Pandemic EBT CALPADS Update Reminder

This communication is to encourage program operators to prepare for Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) 3.0. The American Rescue Plan Act extended P-EBT benefits for school age children eligible in School Year (SY) 2021–22 (known as P-EBT 3.0).

California must submit a P-EBT 3.0 plan to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for approval before benefits can be issued to households. In anticipation of plan submission and approval, the California Department of Education (CDE) is recommending that program operators update the following California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System (CALPADS) information that is used to determine and issue benefits to eligible students.

• Ensure student enrollment and eligibility information are up-to-date in CALPADS: Throughout the year, it is important that program operators keep the following data up-to-date in CALPADS:
  
  
  • Student enrollments and exits, especially enrollments in provision schools
  • Free and reduced-price meal program records
  • Migrant, homeless, and foster records
    
    
• Ensure student mailing addresses are up-to-date in CALPADS: No application process is required for P-EBT 3.0, and eligible students will be mailed P-EBT benefit cards based on their address in CALPADS. Therefore, it is critical that student addresses in CALPADS are kept up-to-date throughout the year.

Thank you in advance for your efforts. The P-EBT program provides an important source of funding for California’s most vulnerable students. For more information about P-EBT, please send families to the California Department of Social Services P-EBT web page .

Also, the Nutrition Services Division has a P-EBT email to assist program operators at PEBT@cde.ca.gov.