in the last school year?
No, if you got a P-EBT card before, the benefits will go onto that card.
What if I have more than one child? Will I get more than one P-EBT card?
Most households will get one card. It will be issued in the eldest child’s name. It will include P-EBT benefits for all eligible children within the household. But this depends on the address. It also depends on guardian information on file with your child’s school. You might get more than one card. If you have questions about this, call the Consolidated Customer Service Center (CCSC) 1-800-283-4465.
Why did I not get a card for my child? I know they are eligible.
Please call P-EBT Customer Service. They can check your child’s information. Call the Consolidated Customer Service Center (CCSC) 1-800-283-4465. Here are some possible reasons:
- Benefits may have been paid to the eldest sibling’s card.
- The card may have been mailed to another listed guardian’s address. That address would be from the school (specific to School Aged P-EBT). If so, please work with that party to get your child’s benefits.
- Benefits may have gone to a child outside of your household. This is if the school had your child listed as living at that address. That address had other eligible kids. If this is the case, please work with that party to get your child’s benefits.
- We cannot separate a benefit that has already been paid out.
- Benefits cannot be paid retroactively.
***Specific to school aged P-EBT- benefit is paid based on information the school has for the child. If that has changed, then the info needs to be updated with the school.***
Does the P-EBT card expire?
The P-EBT benefit will stay on the card for 274 days. If you do not use it, the benefit will be recouped for lack of use after 274 days. This is automatic. Do not throw away your card. If your child is eligible for P-EBT, the benefits will go on that card.
If I do not use the P-EBT card, do I send it back to HSD?
The P-EBT benefit will stay on the card for 274 days. You do not have to use it all at once. If you do not use it, the benefit will be recouped for lack of use after 274 days. This is automatic.
I got a P-EBT card, but I do not need it. Can I give it to a family who does?
The P-EBT card is a benefit for the family. Your child’s benefits can be used for all other members in your household. The card and benefits cannot be transferred to another family or household. The P-EBT benefit will stay on the card for 274 days. If you do not use the benefit, it will be recouped for lack of use. This is automatic.
I have never activated an EBT card. What steps do I take?
Follow these steps:
When the household gets it’s P-EBT card, call FIS at 1-800-843-8303 to create a PIN. Or log on to http://www.ebtedge.com. You must do this before the card can be used. The phone number is located on the back of the P-EBT card. During the call, you will be asked for the following:
- 16-digit EBT card number
- Primary account holders date of birth to be entered as MM/DD/YYYY
Note: Spanish speakers enter DD/MM/YYYY - Primary account holders 5-digit zip code
- Requested 4-digit PIN
- Confirmation of the 4-digit PIN
Once this is done, the card will be active. The PIN is set. The card can be used right away.
When setting up the P-EBT card, what do I do if the zip code does not work? What do I do if the zip code is different?
Please call the Consolidated Customer Service Center (CCSC) 1-800-283-4465.
When setting up the P-EBT card, what do I do if the child’s DOB is incorrect?
Please call the Consolidated Customer Service Center (CCSC) 1-800-283-4465.
Who can I call if I did not get a P-EBT card?
Please call the Consolidated Customer Service Center (CCSC) 1-800-283-4465.
How can I check the balance of my child’s P-EBT card?
Call FIS Customer Service. Call 1-800-843-8303. Or check online. Go to http://www.ebtedge.com
What do I do if I need a replacement P-EBT card?
Call FIS Customer Service. Call 1-800-843-8303.
How do I order a replacement card through the FIS number?
Call FIS Customer Service. Call 1-800-843-8303.
• Press 2 for Spanish.
• Prompt will ask for the 16-digit card number.
• If replacing a card, you can press 2 right away. Or you can wait for the next voice prompt to direct you. This is if your card is lost, stolen, or damaged. This is if it needs to be replaced.
• Once you press 2, you will be redirected to a customer service rep. They will confirm your identity. Once that is confirmed, your current card will be deactivated. They will order you a new card. That goes to the current address in the system.
o If the client wants the card mailed to a new address, they will be directed back to the state to update the address.
If directed back to the state, guardian must call the Consolidated Customer Service Center (CCSC) 1-800-283-4465.
My mailing address is different. How do I update this to get the P-EBT card?
You will need to update your address with your child’s school. Then you can call the Consolidated Customer Service Center (CCSC) 1-800-283-4465.
The P-EBT card is under my child's name. Can I speak with Customer Service if I’m having issues with my card?
Yes as long as you are the child’s guardian listed, both FIS and P-EBT Customer Service staff will work with you. They will try to address and alleviate any issues you may be having.