S-EBT Benefits
-
During the pandemic, the federal government provided pandemic-related Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) benefits for qualifying students who learned remotely and did not have access to school lunch. It also provided an amount to each qualifying family to be used over the summer. That summer funding is now permanent (S-EBT), and all students attending an in-person school who qualify for free or reduced-price educational benefits between July 1, 2023 and August 31, 2024 are eligible to receive $120 ($40/month) to purchase food over the summer. S-EBT is jointly implemented by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) and the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS).
Breakfast and lunch are free this year for all students, but this funding is only available to students who qualify for free & reduced-price educational benefits and attended a school participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)* in school year 2023-2024.
*All Lakeville Area Schools except Lakeville Online Academy participate in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Do you qualify?
-
- If you are participating in a state program such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), MFIP (Minnesota Family Investment Program), FDPIR (Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations), Medicaid (As determined by MN Dept of Human Services), Homeless (McKinney-Vento Act), or Foster status, you will automatically qualify for summer EBT benefits. We will automatically sign you up, and if DHS approves your household, you will receive the S-EBT card in the mail at your primary household listed in the. Please check to be sure your contact information is up-to-date. To change your address, please contact enroll@isd194.org.
-
If you have already applied for free & reduced-price meal benefits, and you have received your approval letter, you will automatically qualify for summer EBT benefits. We will automatically sign you up, and you will receive the S-EBT card in the mail at your primary household listed in the if DHS approves your household. Please check to be sure your contact information is up-to-date. To change your address, please contact enroll@isd194.org.
-
If you are not participating in a state program and have not yet applied for free & reduced-price meal benefits, but think you may qualify,! If you qualify, we will automatically sign you up for Summer EBT benefits. DHS will let you know if you qualify.
-
To receive your S-EBT card in July, you must apply and be approved for free & reduced-price meal benefits by Friday, May 24 for DHS to review and approve of your household.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
How do I know if my student is approved?
Students who have completed their Educational Benefits Application and are eligible for free or reduced price meals, will have their information forwarded automatically and the DHS will text or email families when S-EBT benefits are approved. Make sure your student’s school has your correct contact information on your.
-
When will I receive the funds?
In July 2024, benefits will go to those who have qualified for educational benefits before May 24th.
At a later date, undetermined by DHS yet, benefits will go to those who applied from May 24th through August 31st and qualified for educational benefits.
-
How much money will I receive?
Qualifying families will receive $40/month as a one time payment of $120 for each student with educational benefits.
-
Do I need to apply to get the funds?
No. Families do not need to apply for S-EBT benefits. Schools will be reporting qualification data to the state on their behalf.
-
How are benefits issued?
DHS will issue the benefits on children’s S-EBT cards. Each eligible individual student will get a new S-EBT card this school year (2023/2024).
To replace an existing card for $2, call EBT Edge at 888-997-2227.
-
How can I check if my student qualifies for free or reduced priced benefits?
You can check to make sure that your student has qualified for free or reduced priced benefits by looking on the Linq Connect portal. are instructions on how to set up a Linq Connect account.
If you have not yet submitted an application for your students for educational benefits for this school year, you can apply at or submit a paper application to your school that can be found or in any school office.
Data Privacy
-
In order to confirm your child’s eligibility for S-EBT, Lakeville Area Schools must provide information on you and your child to MDE. In addition, MDE must share some information with DHS in order to distribute S-EBT benefits. This information includes private data about you or your minor child under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act.
Lakeville Area Schools will provide MDE with the following information:
- Parent/guardian’s name, phone number, email address and mailing address
- MDE will provide DHS with the following information:
- Student’s name and birthdate
- Student’s primary home language
- Parent/guardian’s name, phone number, email address and mailing address
MDE and DHS will only use your information for determining eligibility, distributing benefits, communicating with you about S-EBT, and managing and evaluating the S-EBT program in Minnesota. Your data will not be used for any other purposes. Only MDE and DHS staff working on the program or others with legal authority to access your data by a state or federal law will have access to your information.
Opting Out
If you do not want Lakeville Area Schools to share your information with MDE and DHS, please notify us by 5/20/24 by filling out this . If you do not want your information shared with MDE, we will not share it. If you opt out of sharing your information with MDE and DHS, you will NOT receive S-EBT benefits because MDE and DHS will not be able to determine eligibility and know where to mail your S-EBT card(s).
If you have questions or concerns about this data privacy notice, please contact Julie Wharton at julie.wharton@isd194.org.
Other Questions
-
- General questions: If you have questions about the S-EBT program, call the Dept. of Human Services at 651-431-4608 or 1-833-454-0153.
- Questions about your student’s free or reduced priced meal eligibility: julie.wharton@isd194.org
- To replace a lost card or update your address call EBT Edge at 888-997-2227 or visit