P-EBT Cards FAQ for Chicago Public School Student

All CPS students are eligible regardless of income

 How do I activate my card?

  • English instructions

  • Activate your card by calling 1-800-678-5465

    • Enter the number on the front of your card

    • Select option 1

    • Enter the “999-99-9999” (in place of a social security number). Press 1 to confirm.

    • Enter the date of birth of your child (ex: “01 01 2013” for January 1, 2013). Press 1 to confirm.

    • Enter a new 4 digit PIN

 What stores take these benefits?

All major grocery stores take these benefits in-store. Both Amazon (Fresh service delivery) and Walmart take these for online payment but you must register your card on their websites.

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If your address is not correct in Aspen, please contact your child’s school with your correct address. A P-EBT change of address should be made using the Illinois Department of Human Services P-EBT Change of Address Form. Should families have questions regarding the P-EBT benefits and issuances, review the P-EBT Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). They can also contact our Healthy CPS Hotline at 773-553-KIDS (5437) or complete a Healthy CPS Assistance Request Form.

Consulte la información adjunta del Departamento de Servicios Humanos de Illinois sobre los beneficios de P-EBT. Todos los estudiantes de CPS son elegibles.

Se debe realizar un cambio de dirección P-EBT utilizando el formulario de cambio de dirección P-EBT del Departamento de Servicios Humanos de Illinois. Si las familias tienen preguntas sobre los beneficios y las emisiones de P-EBT, revisen las Preguntas frecuentes (FAQ) de P-EBT. También pueden comunicarse con nuestra línea directa de Healthy CPS al 773-553-KIDS (5437) o completar un formulario de solicitud de asistencia de Healthy CPS.

It will come in a relatively unmarked envelope with your child’s name on it.

Frequently Asked Questions - P-EBT (Preguntas Frecuentes de P-EBT)

  • What should a family do if they haven't received their P-EBT card in the mail?

    • There is a known delivery lag due to a delay with the P-EBT card manufacturer. 

    • The last batch of P-EBT cards were scheduled to be printed and mailed on March 14th. Due to the manufacturing delay, there is an estimated two week delay. 

    • Neither the DHS P-EBT Hotline nor the Healthy CPS Hotline have or can provide estimates on delivery timelines. 

  • Where would my card have been mailed?

    • The card will be mailed to the student’s primary address in ASPEN. 

    • If the family would prefer to have the P-EBT card sent to the school, the clerk should update the student’s mailing address to the school’s address.

    • A change of address should be made using the Illinois Department of Human Services P-EBT Change of Address Form

  • When to call your school:

    • If a change of address needs to be made in ASPEN. 

    • If the P-EBT card has been sent to the school, due to the mailing address being listed as the school, and the family needs to coordinate a pick-up time. The family must sign for the PEBT card.

    • Here is the contact information for Hermosa area schools

  • By what date should I have received my card? Will this be the only card I receive?

    • There is a known delay in P-EBT card delivery. 

    • Families will receive one card per qualifying student.

    • Once a family receives their P-EBT card, this will be the only card they will need to receive their P-EBT benefits. All future deposits for the P-EBT benefit will be made to the same card.

  • By what date will my card be loaded with funds? How frequently should funds be loaded on to my card?

    • Benefits will load on to the card monthly. 

    • By April, the card will be loaded with a distribution from September 2020 to December 2020. 

    • In April, the card will be loaded with a distribution for January 2021 through March 2021.

    • Beginning in May, the card will be loaded monthly with the benefit for the remainder of the school year.