School Year 2022-23 P-EBT Reconsideration Process

The USDA Food and Nutrition Service approved the continuation of the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) Program for the 2022-2023 school year.

The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) will distribute lump sum payments to all students who were eligible for P-EBT benefits on existing current P-EBT cards for the 2022-2023 school year, separated into 2 parts: August 2022 – February 2023 and March 2023 – May 11, 2023.

TDHS is taking action to resolve any missing School Year August 2022 – February 2023 P-EBT benefits that do not reflect the number of school meals missed due to COVID-19-related school closures or excused absences. If a child does not receive the expected amount of P-EBT benefits based on the eligibility guidelines described below after the first P-EBT distribution date on April 21, 2023, parents can submit a Reconsideration request via the P-EBT Parent Portal (https://onedhs.tn.gov/parent). Requests must be made between April 24, 2023 through May 8, 2023. If approved, Reconsideration benefits will be issued in May 2023.

As more details are finalized regarding the P-EBT Reconsideration process for the August 2022 – February 2023 timespan, updates will be posted on the TDHS P-EBT website, and on TDHS Facebook and Twitter accounts. Text messaged updates will be available for parents who opt-in through the P-EBT Parent Portal and the child has a documented COVID-19 related excused absence documented by the school.

2022-2023 P-EBT Reconsideration Eligibility

If your child does not receive the correct P-EBT benefit amounts and has missing days considered as an excused absence due to COVID-19, the parent can claim missing days through the Reconsideration process.

To process a Reconsideration for the August 2022 – February 2023, a child must have missed school due to a COVID-19 related “excused absence” documented at the school and not received P-EBT benefits for eligible days. Children that attend a Community Eligibility Program, Provision 2 or 3 school may also be eligible. In addition, a child must participate in the National School Lunch Program and the school should have experienced a closure or reduction of hours for 5 consecutive days.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Reconsideration process?

The Reconsideration process allows parents to report missing P-EBT benefit days from the August 2022 – February 2023 timespan through the P-EBT Parent Portal. Parents who believe their children are eligible for additional funds based on missing P-EBT benefit days due to an excused COVID related absence must follow the Reconsideration process prior to filing an appeal. The Reconsideration process is open from April 24, 2023 and ends on May 8, 2023. Any missing benefit days submitted by parents via the Reconsideration process will be reviewed and, if approved, missing benefits will be issued during the month of May 2023.

If you have not created a P-EBT Parent Portal account already, please create an account by visiting: https://onedhs.tn.gov and link your children before processing a Reconsideration.

How can I submit to the Reconsideration process?

Click here to sign into the P-EBT Parent Portal. Once logged in, you can submit missing P-EBT benefit days to the Reconsideration process by clicking on the ‘Reconsideration’ link in the main headers or from the ‘Quick Links’ section.

To process a Reconsideration, you will need to ensure your child/children are linked to your P-EBT Parent Portal account. You will need to attest and submit the selected days to complete the Reconsideration process.

Does the process differ depending on the type of school my child attends?

Yes, the process differs slightly depending on whether your child attends public or private school. Both processes will take place via the P-EBT Parent Portal.

Once logged in, you can submit missing P-EBT benefit days to the Reconsideration process by clicking on the ‘Reconsideration’ link in the top menu or from the ‘Quick Links’ section. To process a reconsideration, you will need to ensure your child/children are linked to your P-EBT Parent Portal account.

If your child is in public school, you will be able to request Reconsideration for the additional dates pertaining to excused absences due to COVID-19.

If your child is in private school, you will be able to request Reconsideration in terms of the number of additional days for each month pertaining to excused absences due to COVID-19.

All parents will need to attest and submit the selected days to complete the Reconsideration process.

When will I get my P-EBT benefits?

To check the status and distribution date of P-EBT benefits, you can use the P-EBT Parent Portal by visiting: https://onedhs.tn.gov/parent. Distribution dates are also shared on the TDHS website, and on TDHS Facebook and Twitter accounts.

TDHS plans to issue one payment for approved benefits requested through the Reconsideration process. The single payment will be issued around May 2023.

How much will I get?

The P-EBT benefit amount is based on each child’s number of “excused absences” related to COVID-19 that were submitted through the Reconsideration process and approved. Eligible children will receive approximately $8.18 per each excused absence day, related to COVID-19. Confirmation from each school can vary from student to student, even within a family. To view the amount your child may receive, visit the P-EBT Parent Portal at https://onedhs.tn.gov/parent.

You can check your P-EBT card balance on www.connectebt.com or by calling the number on the back of your P-EBT card.

How do I know if my Reconsideration request is approved or denied?

You will receive an email once your request is approved or denied. Once it is approved, you will also be able to see the amount on the ‘My benefits’ screen once you log into the P-EBT Parent Portal.

What can I do if my Reconsideration is denied?

Reconsiderations will be denied if a child has already received benefits for the day(s) submitted. If a parent selects missing days that cannot be resolved by the Reconsideration process, TDHS will notify the parent and advise on the right to appeal.